Falling Completely (Starling Falls #1)

by Aidan Willows

  My eyes narrowed as I took in what Addie was wearing. The strapless black and red dress she wore was much too short and the red heels much too high, in my opinion, and all together inappropriate for going anywhere in.

  “Where’s the rest of that dress, Peanut?” Uncle Jeremy said as he twisted open a beer.

  Addie rolled her eyes and chose to ignore the question. “I’m probably just gonna crash at Karina’s tonight after we’re done at the bar Aunt Deb, so I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay, baby girl. Have fun, be safe.”

  “I always am.” Addie said leaning over and pressing a kiss to Aunt Debbie’s forehead and walked around the table to do the same to Uncle Jeremy.

  “Are you planning on putting a jacket on over that thing?” Uncle Jeremy asked as Aunt Debbie rolled her eyes.

  I looked over at Nate and saw he was wearing the same unimpressed expression I was.

  “Which bar?” Nate grunted. Addie glared at him. “Which. Bar. Addie?” Nate said in a firm tone.

  “Oh my God. We’re just going to The Whiskey Jar, so unclench already.” she said walking out of the kitchen and down the hallway. “Bye.” she called over her shoulder.

  The front door opened before Addie reached it and Alex walked in. “What the fuck are you wearing, Princess? And where you going dressed like that on a Monday?” he asked her in the same tone that Nate had used.

  Addie sighed and I heard her say something about having “too many freaking brothers”.

  “Hi Alex! Bye Alex!” she replied in a mockingly sweet voice and then the front door closed.

  “What the hell? You let her leave like that?” Alex asked as he came into the kitchen looking at me and Nate.

  “You boys are much too overprotective. That girl is twenty four years old. Just leave her be and let her live her life already.” Aunt Debbie said, while marking potential recipes in a different cookbook.

  Alex pulled bread, leftover chicken and salad out of the fridge, walked over to counter and started to assemble a sandwich.

  “You guys want one?”

  I shook my head at him “Nah I’m good.”

  Nate had his cell phone out and I knew that he would probably be texting our friend Jim Miller, who part-owned The Whiskey Jar, to let him know that Addie would be there with friends tonight and to keep an eye on them.

  “You texting Jim?” I asked him. Nate grunted and nodded.

  I pulled out my own cell phone and pulled up Maliya’s number.

  God, she looked beautiful tonight.

  My memory from the accident might have been hazy, but I definitely got that part right.

  I realised she had seemed as confused as I did about whatever it was that was happening between us.

  Despite the obvious chemistry, I felt that there was more than just sexual attraction. There had been a definite spark between us.

  A spark? You’ve definitely been watching too many movies with Aunt Deb. Are you going to burst into song about her hair and eyes next?

  I shook my head, trying to clear my mind of thoughts about sparks and happily-ever-afters.

  Damn. Maybe that knock to the head did more damage than I had thought.

  There was no denying, I was drawn to her in a way I had never been to any other woman. But she seemed like an unusual woman to get a clear read on.

  She had looked like she wanted to flee from the bakery, rather than talk to me, but I had seen desire in her eyes when she was staring at me. It had probably mirrored the lust in my own eyes.

  I knew nothing about this girl other than she was Trudy’s grandniece, had a sister, worked as a nurse and seemed to ramble when nervous. However, I planned on getting to know her a lot better and soon.

  “What’s that frown about?” I heard Aunt Debbie ask. I looked up and realised that she had been talking to me.

  “Nothing. I’m just gonna text her now.”

  How do I even begin this message?

  Hi there, I know we only met ten hours ago and I had just sustained a fairly severe head injury at the time, but I think I may be a little infatuated with you. Screw dinner and let’s go back to mine and fuck like bunnies on speed instead.

  No, probably not the best idea.

  ME: Hey, It’s Caleb Jameson. Just wanted to check you were still on for dinner on Wednesday?

  I waited and saw that she was typing back already.

  MALIYA: Since you invited me an hour ago? Yes. I’m still on for dinner.

  I snorted. She was straightforward. I liked that. People who played games pissed me off.

  ME: Right. My Aunt was thinking Tex-Mex, but she wanted to know if you: Were a vegan/vegetarian/had any food allergies/had any food preferences?

  I pressed send and waited again.

  MALIYA: Nope. I love all kinds of meat. Don’t have any food allergies and I’ll eat pretty much anything. Though, if it’s spicy, your aunt will forever have a fond place in my heart.

  I snorted loudly and could feel the attention of everyone in the kitchen on me.

  Adamantly ignoring their questioning looks, I typed a response.

  ME: Good to know. So when you say you like all kinds of meat….

  I waited. She started responding and then stopped. Then started and stopped again.

  Damn. If she didn’t get that the text was a joke I would seem like a complete sleaze ball.

  Shit. Text back. Please text back.

  I debated about asking Nate to take me back to Trudy’s, so I could explain that it was a joke and I wasn’t actually a raging pervert, when she started typing again and I sighed in relief before reading her message.

  MALIYA: Meat from animals only, thank you. Preferably smothered in BBQ sauce. Your dick, Mr. Jameson, does not apply.

  A startled laugh left my body.

  ME: What if my dick was smothered in BBQ sauce too?

  I reread the text that I had just sent without thinking and refrained from slapping myself on the forehead.

  When did you turn into such a moron? If this girl doesn’t have a weird sense of humour you’ve fucked up big time…

  MALIYA: If you spend your time putting condiments on your genitals, I may just have to change my mind about coming to dinner. Who knows what you’d get up to in the presence of salsa?

  I snorted again. It appeared Ms Abbott was a funny little thing.

  ME: Sadly, salsa doesn’t do anything for me. Too many chunks. Mayo and mustard though. That’s a different story all together. They never fail to get me all hot and bothered.

  MALIYA: Mustard and mayo huh? I bet you like them all mixed together too. Pervert. Hmm…so you don’t like chunky things, huh? Guess we won’t be seeing much of each other after Wednesday then.

  Woah. Hold up. What the fuck? Is she talking about herself?

  I definitely wouldn’t classify her as chunky. She had curves like a fucking pinup. Curves that had been distracting me all damn day.

  ME: The fuck we won’t. As far as I could see, all your chunks are in all the right places.

  You fuckwit. Did you just refer to boobs and ass as chunks?

  Oh Fuck. I think I did. I wished there was a retract text button on this fucking phone. There was a pause again before she texted back.

  MALIYA: Sooo… this conversation got weird fast. We better end it here before things get really awkward.

  ME: Agreed. See you Wednesday, babe.

  MALIYA: Babe? No, no, no. I don’t do pet names. Also, I forgot to say, my sister’s not fussy either. No allergies or veganism to be reported there.

  ME: Noted. Goodnight Angel.

  MALIYA: Not amused.

  “Honey. If you smile any wider your face is going to crack.” Aunt Debbie said, with a huge grin.

  Fuck. “Her and her sister eat meat, have no allergies and are not fussy about food. Though she did say she likes spicy food.”

  “SISTER? Oh Lord! She has a sister? Who is also coming to dinner? CALEB! Why didn’t you tell me she had a sister when we w
ere at the hospital?” she snapped at me.

  “Jeez, Aunt Deb, breathe. I just found out when we drove by there. Her sister Niki is the one who actually runs the place. Maliya is a nurse.”

  “Oh how perfect. A firefighter and a nurse. It’s like a Hallmark Movie.” Aunt Debbie said with a wistful look. I didn’t dare ask what she meant by that.

  She turned back to her recipes.

  I heard her say something under her breath about mint green and peach being perfect colours for summer weddings.

  Alex took a bite of his huge sandwich and spoke with his mouth full.

  “I’m not going to be able to make it to dinner, Aunt Deb. I’ve got a client coming in late again to finish off a piece. It’s too bad I can’t reschedule the session. Dinner sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun.” The asshole looked at me and grinned slyly.

  As he walked past me, he looked at me like I was a man condemned, and said sombrely “Good luck man, you’re going to need it.”

  Chapter 10

  Maliya

  “I said I wanted the low fat, gluten and dairy free blueberry cupcake not a chocolate one.” A thin brunette in a fluffy blue coat said bitchily.

  “Sorry, let me get you a blueberry one. You can keep that one, on the house.” Niki said next to me, taking the tongs from my hand and pushing me out of the way.

  “Are you crazy? Do you know how many calories are in those chocolate ones?” and then shuddered. She actually shuddered. She shuddered at the thought of cake. The woman was quite clearly unwell. Who in their right mind would turn down free chocolate cake?

  “Are you crazy? Who goes to a bakery and gets low fat cake?” I said to the woman in disgusted tone.

  The woman gasped and brought her hand to her chest. “Excuse me?”

  My sister pushed me out of the way and gave the crazy lady a blueberry cupcake in a box.

  “Here’s your cupcake, no charge. Enjoy!”

  The woman looked me up and down before she turned on the heel of her skanky shoes and left the bakery, allowing the door to slam hard behind her.

  “Okay, what is wrong with you? You have been a moody cow all day.” Niki asked me with a frown.

  “I have not been moody! People have just been extremely annoying.”

  “Stop being ridiculous. You’ve had the hump all day. Just tell me what’s wrong?” Niki crossed her arms and gave me her best ‘no nonsense’ face.

  My sister was flipping adorable when she was trying to be intimidating. I resisted the urge to pinch her cheeks.

  “I don’t mean to eavesdrop-” Mitchell began, before I cut him off “Yes, you do.”

  “-but. She’s had the what?” he continued, as if I hadn’t interrupted him.

  I sighed “Had the hump. She means to say I’ve been annoyed… irritable… somewhat crabby.”

  “A raging bitch?” Mitchell added in a way that he seemed to think was helpful.

  I glared at him. “I can fire you, you know.”

  “No, you can’t.” Niki said rolling her eyes. “Is it tonight’s dinner? Is that what has got you acting like a bear with a sore head?”

  “I just love how you guys talk.” Mitchell squealed. “Wot din-nah is she talkin’ ah-bout luv?” he said, in what I think was supposed to be an English accent, but he somehow ended up sounding more like a demented pirate.

  “Remind me again, why do we need him working here?” I asked Niki, ignoring Mitchell’s stupidly grinning face.

  “We’re going to the Jamesons for dinner tonight. Caleb’s aunt invited us round as a thank you for Liya helping when he got hit by that car.”

  “Why would that make you act like such a shrew? The Jamesons seem like good people.” Mitchell said.

  “You know them?” Niki asked him.

  “Not well. But I grew up round here and we all went to the same high school. Never really talked to any of them though, we were all in different grades. Their move here certainly set a lot of tongues wagging.”

  “Why?”

  Mitchell took a deep breath “Well. I’m not one to gossip…”

  I snorted at him. That was a lie if ever I heard one.

  “But something happened with their mother, she couldn’t look after them. Their uncle didn’t have any kids of his own, and ended up bringing them to live with him and his wife here. I’m not sure what happened with their mother. They were all pretty young when they moved here. Kept to themselves mostly, never caused trouble or anything. They’re all gorgeous, of course, but umm… they don’t quite look like each other.”

  “What, like they were all adopted?” Niki asked curiously.

  Oh bless, she really is innocent.

  “Not quite, dear. I think what he’s trying to say is their mum got around a bit. They’ve all got different fathers or something?” I said plainly.

  “I would say that’s a pretty good guess.” Mitchell said turning around to refill the decaffeinated coffee pot.

  It wasn’t all that surprising really. I had noticed the obvious differences between the brothers on Monday. Personally, I didn’t understand what the big deal was. So, his family didn’t consist of a mother, father and two point five kids.

  Small towns must really be dull places if an unconventional family ends up being a major source of gossip.

  “Oh, I see.” Niki said with a vague nod. “What do you think we should bring with us?”

  I shrugged. “Well, they said to not bring anything.”

  “Maliya! You should never go to someone’s house empty handed! What was it Caleb said his aunt had liked?” Niki said getting a couple of empty boxes and opening them.

  “Umm… Cheese strudels I think.” That whole conversation had become a fuzzy memory. All I remembered was that painfully awkward tension between us.

  “I’ll take a mix of the sweet cheese strudels and new savoury ones I’m trying out.” Niki said filling the boxes.

  “Maybe we should cancel…” I said tentatively.

  “Are you insane? We’re supposed to be there in four hours! You can’t cancel now, that would just be rude. We’ve just moved here. We can’t start pissing off the locals already!” Niki said, not looking at all impressed with my perfectly reasonable suggestion.

  “Why the hell did I agree to go? Why didn’t you stop me?” I complained.

  Niki turned and walked away from, pushing the swinging doors that lead into the kitchen. “Suck it up, we’re going. What’s the worst that can happen?”

  That’s what I’m afraid to find out…

  ----------------------------------------

  “I don’t believe this.” I tried to start the car again. The engine started and then died again.

  “If it didn’t start the first six times you tried, I don’t see how you think this time will be any different.” Niki said tartly.

  “I don’t see you coming up with any solutions!” I said huffily.

  It was 6:45 and we were supposed to be at the Jameson’s house in fifteen minutes for dinner.

  “I did make a suggestion! One which you chose to ignore! I told you to call Caleb and let him know we’re having car trouble. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind coming to pick us up.”

  “No way are we calling him!” I told her firmly.

  Niki sighed at me “Fine, then we should call a taxi and get the stupid, piece-of-crap car fixed in the morning.”

  “Hey! Don’t call Daisy a stupid, piece-of-crap.” I said lovingly petting the car’s dashboard “She’s just an old girl, trying to make it in this harsh new world of shiny SUVs and practical minivans.”

  “You’re an idiot. Did you do this on purpose?” Niki asked suspiciously

  “Are you seriously asking me if I would sabotage Daisy, in order to get out of going to a dinner?” I asked incredulously.

  Niki didn’t answer, but just raised her eyebrows questioningly.

  “The answer, oh suspicious one, is no I didn’t. We really do need to get a mechanic to come look at Daisy tomorrow. I wish I w
as devious enough to have thought of a car sabotaging plan, but everything seems to have worked out for the best. No car, no dinner! It’s a sign. Fate doesn’t want us going.” I said triumphantly.

  Niki rolled her eyes and got out of the car taking out her mobile “You don’t believe in Fate.”