The speaker crackled and her voice filled the otherwise empty lobby. “Can you bring it up, Fred? I’d really appreciate it. ”
I literally had to brace myself against the wall at the sound of her voice. That voice filled my dreams at night. That voice belonged to the girl who belonged to me. That was my voice, and I wanted it back.
“Unless you’re busy, then I can come down. Whatever is more convenient for you, Fred. Thanks. ”
That’s my kitten. So considerate of others all the time. I took a deep breath as my chest relaxed. “OK, Miss Andrews. I’ll be up soon,” Fred responded politely.
“Ready?” Fred asked me with a smirk.
I nodded, bending down to lift the weightiest box first. “It’s really heavy,” I warned him before dropping it into his arms.
“Jesus, what’s in this?” Fred remarked, his voice strained.
“Quarters. A hell of a lot of quarters,” I said with a smile, and rushed over to press the elevator button for him.
When the elevator doors opened with a ding, I watched him walk inside, press a button and cock his head at me. “Wish me luck,” he added with a smile.
“Hell, wish ME luck!” I shouted back as the doors closed.
Fuck. What if she gets pissed off? What if she hates me? Why did I let so many months pass by without talking to her? I smacked the side of my head with my palm and reminded myself that I was a fucking idiot. No girl in her right mind would take someone like me back. I suddenly found myself praying that Cass was crazy. Or at least half crazy. That way I’d have a shot.
A few moments later, the elevator doors dinged back to life and Fred stepped out, a smile on his face. “One down. ”
“What’d she say? Anything?”
“She thinks someone is sending her weights. ” He chuckled.
I laughed loudly just imagining her saying that, and it echoed through the small lobby. “OK, here’s the next one. ” I watched as his body braced and tensed at the anticipation of the second box. “Don’t worry, it’s not heavy,” I said and watched as Fred exhaled in relief. “But it is fragile. There’s a bunch of picture frames in there. ”
“Be right back. ” Fred’s smile was contagious, and I found myself smiling just as broadly as he was.
I paced the tile floor, waiting for his return. This had to work. This was my girl we were talking about. If wasn’t going to be Cassie by my side, then it would be no one. I’d never love anyone the way I love this girl. There’s no way we went through all of this bullshit for nothing.
The elevator ding interrupted my thoughts. Fred stepped out, his face still scrunched up from the force of his smile.
“What’d she say this time?” I searched his eyes for answers.
“Nothing. She wondered if this package arrived with the first o
ne. I told her no. ” He shrugged. “What’s next?”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Actually, yes. ”
“Well, here you go,” I said, dropping another light box into his waiting arms.
That delivery was filled with Cassie’s rules and all the ways in which I’d broken them. And all the ways in which I’d never break them again. I made promises to her in that box and by the grace of God, or whatever higher power exists in this world, I hoped she’d give me the chance to make good on those promises.
Another ding and Fred emerged. “She’s confused,” he admitted. “She doesn’t know what’s going on. ”
“Confused is good. It’s better than mad. She’s not mad, right?”
“She doesn’t seem mad. She did want to know who was bringing the packages. ”
“What’d you say?” I asked as nerves shot through my body.
“I told her some kid was dropping them off one at a time. ”