Page 67 of Forever Yours

“My friend needs me, so I’m here. Now take your damn meds.”

This man’s friendship and loyalty would forever confound me.

He shook the medicine bottle, a not-so-subtle hint. Satisfied when I did what he said, he pocketed the pills and sat down on the lounger next to me.

Dad had given me space and had left me alone ever since I popped up at his hotel room last night, but with Fallon there, I had a feeling that reprieve was about to be over.

“Tried to call.”

“I turned my phone off.”

I’d ignored all the texts and voice messages from Julien, Jayson, and Ryder. Mr. Winters, the swim director, was a different story. I left him a message to let him know I wouldn’t be able to start work until next week, and that I understood if he wanted to hire someone else. And then I shut my phone off.

“Figured as much.”

Lying back, he crossed his ankles and reached over to hold my hand. I let him. Fallon was the most emotionally closed-off person I had ever met. Tough and hard and surrounded by a steel-reinforced concrete wall wrapped in barbed wire. The bad boy who lashed out with his fists to deal with his problems. But his heart was a good one. It loved deeply.

“It’s going to be okay.”

A single tear leaked free. “I know. It just doesn’t feel like it right now.”

He threaded his fingers through mine and held tight. I didn’t want to ask, but I couldn’t help myself.

“How is he?”

The sun was setting behind us, and a few tiny pinpricks of starlight had already popped out. Fallon’s head pivoted toward me, his eyes startling blue in the fading light of dusk.

“Dealing as best he can with the wake-up call you delivered. All of them are. I have a feeling that things are about to change.”

I ignored the hope that wanted to spring forth. I came home to rest and heal and find myself again.

“He didn’t do it to hurt you.”

“I know that,” I replied. Still didn’t negate the fact that it did.

“Grief can make people do some stupid things.”

I knew that, too. I’d been watching Julien suffer for months. Had been taking care of him when he spiraled. But I had to take care of myself now.

“How long are you staying? You’re more than welcome to crash here.”

“Heading out later. I just wanted to check in. It goes without saying, you need anything, I’m there.”

“Thanks, Fal.”

I didn’t say more because it would piss him off. He hated receiving gratitude of any kind.

He released my hand and tucked his behind his neck.

“I know you don’t want details, but I wanted you to know that the guy who hurt you is gone. You won’t have to look over your shoulder or worry about running into him on campus.”

I really hoped he meant ‘gone’ in a way that didn’t translate to dead. I’d felt the scabs on his knuckles when he held my hand.

“Hate to break it to you, but I’ll always have to look over my shoulder.”

The problem some people had with whom I chose to love would guarantee that. Morose and depressing to think, but accurate.

We watched the sky gradually darken until night finally arrived.

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