Page 45 of Into the Shadows

Will this end in heartbreak? Maybe.

But there’s not a single thing that will stop me from pursuing him.

Chapter 26

Teddy

Sweat runs down my temples in rivulets. It’s been a long time since I’ve worked this hard. Jacob is putting me through my paces. I wasn’t prepared for him to be so knowledgeable about exercises for people with prosthetics. At our first meeting, he told me he had a good friend who was in a wheelchair. The friend had prompted Jacob to study modified exercises for people with differing abilities.

He put together an amazing training program for me, and I’m looking forward to seeing how my body progresses.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt this hopeful about the future. I’m trying not to brace for the other shoe to drop, but everything’s feeling a little too good to be true. Nothing good in my life has ever lasted.

“Focus,” Jacob snaps at me.

My attention jerks to the bar in my hands as I press it up again. Jacob is standing at the head of the bench, his arms out, ready to catch the weight if I falter. He’s not overly muscular, by any means, but the man is as strong as an ox. He moves through the gym with the ease of someone comfortable with anything you could throw at him. It only took oneconversation for me to want to work with him. He’s tough but kind and never shies away from giving praise when it’s due.

When I rerack the weights, Jacob gives me an eyebrow raise. “Where’s your head at today, ’cause it’s certainly not in this gym.”

I snort. “In the clouds, I guess. I don’t know.”

“Come on, let’s start your cooldown. I was about done with you anyway.”

We move to the mats at the other end of The Warehouse. My balance has already improved immeasurably since I started training. The voice of my PT when I got out of the hospital is smugly saying, ‘I told you so’ in my head.

Jacob leads me to the floor to start stretching. There’s a comfortable silence hanging between us. We’re by ourselves in the corner right now while the other patrons take advantage of the equipment. It gives me a sense of privacy, and for some reason, I find myself opening up to a man I barely know.

“Do you ever get the feeling that things are too perfect?”

Jacob sits next to me under the guise of doing his own stretches. He ponders my question for a second before answering. “When Ashley had our son, I held this perfect little bundle in my arms for the first time, and I thought, there’s no way my life could be this amazing.” He smirks at me. “Then he screamed his lungs out, and the bubble popped. In my opinion, there’s no such thing as a perfect moment. The love in my heart didn’t just go away because my son started wailing. You could be having the time of your life, and something will inevitably happen to disrupt that. It’s up to you if you let it ruin everything.”

“How can I stay in control of those situations?”

“You don’t. No one has control over the future. Are you going to sit alone in your house for the rest of your life because something badmighthappen?”

The lonely existence I’d been living before Lottie entered my life comes to mind. I don’t want to go back to that.

Jacob continues. “Every time you step out your door, you run that risk. You know better than most how quickly your life can change. But look where it’s led you. Can you really say it’s all been for the worse?” Jacob pats me on the shoulder before standing. “I’ll see you next week.”

I keep stretching, letting Jacob’s words spin around in my head. I’ve been waiting for the floor to drop out from under my feet since Lottie and I went on our first date. She’s entirely too good to be true. I still haven’t figured out what she gets from being with me. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but I’m not stupid enough to question it.

I have no idea what I’d do if I lost her, but pushing her away because I’m terrified of losing her doesn’t make sense either. I’d rather have this time with her than no time at all.

I gently tapmy fist on the laminate countertop while I wait for my food. Jones’s Diner is busy tonight, as usual. The red booths surrounding the outer wall are packed with couples and families. There are only a couple of red leather stools available at the bar. I’m standing by the register instead of taking up a spot since I’m taking my food to go.

“Are you Teddy?” someone says from behind me.

I turn to find a woman who is the spitting image of Lottie. Her identical smile immediately puts me at ease while her blue eyes sparkle with humor. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Teddy Kavanagh.” I hold my hand out to her.

“There’s no need for the formality. It makes me feel ancient. Call me Quinn. I’m Lottie’s mom. I’m pretty sure she’ll kill me when she finds out I introduced myselfto you, but I couldn’t help it.” Her giggle makes my lips quirk at the side.

“How the hell did you move so fast, woman?” Cooper strides up next to Quinn, a frown marring his face, but his eyes hold so much affection that the disapproval doesn’t quite hit the mark.

“I wanted to say hi to Teddy before he could sneak out.” She tilts her head at me.

Cooper grunts. “Teddy. Nice to see you again.” His demeanor has changed drastically since the last time I talked to him. Can’t say I’m surprised. I did lie to him a bit before.

I nod. “You too, sir.”

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