Page 73 of He Falls First

The silence that follows is deafening. I can almost hear the collective intake of breath from the crowd of employees, their stares ping-ponging between me, Tobias, and Mr. Cromwell. I’ve thrown down a gauntlet that could very well be the end of my time with Nexus Tech.

Mr. Cromwell’s face is stone as he processes my words. He takes a step forward, and his thinning white hair seems to stand on end.

My jaw clenches. There’s no telling which way he’ll swing. Has my gamble paid off, or have I just signed my own pink slip?

“I- I’ll need to think about this,” Cromwell finally says in a dry voice.

And then, through the silence that follows, a voice cuts in.

“Uh, if we’re sharing about family…” A hesitant hand rises, attached to Barry, a guy who’s been with the company for over a decade. “I’ve got two dads and a mom. It was always a bit like having your own cheer squad or a board of directors debating your curfew.” A ripple of laughter softens the edges of the room. “I’d love to be able to talk about them without feeling like I have to explain—or apologize.”

“And here I thought I was the only one with a quirky setup,” says Derek, one of our newer software engineers. “My family, well, it’s just me and my dad. Mom left when I was little. Dad never remarried, so it was always just us two. I guess that’s not your picture-perfect family, but it’s mine.”

An exhale travels around the room, as if Barry and Derek’s words have given permission to breathe again. One by one, others come forward with their stories.

“My partner and I, we don’t even live together. We’re both really independent, but what we have works. It’s still a relationship, even if it doesn’t come with shared house keys.”

A woman with a chuckle in her voice speaks up. “Well, my husband and I sleep in separate bedrooms. His snoring is like a freight train, and I value my sleep—and our marriage—too much for that!” The room lightens further with shared amusement. “But we love each other. Who cares if our bedtime routine isn’t traditional?”

“Hey, I get it,” chimes in Susan from Finance. “My partner and I, we’ve got three rescue dogs instead of kids. To some, that might seem odd, but they’re our fur babies, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

The room is alive with anecdotes, the air charged with a sense of unity that wasn’t there moments ago. Each confession affirms the very thing Tobias just tried to weaponize against me.

I’m smiling now. Elizabeth’s grip on my arm has loosened, but the warmth of her touch still lingers, grounding me.

Clearing my throat, I take back the floor. “I guess since we’re all being honest here, I should admit something. My relationship with Elizabeth began as something… well, pretend.”

A curious silence returns to the room as I turn to face Elizabeth.

“But today, I can honestly say I love her. I really do. From the moment I met her, there was no going back for me.”

Elizabeth’s eyes are so wide, they look like they’re straining to remain in her face.

Then it hits me—all eyes are on us. Every last one. Witnessing what I’ve just admitted, for the very first time. That I love her, for real.

A sheepish grin parts my lips.

“Well, this is awkward,” I say with a self-deprecating laugh, rubbing the back of my neck. “How about I save everyone from second-hand embarrassment and speak to Elizabeth privately?”

There’s another round of laughter, and I offer her my hand to Elizabeth, ready to whisk her away.

Chapter 32

Hendrix

Igrab Elizabeth’s hand and lead her to the secluded rooftop garden, away from the prying eyes of Cromwell and the rest of Nexus Tech. The tension in my chest is almost unbearable, but I have to set things right with her before it’s too late.

A cool breeze whispers through the garden, teasing the leaves into a hushed applause. Fresh flowers release their fragrance into the air as the setting sun dapples Elizabeth’s chestnut hair with gold. She’s so damn beautiful.

“Hey.” My voice comes out gruff and I clear my throat. “About the other night. I was an ass. ‘Sorry’ doesn’t cut it, but…” I trail off, wrestling with words that seem too clumsy for what I want to say.

“But what?” she prompts softly. She deserves the truth.

“I shouldn’t have said I don’t have real feelings for you. I lied. I was all mixed up with my emotions and I’m just now figuring out why.”

She looks at me intently, searching my face. I can feel the weight of her gaze on me, but I don’t shy away.

“Since we started this whole charade, I’ve realized that Nexus Tech means nothing if I can’t prioritize my family,” I tell her. “And by family, I mean Gabrielle, Harper, and you. My real family. Like I said back there, it may be unconventional, but it’s just as important to me as any other family unit.”

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