Indigo Gallagher was born with osteochondroma, a condition that leaves her physically fragile. Between shifts at her gran?s flower shop and her tumultuous relationship, all she wants is to get through her second year of pre-med unscathed.
Although...
I tugged on a new shirt and shorts, tying my curls into a pony. Grabbing my phone and walking out, I locked the door behind me. I set into a sprint to the shop, unbothered by the strange looks I was garnering from some walkers. Even some of the joggers passed me a few.
When I entered the shop, the cheerful chime of the doorbell mocked my dishevelled state. I was breathing like I’d just ran a marathon, which, technically, I kind of did.
Mae stared at me flatly from the counter. “You look like hell.”
When I didn’t reply she simply asked, “Scarlett?”
I sighed. “As much as I’d like to blame it all on her, Scarlett’s only exhibit B.”
“…What’s exhibit A?”
I sighed, not ready to re-open the wound that had only just begun to heal. “Kade broke up with me.”
“What? Why?”
I shrugged. “He wants to focus on work and stuff.”
“What?”
“Yeah.”
Anger lined Mae’s dark eyes and streaked her jaw. “That’s not an excuse, Indigo. That’s not how relationships work.”
“Yes, it is. They aren’t perfect alright? I know that. But Kade’s had my back for years and I’m sure he’ll come around. I just need to…give him space. You know how annoying I can be.”
Mae gave me a look that told me she wasn’t all that convinced. In fact, the look on her face could be summarised in one word: repulsed. I sighed. “I know what I’m doing alright?”
She sighed back. “Okay. I was going to suggest we egg his windows…”
I made a face. “Mae, no.”
“Oh c’mon, can’t we at least get that lousy mother—holy guacamole.” Her voice had lowered to a whisper. “Who is that?”
I whipped my head in the direction of her wide eyes.
I had to be blind not to notice him.
He needed to duck his head because the doorframe was too short for him. Built like a soldier, his hair was the lightest shade of brown, shaved to a buzzcut.
And the tattoos. My God.
The dark ink scaled his arms, covering every inch of the tanned skin.
He was wearing a camo-coloured t-shirt that did little to hide the form beneath it.
When his silver gaze slid my way, quicker than ever, I ducked down.
“Indigo? Indigo!” Mae exclaimed. “What the hell are you doing? Did you drop something?”
“Um…yeah, I’m just looking for my, uh…earring…”
“You aren’t even wearing earrings, you freak! Look, if you want to hide from the pretty guy because you look like a dumpster raccoon, you can tell me, you know.”
“Mae, would you shut the hell up?” I hissed. “I’m not hiding from that…guy. I would simply prefer it if no one sees me like this. Or…smells me.”
Mae’s delicate nose wrinkled as she sighed, glancing down at me. “Go back and shower. I’ll handle things out here. There less than half an hour left, anyway. But you’re coming to campus today. No ditching.”
“Really?” I sighed in relief, wrapping my arms around her calf. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
She wriggled her leg. “Get off me, weirdo.”
“Okay, okay.” I laughed putting both my hands in the air. “I’m going! See ya.”
I peeked above the counter to check if the coast was clear. When I found it was, I tucked my phone in my pocket and sped out, not looking back.
*
a/n: what is up peeps?
thoughts?
who is this sec(c) man that has made his entrance?
