Page 58 of Further To Fall

“Thanks.” Leaning back against the couch, I felt a growing stiffness in my neck. I was going to feel like roadkill tomorrow. Whimpering sounded from the kitchen, and claws clacked across the tiles. Blue must have smelled me because I heard joyful yips as he barreled into the living room. He skidded on the floor, crashing into the couch. I couldn’t help but laugh. I lifted him up with a groan, and he bathed my face in kisses. Dogs could make just about anything better.

A few minutes later, Austin was back with a bottle of pills and some water. “Here you go. I called my mechanic. He’s going to come by to pick up your keys and will tow your car to their body shop. Once the insurance adjustor takes a look, we can figure out what you want to do.”

I leaned into Austin, taking Blue with me, and he automatically curled an arm around me. “Thank you for dealing with all that and coming to get me.”

“Of course.” He toyed with a strand of my hair. “From now until we figure out what’s going on, you’re not driving anywhere by yourself. I’ll take you to and from school whenever I can.”

I sighed. “Austin, you have a full-time job, you can’t be my chauffeur.”

“I can do anything I damn well please. One of the perks of owning your own business is making your own hours.” He squeezed my shoulder. “I need to do this. Please, let me. It’s taking all my restraint not to pack you and Blue up and move you into my house.”

I groaned. “It’s a little too soon for that, don’t you think?”

“Too soon for you, maybe. I just want you to be safe. If I’m driving you to and from work, it will go a long way to easing my mind.”

“Oh, all right.” I picked up Austin’s wrist to look at his watch. “Crud, I need to go. I’m supposed to cook dinner for Taylor tonight.”

“You’re not cooking for anyone tonight. You are going to pop a few of those pills, take a long, hot bath, and relax.” That sounded like heaven. “My mechanic should be here any minute, and then why don’t you and I pick up dinner on our way to your house. I’ll treat you and Taylor to Little Dom’s.” He was a dirty cheater. He knew Little Dom’s was Taylor’s and my favorite Italian restaurant and not far from our house.

“You had me at fried risotto balls.”

“I love it when you say balls.”

I snorted in response.

I groanedas I leaned back in my desk chair. Almost twenty-four hours later, and I did, in fact, feel like roadkill. I had been popping Tylenol like it was my job, but my neck still protested any sudden movements. A knock sounded on my classroom door. “Come in.”

Kyle opened the door, and I bit back a sigh. I did not need to deal with him today. He crossed to my desk, studying my face intently. “I just heard about your car accident, are you okay?”

Guilt swamped me for wishing him away—he was just concerned. “I’m fine, just a bit of a tender neck, but I’m sure I’ll be as good as new by tomorrow. Thanks for checking on me.”

“Of course. Why don’t I give you a ride home today? In fact, I can take you home until your car’s fixed. I know Taylor has lacrosse practice after school. I’m assuming she’s the one who brought you this morning.”

The awkwardness was about to make a reappearance. “Actually, Taylor’s team has off today, and Austin’s going to be picking me up until my car’s back in working order. But thank you for offering.”

Kyle’s hands tightened at his sides. “Why don’t you just let him know I can take you home. I’m already here, so it makes more sense for me to take you.”

“Austin keeps my dog with him at his gym while I’m working, so we need to meet up anyway.” Kyle said nothing, but his fists got tighter, and his jaw locked. I got it. I really did. It was never fun when someone you had cared for moved on before you did, especially if you still had feelings for the person. But this had to stop. “Kyle, Austin and I are seeing each other now, so I’m not sure if it would be appropriate for you to be driving me home every day anyway.”

Kyle’s face got redder, and his knuckles were bleached white. “You said that you were just friends. That you would always be just friends.”

My heartbeat quickened. “Things changed. I’m sorry, Kyle. I really am. I’m not doing this to hurt you.”

“You’re the one who’s going to get hurt, and it’ll be your fault,” he spat and turned to leave, slamming the door behind him.

I inhaled deeply and slowly let out my breath. My shoulders stiffened as my classroom door opened again but relaxed when I saw it was Taylor.

“What the hell was that all about? It looked like there was smoke coming out of Kyle’s ears.”

I sighed. “He’s not very happy about me and Austin.”

Taylor let out a very ladylike snort. “Shocker. Sorry he’s being an ass.”

“Me, too.”

“You ready for me to drop you at the gym?” she asked. Austin had not been happy that he couldn’t pick me up, but he had dozens of reporters at his gym for an important event, and Taylor had promised to not let me out of her sight until I was safely ensconced in his training facility.

I stood, straightening my pile of papers and slipping them into my desk. “Yep, thanks for doing this. Do you want to come in with me? It’s media day for one of his fighters, and the guy is hot,” I said, waggling my eyebrows in her direction.

---