Page 71 of The Fall

Rose took a step forward, scrutinizing me. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“We need to talk and soon, but today is not the day.” Opening the door, I ushered her through.

“Fine,” she said, looking at her phone for the time. “I have fifteen minutes until lab. I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I’ll be buried in my books for the next few weeks, so text me.”

I nodded and gave her a half-hug.

“Dallas, I know how badly the breakup hurt you. I never told you this because you’ve always been so tight-lipped, but I want you to know I’m here for you…you know, if you want to talk.”

I pushed out a breath in frustration. “I just broke up with Josh, and I’m trying to do better here. I hardly have time for anything else.”

She simply nodded and started walking. “Bye,” I said, drawing out the word in exaggeration. Though Rose and I had always been close, I’d never really told her the truth about the years I was away at college. I’d kept most of my time with Dean—and after—to myself, never revealing too much.

After work, I decided to get in some much-needed exercise. I saw Dean’s Jag in the garage and looked at my cell for a message, cursing my weakness at wanting to hear from him already. I was rewarded.

DEAN: Tonight?

I waited until I was in my car to answer. My insatiable craving for him was awakened with his touch. As long as I didn’t let my heart lead, I was safe. I knew it wouldn’t take much to be in over my head. I was walking a tightrope with little to no net already.

DALLAS: Maybe.

I decided being indecisive was better. I told him that I wanted to take things slow. Becoming dependent on him was not an option. I wanted control over my emotions. I couldn’t afford to let them run rampant. I would keep my promise to myself to do better with my health and make my career my priority. If Dean was sincere about having a place in my life, he would have to make do with my best-laid plans.

I took the treadmill at a leisurely pace, cursing my stupidity. My thighs were burning in seconds. I noticed the gym filling up and ignored my surroundings as much as possible. Running outside in Texas during early fall could be fatal on the days the bogus weather decided to bring summer temperatures. I hated jogging in place. It was probably the liberal part of me talking. My mom had embedded the thought that joining the masses in a room full of health nuts was a type of conformity. Or maybe it was the fact that I hated working out. Either way, I groaned as I picked up the pace and started the long trek into my first mile.

I felt his eyes on me first. I turned in his direction to see that he was openly staring at me. I felt my chest tighten as I stared back. Josh was on the treadmill diagonal to mine. We’d joined the gym together and had never run into each other once in the entire time we had the membership. I cursed the fate that had brought us back into the same room. The truth was, I’d missed him—the friend he was to me. He knew my habits, my moods, and he knew how to make the bitchy me smile. He’d been my best friend. I stopped my machine and walked off, but he stopped me before I reached the locker room.

“How are you?”

“I thought we weren’t going to do this.” My voice was shaking. I felt horrible guilt knowing I had just bedded Dean last night. The way he was staring at me now, it was as if he knew.

“I know what I said,” he said tightly. “I just had to ask you.”

“I’m fine. I’m working a lot.”

I let my eyes wander over his tight-fitting T-shirt and loose shorts. His hair was pulled back in a low, short ponytail. I was filled with the recollection of our time together and felt a painful tug in my chest.

“Me too. I got offered the position of sous,” he said, smiling. “Today, in fact. Do you want to go help me celebrate with a drink?”

“Josh, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you.” Without thinking, I leaned into him and gripped him tightly to me.

“She has plans.”

I jumped at Dean’s voice and looked over to see him eyeing us with nothing but menace. The change in the air was instantaneous and permeated with animosity. He looked ready to kill in his gym clothes, a chrome water bottle in hand that he held with white-knuckled ferocity. It was no big mystery why he was here. The hospital was only a block away, but I was starting to think coincidence no longer had a welcome place in my life.

“Of course she has plans,” Josh said sarcastically as he looked at me with disgust. “I figured as much.”

“Josh, listen—”

“Fucking forget it. You can have the gym,” he said bitterly.

“Thanks,” Dean said as he glared at Josh’s retreating head. Josh took a step back, meeting his glare. “You’re nothing but curiosity for her. She’ll get bored.”

“You don’t know shit,” Dean said, snapping back, his teeth bared and his skin tinting as his anger built.

“I know I’d never heard a word about you in the time I spent with her. Not a word,” Josh shot back confidently.

“Stop it,” I said forcefully, taking a step between them before turning to Dean. “Stop it.” He didn’t look at me, keeping his eyes glued on Josh. I grabbed Josh by the arm, pulling on it hard as he remained locked in a standoff with Dean. “Come on, Josh, please,” I pleaded as he took another step toward Dean. “I’ll be there when you fuck up. I love her that much.” Josh turned to me and looked down at my hand on his arm. I pulled at it again as he followed me out of the gym.

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