Fallacy (Apprehensive Duet Book 1) (8 page)

“What’s that look for?” Alex questions as he turns from the counter and finds me standing in the doorway to the kitchen, just taking in the space around me.

Forcing myself out of my trance, I walk to the counter to help him carry everything to the table. “I was just thinking about how your place is very different from most guys’. It’s comfortable, and I’m not tripping over myself to get the hell out of here.”

He laughs, shaking his head. “I think there was a compliment in there somewhere, so thanks, I guess.”

The scent of delicious Italian takeout fills the room as we remove the lids from the tin containers. “Eggplant or penne?” he asks.

“Mmm… Eggplant, it’s my favorite,” I moan as my mouth waters.

“I’m glad I picked well,” he snickers as he fills my plate.

I don’t even have the decency to wait for him to fill his plate. I start stuffing my face the minute he sets it down in front of me. I do however remember to mutter a “thank you” as I inhale the deliciousness.

“Did you get to finish going over whatever it was you were working on?” I inquire as I grab the loaf of bread and break off the end.

“Yeah, it was the MRI report for one of the guys who got hurt during the game Sunday. The one they took after the game wasn’t as clear as the team doctor would’ve liked, so he sent him to have another one yesterday. Everyone was hoping it was just a sprain, but the new report says it’s a little more than a first degree but not a bad second degree,” he explains.

“I don’t know what any of that means,” I tell him. I’m a numbers girl. I know your MCL is in the knee, but after that, he lost me.

“He did some damage to one of the ligaments in his knee. It’s a common injury in football. They’re rated from one to three; three being the worst and usually requiring surgery, for athletes anyway. If you or I were to have a third-degree injury they probably wouldn’t operate on it. But anyway, the report showed he had a minimal tear, but we still have to decide how to deal with it. The doc has ruled him out for this week, but as trainers, we have to decide on a treatment course with the doctor.” The passion oozes from him as he speaks. I can tell he loves his job. I know the feeling. But Alex isn’t pompous about it; he doesn’t rub his cool job in anyone’s face. A lot of men would constantly talk about how they work with all the famous people on a daily basis as if it should define them as a person.

Alex continues to talk about his player, and I continue to listen. I enjoy hearing about his day. It’s new for me, but I keep reminding myself this is what a healthy friendship is like. This is what I do with Ash. Friends talk. Friends share things about themselves. Friends. I can have more than a sexual relationship with him, and it's okay.

Alex

TANNER’S A FUCKING idiot. Accusing Ashley of getting pregnant on purpose was fucked up. He just ruined his relationship and possibly the one I’m building with Quinn.

I know it’s selfish of me, but the first thought that popped into my head after his night of drunken nonsense was that he better not have screwed things up for me with Quinn. I’ve been breaking her down slowly over the last month. We get together regularly for simple things like dinner or just hanging out watching a movie or something. And sex. Always lots of sex. But I don’t push. Trying to pin her down would scare her off. I know what we have, a label won’t change that.

Quinn’s without a doubt a strong, self-confident woman, but she’s also as skittish as a baby kitten. She’d never admit it, but I can see it in the way she does things. She uses her sex appeal as a mask for her insecurities. Any time I try to get closer to her in a non-sexual way, she flips the script back to sex. Always avoiding personal questions with blow jobs or new positions. I’m not complaining about the sex; that’s for damn sure. But I’m trying to get closer to Quinn’s mind and heart, not just her body.

There’s a lot I’ve learned about Quinn since Halloween. Watching the things she does and listening to the things she says, as well as the things she doesn’t. I’ve always been excellent at seeing things people don’t want others to see. It’s part of what makes me so good at my job. When you work with professional athletes, there are always a lot of egos involved. No one wants to admit when they’re injured. No one wants people to see their weaknesses. I’ve learned how to spot weakness very quickly over the years. I’ve also learned how to tell when and how people hide those weaknesses.

I’ve seen some moments lately when she realizes she’s allowing me in or letting her guard down. Instead of closing down or trying to divert my attention, she’ll continue with whatever she was doing or saying. It’s a huge deal for us. I don’t know why yet, but I do know there’s some reason she has a problem letting people get close to her.

After yesterday, I’m sure things are a little chaotic for her and Ashley. I have no doubt Quinn is Ashley’s rock, and the two of them want to see Tanner strung up by his balls. But where does this leave me?

I’ve never been the type just to sit around waiting for things. Hanging around hoping things will work themselves out, doesn’t ever turn out well. I’m a man of action. When I want something, I do whatever I need to get it. If there’s a problem, I’m the guy who sits down and figures out how to fix it. My gut says this is going to be a problem, so I’m not going to wait around and let the chips fall where they may. These women don’t need to be thinking just because Tanner and I are friends that I’m automatically on board with the shit he’s doing.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I swipe the screen and pull up Quinn’s name, hitting call.

“Hey,” she says after two rings, the exhaustion evident in her voice.

“Hey,” I respond tentatively. I’m taking the fact she’s not screaming at me as a good sign. “How’s she doing?”

“I think she’s still in shock to be honest. We went to the doctor’s office this morning, and then she went to work,” she sighs into the phone.

Needing to make sure she knows how I feel, I get right to the point. “I just want you to know I don’t agree with what he’s doing.”

“What the hell is he thinking? Ashley doesn’t have a devious bone in her body. She doesn’t even have it in her to be mean to people.” she rants, clearly upset. Quinn has every right to be upset. “Can you believe she’s just going to let him off the hook? She wants nothing to do with him anymore. She doesn’t even want his money.”

“I have no idea what he’s thinking. He was completely shitfaced last night talking a lot of shit I know isn’t true. Mark my words—he’s going to really regret this soon. This is going to blow up in his face in a huge way.” I try to keep my anger at bay. I’m hoping Tanner will sober up today and see the error in his ways.

“She’s already talking about getting a second job. I told her I don’t think it’s a good idea but she’s hell-bent on doing what she can now,” she tells me in a drained voice.

“What are you doing right now?” Everything inside me is screaming to get to her. To hold her. To be near her. The need to comfort her at this moment is intense and all consuming.

“I’m heading out of the office. I’m too tired to focus on numbers. The last thing I need right now is to fuck up at work.” She sounds so defeated.

“How about I meet you at your place? Seems like you could use some company and someone to vent to,” I offer, hoping like hell she says yes.

“That doesn’t sound half bad.” I can almost hear the faint smile in her voice, and it has me fucking delighted. I was worried she was going to hate me, but she’s going to let me comfort her instead. That’s huge in the world of Quinn.

“Okay, I’ll be there soon, angel.” I hope she wasn’t able to hear the joy in my voice. There’s still time for her to decide I’m an asshole just by association.

An hour later, we’re lying in Quinn’s bed. Her head is resting on my chest. Her fingers are running softly up and down my arm.
Stop enjoying her need for comfort, asshole.
It's hard not to revel in the fact this woman—who doesn’t lean on anyone—is letting me be the person to hold her up, even if it’s just for today.

“This is a lot to take in, in just a day. Yesterday, Ashley just had the stomach flu and Tanner was hiring a cleaning lady to disinfect my condo. Today Tanner’s a douche and Ashley’s knocked up,” she chuckles in an ironic way. I just squeeze her into my side and kiss the top of her head.

“I’ve made sure I’m always good and covered, so I didn’t ever find myself in a situation like this, but I’m in one anyway. You know what I mean?” She picks her head up from my shoulder and rests her chin there instead. Her eyes meet mine, and it looks as though the storm inside them is begging me to tell her I understand. And I do.

“This isn’t something you had planned for your life right now, but it’s here regardless. Your roommate and best friend is about to have a baby, and the father of that child is being a total asshat right now. Your life is about to change just as much as hers. Let’s just hope Tanner wakes up soon and makes this right.” I want her to know I understand what she doesn’t want to say.

“I feel like a total twat for even thinking it, but all I could think earlier was all the shit you need for a baby. I’m going to have bottles in my house! And not just the kind containing wine,” she laughs. I’m not quite sure what kind of laugh it is but I’ll take it. “A year ago, the only nipples getting sucked in my apartment were mine! Boy, how things have changed.”

“It doesn’t make you a twat,” I disagree letting out a laugh of my own. “The fact you’ve already stepped up to support her shows you’re not. She’d do the same for you.”

She smiles at me. “Thanks, I needed that.”

“You’re welcome. And like I said, there’s still time for Tanner to pull his head out of his ass,” I remind her.

“I doubt it. Ashley doesn’t like to rely on anyone and won’t ask him for help. She can hold a grudge and isn’t going to let him back in that easy, or even at all.”

“Things will work out. I’m sure of it. It’s very new and scary. Everyone needs time to adjust.” No one can adapt to life-changing news in a matter of twenty-four hours.

“That’s very true. We spent most of the night doing some research. For two women who have never done their homework on pregnancy and babies, it was pretty frightening. I know they say childbirth is a miracle and shit, but fuck it’s nasty,” she says with a little giggle in her voice now.

“It’s definitely not all rainbows and sunshine while it’s going on. Not that I’ve witnessed it firsthand, but I’ve heard plenty of locker room talk when the guys’ wives have had babies,” I give a little shudder. Some of the things the guys have said about watching their kids being brought into the world are downright terrifying.

Quinn lets out a genuine laugh, and it’s like music to my ears. It makes me glad to know not only does she feel safe enough to share her feelings with me about this, but I can make her smile through her despair.

This morning I was worried about where Tanner’s mess would leave me with this woman, but in the end, it just helped to make us closer. Letting me be here for her today was a monumental step for Quinn. It means good things for us. I just need to continue being the person who she can run to and rely on when the world gets a little tough for her.

Leaning down, I whisper, “If there were ever two girls made to make the best of this situation, it’s you and Ashley.”

She doesn’t verbally respond but inches closer to drape herself over me and closes her eyes. I just lie there completely content to breathe in the Quinn-scented air and relish in a big step between us.