Page 40 of Wine & Whiskey
6
Chapter Six
Jason standsin front of her, his fingers hovering over her arm as she pulls the taut band away from her body. “That’s right. Slow, precise movements. Eleven more times then switch arms. I’m going to work with Nick, and I’ll be right back.”
Nick.
Her stomach spins for the second time this morning. After an uncomfortable hello, they haven’t said a word to each other throughout the entire workout. Maybe because she keeps her head down, pretending to concentrate, while really trying to figure out why he’s here.
It’s the first time she feels alone since being with him. Fear coils in her chest. Maybe she’s not with him anymore. He left last night and never returned. Didn’t call or text. Yet, he’s here now. He shows up like always. Except this time, he comes with dark eye circles and furrowed brow instead of smiles and winks. Silence instead of flirting. Hesitation rather than his usual confidence. His pain as strong as hers.
The chirping of Nick’s phone interrupts Jason as the trainer directs his movements. Nick excuses himself and walks out of the room. Once he’s out of sight, Jason returns to her and tips his head toward her ear. “Are you all right? What’s going on?”
She shakes her head, dreading the lecture Jason’s going to launch, his favorite role of quasi-big brother kicking in, even though he’s only one year older. “I’m fine. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Come on. It’s me. You can tell me anything.” He pushes down the lime green cord, forcing her to stop stretching. His voice is heavy with concern rather than scorn as he scans her features before returning to meet her gaze. “What did he do to you?”
He must not have talked to Nathan, doesn’t know what happened last night. But he will. Even against what she knows will be Carrie’s attempts to diffuse the situation, they’ll conspire and compare notes. With both her and Nick being the victims in a fight she probably can’t win. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
“Don’t deny it. You both look terrible. I knew this would happen.”
The need to protect Nick this time fills her heart. To Jason, Nick’s mafia connections are still alleged. She can’t be the one to confirm them, especially when she doesn’t want to accept the truth herself, hopeful it’s just a misunderstanding, a story perpetuated by the rumor mill. Although after last night, her optimism is difficult to maintain. “Please, Jason, I don’t want to get into this with you.”
“Because you know I’m right.” His whispered tone evaporates at his incredulousness, his volume increasing with his irritation. “Men like him can’t be trusted. He’s dangerous, and you need to dump him before he hurts you any more than he already has.”
And there it is. The counsel she didn’t request, the guidance she doesn’t need. She has to figure this out herself. “You don’t understand. Nick loves me and would never hurt me.”
“I’m glad you finally believe it.” Both their heads fly up at Nick’s soft voice floating from the doorway. The pain in his eyes conflicts with the stiffness of his body, his worried gaze never leaving hers.
Jason looks from Nick to her and sighs. “I think that’s enough for today. Good job, guys. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Her heart aches at Jason’s frustration and Nick’s hesitation, uncertain how to fix her relationships with either of them. “Thanks, Jason.”
Nick shakes his head, his tone tight but steady. “I have a business trip and won’t be back to the gym until Monday.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” Jason nods at Nick before turning to her. He massages her hunched shoulder, releasing a bit of the tension at the confirmation he continues to take care of her even when he’s aggravated. “Call me later, okay?”
Her arms coil around his neck, squeezing his tense body, hoping he knows how much she loves and needs him too. “Okay, I promise.”
After Jason walks out, she and Nick stare at each other, the awkwardness as palpable as the first time they met. All the things she wants to say catch in her throat, fearful the doubt she convinced herself is unreasonable may be warranted. Panic flames in her chest as he steps closer and his lips part. She shakes her head, unable to let him speak. “I guess I better go take my shower.”
She follows Jason’s path down the hallway, never looking back at Nick’s expression.
* * *
As he showers, Nick’s head pounds, trying to figure out how to fix things with her before he leaves. Separated by time and distance, their already fragile relationship could easily wither away. With his body still damp, he throws on his clothes and races out of the locker room, worried she’ll leave before he can catch her.
After a few minutes, she opens the door. Her face brightens at seeing him before falling into a frown again. She steps toward him, her gaze on her dress as she rolls the white fabric around her fingers. “I’m sorry about what happened with Jason.”
“It’s fine. I know he’s trying to protect you.”
“Like you are.”
Pain stabs his chest. He’s never loved anyone like her, never needed anything more than for her to understand how keeping her safe eclipses her desire for the complete truth. He forces himself to keep his hands at his side, hesitant to reach out to her. He would never recover if she recoiled at his touch. “Yes.”
“I didn’t know you had to go out of town.”
“It came up late last night.”
