The bar rattles on the rack.
“So?”
“Now you’re in here destroying your shoulder because you’re scared of what happens next.”
“I’m not scared of her.”
“No, you’re scared of wanting her. There’s a difference.”
I start my set instead of answering.
But he’s right. I’m terrified of how much I wanted to follow her inside. How close I came to saying fuck the job, fuck the ethics, fuck everything except finding out how she tastes everywhere.
On rep eight, something tears.
Not catastrophic, but muscle fibers separate in a way that makes me drop the weight and bite back a curse.
“Called it,” Brody says. “Jake!”
Jake appears immediately, already shaking his head. “Ice. Now. And I’m telling Marnie.”
Her response to Jake is instant.
Of course he did. Tell him not to touch anything until Wednesday.
She knows. Even pissed, even avoiding me, she knows exactly what kind of stupid I’d pull.
That nightI’m in bed, shoulder packed in ice, when she finally texts me.
Marnie
Jake said you hurt yourself.
I grab my phone so fast I nearly drop it.
Minor tear.
Marnie
There’s no such thing as minor with shoulders. How bad?
How’s your mom?
Three dots appear for so long I think she’s writing a novel.
Marnie
Not good.
I’m sorry.
Marnie
Don’t lift anything until Wednesday.
I didn’t mean to make your job harder.
Marnie
