Read Online Decline (Declan Reede: The Untold Story #1) by Michelle Irwin - Free Book Online
Authors: Michelle Irwin
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shops, I ordered a double-shot latte. Once I had my coffee in hand, I walked straight into a booth at the back, which was unfortunately close to the counter but put me away from the general public at least. I slumped down into the booth, hiding my face as much as I could. The last thing I needed was for a roving photographer, or worse, a desperate fan, to find me and ruin my day.
The warm coffee was slowly bringing me to life when I saw a ghost from my past. Alyssa Dawson’s meathead older brother, Josh, walked past my booth and headed for the counter. I shook my head to clear it because it wasn’t possible that he could be there. The only explanation I could come up with for his presence was that I’d gone completely and certifiably insane. I wondered whether Morgan’s fist had been one knock to my head too many. Josh had to be a vision, just like all the ones I’d had of Alyssa. There was no other reason I could think of for him to be in Sydney. Especially not at the international departure lounge just metres from where I was.
Regardless of how small the possibility was that it was him, I did everything I could to avoid any eye contact and limit the chance of him spotting me. I sank further into my seat and dropped my gaze. The last time we’d met, he’d almost put me in hospital just for breaking Alyssa’s heart. I really didn’t feel like adding another black eye to my current collection of complaints, or risk him turning hairline fractures into something much worse.
The man I hoped wasn’t Josh headed for the counter. I turned my head to the right to stare at the wall to avoid catching his eye. The instant his booming voice greeted the cashier, I was left with no doubt that it was him. The sound sent my heart racing. Even though I hadn’t seen Alyssa for years, and he had no reason to have any continuing beef with me, I wasn’t willing to take the chance that he wouldn’t smack me in the mouth just for the fun of it. After our last meeting, I wouldn’t put anything past him.
He was built like a brick shithouse and had fists to match. For a while, Ruth and Curtis, Alyssa’s parents, had thought Josh might end up playing Rugby League professionally. I wasn’t sure whether he’d followed through on that dream, but I hadn’t seen him in any games so I doubted it. He’d probably followed Alyssa’s career advice and given up on those dreams because they were too impossible.
He ordered a short black and a caramel macchiato. I froze and my mouth went dry. I may not have seen Alyssa in years, but I could easily recall her favourite drink. She’d tried a few different things before settling on the caramel macchiato. Her voice echoed through me, filling my mind with the words she’d said when she’d raved to me about it after she’d gone into the city with her other best friend, Jade. Alyssa’s smile had been bright as she’d told me about this drink she’d found that was heaven in a cup.
I closed my eyes and focused on naming each of the corners of Bathurst in my mind in order to block the memory. Nothing positive could come from reliving the good times Alyssa and I had once shared. It was a long time ago, before I’d shattered her heart to follow my dreams.
When I thought of Forest Elbow, my mind spiralled back into the place I’d been straight after crashing at Bathurst. I put my head on the table and groaned. Surely my own personal demon could not be at the airport to haunt my escape as well as my races? My heart pounded in my chest and it became harder to breathe.
It doesn’t mean she’s here , I reasoned with myself as I brushed one hand through my hair. After all, how many people in the world must drink caramel macchiatos? It wasn’t like Alyssa was the only one and had invented something completely unique. It was a standard menu item, for fuck’s sake.
Get a fucking grip, Reede !
Without lifting my head from the cool surface of the table, I turned slightly to glance at Josh. He gave
The warm coffee was slowly bringing me to life when I saw a ghost from my past. Alyssa Dawson’s meathead older brother, Josh, walked past my booth and headed for the counter. I shook my head to clear it because it wasn’t possible that he could be there. The only explanation I could come up with for his presence was that I’d gone completely and certifiably insane. I wondered whether Morgan’s fist had been one knock to my head too many. Josh had to be a vision, just like all the ones I’d had of Alyssa. There was no other reason I could think of for him to be in Sydney. Especially not at the international departure lounge just metres from where I was.
Regardless of how small the possibility was that it was him, I did everything I could to avoid any eye contact and limit the chance of him spotting me. I sank further into my seat and dropped my gaze. The last time we’d met, he’d almost put me in hospital just for breaking Alyssa’s heart. I really didn’t feel like adding another black eye to my current collection of complaints, or risk him turning hairline fractures into something much worse.
The man I hoped wasn’t Josh headed for the counter. I turned my head to the right to stare at the wall to avoid catching his eye. The instant his booming voice greeted the cashier, I was left with no doubt that it was him. The sound sent my heart racing. Even though I hadn’t seen Alyssa for years, and he had no reason to have any continuing beef with me, I wasn’t willing to take the chance that he wouldn’t smack me in the mouth just for the fun of it. After our last meeting, I wouldn’t put anything past him.
He was built like a brick shithouse and had fists to match. For a while, Ruth and Curtis, Alyssa’s parents, had thought Josh might end up playing Rugby League professionally. I wasn’t sure whether he’d followed through on that dream, but I hadn’t seen him in any games so I doubted it. He’d probably followed Alyssa’s career advice and given up on those dreams because they were too impossible.
He ordered a short black and a caramel macchiato. I froze and my mouth went dry. I may not have seen Alyssa in years, but I could easily recall her favourite drink. She’d tried a few different things before settling on the caramel macchiato. Her voice echoed through me, filling my mind with the words she’d said when she’d raved to me about it after she’d gone into the city with her other best friend, Jade. Alyssa’s smile had been bright as she’d told me about this drink she’d found that was heaven in a cup.
I closed my eyes and focused on naming each of the corners of Bathurst in my mind in order to block the memory. Nothing positive could come from reliving the good times Alyssa and I had once shared. It was a long time ago, before I’d shattered her heart to follow my dreams.
When I thought of Forest Elbow, my mind spiralled back into the place I’d been straight after crashing at Bathurst. I put my head on the table and groaned. Surely my own personal demon could not be at the airport to haunt my escape as well as my races? My heart pounded in my chest and it became harder to breathe.
It doesn’t mean she’s here , I reasoned with myself as I brushed one hand through my hair. After all, how many people in the world must drink caramel macchiatos? It wasn’t like Alyssa was the only one and had invented something completely unique. It was a standard menu item, for fuck’s sake.
Get a fucking grip, Reede !
Without lifting my head from the cool surface of the table, I turned slightly to glance at Josh. He gave
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