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Take that, Mason.
Now all that’s left to do is find out if I’m alone in what I’m feeling.
God, I hope not.
7
LANEY
How did this happen?
Time moves in the blink of an eye. One day it’s Nate’s birthday, and the next, it’s a month and a half later.
Spring is finally crisping the edges of New York. Leaves are growing in bounties on the trees and birds have returned with their wild chirping as they ready their nests for new arrivals.
Inside the Lyons’ home, Nate has been getting better by the day, although I’m not sure how much of that has to do with me.
For the most part, we just talk rather than do any work.
I make him practice on the parallel bars and sometimes, he has a bout on the bicycle.
Other than that, he’s on his feet, using the arm canes to balance himself, though I’m pretty sure he could do it on his own.
I still don’t know what to make of the sudden transformation. I’m suspicious it was happening behind my back this whole time.
But what motivation would Nate have to do it in secret?Unless, like me, he was worried that would mean the end of our time together.
That shouldn’t feel as romantic as it does, but…here we are.
With the trip in just a couple of days, I’m starting to feel anxious. There’s no way to back out.
Not that I want to. But Ifeellike I should want to.
Because Nate is my ex-boyfriend’s best friend.
And Mason is still at the back of my mind. I haven’t seen him since Nate’s birthday and yet, he’s still right here. His toe tapping mine.
I wish I could just forget him. But I can’t. Even though Nate is such a wonderful distraction.
And now that we’re going to be alone together for two whole weeks at a remote cabin upstate…I feel like it’s only a matter of time before a line gets crossed that we won’t be able to cross back.
I still make Nate have periods of rest every day.
It’s nice to be able to have an hour or two just to myself without having to think about his well-being.
Today, I’m spending my break in the kitchen, dipping carrots into hummus that I don’t really want to eat but know will give me good energy for the rest of the day.
I’ve been exhausted these days. Always thinking. Always trying to be ten steps ahead.
Sonia enters the kitchen, skin glistening with sweat, her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. “Oh, hey, Laney,” she says between huffing breaths.
“Good workout?”
She nods, eyes bulging. “Uh-huh.”
Sonia rips open the fridge and grabs a protein shake. She agitates it in her grip, back and forth, the muscles of herforearm bulging, before tearing it open and gulping down half in one go. “Mm. Sorry.”
I laugh. “No problem. Need your protein. I get it.”
