“Oh, right. Just sleeping together,” she nodded. “And living with her. And doing everything together. But you’re just friends.”
“I’m only staying with her because she needed help, and because Austin was out there.”
“Right, but they caught Austin. So…”
The truth was, the lines were blurring. The more time I spent with her, the more I thought about what it would be like to stay with her, to build something real outside of boxing. But making my brain get on board with this weird thumping sensation in my chest every time I was around her was a little more difficult.
“She still needed help.”
“Well, you’ll be happy to know that she is now mobile and can do things on her own. You’re off the hook. Must feel good, right?”
I nodded as she walked away, grinning at me. I was off the hook—able to get back to my own life. So, why did it feel like everything was crumbling at my feet?
38
CASSIDY
Loading up an armful of books,I hobbled on one crutch over to the shelf, proud of how damn good I was doing. Every day that passed was getting a little easier to walk, and with that, the depression constantly weighing me down eased.
“I swear to God!” Alyssa snapped as she walked through the door. “Any more winter, and I’ll burrow in until summer. I’m so sick of the cold!”
“Then you moved to the wrong place,” I laughed, grateful she was here to keep me company. “Did you already finish up at the boutique?”
“Yeah, Ellie is closing up. She said she’d stop over here when she was done.”
“Closing up? Alone?”
“I know. I was shocked, too, but she seemed determined to do it.”
“Good for her. I didn’t think she’d get there so quickly, but I’m happy for her.”
“Me, too. I hope she doesn’t kick me out,” she winced. “Does that sound selfish?”
“No, I get where you’re coming from.”
Plopping down in the chair, she sighed heavily. “I just want something in my life to go right.”
I huffed in agreement at that. “Tell me about it.”
“Oh, please. You have that big, sexy man at your beck and call.”
“Not so much anymore. He’s back in the gym full-time. Not that I blame him, or that I’d want him at my beck and call. He’s doing what he loves, and I’m glad it’s working out for him.”
“Blah, blah, blah,” she chuckled. “I see your lips moving, but the words don’t make sense.”
“Well, what would you have me do? Follow him around like a puppy? That man is the least likely person I’ve ever met to be in a relationship.”
The bell rang as the door opened, followed by a gust of wind that had me pulling my sweater tighter around my chest.
“Oh my gosh! It’s so freaking cold!”
“I already said that,” Alyssa muttered. “She wasn’t too sympathetic.”
“How was it at the shop?” I asked, sliding another book on the shelf.
“It was really good,” Ellie smiled, taking a seat across from Alyssa. “It feels really nice to be back there. I thought that after everything, I might never want to step inside the shop again, but it’s definitely better for my mind than sitting at home.”
“Tell me about it. After the hit-and-run, sitting at home just made me relive it. I was constantly angry.”