“I’m not allowed to change my mind?”
“You never have before. Not when it comes to sex.”
“I wasn’t feeling it.”
“And I’m supposed to believe that?” he asked, narrowing his interrogating eyes at me. If I didn’t care about him as much as I did, if I didn’t owe him everything, I would’ve punched him just so he’d leave me alone.
“I don’t care what you believe.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and looked past him. Sure enough, Sophie was in the same position she had been since I’d walked back in here, talking with some brunette. Even though I hated to admit it to myself, she was the sole reason why I kicked Scarlett out. Which in turn pissed me off that a virtual stranger had me questioning my routine.
“It’s because of her, isn’t it?” Lance smacked my arm. “You like her.” I didn’t appreciate the jest swirling through his tone.
“Who?” I stole my gaze from Sophie and pinned it back on the man in front of me.
“You know damn well who I’m talking about.”
“No, I don’t.” No one could ever say I wasn’t stubborn. The word would be etched into my tombstone someday.
“Then you’re at least attracted to her. Can’t say I blame you. She’s beautiful.” Before I could stop it, a growl emanated from deep in my throat. Lance took a small step back. “But no one from here is going to get involved with her, which includes you.Not a good idea. Besides, she’s going through a divorce. I doubt she’d want to jump back into a relationship.”
“Who said anything about a relationship?” I’d given away my interest in her with my question, and because he picked up on it, I decided to switch topics. Sort of. “How do you know she’s going through a divorce?” I barely talked to the woman, so it was understandable that I didn’t know a thing about her. Other than her name and that she didn’t like being mistaken for a whore, which I completely understood, and that she had nightmares. But how often had she and Lance talked that he knew something so private about her? Or was she an open book to anyone who cared to listen?
“She mentioned it when I asked about her schedule. When I was hiring her to be your therapist. I needed her on call. But that went to shit when you threw your tantrum.” The gleam in his eyes told me he was fucking with me.
“I don’t throw tantrums,” I countered, bored of our conversation.
“Uh-huh.” The twitch of his lip told me we were done here. If I stayed, all he’d manage to do was piss me off more than I was already, draining me of whatever energy I had left, which I supposed wasn’t the worst thing.
As I attempted to turn and leave, Lance gasped. At first, I thought he saw something he didn’t like, but then his attention bounced between me and Sophie. He pointed in my face.
He’s lucky I don’t break that goddamn finger.
“What?” My razor-thin patience had officially dwindled.
“That’sthe real reason you had me revoke Chet’s membership. He talked to her. You gave me some lame excuse about him not acting right, but you didn’t like their interaction. You thought he was hitting on her. I saw them talking but didn’t think anything of it.” Could the self-satisfied smile on his face get any fucking bigger?
I wanted to shout he was wrong, but he hit the proverbial nail on the head. I still wouldn’t admit it, though. I refused to believe I overreacted. Besides, I could do whatever I wanted. I owned the gym.
“That’s ridiculous,” I shouted, lowering my voice when I realized how loud I’d been. A few wayward glances fell my way but quickly disappeared. Most people knew I had a temper and didn’t push their luck with me. The exceptions were the men on my team. They didn’t seem to know when to shut the fuck up.
“Is it?”
“Let it go, Lance.” The muscles in my jaw clenched. “I mean it.”
“Fine. But you need to focus on your training and nothing else. Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
I refused to look in Sophie’s direction again and stalked toward the back of the gym. Every step I took felt heavy and deliberate, as if each movement required a conscious effort to control my mounting emotions. I could feel the weight of her stare on my back, her presence a constant reminder of the turmoil festering inside me.
I needed to get out of here before I said or did something I might regret. What that could be, I had no idea, but I tended to be irrational and spontaneous from time to time, and never in a favorable way.
10
I’d lived in Vegas my entire life, so I should’ve been used to the warm weather, but I never fared well in the heat. I often fantasized about moving to Maine, as cooler temperatures were more my vibe. But for now, I’d do my best to deal with being overheated. This weekend, my priority was to purchase an air-conditioning unit for my new apartment. I’d been spoiled with central air at my old house, and even at my dad’s while I was staying there.
I kicked off the lightweight covers and stretched my limbs, welcoming the brief reprieve. Unfortunately, the coolness didn’t last long. I needed fresh air.
