“Yeah, but I was talking to a client before, when I was climbing a hill. That’s why I had it on.”
“I’m sure your client enjoyed when you were talking to him and panting.”
“They’re athletes. They’re always working out when I’m talking to them.” He narrows his eyes and raises his chin in a question. “So what’s going on? You’re not your usual happy self.”
“Am I usually happy?”
“You’re like the happiest lad around. You’re always a barrel of sunshine or a bollock of dogs or a bushel of cats’ pajamas, or whatever it is that you say,” he says, deliberately botching sayings he knows well.
I sigh and decide to tell him what went down today. When I’m done, I add, “So that’s the whole pathetic story.”
“I told you, you can’t let work get you down. You can’t let work dictate your life.”
“Says the man who wears his Bluetooth at the gym.”
“I was taking a call. And I had to because this is a cutthroat business. Sharks are swimming everywhere, and I need to protect my clients. I have to talk to them whenever they need me.”
I arch a brow. “You’re proving my point exactly. You’re constantly on. You don’t have an off mode. I have to be the same.”
“No. I’m telling you that sometimes you have to let things go.”
“Why do I? Do you let things go? I don’t think you do.”
He stabs a finger against his chest. “I’m as single as the day is long. Different boat, my friend. No one gets hurt when I work all hours. But you? You do. You love this woman, right?”
“Did I say I loved her?”
He rolls his eyes. “You’re such an asshole. You don’t have to say you love her. You don’t have to use the word love for it to be apparent. The way you told that story, it was stupidly obvious that you’re madly in love with her.”
“‘Madly in love with her’?” I parrot, because there’s a hard shell over my heart right now, and I don’t even know how to crack it.
Josh slows his pace and stares hard at me. “Yes. Madly in love, Jason. I don’t know about you, but if I felt the way you seem to feel, I’d like to think I wouldn’t let work stand in the way. Just food for thought.” He presses a button to end his workout. “And on that note, I have a meeting about the shortstop I’m trying to win.”
“So you’re not letting work stand in the way, right?”
He moves to the front of my bike and parks his hands on the handlebars. “I’m not in love with the shortstop, dickhead.”
“Love you too, asshole.”
When I return to my apartment, I Skype the one person who’ll understand. Abby answers on the first ring with a yawn. “It’s practically eleven p.m. Why are you calling me now?”
“Because I love you.”
“I love you too. But you never call this late unless something’s on your mind. Spill.”
I flop onto my couch, my arm hanging off the side. “I’ve got to go to another wedding tonight. And it’s going to fucking suck.”
“Why is it going to suck?”
I grit my teeth then fume. “Because evidently I have feelings for Truly, but I can’t be with her, and yet I have to be with her at a wedding tonight. Doesn’t that just take the piss out of everything?”
She laughs. “That takes the piss out of literally everything.”
“I thought it was going to be easy until my friend Josh reminded me of one annoying fact.”
“What did he remind you?”
“Turns out I’m actually in love with her.”
She smiles from across the ocean. “Aww. Love is awesome. Studies show hearts are healthier when you’re in love, so it’s good medicine too.”
“Ah, so that’s what you’re learning in medical school.”
“Pretty useful, wouldn’t you say? But why is being in love hard? I thought the issue was you being best mates with her brother?”
“Who knew? Apparently the bastard is fine with it.”
She pumps her fist. “Yay. That’s awesome!”
“No, it’s not. It’s awful. Because there’s no time for love. Love is distracting, and nothing is working. Therefore, I’m pissed and annoyed, and I hate everything.”
She stifles a laugh. “Poor you. But are you annoyed because of work or because you’re in love with her?”
I sit up, dragging a hand through my hair. “Because I’m trying to meet these bills. I’m trying to make things happen,” I say, letting too much slip.
She narrows her eyes. “Wait. Hold on. We had a deal. You were paying for my school, but not if it drove you mad. And clearly, you’re going mad. Barking mad, as Ron Weasley would say.”
