When the Lies Fell Apart

ulled me back to the pre

from the memory. "Yeah. Sorry. Ju

ge when he gently palpated it, but emotionally. He was all business, his

his eyes meeting mine for a brief, intense moment. "L

t he was also talking about *that* night. About me making a fool of mysel

class," I mumble

gastrocnemius strain. Nothing 'dying' about it, but you'll need to rest it. Ice, comp

formality feeling strange after

f you need them. And schedule a follow-up if it's not better in a we

mirk again. I wanted

, icing my leg and replaying every mortifying moment in my head. I avoided Chloe's calls, making excuses about needin

vitable: Chloe's

!" she'd chirped over the phone. "Ev

t Alex. My stomach

ow, Chloe..

ir with a plate of my dad's famous ribs. Besides

urse, he told her.

rmination to be invisible to

layed, kids shrieked in the pool, and the smell of grilled meat filled the air.

t work f

f it isn't the

his hand, looking relaxed in a way I never saw him at the cl

for breezy. It came out mo

sked, his eyes glinting with

, thanks," I

You know, risk further complications." He too

t my social life? Was this a subtle dig about me being reckless or, God forbid, promiscuous? Lik

asn't defensive or just plain awkward,

ourse, in a summery dress that probably cost more than my rent. She gave me a cool, dismissive glance, the

uncomfortable but po

de a hasty retreat, feeling Jess's eyes on my back. The