Page 23 of Fade With Me

His expression quickly shifted back to his usual cheerful demeanor. “No time today, unfortunately,” he said, his voice overly chipper. “But I was hoping we could catch up tomorrow night over dinner—just as friends, of course. Thought we could grab some food and plan our next hike.”

A thrill of excitement pulsed through me, lighting up my face. I couldn’t help the eager rush in my words as I answered, maybe a little too quickly. “Yeah, that sounds awesome. I’d love to come.”

He clapped his hands in satisfaction and straightened his tie. “Great! How about we meet at Giovanni’s at 5:00 PM?”

My heart sank at the mention of Giovanni’s. It was way out of my price range. Zeke probably didn’t eventhink about the cost, but I was stuck on a tight budget. Maybe I could just stick to the bread basket and a glass of water.

I forced a smile, not wanting to let on about my financial concerns. “Yeah, that works for me. I’ll be there at 5:00.”

With a grin, he extended his fist for our secret handshake, and we both made the “boom” and “zap” sound effects at the same time.

As he opened the car door and slid in, he tossed over his shoulder, “By the way, dinner’s on me. You can, however, buy ice cream afterward. Loser buys, right?” He winked at me before driving off, leaving me watching the taillights disappear into the distance.

I took a moment, still feeling the warmth of our exchange, before heading back into the diner.

When I stepped inside, I immediately noticed the shift in Sal’s demeanor. His earlier cheerfulness had been replaced by a brooding intensity, his face clouded with anger and concern. It was clear that whateverbusinesshe and Reggie had discussed had left things on a sour note.

I moseyed back to the counter and settled into my usual spot, ready to tackle my crossword puzzle. Sal's annoyance radiated from him like a dark aura, his every glare grating on my nerves, as if he were trying to ruin my peace on purpose.

“What’s his problem?” he muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on some invisible point on the wall. “I’mthe one who keeps everything running smoothly around here. He should bethankingme.”

I gave him a blank stare, then turned my attention back to the puzzle.

He shot me a resentful look, his voice dripping with accusation. “You’re partly to blame for this, you know. If you’d just put in a little more effort at home, maybe he wouldn’t be so stressed.”

I blinked, stunned by the suggestion. “Me? I’m already running on fumes. I don’t know how I couldpossiblydo more. I’m not the problem here.”

He scowled, disgust contorting his features. “You could try putting out a bit more. Maybe then he’d loosen up instead of being so uptight all the time.”

I froze, my gaze locking onto his face. Shock surged through me, but I found my voice. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t just hear you say that.”

The words stung, but not in the way they might have for a woman who still cared about her husband. Reggie and I didn’t share a bed, let alone intimacy—not anymore. We were strangers under the same roof, bound only by obligation and routine gestures that meant nothing. Sal’s comment was just another reminder of the cage I lived in. A cage of Reggie’s making, where I served, cleaned, and stayed invisible to him unless he needed to remind me of my place.

He leaned in, his breath searing my skin, his voice low and menacing. “Save the act for Reggie. I’m not buying it.”

My temper flared, hot and immediate. Overhead, the lights sputtered violently, jagged shadows slicing across the room. The air itself seemed to tighten, thrumming with an unseen charge. My chest constricted as I shot to my feet, fists clenched at my sides. Heat rose in my face, my skin flushing with frustration. I stepped toward him, forcing him back.

“What exactly are you implying?” I demanded, my voice steady and controlled, though the tremble in my hands betrayed me.

Sal’s fury flickered, just for a second, into something else. Wariness. His gaze cut to the lights as they dimmed, then flared back to full brightness, the tension thick and electric in the air. Then, just as quickly, his focus snapped to me again, his anger reigniting like a struck match.

“I’ve seen your tricks. I know your game. You’re manipulative,you’re hiding something, and I’m not falling for it.” His words were sharp, slicing through the space between us. “You might fool Reggie, but not me.”

I met his eyes, steady and unflinching. “You think you know me? You don’t.” My voice was edged with frustration. “Whatever story you’ve told yourself, whatever game you think I’m playing, you’re wrong.” I drew a slow breath, trying to calm the fire rising in my chest. “Yourproblems with Reggie are yours. Don’t dump them on me. I’m not part of whatever grudge you’re nursing.” I didn’t look away. The silence stretched. “If you need someone to blame, look somewhere else.”

I yanked off my apron, the fabric tearing with a faint rip, and grabbed my purse from the counter. Without another word, I stormed out, the door slamming behind me.

The walk home helped clear my mind. With each step, the tight knot in my stomach loosened. The sharp sting of anxiety ebbed away, replaced by the soothing crunch of fallen leaves beneath my feet and the cool, crisp air filling my lungs.

Manipulative? The nerve. He’s the one who constantly unloads his anger on me, expecting me to take it without question. I take enough from Reggie. I won’t take it from Sal too. I’m done being anyone’s emotional punching bag. It’s time to break free from this toxic cycle and find a new job. Now.

When I stepped inside, the warm glow of the living room greeted me. Reggie lounged on the couch with his legs crossed on the ottoman, radiating an air of relaxed contentment. The soft light caught in his blond hair, giving it a polished sheen that almost made him look angelic—if you didn’t know better.

“Hey, Brynie girl…” He squinted at me, a flicker of concern knitting his brow as he sat up. “You’re home early. What’s going on?”

I dropped my purse onto the kitchen table with a deliberate thud, buying myself a moment to collect my thoughts. After a deep breath, I pushed my hair back behind my ears and tried to compose myself.

“Ugh. It’s just Sal being his usual over-the-top self,” I sighed, frustration spilling out in a rush.

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