Page 35 of My Trainer Neighbor
Chapter Nine
Shawn
A week later
My new apartment was a shithole.
"As you can see, it's got great bones," the landlord said, gesturing at the studio that was barely bigger than my current bedroom."And the location can't be beat."
The location was three blocks from Nicole's building.That was the only reason I was standing in this glorified closet with water stains on the ceiling and a radiator that clanked like it was possessed.
"When's it available?"I asked.
"First of the month.You'd be looking at first, last, security deposit."He named a figure that made my jaw clench."Lots of interest in this one."
I bet.New York real estate was a special kind of hell.
"I'll take it."
His eyebrows shot up."You want to think about it?See some other places?"
"No.I'll take it."
Twenty minutes later, I was walking out with a lease in my hand and significantly less money in my bank account.The apartment was too small and too expensive and the kitchen was barely functional.
But it was mine.And it was three blocks from Nicole.
I pulled out my phone and texted her.Got the apartment.Move in date is December 1st.
Three dots appeared immediately, then disappeared.Then appeared again.
That's wonderful.I'm happy for you.
I stared at the message.Formal.Distant.Nothing like the woman who'd fallen apart in my arms a week ago.Nothing like the woman who'd admitted this was more than just sex.
We'd been doing this dance all week.Her pulling back whenever things got too real.Me trying to give her space while also proving I wasn't going anywhere.
It was exhausting.
My phone buzzed with another text.Can we talk tonight?I need to tell you something.
My stomach dropped.Those words never meant anything good.
Your place or mine?
Yours.After work?
I'll be here.
I shoved my phone in my pocket and headed toward the gym where I'd been training clients all week.It should have felt like progress.Like I was building something real.
Instead, it felt like I was bracing for impact.
