If Ever I Fall (4 page)

                              
 
Laney

Yep, clearly I am thinking with my lady bits. I cannot believe that I just told that man I would move in. He did make a good bargain though.

I know Steph planned on moving in with Brad anyway, she was only staying for me. I know I need to give her the reprieve she needs to go on with her life, hell I need to find my own life whatever that may be.

“Why did you get so quiet? Rethinking it?” Shaking my head, I look over at him as I straighten my shoulders. No way is he backing me down now.

“No, I just didn’t think a man like you could handle renting to a woman without any strings attached.” There, I said it. I think he looks like a man whore.

“What exactly is a man like me?” He looks confused and I look forward to sharing my insight.

“First of all, you ooze sex. You walk like Mr. Sexuality himself. You should have a crown or sash or some shit.” Gavin’s eyes light up making him that much sexier. Damn him!

“And?” Oh now he’s intrigued by my insights.

“And I saw that thing you had hanging off of you at the party, I don’t think she would take kindly to me living in your house. I would like to see how that played out though. You just look like the type that takes what he wants when he wants it.” Gavin nods his with a smug look on his face. Jesus he makes a smug look cute. Arrogant shithead.

“So, basically you think that I’m attracted to you and that I couldn’t live in the same house without trying to fuck you? Does that about sum it up?” Wow! He totally nailed it. Although I was thinking that I was attracted to him making it a bad idea but he doesn’t need to know that part.

“I think you pretty well hit it.” Chugging my beer I look anywhere but at him. I don’t want him seeing that it’s the other way around although I would have no problem with not going after him. Again, let’s take a look at Laney’s current track record with men. 0 for 0.

“Well then, game on Miss Laney.” Holy shit balls.

I downed a few more beers sitting in our awkward silence. Gavin keeps grinning over at me so I watch the dancefloor instead. Who knew it would get this strange this quickly. And to think, he just challenged me didn’t he?

You can’t be thinking this is a good idea, Laney. The thought keeps rolling around my head when I hop out of my seat.

“Where are you going?” Gavin looks up with a new interested look on his face.

“I’m taking my buzzed ass out on the dance floor. Care to join me so I can make you look bad?” Laughing I turn and stagger out on the floor.

Oh Laney when will you learn to keep your mouth shut. Then again, I might as well find out if he means what he said.

I start to sway to the music when it switches to something faster. Doesn’t that just figure?

Everyone is lined up and dancing one of those line dances that I am completely clueless about. I’m not shy in this sense so I go for it.

“Hey cowboy, show me how to do this.” Grabbing a guy by the sleeve he smiles down at me before nodding. I watch his feet as he shows me the moves.

Once I think I got the hang of it I join in as Gavin stands off to the side watching. Yeah, game on.

I’m slipping and sliding across the floor like the rest of the group when my feet get tangled up and I fall on my ass.

Laughter erupts from me as Gavin rushes over.

“Shit, are you ok?” His face is way too serious for a fall on the ass. He needs to loosen up a little.

“That was fucking hilarious!” I drop back on the floor laughing as he grabs my hand and pulls me up with him.

“Are you on drugs?” The seriousness in his voice just makes me laugh harder. Some people need to learn to lighten up a little. Nothing in life can be this serious or you’ll never live.

“Nope. Are you?” Taking my turn to get all uppity on him, he doesn’t like it. I can tell.

“I don’t do drugs. My dad was a drug addict.” Well that didn’t go as planned. I know all about that.

“I’m sorry.” Shaking my head, I know fun time is over and it’s time for me to get home.

“Well, thank you for the beer and the offer but I need to head home.” Smiling at him, I walk past him and out the front door. Stepping outside the air is cooler than it was earlier.

“Shit! I left my bag.” Talking to myself is a normal habit for me since I’m the only one that listens to me. Seems legit right?

As I turn to go back in Gavin comes out knocking me to the ground with the door.

“Oh shit! I’m so sorry.” He drops down next to me as I laugh again.

“Do you laugh at everything?” Shaking his head, I let him help me up.

“Laughter is the best medicine they say.” Shrugging, I grab my bag from his hands.

“Sometimes THEY are idiots.” I watch Gavin shake his head and wonder what makes him the way he is.

“Yeah, sometimes they are. Thanks for bringing my bag out.” Gavin nods his head as I turn to walk away.

“Will I get to see you in that costume?” The question throws me a little but of course I have a comeback for that.

“We will be living together so I guess that’s a yes.” I call over my shoulder as I walk down the sidewalk.

“Oh, Laney you create your own hell.” I ramble to myself as I continue on my way.

                                  
 
Gavin

I watched Laney walk away that night in a complete daze. How the hell did I get her to say yes to moving in next week? I am completely confused but I must say that it is a good confusion.

“So you said you found a new roommate?”  I sit on the edge of Sean’s bed watching him pack like it’s any other day. It isn’t like I won’t miss my brother but we have done this move out move back in thing before so I’m not too worried. Besides, I get Laney.

“Yep. You know the orchestra chick? She’s moving in as soon as your ugly ass moves out.” Sean stops packing before looking over at me. He knows I’ve lost my damn mind.

“The piano girl? Are you kidding?” I shake my head with a giant grin on my face.

“Mom is going to shit herself if she knows you have a female roommate and what about Jenna?” I have thought about that and Jenna shouldn’t have much to say. Hell she just came back to the whole dating Gavin scene anyways.

“Mom doesn’t own this house I do and Jenna, well, I don’t give a shit what Jenna says. Look, the girl needed a place and I offered. End of story.”  Shrugging, I watch as he goes back to packing. That is the end of the story, isn’t it?

“Are you trying to fuck that girl? I heard she wasn’t that type. You better not mess with her.” Oh my big brother, always the keeper of the good girls.

“Sean, you’ve seen her. She isn’t my type.” After I say that I wonder if she really isn’t. I do feel a strong pull towards her but maybe that’s because she is off limits so to speak.

“You won’t try to fuck your roommate?”  I fake shock with my hand over my chest and mouth hanging open making Sean laugh.

“I’m shocked by those words. I didn’t try to fuck you did I?” Catching the shirt Sean throws at me, I laugh. I will miss having these fun times with him.

“Well, there was that one time.” I really will miss having him here. I laugh as I sit back and think about all the fun we’ve had here. He isn’t moving that far from here and we do have practice together damn near every night so it isn’t like I won’t see him. It’s just a nice feeling to know that’s he’s around if I need him.

“Are you going to cry? If you fucking cry I swear to god I will plaster it on YouTube.” I laugh as I stand up and stretch looking over at him.

“Do it. Chicks love when guys have emotions.” Sean shakes his head as I leave his room.

Heading into my room, I pull my phone out when I realize that I don’t have Laney’s phone number.

I call Brad since I know he probably does have it and I want it.

“Hey bitch.” Ah, there are the friends I love so much.

“Hey asshole. I need Laney’s number.” I hear Brad laugh on the other end like that was the funniest thing ever.

“You are stupid. I’m not giving you her number. I heard about the little arrangement you two made and that shit isn’t happening.” Brad suddenly takes on a serious tone with me, one he never has. What the hell did I do now?

“Why not? She said she was looking for a place and I have a room. What’s the problem?” Picking at a string that hangs from my jeans, I wait for an answer. I don’t see what the hell the problem is but apparently everyone else does.

“She isn’t your type man. She’s a good girl with a strong mind. She needs to move forward with her life. She’s had a rough past, Gavin. She doesn’t deserve to be used and tossed.” When the hell did this become rag on Gavin day? Holy shit I offered her a room not my dick.

“It isn’t like that. I get she’s a good girl and all but fuck. I wasn’t planning on messing with her. She’s too…. I don’t know girly for my liking.” Huffing into the phone maybe I fucked up asking her to take the room. Everyone else seems to have a huge fucking problem with it.

Just then my phone starts chiming with a message. Perfect timing. I need to kiss whoever the hell just got me out of the third degree with Brad.

“Hey, I got another call. Talk later.” Hanging up with him I see a number I don’t know.

“Aren’t you supposed to be helping me pack?”

Who in the hell?

Yelling across the hall to Sean, I think he’s messing with me.

“Sean, why the hell are texting me across the fucking hall?” The man must have lost his damn mind.

“I’m not dumbass.” Well, ok then.

“Depends on what we are packing and where it’s going.”
What the hell I might as well play along.

“My stuff. Unless my new roommate changed his mind?!”
  Holy shit! It’s Laney. I can’t believe it.

“Hell no! I need this man out of here. Be over in a while.”

“ :p”
She sent me a tongue smiley. Who the hell does that?

                               
 
Laney

“Laney, this is not a good idea. Besides we haven’t set a date yet.” Steph whines as I pack up some of my things.

“I know but you will. Why isn’t it a good idea? I’m getting the room for cheap and its closer to work and the theater.” Steph has been bitching and whining since I told her the plan. Who knew so many people would disapprove of Gavin being my roommate.

“It wouldn’t bother me if it was someone else. Sean even! But Gavin? He’s a freaking man whore and that’s putting it nicely. He uses woman and tosses them. I don’t want you getting hurt anymore.” Her tone softens and my heart drops. I know she has my best interests at heart but I need to make my own way or at least try to anyways.

“We aren’t together. It isn’t even like that, hell I don’t think he even looks at me like I’m a girl!” Laughing it off I know the pull I feel when I’m around him but I’m also not stupid enough to fall for his charms. I have heard about him far too much in the last few days to do that.