Chapter 49


    DEZMOND


    An unnerving quiet seemed to follow Dezmond as he moved through his apartment. Though, he felt a


    sense of relief because he had Spring safely tucked away in his bed. He also felt arge sense of


    gratitude that she nor Summer fought him when he suggested that they stay with him, for the night at


    least.


    Entering his darkened living room, Dez saw Summer asleep on the sofa. His n was to have her


    sleep with Spring. He looked at the green glow of numbers on his cable box and saw that it was after


    two in the morning. His need to see Springforted and asleep before leaving her side apparently


    took longer than he expected.


    He was a bit surprised that Fallon was still here too. They hadn''t spoken since the office incident. But if


    it weren''t for Fallon''s call, Dez wouldn''t have gone over to Spring''s apartment.


    "I gave her some sheets and a pillow from the linen closet," Fallon whispered from the chair he''d


    scooted closer to the sofa. Fallon eased his hand from Summer''s clenched hand and stood. "Can we


    talk?" He tilted his head in the direction of the front door, "Outside?"


    Dez followed Fallon out of the apartment and into the hallway of the building. He watched Fallon dig his


    hands deep in his pockets as he raised then dropped his shoulders with a sigh.


    "I fucked up," Fallon started. "But I''m not sorry for it. It seems that you got a great girl in there,


    ording to her sister. I just," he looked up at the brightly lit light fixture on the ceiling, "I''m sorry for not


    giving her a fair chance."


    "I can ept that."


    Fallon nodded. It looked as if he wanted to say something else, but instead, he turned and walked


    toward the stairs.


    Dez knew Fallon''s hang-ups. He also knew that his friend meant no harm. For that, he was thankful to


    have Fallon as his best friend. "Hey," Dez called. He felt a bit hesitant, but when Fallon looked over his


    shoulder he said, "I want to be avable for Spring if she needs me so I''m not sure if when we can


    meet up at Muri''s this week."


    The corners of Fallon''s lips rose and his ssic good-natured smile shone through. "Of course," he


    said, a bit more upbeat. "I''ll call you tomorrow...to check on Spring of course."


    Dez smiled back. "Thank you." Watching Fallon leave, Dez knew that they were friends again. Well, in


    all honesty, they''d never stopped being friends.


    He pushed open his door and moved through the living room as silently as possible. When he peeked


    around the dividing wall to his bedroom, he felt his heart sink into his stomach. Spring wasn''t in his bed.


    He walked around the wall and peered around the area.


    "I couldn''t sleep."


    Dez almost fell to his knees when he saw that she was safe.


    He made his way over to the window where Spring stood. He moved up behind her, wrapped his arms


    around her waist, and rested the side of his head on hers. The window was open. The street lights lit


    the night up around the city, giving the scene an eternal beauty.


    "He''s out there somewhere."


    Dez felt the shiver that worked through Spring pass through him. She was terrified and that made him


    feel helpless. "I won''t let him hurt you," he promised.


    Spring sighed then slowly turned in his arms. Face to face, Dez saw trust reflected in her eyes.


    "I didn''t want to lie to you. And I didn''t sleep with you that first night because of money or obligation. I


    slept with you because you made me feel in a way I''ve never felt before. I wanted more. I''m guilty of


    wanting more."


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    He raised his hand to her cheek. Spring leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. "I should have


    talked to you. Not leave you that angry juvenile message on your voicemail. I was wrong, and I


    apologize."


    He was truly ashamed of his behavior. After Fallon''s call set him straight, he went to tell her so and to


    beg for her forgiveness. But instead of dropping to his knees in front of Spring, he went through the


    open door and found her frozen with fear in that apartment. Dez silently thanked God again that Spring


    completed a rare double shift that day instead of going home at her usual time.


    Spring''s eyes fluttered open. "I''ve missed you."


    "I''ve missed you more." Dez could see how drained she was. He lowered his head and ced his lips


    on her forehead. "Let''s get you to bed."


    Spring''s eyes widened and her body went rigid.


    "I won''t leave your side." When Dez felt her body rx, he led Spring to his bed. He let her get in and


    under the covers before he slid in beside her. He pulled her soft body into his then buried his head in


    the back of hers.


    "Troy..." she breathed, "he was my high school sweetheart."


    Dez kissed her shoulder. "I know." He knew because Summer told him when Spring was giving her


    formal statement at the police station. Apparently, Spring loved the guy but while her affection


    remained teen love, Troy''s continued to grow. Summer said Troy took the breakup well enough but he


    wasn''t nning on giving up on Spring.


    "He died because of me," Spring said.