“Ancient history,” he says, tone dismissive. “I’m calling because I’ve had an offer. A big one,” he adds. “For all of our locations. I’m talking eight figures.”
I nearly drop the phone. “What?”
“Sub Zero Fitness,” he continues with a hefty dose of smug. “They want to buy us out completely. Rebrand the studios and absorb our client base.”
My grip tightens on the phone. “No way.”
“Come on. Think about it. We could both walk away with a lot of money. No more partnership drama. No more fighting over expansion plans.”
“I don’t care about the money. If you want me to buy you out, I’d be happy to check my options. But there is no way in hell I’m selling my shares. Ever.”
“Sash—”
“I said no, and that’s final,” I huff, mentally squaring my shoulders.
“You’re making a huge mistake,” he snarls, voice rising with every word. “This is exactly why we can’t work together anymore, you bitch! You’re so fucking stubborn you can’t see what’s good for?—”
I end the call, tossing my phone next to me onto the couch like it’s radioactive, hands shaking with rage.
My phone immediately starts ringing again, but I hit ignore when his name flashes on the screen. I should block his ass. Maybe even contact my lawyers, communicating only through them from now on.
Decision made, I draft another email advising them of the situation and how I want to move forward. Once I’m satisfied with my draft, I send it.
The past twenty-four hours have been one fucked up thing after another, and I could really use a drink.
And with Jax fucking with me every chance he gets, it’s set my libido on edge. I need to get laid. If anything, I need to get drunk and get my flirt on. Having someone else pay me some attention so I can keep my mind off my sexy next-door neighbor?
Sounds like a great plan to me.
thirteen
“What are you wearing tonight?”Noia calls from my closet, rifling through clothes I’ve finally managed to unpack.
“I was thinking maybe black jeans and my sparkly green top?”
“Ooh, yeah!” She pokes her head out, grinning. “Those jeans make your ass look amazing. Not that you need any help in that department.”
“Thanks.” I shake my head, recapping my mascara. “I need to look hot. Like, ‘make every guy in the bar want to fuck me’ hot.”
“Trying to make Jax jealous?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively as she tosses my jeans on the bed.
I roll my eyes. “Nope. Just trying to get laid by someone whoisn’tJax. Preferably someone I’ll never see again if I can help it.”
“Okay. Keep telling yourself that,” she sighs, voice dripping with sarcasm as she disappears back into my closet.
“I’m serious!” I huff. “After what happened with Jax in thebathroom at Summit, I need to... reset. Find someone else to focus on.”
Stomping back into the room, she looks at me in surprise. “Thebathroom? What the fuck happened in the bathroom?”
A vision of Jax on his knees in front of me flashes through my mind. I can feel my neck turning red, which doesn’t escape my best friend’s attention for a second. “Nothing.”
“Your neck says otherwise.” She tosses my top onto my bed and takes a seat. “Give it to me.”
With a groan, I spin around to face her. “I went to the studio to fix the leak in the women’s bathroom, but I ended up breaking the pipe and water went everywhere.”
“Oh, no!” she laughs, pressing her fingers to her lips when I cross my arms with a huff.
“Yeah, well. It gets worse.” I grab my jeans. “Jax showed up.”
