Read Online The Effects of Falling (The Weight of Rain Duet Book 2) by Mariah Dietz - Free Book Online Page B

rolls over, silencing us both for several minutes.
    “Likely,” I agree once Mercedes’ heavy breaths fill the air again. “Kenzie called though, while you were talking to Charleigh. That was nice of you to reach out to her. You’re kind of a class act, Lauren Crosby.”
    “I try.” She’s lying; she totally is.
    “How’s Charleigh, by the way?” I don’t know Lo’s British roommate well, but stories of her, and their third roommate, Allie, often make for a good laugh.
    “Good. She was calling to see how we were doing. She sends her love by the way. How did Kenzie take the news?”
    “You know Kenzie,” I say with a shrug.
    She does. Lo was roommates with Kash and King’s little sister all of last year and knows how she often forgets that the world doesn’t revolve around her.
    The thought leaves me wondering what it would be like to have a roommate myself. I’ve never lived with another person since moving out of my Uncle Toby’s. I don’t mind either of Lo’s roommates, Charleigh and Allie, but they tend to get too giggly, finish each other’s sentences, and constantly reference inside jokes. The combination becomes too much really fast. But, I think I could live with Lo because she is rarely that way. Instead, she generally reverts to sarcasm and staring at canvases that she’s working on—but I prefer living alone where I don’t have to worry about what anyone else wants or thinks. It’s easier that way.
    “Can I ask you a really inappropriate question?”
    My attention moves to Lo’s dark silhouette.
    “This would be way more fun tomorrow when I can actually see you. If it’s really inappropriate, I’m betting you’re already red.”
    “How long have you liked Kash?” Lo asks, ignoring my comment.
    I release a long breath as I recall Kash first walking into the shop my uncle owned. His frame was narrower, his eyes a bit hardened from the recent loss of his fiancé, and his gait was different—more arrogant, far less casual than it is now.
    “Eleven years.”
    “And you guys have never talked about it? Never acted on it?”
    “Are you asking if we have had sex and haven’t told anyone?”
    Most people assume Kash and I have slept together. Some believe we do on a consistent basis. Normally, I make no attempt to change their beliefs. But the way Lo looks at me with her eyelids mostly closed in focus tells me she already knows we haven’t and don’t.
    “You guys are so good together. I can’t imagine it’s easy to be around someone and care so much for them without doing anything.”
    “You mean, like you did last year?”
    “Yeah, but King and I fought constantly. You and Kash are completely civil. There’s just this underlying tension.”
    I know what she’s referencing. It’s the debate of whether or not I take his elbow while we walk. If I should buy the snack I know he loves when I’m at the grocery store. The fact that I turn up nearly every song I hear about crushing on a guy because I feel like it’s the anthem of my heart spoken in lyrics. Should I be relieved that others have noticed or feel embarrassed because it’s so obvious?
    “How long has it been since you’ve slept with someone?” Lo’s question crashes through my thoughts, like my accident did: I have only enough time to realize how badly it’s going to hurt.
    “You aren’t seriously asking me that, are you?”
    “You’re the one who insisted I drink a second glass of wine. I’m feeling slightly buzzed with bravery. Otherwise, I’d be afraid you’d punch me.” She laughs, and it sounds closer to a giggle. “You wouldn’t actually punch me, would you? I once thought you would, but after the time that guy rear-ended you and was acting like a complete and total asshole and you didn’t punch him, I figured you’re more of the completely-cut-people-off type.”
    “Completely cut people off?”
    “You know what I mean. If someone wrongs you for a valid reason, I can picture you holding one