A Taste of Spring

Chapter 49

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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 a large 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 plan 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 Spring comforted 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, according 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 accept 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 available 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 classic 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."

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 placed 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 relax, 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 planning on giving up on Spring.

"He died because of me," Spring said.