The Season of Falling

12. Chapter 12

Chapter twelve

Kasey

Over the next few days, Dean and I saw each other, texted each other, and called each other. On the one hand, it was like nothing had even changed. But on the other hand? It was like everything had changed. We saw each other just as much as we had before the accident, but now there was hugging and hand holding and way more flirting. I liked it a lot.

I got back into a groove at work and was making headway on finding another client. Kendra was loving her classes and already had three different guys she claimed to be halfway in love with. Hazel and Ro kept giving me ideas for how to make a move on Dean. And Grandpa was as happy and carefree as ever.

All in all, life was good and I was happy.

And when Dean sent a text in our group chat offering to host a game night, my happiness increased. Those of us in the area jumped at the opportunity to hang out. We tried to get together as often as we could, but with the accident and the end of summer, it had been a while since we’d been able to. Max and Hazel were out of state, but we comforted them with a reminder about our annual friend weekend that happened each October.

Dean refused my offer of help and told me that he was perfectly capable of hosting a game night, thank you very much. I laughed and agreed he was perfectly capable while making plans to stop by the store on my way over to grab some popcorn and soda. His eyes widened when I walked into his apartment half an hour before everyone was meant to show up.

“Oh man, I forgot the popcorn. How could I forget the popcorn? I’m blaming my memory problems,” he said with a laugh that I could tell was a little forced.

I walked over and awkwardly gave him a hug while still holding the grocery bags. “If it makes you feel better, you forgot popcorn before the accident too.”

He barked out a laugh before moving to grab the bags from me and take them to the kitchen. “I’m actually not sure if that makes me feel better or not.”

“I’ve been doing some research on memory loss therapy stuff,” I said, sensing there was something bothering him. “Maybe we could do some of the exercises and things they recommend?”

He shrugged. “The doctor gave me some things to do. I work on it a little here and there, but I don’t think it’s really helping.” He was discouraged. And while fixing his memory problems wasn’t something I could do, helping and encouraging? That I could do.

“We don’t have time right now, but I’m going to come over sometime soon, and we’re gonna go through that list and keep trying.” “I’ve already tried them all, and obviously it didn’t do anything.”

“You have to do it more than one time. Plus this time will be better because I’ll be there.” I winked, and the gesture was so foreign to me that I started to blush immediately.

Dean tipped his head back and laughed.

Once he finished laughing at me—okay, with me—he reached for my hand and pulled me into a proper hug. “I do think you might be right about that part.” We stood there for a few seconds, breathing each other in, enjoying each other’s presence. At least that’s what I was doing.

“Thank you, Kasey,” he murmured.

I felt a gentle pressure on my head, and it took me a moment to realize that Dean had just kissed the top of my head. But before I could dissect the moment properly, he pulled away and started opening the package of popcorn. I helped by sorting out the kernels and dividing the popcorn into a few different bowls and plastic Tupperware containers to spread out across the living room. It would only be four of us, but we liked to have popcorn within easy reach no matter where we sat or what game we were playing.

Soon we heard Ro and Jace slamming car doors before they walked inside. No one knocked on game night. It was an unspoken rule. I waited until they made it to the kitchen before I rushed over and grabbed Ro in a huge hug. Even though we talked every week, we didn’t hang out nearly as much as we should, and I was so happy to see her.

Jace and Dean were doing some bro hug thing and Ro lifted an eyebrow as she glanced between the two of us. “So, how has Operation Dating Dean been going?”

“Shhh!” I hissed, trying to slap my hand over her mouth.

She easily dodged and giggled. “It’s not like they’re paying attention. Besides, guys are so not observant.” She rolled her eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Even though that may be true,” I started.

“It’s true,” she corrected.

“Right here and right now is not the time for this conversation.” I finished.

Ro pouted, but it was so fake that I laughed, drawing the attention of the guys. When Dean’s eyes found mine it was like he got lighter somehow. Like something was physically lifted off his shoulders. There was an answering lightness in my chest, and I fought the urge to reach up and rest my hand over my heart. Ro’s gaze darted between us again, and a slow smile curled her lips upward before she grabbed my arm and tugged me toward Dean and Jace.

“Hey, Dean.” Ro exclaimed. “How are you doing? All the healing going well?”

Dean nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I can’t complain. I’ve been really lucky, all things considered.”

Why did it seem like his eyes stayed on me longer than necessary when he said that?

“He was just telling me that he probably won’t be able to go back to teaching this semester,” Jace said, looking at Dean with a little worry on his face.

“What?” I gasped. Dean loved teaching. It was one of his favorite things. His passion. What kept him up at night but also drove him to succeed and get better. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It’s a pretty new development,” he said a little sheepishly. “I went into the school today and honestly, teaching is a lot of stress. I’m just gonna go in part time for this first semester and then hopefully be able to transition back to full time in January.”

I could tell there was more he wasn’t saying. More that was bothering him. But I didn’t want to push, especially when Ro and Jace were here for a game night.

“I think it’s a good idea.” Jace smiled and slapped Dean on the back. “Taking a break from all that stressful work that keeps you constantly busy will be good for you.”

Dean chuckled and shook his head. “What can I say? I do love my job.” And there it was again, that fake smile that didn’t reach his eyes. I filed this conversation away to come back to later. “Now, what game are we going to start with?” he asked, effectively changing the subject.

“Mario Kart!” Ro and I shouted in unison. The guys groaned, but we knew it was fake protest. Ro, Hazel, and I loved Mario Kart, and we played it every time we had a game night. Max was also on our side about the game, but with him and Hazel missing, it was two on two.

“Come on.” Ro begged, bouncing slightly up and down. “It’s the best game. Plus I’ve been practicing my skills on Rainbow Road.”

“Well we sure can’t miss that,” Jace agreed, shooting a smile at Ro.

I looked quizzically at my friend, but she was smiling at Jace as well. Was there something going on between them? Jace wasn’t Ro’s type at all. He was blonde, had startling blue eyes, and he had that slim athletic body type. And biggest of all? He wasn’t a tall, dark, handsome man from the south. But stranger things had happened. I felt a hand on my arm and glanced up at Dean. He lifted his eyebrows and glanced from Jace and Ro back to me. I just shrugged. I would have to talk to Ro about that later.

“Well alright.” Dean rubbed his hands together. “Let’s get this Mario Kart party on the road.” We all groaned at his pun but laughed and joked as we made our way into the living room to get the game set up.

Dean and I sat side by side on the couch. I was crossed legged and let my leg rest against his, feeling warm and tingly at the contact. Ro sat on my other side, and Jace was on the floor, his back against the couch. I stole glances at them, trying to decide if Jace was touching Ro or if there was space between them.

Ro hadn’t lied when she said she’d been practicing. She beat us all soundly at almost every race we played. But between Dean pressed up against my side and trying to catch a glimpse of Ro and Jace making a move, I was a bit more distracted than usual. After we finished the cup, Ro hopped up to take a bow with Princess Peach.

“You may all refer to me as the queen now,” Ro said. She tried to attempt a British accent but her southern drawl couldn’t quite be masked.

“She’s a princess, actually,” Dean quipped, settling his arm behind me on the couch.

“All hail, Princess Aurora!” Jace proclaimed with a grin. Jace was always grinning. When Dean had met him his first year teaching at Burlington High, they had hit it off immediately. Jace was a school counselor and was just as passionate about his job as Dean was. We’d all welcomed him into the group, and he’d been part of us ever since.

“I’m pretty sure that title is already taken,” I said with a little laugh, knowing Ro didn’t particularly care for her name or the Disney princess image it produced in people’s minds.

She stuck her nose up as though she were looking down on us lowly peasants. “If you won’t recognize me as the queen, then Princess Ro will do, I suppose.” She sniffed, and we all burst into laughter.

Jace requested a card game next, and he and Dean went to the table, discussing the pros and cons of various games. I pulled Ro into the kitchen, telling the guys we were refilling popcorn bowls. “What’s going on with you and Jace?” I demanded.

“We can’t talk about you and Dean but we can talk about Jace and me?” She rolled her eyes and propped her hand on her hip.

“There hasn’t been much to update, but I promise I will. Now, what’s going on with you two?”

She sighed and her eyes darted over to the man in question before coming to rest on the popcorn bowl in front of her. “Honestly, nothing really. We’ve been hanging out a little, and we may have made out a few times, but he’s really not my type, you know, and it’s all for fun. Nothing serious.”

My jaw dropped, and my mouth hung open as she tried to explain. “Um, what?” I yelped, causing the guys to look over at us. I waved them off and turned back to Ro. “Whoa, back up. You guys have made out?”

“Only a few times. But it doesn’t mean anything.” The disbelief must have been clear in my eyes because she continued. “Seriously, don’t read into this. We’re just having fun, okay?”

I wanted to ask more questions and dig deeper, but Dean and Jace had started setting up a game, and now wasn’t the time. I narrowed my eyes at her. “This deserves a deeper discussion, but one with Hazel present. So you’re off the hook. For now.”

She grinned and grabbed the popcorn bowl she’d filled while I was distracted by her revelation before sauntering over to the table and claiming the seat next to Jace. I shook my head, an amused smile on my face. That girl was bound to get herself into trouble one day.

As we played cards, I looked around at my friends and couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face. None of us were perfect. We all had problems, family struggles, and things that were hard for us. But one thing we did well was friendship. No one could deny that we loved and loved fiercely. And I was grateful for that. For these people who would stand by me no matter what. The sounds of laughter and cards smacking the table filled Dean's little apartment, and I couldn’t imagine a place I would rather be.

Dean

Ro had desperately needed Kasey’s opinion on something or other, and they left a little early, leaving Jace and me to clean up. We teased them as they left but didn’t really mind the extra time to hang out.

Jace stacked the popcorn bowls and walked to the kitchen. “How are you doing with everything?” he asked over his shoulder. “Still adjusting okay?”

I shrugged and joined him in the kitchen with an armful of cups. “Yeah, I guess so. I’ve been getting a little bored without work to fill my time. But other than that, I’m doing pretty good.”

“Just pick up some old hobbies. You could probably still join the softball league with me.” He moved to the table and started stuffing cards back in their boxes.

“I don’t really think my doctor would approve of that as low stress and low impact.” I chuckled.

Jace grinned over at me. “Okay, you’re probably right about that. What other hobbies? Oh, pottery isn’t stressful. You could go back to working at the wheel once or twice a week after school.”

Ever since I took my first pottery class in high school, I’d been hooked. Sitting at the wheel with clay coating my hands always helped me think clearer and feel better. “You know, that's actually not a bad idea.”

“And that’s because I have great ideas.” After our chuckles subsided he sat at the table and leaned back with his arms stretched out over the chairs on either side of him. “How are things with you and Kasey?”

I couldn’t have stopped the smile even if I tried.

“Based on that grin, I’m thinking pretty good.” He laughed.

“I think so, yeah. It’s hard when I can’t remember a lot, but Kasey is amazing. I’ve always thought so.”

“Obviously, I didn’t know you guys in college, but I’ve always assumed you two would end up as a couple. You’re so good together.” He stood and walked toward the door, calling his parting shot as he went. “Just don’t mess it up.”

If I had been a woman instead of his friend and colleague, I’m pretty certain he would have winked at me. I laughed again. “I’m certainly going to do my best.”