As we finished his stretches, the door opened, and Trevor popped his head in.
“You ready?” he asked, unable to mask the irritation in his voice.
“We just finished up,” I answered even though he kept his focus on Jackson. His demeanor was rude, but I was thankful he didn’t look at me because the memory of him seeing me naked was way too fresh.
Jackson straightened his posture, and Trevor narrowed his eyes at him, and just when I thought perhaps one of them would finally say something, Trevor slapped the doorframe and walked away.
“What was that about?” I asked even though I could’ve guessed.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” He stood from his seat and leaned in close, as if he was going to kiss me. I moved back. “I can’t even kiss you?”
“Not here. Not while we’re in this gym.”
The way his face scrunched made me smile. He mumbled something right before he strode toward the door, glancing back at me over his shoulder and flashing me a half grin before he disappeared.
Because I didn’t want to risk being subjected to disapproving looks from his team, I retreated to my apartment, where I’d wait until Jackson’s session was over. I shot off a quick text, asking him to let me know when to come back down. As soon as I blacked out my phone, an incoming message lit up the screen.
Mitch: I’ll sign the papers, but I want to see you first.
My heart pounded against my chest, as if desperately seeking an escape, each thunderous roar echoing in my ears. My muscles tensed and my hands trembled. I tossed the phone on the counter, as if getting it away from me would somehow save me.
I hadn’t heard or seen from my ex since the day he showed up outside the gym. I’d be a fool to believe he’d simply back off after the confrontation with Jackson, but the small reprieve I had received was wonderful.
As I waited to be called back down to the gym, I contemplated what to do about Mitch. The last thing I wanted to do was see him, but if that meant he’d sign the papers, allowing me to finally move on, then what choice did I really have?
30
After an hour of cardio and three grueling hours in the ring, my body exhausted from training, I texted Sophie to come back down to work on my post-workout rubdown and stretching. I’d barely made it into the back room when Lance, Trevor, and Elton surrounded me.
“What’s up?” I asked, instantly irritated with the way they crowded me.
Lance shook his head but didn’t say anything. Trevor made some noise with his throat as he scowled at me. But it was Elton, my trusty manager, who spoke up.
“What are you doing, Jax?” he asked, his disapproving brown eyes burrowing into me.
“I wasn’t as nimble in the ring today, I admit that, but I wasn’t bad enough to warrant you guys coming at me right now.”
“This has nothing to do with what you did in the ring,” Lance said, running his hand over the top of his bald head.
“Then what is this…?” The rest of my words melted away when I clocked the look on Trevor’s face. “You told them about me and Sophie?”
“You’re goddamn right I did.”
“You don’t have anything better to talk about?” I asked, already fed up with this conversation and we’d barely gotten started.
“We’re worried,” Elton said. “It’s not like you to be caught up in some chick. She’s a distraction, and you know it. It’s already affecting you. You’re not training as hard as you need to.”
“I’m busting my ass,” I countered, my voice rising in anger. “And Sophie’s not the problem. If anything, she’s helping me.”
“How’s that?” Trevor asked, his tone as venomous as mine. We stared at each other a beat, but I didn’t feel as if I had to explain myself. “You need to end it with her. Now. Before you jeopardize everything you’ve worked for.”
“He’s right, Jackson,” Lance added. “I like Sophie as much as anyone, but you two shouldn’t be messing around. It’s a bad decision every way you look at it, and things are just going to blow up in your face.”
“You can predict the future now?”
“Where this situation is concerned, yes,” Lance answered. “End it.”
“And if I don’t?”
