Page 41 of Shameless Expectations

“Okay, seriously, what’s wrong?” Monti touched Fallon’s arm lightly, offering her what comfort she could. But when it came to the two of them, she was never very good at this. That whole baby sister thing really got in the way.

Fallon closed her eyes and shook her head, staring down at the floor as her cheeks reddened. Whatever this was, it was bad. Fallon hadn’t been this disturbed by something in a long time, at least that Monti was aware. It wasn’t like they talked all that often anymore.

“I don’t know what happened. I’ve never seen her like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like she wasn’t even there. I tried to talk to her, but she was just kind of spouting gobbledygook. I went and got Mr. Brock, but he couldn’t help her.”

“Mr. Brock?” Monti tried to figure out what was going on, but it was clear she was still missing a good portion of the story. Her stomach twisted hard. What if she’d missed something? What if she’d allowed her own reaction to Athena to get in the way of caring for her? She shouldn’t have forced the conversation the way it had gone last time. She should have stayed to make sure that Athena was okay.

“Her husband. He’s in town right now. I went and got him, and she started to make some sense, but then she just kind of walked out, and I don’t know, Monti. I’ve never seen anyone act like that before.” Fallon’s nails dug into her upper arms, red marks left in their wake.

That was a nervous habit she’d always had. Monti was so glad that she hadn’t inherited that one. Sighing, Monti took Fallon by the arm and moved her to one of the empty chairs in the room. She sat down and leaned her elbows on her knees.

“She seemed more with-it when she left?”

“Yeah, but she couldn’t even answer a question when I came in.” Fallon frowned.

Monti nodded, processing what she knew of the situation and what possibly could have happened. “And Kevin came in?”

“Yeah, but like I said, he wasn’t much help.”

“How close are they?” It was the easiest way Monti could think to ask that question without setting off any warning bells for Fallon.

“What do you mean? They’ve been married for over twenty years.”

She must not have gotten her point across. Monti rubbed her palms together. “Right, but how close are they? He was on a trip when I got here. Does he do that often?”

“Yeah, but she also goes on trips a lot.”

“Does she?” Monti furrowed her brow. That surprised her. She figured Athena would be pretty much a recluse, considering she never seemed comfortable anywhere.

Fallon nodded. “She used to, anyway. He loves her.”

“Is their marriage a good one?” Monti shifted the topic a little. Love didn’t necessarily make a relationship work or make it healthy, and she wasn’t about to point that out to Fallon who was already upset and clearly needed something to focus on.

“I think so?” Fallon said it like a question, as if she was digging deep to find an answer. “I don’t see them together all that often except at events or right before events, and Ms. Pruitt doesn’t talk about him all that often.”

“What about her son?”

“Simon?” Fallow scrunched her face. “She never really talks about him.”

“Never?” Monti raised an eyebrow at that. Usually parents were ecstatic about anything their children did. Even if Athena seemed disassociated from life on a good day, Monti had expected her to at least seem like she cared.

“She’s a very private person.”

“Right. Okay.”

“You have to talk to her,” Fallon added, her tone pleading.

“Talk to her?” Monti’s entire body tightened. She hadn’t come here to help Athena—again. She’d come to have lunch with Fallon to make up for their argument the other day.

Fallon nodded. “Please. I’m so worried about her.”

Leave it to Fallon to always worry about her boss, or really anyone in her life. She was the big sister through and through, and she always wanted to make sure that everyone was taken care of before herself. Monti leaned back in the chair. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“You’ve gotten through to her. I know you have.”

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