She has a point. But my ability to take care of her physically was never in question, even if I failed to keep her safe.
“Financially,” I amend.
“Don’t do this, man.” The sharp anger in Nathan’s tone catches me off guard.
In one explosive movement, he stands and paces around the weight room. Each step vibrates with agitated energy.
“Do what?”
“This whole self-sabotage thing.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
My life is shitty enough without me sabotaging it.
He whirls around and pins me to the mat with a heated glare.
“Bullshit, man,” he huffs. “You’re acting like a fucking pussy, and you know it. For the first time in years, there’s something good in your life, and that terrifies you. You have a shot at having some real happiness here, but your woe-is-me attitude can’t deal with it. So you’re going to let it slip through your fingers like you always do and blame it on karma or fate or whatever fucked-up bullshit you’re using this week as a scapegoat to avoid personal responsibility.”
A frustrated growl spills out as he kicks a stack of pads, knocking them into a scattered pile on the floor. I chance a glance at Karis, but from the smug look on her face, I’m on my own—and maybe this was a long time coming. Hell, it wouldn’t be the first come-to-Jesus meeting we’ve held on these mats.
“Goddamnit, man. I’d kill to be in your shoes right now. I had my shot and ruined it, and I regret it every fucking day. So I’d be running, not walking, to make that woman mine if it meant I might have the chance at love like that again.” My friend pauses, taking a few seconds to center himself with a deep inhale. When he speaks again, his words are more resigned than angry. “I’m sorry for getting snappy, man. It’s just—”
“You miss Chelsea.”
He swallows deeply and nods. “I don’t want you to miss out on an opportunity to find love. They don’t come around very often.”
“Who said anything about love.”
I’m still trying to figure out how to be Kori’s friend.
“Call it what you want. A connection, maybe. I’ve been with enough women to know that spark is rare.”
“Oh, we know about the women,” Karis quips.
“Between you and Morgan, I’ve seen what heartbreak does. Do you really think it’s worth pursuing something knowing it most likely won’t last? I mean, just look at you. You’re still hung up on the girl who broke your heart months ago. Wouldn’t you be happier if you never took the chance in the first place?”
“Fuck no, man. I wouldn’t trade a moment I had with her for anything.”
“Cringe,” Karis says as she stands and grabs her things. “I’ve got plans, but you two can sit around and talk about your feelings for as long as you need to.”
“Plans with who?” Nathan asks. “We’re right here. You don’t have any other friends.”
“I promised Evelyn I’d go volunteer with her. It’s how I got her to join the gym.”
“So I take it you won’t be coming by Cutter’s tonight?” I ask as she walks out of the room.
“Probably not, but that just means you and Nathan can spend more time braiding each other’s hair.”
In unison, we flip her off, and without looking at us, she responds in kind.
“Lover boy’s right,” she calls out before disappearing around the corner. “Ask her out.”
Great. With my luck, Morgan will start in on this next time I see him too. As annoying as it should be, I know it’s because they care far more than they should.
“Come on,” I say as I stand, “we have time to get a few miles in before I have to leave.”
“Drinks on you tonight?” he asks with a cheeky grin and hops on a treadmill.
