Too Far 01- Fallen Too Far

steps. Rush didn’t follow me. I wanted to look back and see what he was doing but I couldn’t.
    “I tried to stay away from you.” His words sounded dark. I stopped and turned back around to look down at him. He was standing on the bottom step staring up at me. The pained expression on his face made my heart ache.
    “That first night I tried to get rid of you. Not because I disliked you.” He let out a hard bitter laugh. “But because I knew. I knew you’d get under my skin. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay away. Maybe I hated you a little bit then because of the weakness you’d be able to find in me.”
    “What is so wrong with you being attracted to me?” I asked, needing him to at least answer me that.
    “Because you don’t know everything and I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you Nan’s secrets. They’re hers. I love her, Blaire. I’ve loved her and protected her all my life. She’s my little sister. It’s what I do. Even though I want you like I’ve never wanted anything in my life, I can’t tell you Nan’s secrets.”
    Every word from his mouth sounded like it was being ripped from him. Nan was truly his sister and I understood that kind of loyalty and love. I would have died for Valerie if I could. She had been only fifteen minutes younger than me but I’d have done whatever she needed me to. No guy or other emotion could have made me betray her.
    “I can understand that. It’s okay. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry.” I was sorry. I’d pried into his life and his sister’s. Obviously whatever Bethy knew she shouldn’t know it. If Bethy thought that Rush’s need to protect his sister would be an issue for us she was wrong.
    Rush closed his eyes tightly and muttered something. He was dealing with something. Maybe this had brought up a bad memory. As much as I’d like to go down there and hug him I knew I wasn’t welcomed right now. I’d messed that up.
    “Good night, Rush,” I said and walked up the stairs. I didn’t look back this time. I went directly to my room.

    There was no mistaking morning time up here with these windows. An alarm clock wouldn’t be needed. The sun had woken me up an hour before my alarm clock had gone off. I showered and dressed with ease now that I had a bathroom right here and more room to move around.
    I wasn’t in the mood to eat Rush’s food this morning. I wasn’t really in the mood to eat but I had two shifts to work today so I needed some food. I would stop by the coffee house and get some caffeine and a muffin. The short black linen skirt and white cotton button down top we had to wear as a uniform when we served in the dining room at the club was our responsibility to keep washed and pressed. I’d spent a few hours yesterday ironing the few I had here at home.
    Once I had on my tennis shoes, I headed down the stairs. I hadn’t heard any activity upstairs yet today so I knew Rush wasn’t awake. For once, I was grateful to not have to face him. Now that I’d had time to sleep on last night’s events I was embarrassed.
    Not only had I let Rush touch me in places I’d never had anyone touch me before but then I’d turned around and acted like a crazy nosy bitch. I needed to apologize to him but I wasn’t ready to do that just yet.
    I quietly closed the front door behind me and headed out to my truck. At least I wouldn’t be home until after dark tonight. No having to face Rush for at least twelve more hours.

    Jimmy was already in the staff room with his apron on when I arrived. He flashed me a grin and then made a pouty face with his lips. “Uh, oh, looks like someone had a bad morning.”
    I couldn’t tell Jimmy my problems. He knew these people too. I had to keep this stuff to myself. “I didn’t sleep that well,” I replied.
    Jimmy made a tsking sound. “For shame. Sleep is such a beautiful thing.”
    I nodded in agreement and clocked in. “Am I on my own today?” I asked.
    “Of course. You had this figured out after following me around for two hours. You should breeze through this day.”
    I was glad someone thought so. I grabbed an order tablet and a pen and stuck them in the pocket of my black apron.
    “Breakfast time,” Jimmy said with a wink and pushed open the door that led into the dining room. “Oooh looks like the boss and friends are at table eight. As much as I’d love to go ogle their fine asses, they would prefer you. I’ll go take the early morning tennis mommas over on table ten. They tip