Page 79 of Second Shot

He doesn’t speak, he just watches me warily.

“You even admitted you thought about getting revenge at first,” I say.

A flush moves up his cheeks. “Yeah. When you first showed up, it went through my mind to make you pay.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“But that desire faded quickly.”

I chuff. “I don’t know why. I deserved your hatred.”

He shrugs. “Maybe you did, but I lost my need for payback almost immediately.”

“Why?” My voice cracks.

He licks his lips. “Because of how you were. I… I could see you had real regret about the past. You were ashamed. You had no idea who I was, so I know you weren’t lying to me. You… you truly seemed sorry. Suddenly, revenge felt hollow. Pointless.”

“Then you’re a better person than I am, because I would’ve wanted revenge. Not giving you the benefit of the doubt, that wasn’t about you, Gabe. That was about me, and what a piece of shit I am. If our roles were reversed, I wouldn’t be nearly as gracious as you.”

“Yes you would be,” he says grudgingly. “You’re not a piece of shit, Ryan.”

“Please, don’t defend me,” I mumble. “I don’t deserve that from you.”

“Yeah, maybe not.” He exhales sharply, and there’s pain in his eyes he’s trying to hide behind anger.

We fall into a strained silence. He avoids my gaze, and the muscles in his throat work like he wants to say something but can’t quite get the words out.

“I don’t want to fight with you, Gabe,” I say softly. “I… I don’t want to be your enemy.”

He slumps slightly, looking resigned. “We need to figure out a way to move past this, for the sake of the team.”

I narrow my eyes. “Just for the sake of the team?”

He finally meets my gaze, and his eyes are once more emotionless. It sends a wave of dread through me. He’s gearing up to send me away. I can see it on his face. He wants to shut me out for good.

“Look, Ryan—” he begins.

“No,” I say harshly. “I can see what you’re thinking, Gabe. No, I’m not going to let you just get rid of me.”

Confusion paints his tense features. “What does it matter?

“Of course it matters,” I growl.

“Why?” He squints at me, anger glittering in his eyes. “You’ve already moved on with some other guy. Why are you even here, acting like there’s anything to salvage besides our work relationship?”

In my anxious state, I realize I haven’t addressed the subject of Tam yet. He still thinks I’m seeing someone else. “No, that’s all a big misunderstanding. I only want you, Gabe.”

His face hardens. “Save it, Ryan. I saw you with that guy. You didn’t even try to hide you’dmoved on. Trust me, I got the message loud and clear.”

“I wasn’t sending you a message.” I take a step toward him. “That was my ex. The guy who met me at the bus the other night, that was Tam. I told you about him, remember?”

“That was Tam?” He frowns. “You guys are back together?”

“No,” I say in frustration. “Of course we’re not back together. I literally just told you I only want you.”

He looks skeptical. “But he’s staying with you at your place, and driving your car. Am I supposed to actually believe nothing is going on?”

“Nothingisgoing on. I swear,” I say gruffly. “He’s already gone back home. He only came to support me. He knew I had no one else.”

---