But neverin the light.
All I ever wanted was to be seen.
And he made me invisible.
Chapter 6: Client Confidential
He starts calling that night.
I let the phone buzz until it stops. Over and over. I watch his name light up my screen like it's on fire and I just let it burn.
The next morning, the knocking starts. At first soft. Then louder.
"December, please."
I curl tighter into my blanket on the couch. I haven't moved from it since last night. My eyes are swollen, my head heavy.
"Please let me in. Just talk to me."
His voice cracks through the door like a splinter. I hate that I still recognize every bend in it.
I stand, legs shaky. Against my better judgment, I open the door.
He's standing there, hoodie pulled low, hands shoved into his pockets. He looks like hell. Good. So do I.
"I didn't save her number," he blurts, like that's the magic fix. "I just took it because... I panicked. It was for show. I swear."
I laugh—sharp and humorless. "For show?"
"She came up to me in front of my friends, and I didn't want to make a scene."
"Youdidmake a scene," I snap. "You mademethe scene. Your client, right? Just a science teacher with a crush on her coach."
He winces. "December, please. Just give me a few more months. I'm asking you to trust me. Please."
"Trust you?" I shake my head, tears biting my eyes. "You won't even tell people we're together. You won't hold my hand in public. You won't let me into your life unless it's behind closed doors. If this is what it takes to be known as your girlfriend, then I don't want to be yourclientanymore."
He flinches. "I didn't mean that word the way it sounded."
"How else was I supposed to take it?"
He runs a hand down his face. "I didn't want to lie. But if the wrong person finds out about us, I could lose everything."
I cross my arms, tired. "What does that even mean?"
He swallows hard. "The gym's owner—she's my ex. And not like an old high school thing. We lived together. She's bitter. Controlling. She still signs my checks, and if she finds out I'm dating someone—especially a client—she will fire me. She'll blacklist me from every major gym in the city. She's moving to New York in four months. I just need time. I swear to you, December, it's not aboutyou. It's about survival."
I stare at him, stunned.
"You should've told me."
"I didn't want to scare you off. I didn't think I'd fall for you like this." He steps closer, eyes soft. "But I did."
Something inside me breaks at that. Not in the good way.
I'm crying now. Angry, humiliated tears. "I don't want to be your secret anymore, Ryder. I want to be someone you're proud to be with. I want to walk into a room and not have you flinch when someone sees us."
"Iamproud," he whispers, stepping closer. "You're smart. You're kind. You teach literal children to love science. Do you know how rare that is?"
