My security escorts me through the crowd.
As I head down the athletes' corridor toward the locker rooms, a tall blonde in a tight skirt and heels steps into my path. I dodge right. She slides in front of me again. My security detail steps forward.
"How'd you get back here?" I ask.
"I have my ways," she says sweetly, licking her lips. Her smile sharpens, her eyes glittering with something ugly underneath. She doesn't even acknowledge the two giant bruisers beside me.
I recognize that voice.
She steps closer. I don't move.
"What do you want?"
"I want to congratulate you on your win," she purrs. "Guess sleeping your way to the top really does work."
The words glance off years of sweat and sacrifice. They don't land, but they do piss me off. I narrow my eyes as recognition settles in. This psycho isMandy.
I look over her, unimpressed. The tight skirt and tank top leave little to the imagination. Her blonde hair's brassy and clashes with her heavy makeup. Under different circumstances, she'd probably be attractive. Instead, she's packaged herself to invite the kind of attention I wouldn't touch.
You do you, girl. I'm not judging how anyone lives their life.
But it says a lot about Jaxson if this is what he goes for.
The difference between us is night and day. Her whole vibe gives offyou take me home, but not to momma.Mine's always leaned more towardthegirl next door.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy sex. I enjoy intimacy, heat, and the connection when it's real. Jaxson and I once had a steaming-hot relationship, until he ruined it. Now, I can't even imagine wanting him or letting him touch me. I won't share my body with a man who can't be trusted or keep his vows. A married man chasing other women isn't tempting. It's pathetic.
If I didn't already know my marriage was over, this sight right here would seal it. If this is the type of man Jaxson's become, I'd never compete for his attention. Not with her. Not with anyone.
Believe me, I'm not vain, but put me in something similar, with a more polished look and better blonde hair, I'd blow her out of the water. Her look tells me everything I need to know about her, about just how deeply the rot in Jaxson goes, about the demise of our marriage.
"Careful, Mandy," I say lightly, matching her energy, meeting her gaze. "Your jealousy's showing. Green's not your color."
Her eyes flash. She leans in, aggressive.
A firm arm blocks her.
Her gaze lifts to the solid body looming over me—Jaxson.
"Baby…" she moans in obvious pain.
Jaxson's grip on her arm is brutal.
"What are you doing here?" he snarls.
I haven't heard his voice in months, and it makes my heart clench in pain.
He slings her arm away, causing her to fall.
Her eyes glisten as she looks at him.
"B—baby?" she stutters.
He doesn't soften.
"I asked why you're here?" he spits. "You don't belong."
"I—I followed you," she says weakly.
