Page 68 of Falling Again

Griff lets out a husky laugh, “Well, we’ll have to climb sometime. I keep trying to get your friend here to go climbing with me, but he always declines.”

“That’s because you always try to poach my PT services to become your personal trainer.”

“The offer always still stands. I don’t trust anyone to heal me but you,” Griff says. “And him to crack me up,” he adds, nodding over to Miles.

Reid gives me a subtle eyebrow raise, but then neutralizes his face. If Reid weren’t here, I might press Griff about his offer again, now that I’m considering it. Chloe said she was fantasizing, but the idea of getting out of Auburn Hills and traveling the world is more appealing by the minute. But I can’t tell Reid until I’m certain, especially since he’s been worrying about whether Annika will accept his proposal. I can’t burden him with another unknown.

“This place is ten times more charming than you made it out to be,” Miles says as we walk down Main Street. Griff and Miles wanted to see where I work, and so I figured it would be a good opportunity to tour the most picturesque street of Auburn Hills. I look around and see buildings, people, and decorations I am so accustomed to. I grew up with these surroundings. However, I realize, through Miles and Griff’s eyes, this is a new place filled with whimsy.

As we walk, Griff points to the banners hung from the light poles, which display bird and flower facts and change with the seasons. And Miles points out that we walked by a frame store, a knife sharpener, and a coin collector, all of which he’s baffled are still in business. In fact, the coin collector just celebrated thirty years of operation this past summer. They held a “flip a coin” celebration, where you could try to flip a penny into a bucket to win a voucher to their shop. All these little moments are extinct in bigger towns and cities.

“So how long are you guys in town?” Reid asks Miles and Griff as we enter Parker Wellness. He relaxed a bit more during lunch. Especially since he found out that Miles is also a music and film nerd, the latter a new obsession he was eager to chat with Reid about.

“I’m driving back in a bit, but Griff is staying at Ty’s,” Miles replies.

“Well, hope to see you again soon, man—we all have to go climbing together. Let me know what you think of that new Coppola film. And I’d love to talk more about the trapezius muscle. I have a client who keeps having issues,” Reid clasps Miles.

“You have my number, we can chat once I get back, and I’ll show you some stretches that might help them.”

Reid gives Griff a big bear hug as a goodbye and greets his next patient, who is waiting in the lounge area.

“Wow, this place is amazing,” Miles says, his eyes wide, taking in the spacious and Zen waiting area.

“Thank you!” Martin Parker booms from the back. “Tyler, Sheela called. She said she’s going to be a little late to her appointment today.”

“Okay, thanks for the heads-up. Hey, Martin, these are my buddies from college, Miles and Griffin.” I introduce my friends, and Martin shakes their hands.

“College? You both PTs as well?”

“Nah, pro climber, but this guy is a top-notch chiropractic doctor! Makes me feel like a new man each time I see him.” Griff lovingly grabs Miles by the back of his neck. I cannot get over how he brushes past his own status as a professional athlete to boast about Miles.

“Hmm, you local to the area? Our chiropractor on staff decided to change careers.”

“Jenn? What’s she doing?” I cut in.

“Elementary school teacher. She said it’s something she’s always wanted to do, and they needed more teachers over at Hillside. How could I get in the middle of a woman and a dream?”

I nod in agreement. “Tell me about it.”

“Well, if you’re looking for a job, Miles, let me know. Tyler can pass along my information.”

“Thanks—I’m in Eugene, but I’ll think about it.”

“Please do! We offer full health and dental benefits here, plus bonus pay for working holidays. Nice to meet both of you.” Martin waves and walks off.

“You really think you’d consider it? You and Alyssa are welcome to stay at my ranch until you get settled. I have plenty of space for both of you. Chloe and I have been staying at the guest cottage.”

Miles chuckles and waves his hands in front of him. “I have to talk to Alyssa before promising anything. But I think she’d like it here. We’ll have to come back to visit. I’m really bummed I can’t stay longer. I want to meet Chloe,” Miles says, his face softening.

“I’ll be sure to give you my opinion of her and make sure she’s worthy of our Tyler. Any questions you want me to grill her on?” Griff pulls out his phone as if to take notes.

Miles laughs and shakes his head. “No, we’ll be back soon. Alyssa has been complaining about Eugene and wanting something quieter. Especially since we are both done with school, nothing is really keeping us there.”

“My door is always open for you.” We hug Miles before he heads out. Griff decides to continue wandering around town and says he will meet me at the ranch as my next patient, Sheela, comes in with a basket of freshly baked muffins in apology for her tardiness.

I pull up to the ranch as the sky fades into darkness and see all the windows of the property glowing brightly, the sound of music growing louder as I get closer. I immediately wonder if Griff is throwing a party inside. I wouldn’t be surprised if he befriended the entire town this afternoon and invited them all over to my house.

Instead, I’m delighted to see one of my closest friends sitting at the dining table chatting with the woman I love, who is mixing something in a pot on the stove.