Chapter Thirty-One
Allison
Morgan and I missed our morning call because she had an early staff meeting, so I’m sitting at my kitchen table eating a salad for lunch while we talk.
“Ty is Oliver’s twin?” Morgan gasps. “Yippee, I’m so jumping his bones!”
“Morgan!”
“What? I totally called dibs before I even knew what he looked like, and since he’s as hot as Oliver, now I definitely want in on the action.”
“He is pretty awesome. I had the best night with him and Ellen. He took us to Martino’s as a thank you for helping set up his apartment. We laughed so much my sides hurt. Then Ellen told us stories about when her husband used to take her there for special occasions. Now I know why Oliver picked it for our first official date.” I choke out the last part.
“Are you okay?”
“I just miss him. I jumped Ty thinking he was Oliver for goodness’ sake,” I giggle, forking a crouton.
“See, you’re totally falling for Oliver. And you’re going to fix me up with Ty.”
“Is that the only reason you want me to make up with Oliver?”
“You know me better than that. I want you to be happy, and Oliver makes you happy.”
“Until he ghosted me.”
“Do I need to come over there and kick you in the bahooty? You’re being ridiculous. His mom told you what happened.”
“I know, but, hello, there are moments in the day when he could have called. I mean, he couldn’t have called before he went to bed? This all comes back to me waiting on a guy again. So why would I call him? It would be his responsibility to call me. He should be the one calling to explain. I could have helped him. And, if he’s the type of guy who doesn’t want my help, why have me in his life? I’m not waiting around to be told when to be there and when not to be again. I’m done with that.”
“I personally think you’re making more of this than it is, but I do see how you could feel that way.”
“Was that so hard to admit? You’re always supposed to see it my way.”
“We can’t always get over past hurts,” she says.
“You know who hasn’t hurt me?”
“Don’t say it. Do not say his name,” Morgan warns sternly.
“Grant.”
“You said it.” She sighs.
“He admitted he wanted to see if there was something between us. Maybe I should give him a chance before I make any decisions.”
“Ally, imagine I’m standing in front of you holding your shoulders so I don’t wring your neck. Listen to me good. You are a strong, independent woman. You are not a lovestruck teenager. Grant is a client. Oliver is probably trying to keep you out of this mess, and you can’t jump ship. You need to call him and get to the bottom of this like a mature adult.” I wiggle in my chair in discomfort. I know I’m being ridiculous. I heave a big sigh and sit upright.
“You’re right. Let me get back to work, and then I’ll figure what I’m going to do.”
“I know I’m right. Now go.”
“Bye, Morgan,” I sing into the phone with a knowing tone.
I disconnect and throw myself into my work when I notice the bright sunlight has turned to orange and the golden hour has settled in. I stare out my window and meditate on the last few days and Oliver. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Ellen, but Oliver hasn’t texted, and my heart is flippy-floppy.
A notification ping sounds on my computer letting me know I have a new email, bringing me back to reality. It’s from Grant asking about the updates. I swear I did those right away. I quickly check his site and realize it never updated. I decide to call him.
“Hey, cutie,” he answers.
“Oh, whew, thank you for not being mad at me. I did the work but forgot to update. I just refreshed your page, so it should be all set up.”
“I could never be mad at you. Plus, you might be mad at me.”
“Why is that? You didn’t decide to go with another company did you?”
“No way. I just need one last update. Remember when I said I’d tell you when I was coming to take you to dinner?”
“Of course!”
“Well, I’m not just coming to visit. I’ve officially moved to New York and need to update my bio and address.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s awesome!”
“I know. Now, when and where can I take you to dinner?”
“I have our monthly bar crawl Saturday, so maybe next weekend?”
“You can’t see my face, but I’m pouting. Don’t I get an invitation to the crawl? I mean, don’t you want to help me get to know people? And didn’t you say that there were a bunch of girls in your group?”
“That there definitely is.” I smile.
“Great. What time Saturday?”
“Nine. We’re all meeting at Loco Larry’s on Ludlow.”
“Great. I’ll meet you there.”
“Wait. How am I going to know who you are?”
“I’m pretty sure the tan and muscles will give me away.” Well, hello Mr. Cocky.
“What, you don’t think we have personal trainers here?”
“No, but it’s November and you East Coasters are probably pretty pale by now.”
“You don’t know, a lot of people could use tanning beds here.” Grant laughs.
“Don’t worry, I’ll find you, Allison. See ya.”
Grant disconnects and I throw my phone. Men drive me nuts with their cockiness. Maybe I should become a nun and never have to deal with them again. My stomach growls so I retrieve my phone and decide to get some dinner at the market.
When I step out into the hallway, I notice the door is cracked open across the hall. I figure I’ll go ask Ellen if she and Ty need anything. I gently knock on the door, but I can hear Ty talking and it sounds more formal like he’s on a work call. I wait and when he ends the call, I knock again.
“Hey, Ally, what’s up?” Ty asks, opening the door wider.
“Hey, Ty. I was on my way to the market to get some dinner. Did you or Ellen need anything?” I ask, looking around for Ellen.
“Mom’s out with friends but I could eat. I haven’t had a chance to stock up yet. Hang on, let me grab my key.”
Ty walks back into his apartment to get the key and then I hear his phone ring as he walks back out.
“Sorry. Work call. I gotta take this,” he says, holding up his phone while he pulls his door shut. I signal with a go-ahead wave and he answers. “Granite Fitness. This is Grant.” My eyes go wide, my jaw hits the floor.
“You’re Grant!”
“Allison?”
My foot slides off the top step and suddenly I’m tumbling down the stairs. What. Ouch. The. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch…
“Oh shit. Allison, are you okay?” Ty, Grant, whoever he is, is leaning over me and I’m seeing two of him.
“Ouwiee!” I yell out.
“What’s hurt? Is your head all right?” He feels around. “Oh, you’re getting a big goose egg back there.
“It hurts like a bitch, and so does the rest of me,” I grunt as Ty becomes one again.
“I see your sense of humor is still intact.” He huffs. “Can you move your legs?”
“Yes.”
“Arms?”
“Yes.”
“Does anything feel broken?”
“No. Can you just help me up and stop asking questions?” He laughs again but I don’t see what is so funny at all.
“Sure, I’m going to pick you up and carry you up the stairs. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, here we go.” He lifts me like I weigh two ounces and cradles me against his body. I feel so good against him as all the stinging sensations from the bruises subside.
“Do you have your key?” Ty asks when we get to my door.
“Pocket.”
“Can you reach it?”
“Yeah, I have to shift.”
“It’s okay, I got you.” I shift and extract my key from my pocket. He moves me closer to the door so I can unlock it and he carries me into my apartment.
“Which way to your bedroom?”
“That’s a little forward. I don’t think I’m up for that tonight.”
“Would you be serious for a minute,” Ty huffs.
“Straight back, first door on the left.”
“I’m glad your brain is okay, but I’m trying to get you to your bed to lay down so I can get you some ice.”
“I may need a few bags.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Now lay here and don’t move.” He holds out his hands in a stay position and backs out of my bedroom door.
“That won’t be hard because it hurts to do pretty much anything.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
My head and limbs are throbbing. When I try to lay on my side, I’m pretty sure there’s a huge bruise blooming because blinding stars erupt behind my eyelids and I quickly roll once more to my back. Ty returns with five sandwich bags full of ice and some hand towels.
“Here you go. Now, show me where to put these.” I point to the spots, and he gently lays the bags of ice on me and one on the back of my head. “Now, I’m going to stay here and make sure you don’t have a concussion.” As soon as he says the word, I roll over and vomit on the floor then roll back onto my back. “Hmm, I think you just might. Okay, I’m going to have to get you cleaned up. Can you point me to towels and clean clothes?”
“Towels are in the hall closet and clothes are in my dresser. But your mom took my cleaning supplies,” I moan out over the bad taste in my mouth.
“I’ll be right back.” A few minutes later, Ty is back with supplies. He cleans me up first and gives me some water to swish out my mouth with and a bucket to spit into. “Okay, we have to take off your shirt, are you okay with me helping you with that?” I nod. I’m in too much pain to worry about him seeing me in my bra and hoping it’s one of my sexy ones. He slowly adjusts me to a sitting position then removes my shirt and quickly pulls a shirt back over my head and covers me up. It was almost like those magic tricks where they are so fast, they can whip the tablecloth out from under the dishes.
“Whoa, can you help me get dressed every day?” I say in amazement.
“I brought you one of my shirts so I could cover you up faster.”
“Thank you.” I sway toward his face wanting to kiss him for his kindness but quickly remember he’s not Oliver, and then I start to cry.
“You’re welcome. Hey, why are you crying? Did I hurt you?”
I shake my head, but then realize that was a bad idea and cry harder.
“You’re being so sweet, and everything hurts, but I want Oliver.” I want to snuggle into his gentle touch so he can make all the pain go away.
“I know. He can’t be here right now, but I’m here, and as soon as we can get you settled, I’ll call him. Okay?”
“I nod my head gently and lay back.”
“I’m going to reapply your ice packs. Ready?”
“Yes.” They hurt and then start to numb the pain and bring relief as I close my eyes.
“I left you some water and after I’m done cleaning your carpet, I’ll call Oliver.”
“Okay, thank you, Ty. Hey, wait a minute.” I pop my eyes open and try to sit up, but Ty holds me down.
“Shh, don’t talk. Just rest.” I’m too sore to argue and close my eyes again, quickly falling into a deep sleep.