Free Fall from Love by Heather London Page A

then?”
    “Okay.”
    She hangs up and I can’t help feeling like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest, my heart, and my mind. I realize that it’s not just seeing her smile that gives me that release; it’s the sound of her voice, too. Then, I can’t help wondering if I’m the biggest, most selfish asshole on the planet.
    Fifteen minutes later, I’m showered and back downstairs. Josh is lying across the couch, flipping through channels on the T.V., even though I can swear that he has a class this morning.
    “Hey, man,” I say, falling in the chair beside the couch. His right eyebrow rises and he glances at me like he’s never heard me speak before. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me, I pretty much told him to fuck off earlier with the silent treatment I gave him.
    “Hey, yourself,” he says. His voice is muffled since half of his face is buried in a pillow.
    “I’m an asshole.”
    “Tell me something I don’t know,” he responds.
    “Okay, how about I’m a huge asshole that’s been nothing but a dick to his best friend.”
    “Still not news, man.” He sits up, clicks off the T.V., and then walks into the kitchen. I stand up and follow him.
    “Okay, how about that I’m a huge asshole that’s been nothing but a dick to his best friend, but is going to try and stop being an asshole.”
    “And?” he asks, glancing back to me.
    “And try to stop being a dick.”
    He shrugs. “It’s not perfect, but I can live with that. Apology accepted.”
     
    HOLLY
    The clock on the wall is moving too fast and I’ve convinced myself that it’s broken. There’s no way class is almost over. I pull my cell phone out of my purse and see that it matches the clock on the wall. Damn, then it’s true. Twenty-five minutes until I’m supposed to head across campus and meet Carter for coffee. Twenty-five minutes until I’m forced to stare one of my fears in the face. Twenty-five minutes left to breathe without feeling like I’ve been punched in the stomach with an iron fist.
    “Okay, class. That’s all for today, but don’t get used to getting dismissed early. Today I just feel like being a nice guy; however, it doesn’t happen very often,” Professor Henley says and the class begins to stir.
    My stomach twists as the chatter from students grows louder. Sounds of books slamming shut and zippers closing fill the room. I was on the verge of having a meltdown at the thought of only having twenty-five minutes left. It doesn’t mean you have to go there right away, Holly. Get a hold of yourself.
    Slowly, I stuff my book and notebook into my backpack and decide to take the long way across campus, trying to prolong the inevitable.
    “Hey, Holly!” a shrill voice screams for me and, for once, I’m more than happy to hear it. Truthfully, I’m hoping Becca says that she needs help and it’s an emergency, giving me a perfectly valid excuse to cancel on Carter. God, that is so pathetic.
    Turning around, I see Becca smiling as she approaches.
    “Hey,” she says, breathing heavily like she’s just run to catch up to me. “I was going to see if you wanted to go grab some lunch before our class this afternoon.”
    Damn, not the emergency excuse I’m hoping for. “I’m sorry, but I made plans to go have coffee already.”
    “Oh, okay.” She shrugs. “Some other time, then.” It seems like the last few times she’s tried to talk to me and hang out, I’ve totally blown her off. Until a few months ago, we were pretty close.
    “Do you want to study together sometime? Maybe this weekend?” I ask and her face brightens. “We have the first test in Dr. Langford’s class next week and it would be nice to have a study partner.”
    “Sure, studying would be great.” She smiles.
    “Okay, I’ll call you,” I say, returning her smile.
    When I pull into a parking space at Java Hut, I notice an old FJ Cruiser parked next to me with a mountain rescue team sticker on it. Instantly, my insides turn to mush. I sit