Fall into my Heart: The Subzero Series, #1

Chapter One - Chloe

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I still can’t believe I’m doing this. I must have lost my mind. I have never been a fly by the seat of your pants kind of girl. I have always been so responsible and levelheaded. But that was the old me. The new me is crazy and unpredictable...I hope. My name is Chloe Carver and up until last Tuesday I was a publicist’s assistant for the New York branch of Drayton McGuire’s P.R. firm. In three days, I will officially step into my new position as a publicist for the firm’s branch in London.

This new spontaneous life of mine started about three months ago. I got off from work early enough to catch my actor fiancé, Connor Scott, in bed with one of the actresses from his current play. Connor told me it was an accident. You know, they accidently decided to go back to our apartment, accidently went into our bedroom and accidently fell into our bed, where all of their clothes accidently fell off. Ugh. Of all the girls he could have cheated on me with, I can’t believe it was with Carina Bishop. Carina had mile long legs that never seemed to end, shiny blonde hair, emerald green eyes and a perfect year round golden tan. At five feet tall and one hundred and ten pounds with shoulder length brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, I felt like a squat little oaf compared to her.

Anyway, after that I felt like I needed a little change. So I went into my boss’s office, told her I was interested in the position open at the London office, and here I am.

Excuse me miss, we’re here.

The taxi driver pulls me out of my dazed state as he comes to a stop in front of my new home. I hand him some money, along with what I hope is a decent tip and take a deep breath as I step out of his cab.

Well here’s to the start of my new life.

I grab the handle of my black rolling suitcase, turn around and walk smack into a guy with an electric blue Mohawk.

Oh geez...I’m so sorry, I stammer.

It’s okay beautiful, happens all the time, Blue Mohawk says. He turns to his friends and says, See I told you I’m a chick magnet. The ladies are just drawn to me.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes as I glance over at Mohawk’s friends. They are all cute...REALLY cute. They’re all wearing the same khaki colored cargo pants and t-shirts with the word Subzero written on them, which makes me wonder if they are some sort of a standard issued uniform. One of the guys is really tall, six foot five easy, with a bright red crew cut and green eyes. The guy next to him is average height, average weight, with a blonde buzz cut and brown eyes. Next to him is a guy with spiky jet black hair and the most gorgeous pair of sapphire blue eyes I have ever seen. Mr. Gorgeous Blue Eyes cocks his head to the side and flashes me a crooked smile. Realizing I just got caught staring at him, I quickly look away and feel my cheeks grow warm as they blush bright red.

Ummmm...Are you okay? Blue Mohawk asks.

I glance at him and do what any sophisticated girl in my position would do...I mutter something that even I don’t understand and I take off. As I walk through the door into my condo building, I swear I hear the four of them laughing.

Stepping into the elevator, I press the button for the third floor, lean back against the cool stainless steel walls and close my eyes.

Way to make a first impression you big dope.

I shake my head at my own absurdity as the elevator pings. I step out and quickly move towards the glossy black door labeled 3C. Closing the door behind me, I turn around and catch my reflection in a mirror hanging on the wall.

You are such a dork, I tell myself.

I let go of the handle of my suitcase, walk down the hall and into the living room. Sitting down on the oversized beige couch, I look around the room in a daze. This is the first time in my life I have moved a significant distance from home and I’m not quite sure what to do with myself. Drayton McGuire furnished my condo so I don’t have any decorating to do. Not yet anyway. I mean, their decorator did a nice job and all, but it’s kind of...well...if I am being honest it’s quite...boring. It’s boring. Everything is neutral tones, which is okay, but if I end up staying here long term I’ll have to put a little bit of my personality in this place. I don’t feel like unpacking. I need groceries but after my flight I don’t think I have the energy to find a grocery store and actually shop for anything.

Leaning back, I pull my feet up, tucking them underneath my butt as I curl up on the couch and pull out my cell phone. Hmmm...it should be about 11:00 in New York. I punch in my sister’s phone number. She answers after two rings.

Chloe! How’s London? she asks enthusiastically, without even saying hello.

Oh my goodness Abby, you won’t believe what happened to me, I say.

I tell Abby about my embarrassing run in with Blue Mohawk and his friends. She laughs hysterically, clearly thinking the whole incident was as comical as they did.

It’s so not funny, I groan. What if they live here? What if I see them again? They probably think I’m an idiot. The girl who gets all mumbley and runs away! Who does that anyway?

Well don’t worry about it. I’ll be out in a few weeks to visit. We can do some damage control then, she laughs.

Thanks Abby. I’ll talk to you later, I say and we both disconnect.

Damage control...I’m hoping there won’t be any need for damage control seeing as I honestly don’t plan on running into Ole Blue and his buddies anytime soon. I bet none of them live here anyway so I’m probably worrying over nothing.

It suddenly occurs to me just how much time I spent on an airplane and I feel absolutely disgusting. A nice, warm shower sounds like heaven right about now. I reluctantly pull myself up off the couch and I walk towards my bedroom, grabbing my suitcase along the way. I wheel it up next to my bed, open it and grab my bag of toiletries.

The stress of traveling to a new country begins to slip away as soon as I enter the bathroom. The walls are painted a very subtle shade of green and are accented by white marble countertops and sparkling white fixtures. There is a standup shower next to the toilet and across from that is...oh my god a garden tub! I can’t help but smile as I look at the garden tub. I absolutely love them and can already picture myself soaking in it as I read a trashy magazine and sip a glass of wine after a long day at the office.

A quick glance into the mirror reminds me why I came in here. Why is it celebrities are photographed getting off of planes and they look absolutely fabulous, yet I get off the plane and I look like I haven’t seen a hairbrush or a shower in years? I turn on the water and begin to undress slowly, tossing my clothes aside. Just as the bathroom begins to fill up with steam, I open the glass door and step into the shower.

~*~

So far my first official full day in London is getting off to a better start. After I wake up, I unpack my clothes and find directions to a grocery store. Just as I am about to leave, curiosity gets the best of me and I walk over to the window so I can look out to make sure my new friends aren’t hanging around outside. Luck is on my side as I see they are nowhere to be seen. Looks like I won’t be embarrassing myself today.

Thank goodness!

The grocery store is easy to find, which I’m glad about. I hate going to the grocery store and it’s even worse when you don’t know where anything is. I finally manage to fill up my cart with enough food for two weeks, which isn’t hard to do when you live by yourself, and a gorgeous bouquet of lilies. All girls should get flowers, even if they buy them for themselves, right?

It’s gorgeous outside, so even though I took the bus to get here, I decide to walk back to my condo. It isn’t terribly far and, despite the fact that I am now toting eight sort of light grocery bags, I actually enjoy my walk. That is, until I walk into my building and see the Out of Order sign hanging on the elevator doors. I sigh and start my walk up the three flights of stairs. I am almost to the top when I trip on a step sending my groceries flying in every direction.

Do you need a hand? a velvety smooth voice calls from behind me.

I turn around and there is Mr. Gorgeous Blue Eyes walking up the steps with a smirk on his gorgeous face.

Ummm...No. I got it. Thank you though, I say.

Yeah it looks like it, he says as he bends down and picks up my carton of toffee bar ice cream. I should probably warn you that the lift is constantly on the fritz.

The what? I ask.

He lets out a laugh and sucks in his lower lip. The elevator. It breaks down a lot.

He helps me put my groceries back in my bags. I feel like I should say something, but I can’t think of anything to say. He looks up and smiles and I realize that I am staring at him again. It’s hard not to. He looks kind of hot in his tan corduroy pants and blue polo style shirt, and his face...Wow doesn’t seem like quite enough to describe him.

What number are you? he asks as he grabs a couple of my bags.

Ummm 3C...Thank you.

No problem. I’m Jackson by the way, but pretty much everyone calls me Jack.

I’m Chloe.

We walk the rest of the way up to the third floor in silence. When we get to my door I turn to him. Thanks. I can get it from here.

You’re welcome. It was nice meeting you Chloe. I hope to see you around sometime. Jack smiles as he sets my bags down next to my door.

I watch him turn around, fully expecting him to head towards the stairs. To my surprise, Jack walks over to the door directly across from mine.

You live here too? I ask.

Yes.

You live in that condo right there?

Yes, he says with a laugh. He turns around and flashes me a smile before disappearing behind the door.

Did I really just ask him that? I mean he said he lives here and it was quite obvious which condo he lives in, considering the fact I not only watched him unlock the door, but his door is also the only other one in my section. I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m some sort of a raging mental case. That’s what I would think if I were him.

I pick up my bags, carrying them into the kitchen and setting them down on the counter. After I put my food away, I pull a vase down from on top of a shelf, fill it with water and arrange my slightly bent lilies the best I can. Carrying the vase into the living room, I set it down on the coffee table, and sit down on my couch. I pick my laptop up from the floor, turn it on and click the icon for my email. Junk mail, junk mail, junk mail, do I need to enlarge my what? Oh look! There’s an email from Noelle!

Chloe,

So I really wish you were here! I had an insane lapse of judgment the night of your going away party. You’re going to think I’ve gone crazy, which maybe I have. I’ll call you in a few days when I can bring myself to discuss it. I miss you!!!

XOXO,

Noelle

P.S. The insane lapse of judgment’s name is Nick. Please don’t hate me!

Oh no! This isn’t going to be good! Nick is my idiot of a brother. He likes fast cars, faster girls, and doing as little amount of work as possible. Nick is two years older than I am and is apparently trying to see just how long he can mooch off our parents, which will probably be forever. Don’t get me wrong, I love my brother and he is a great guy. He’s just a tad lazy, totally commitment phobic and has long since played out the college student card.

For a minute I feel like I should attempt to stop this before Noelle gets hurt, but we have been friends since we were five. She knows what my brother is like. I don’t want to be mean, but I am so not getting involved, especially not from another continent.

I close my laptop and walk into my bedroom. Tomorrow is my first day at the office and I have no idea what to wear. I open up my walk in closet and just stare into it. I walk over to my black suit and touch the sleeve of the jacket. I want to make a good impression, but I don’t want to look like a bore or a snob. I pull out a couple of outfits but I’m not thrilled with the way anything looks. Normally I would just go out and buy a new outfit, but I’m not sure where the mall is. I sigh as I stare at my hopeless wardrobe. I finally settle on tan dress slacks, a white cashmere sweater, and tan heels.

Feeling confident in my wardrobe choice, I start to walk back into the living room. I stop in the hallway and glance at the front door. Curiosity gets the best of me and I walk over to the door and glance through the peephole. The hallway is completely empty. I feel slightly ridiculous. I don’t even know why I’m looking for him. I mean, what am I going to do if I see him? I have no intention of talking to him. I catch my reflection in the mirror, and roll my eyes at myself for letting him affect me like this.

Moving away from the door, I walk into the living room and hear some sort of a commotion going on outside. Walking over to peek out the balcony, I see Jack sitting in the back of a shiny black pickup truck strumming a guitar while Blue Mohawk is beating his hands on the top of the truck like it’s a drum. It’s too bad I’m so bound and determined to avoid them. If I didn’t feel like I did something to embarrass myself when I first saw these guys, they seem like they would actually be a lot of fun to hang out with.

Chapter Two – Jack

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I have to admit. The only reason I suggested we play outside is because I was hoping it might entice Chloe to come and hang out with us. I thought Tyler would argue with me since we had just been practicing at our lead guitarist, Dean’s, house for the past few hours, but surprisingly, he agrees. I suspect it’s for the same reason that I have. He’s been talking about the hot, little brunette that threw herself at him since she ran into him the other day. Quite frankly, it’s starting to work my last nerve.

This is not the first time that Tyler and I, or any of the four of us really, have had a thing for the same woman. Usually, I just take the back seat if one of my mates says that they’re interested, but not this time. There’s something about her, and I’m not even one hundred percent positive what it is, that makes me want to fight for her if some other bloke gets in the way. I don’t care if we have been mates for years or not.

Which window did ya say is hers? Tyler asks, as he continues drumming the beat of Sublime’s Santeria on my truck.

Third floor, I say, not looking up from my guitar as I strum along with him.

I think I might go knock on her door, you know, be neighborly and all. Welcome her to the neighborhood properly.

You’re not her neighbor, I remind him. And when is the last time you did anything proper when it came to a lady?

Tyler grins wide, exposing his white teeth. Cindy Marconi. Last weekend.

And how exactly did you treat her proper?

I let her come before I did.

I snort out a laugh at his unexpected reply. Jesus, Tyler.

I’m kidding. I mean, I’m not, I did do that, but I always treat my girls like ladies. You know that.

Tyler hops out of my truck, landing with his feet on the ground. I stand up, sling my guitar over one shoulder and follow him towards my building.

Every group has a Casanova, a ladies man, Tyler says, turning to face me as he walks backwards up the stairs. He shrugs his shoulders and smiles smugly. For Subzero, it’s me.

The hell it is. I reach out and shove his shoulder, causing him to lose his footing for a second. He quickly regains his balance and turns around, allowing me to walk past him.

I glance over at Chloe’s door for a second, noticing out of the corner of my eye that Tyler does the same. Turning back, I unlock my door, praying that he follows me inside, and I’m relieved when he does.

It’s the truth, he continues. I mean, the ladies love us all, but Noah is the brooding one, Dean is the cute one and I am the ladies man...also the funny one.

So what would that make me?

Tyler plops himself down on the couch, grabs the remote and clicks on the telly. I walk into the kitchen, open the refrigerator and grab two beers. Walking into the living room, I hold one of the beers up. Tyler nods and I toss it to him.

You’re the mature one, Tyler says as I sit down next to him.

I turn towards him, my eyebrows knitting together to show my obvious disapproval for my role. I’m the bore? Is that what you’re telling me? Noah is angry, Dean is cute, you’re the funny arse that gets all the ladies and I am a big sodding, boring wet blanket?

Tyler laughs out loud as he opens his beer, calming down just long enough to take a swig, and then he continues laughing. That’s not exactly what I meant.

Tyler flips through the channels, stopping when he comes to The Hangover. We watch as Ed Helms tries to convince his girlfriend that he’s at some vineyard when he is really in Vegas.

You’re kind of like that guy. Tyler points to the telly. I turn to look at him like he’s gone mad. He laughs again. I didn’t say you were exactly like him...just...well...kind of, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

There is a part of me that wants to tell him to get the hell out. Like I need to reclaim my masculinity or something. Start yelling like an ape and throwing things.

Here’s the thing, mate, I start.

Tyler glances at me, with an amused look on his face.

That ‘hot brunette’ that moved in across the hall, I say, raising my fingers to do air quotes around the name Tyler has given her.

Yes, my future wife, he says.

I shake my head, letting him know she isn’t. Her name is Chloe, and to put it simply, I want her.

Are you staking claim? he asks.

I’m telling you to back the fuck off and peddle your dick somewhere else.

Tyler holds his hands up in defeat. Alright, mate! That’s all you had to say...can I still tease her?

I don’t care what you do as long as it doesn’t involve your hands, mouth or dick going anywhere near her.

My phone starts ringing in my pocket. I pull it out and look at the screen, rolling my eyes when I see the phone number for Drayton McGuire, the P.R. firm we had to hire about two years ago after we had a few incidents happen.

You haven’t done anything stupid lately have you?

Tyler’s forehead scrunches as he tries hard to think about how he’s spent the past couple of days. He shakes his head. Nope, nothing that immediately comes to mind.

I click the accept button. Hello?

Hello, Jackson, this is Jonathan over at Drayton McGuire. How are you?

I’m good and you? I say, although I want to yell out I swear, we’ve done nothing!

Doing well, thank you. I was giving you a call because, as you know, Joanie has left us.

Good riddance!

It isn’t that I didn’t like Joanie. I’m sure she was a boatload of fun underneath her stern demeanor and librarian clothes. She was just not the right match for us. There are other publicists I have seen there that look more our speed, but apparently, they thought Joanie could rein us in. Whatever the fuck that means. Anyway, Joanie