Page 91 of Secrets We Fight
“But I don’t want your help,” he hissed angrily. “You’re acting like I can’t do anything on my own. It’s irritating.”
“That’s not true,” I replied as we stepped into the hall. “I know you’re capable, but it’s hard for me to watch you struggle when I can be there for you.”
“Except that doesn’t help me. I’m never going to get back to normal if you coddle me all the time.”
Having an argument at school probably wasn’t the best thing. The occasional journalist still popped up out of nowhere to ask questions about Fallon’s recovery, and we didn’t need a public squabble to become a part of the story. “Let’s get back to your place, and we can talk more there.”
“Fine,” he mumbled and walked toward the SUV, where Leigh was waiting to drive us.
The doctor hadn’t cleared Fallon to drive yet because he was still taking pain medication. And since we weren’t trying to sneak in alone time because everyone knew we were together, it was easier for us to ride with the other agents.
Day hopped into the front seat, while Fallon and I sat in the back. The ride was silent, and I could tell he was still annoyed with my actions back in the classroom.
When we entered his condo, he went directly to his bedroom and slammed the door. Wanting to give him a few minutes to cool off, I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
A few minutes later, Fallon came back out, dressed in a tank top and sweatpants. “I’m going to the gym.”
He’d been working with a physical therapist since he’d been discharged, and I knew he was allowed to do some basic exercises, but it felt as though he was trying to prove something at that moment because he was angry.
Knowing I needed to tread carefully to not piss him off further, I said, “Okay, give me a minute to change, and we can head downstairs.”
I walked into his bedroom and grabbed my workout clothes from a drawer he’d cleaned out for me. Before changing, I called Day on the radio to let him know about our plans and allow him a chance to conduct a quick sweep of the onsite gym.
“All right, let’s go,” I said as I entered the living room.
Fallon gave me a curt nod and followed me into the hallway. We stepped into the elevator, and he punched the button for the second floor. When the doors opened, Day announced the area was clear.
“So, what are you planning on doing?” I asked as we walked inside the workout room.
Fallon’s jaw tightened before answering tersely, “I know my limits, Rhett. I’m just going to walk on the treadmill.”
He jumped onto the machine and pushed a couple of buttons before he started walking at a slow pace. I headed over to the stationary bike to start my own workout. I planned to keep it low key because I was afraid if I did anything strenuous, it might set Fallon off again, since he still had some restrictions.
I glanced in his direction a few times in awe of how toned he still looked despite not being able to keep up with his regular workout routine and rowing. He hadn’t had much of an appetite either because of the pain meds, but given the way he was glaring at me through the reflection of the mirror, he must have taken my appraisal wrong because he finally snapped, “Why are you staring at me? I’m not overdoing it.”
I climbed off my machine and walked over to him. “I know you’re not. I was just thinking about how hot you are.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sure, you were.”
“It’s true.”
“I’m still mad at you,” he grumbled, but I didn’t miss the way his lips turned up in a faint smile.
“Bet I can get you to forget all about being mad.” I smirked.
“How?”
“Finish your workout, and I’ll show you when we get back upstairs.”
29
FALLON
I wasn’tsure why I was irritated with Rhett. I knew he had the best of intentions, and it wasn’t like being together for a long period of time was new for us, but for some reason, I was feeling smothered. Maybe it was the narcotics that caused my mood swings. Or it could have been because I was weaning off those drugs, so I hurt more.
After only ten minutes on the treadmill, I pressed the stop button. I wasn’t used to activities being so difficult, but even the slow pace of three miles per hour was enough to make me winded. Rowing 2,000 meters with my rowing team would be impossible, so I had to tell my coach I was out for the spring. That pissed me off too.
I stepped off the machine and said to Rhett, “I’m ready to go.”
