Page 27 of He Falls First
“And you know I don’t act like that around just anyone.”
“I guess not.”
“Then you know I’m dead serious, man. I need to talk to her. She said something about needing protection. I don’t like the sound of that. It’s making me crazy, do you hear me, buddy?”
Making sure no one else is watching, I turn off the hose and pull out my phone.
I open my Notes app and show it to him. “Here’s her address. Here’s the code to the gate, but you did not get it from me.”
“Understood.”
I can’t believe I just did that.
Sagan disappears. Whatever chaos he’s about to enact will probably get traced back to me one way or another. And I’m going to owe Briar a huge apology. She’ll be pissed off, and she won’t want to see me once she learns what I did. But I’ll own up to it and take the consequences.
When my shift ends 24 hours later, Briar still hasn’t replied to my texts.
Tonight is Halloween, and I was really hoping to spend some quality time with her. I wanted to show her around my town and maybe get an idea if she’d like to stay here after her internship. I know I’m dreaming, but I’ve always been an optimist.
Back at home, I lie on my sofa in my sweats. Her text must’ve come in while I was in the shower. Thank god, she’s alive. I feellike I can breathe again, and my muscles unclench. My body was physically carrying the pain of this separation; the worry over her well-being was physical and not just mental.
Frye came back early. He fired me.
Shit. Is it my fault?
No, silly.
Are you OK?
Yep. Esme came through for me. She knew what she did, and you were right. She likes having me around. She won’t let Frye fire me.
When can I see you?
No reply.
I sent that text about 30 minutes ago. Where is she?
A knock on my door gives me the answer.
I bolt to my feet and open my apartment door.
“I wish you could have seen her stand up to Frye!” Briar looks tired, but her stressed-out vibe has gone.
I smile. “Some people start with hello and a hug if you’re into that sort of thing.”
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t have much time, just a few hours off today before I have to be back.” I stand to the side, gesture for her to come in, and then close the door behind her.
Briar sits on the sofa, her hands in her lap. “I was ready to book a flight back to Indy, assuming my ass was grass. But Esme and Frye had a huge argument. She said she needed me to stay and further said I needed time off like a normal human being. She read the contract out loud to him, letting him know he’d falsely advertised what the internship was supposed to be.On top of that, he’s under orders to make sure I have access to the archives, the library, the art — everything I was promised. I needed to see you after your shift so I could tell you. I’ll be here until after the New Year.”
I go to her, planting myself on my knees at her feet.
“I’m so damn relieved,” I say, clasping her hands in mine and kissing them. “And I’m glad you came all this way to tell me everything.”
I say this knowing full well there’s no way I’m letting her leave after the New Year without me. I don’t know how we’ll make that work, but we’ll have to.
“It felt so weird when you drove away. I didn’t realize I would miss you.” She lets out a little sob.
“Hey,” I say, pulling her into me and wrapping her up in my arms. “I missed you too, but I’m so damn happy you’re here now.”