‘And driving home, I couldn’t stop thinking about you and Jake. How you’d put each other before any stupid rules or contract. So, I turned my car around and drove right on over there to his place.’
I grin. ‘And?’
‘Hammered on his door until he answered. Asked him straight up if he was in love with me and when he said ‘yes’, practically threw myself into his arms. Not that he complained after that moment.’
‘Jake said he looked pretty happy at yesterday’s training session.’
‘I had to go to work! Don’t think I’ve ever been that sore.’
I lower my voice again. I can see Jewel approaching. ‘Was it worth it?’
Harmony bites her lip. ‘Every. Orgasmic. Second.’
We collapse into more giggles. It feels good to be able to share this with her. Except the look that Jewel throws me the minute she enters the CMC locker room tells me that my fellow rookie doesn’t like being left out of the conversation.
‘Can we talk more about it later?’ Harmony says with a grin. ‘I can’t wait ’til they’re back Monday.’
I think about how good sex with Jake was in his pickup. Twice. ‘Me either.’
I follow her inside. Some of the girls are already dressed. I’m careful not to show anyone the contents of my bag when I put it inside my locker.
Practice over, we’re back in the locker room.
‘What was it you wanted to tell me?’ Jewel asks when I’m still dressed in my CMC uniform and we’re sharing a mirror, removing our makeup and eyelashes before a shower.
‘Maybe we could go somewhere? Grab a coffee?’ I suggest. ‘I can’t really say it in here.’
She looks at me, perhaps for longer than is necessary.
‘What is it?’ I ask.
‘Nothing,’ she says with a heavy sigh. ‘Didn’t have you down as the secretive type, is all, Ren.’
‘I’m not being secretive, I promise,’ I say.
She grants me another withering look in the reflection. ‘I’ve come to realize there’s a lot I don’t know about you, Serenity,’ she says.
I don’t have time to respond, because the door to the locker room is thrust open and Kathleen Lafferty walks through it.
Every cheerleader looks her way.
Her gaze falls on me. She seems pale.
I’ve seen that look upon her face before. Because it’s disappointment.
‘Serenity,’ she says. ‘Ms Conway’s office. Now.’
I follow Kathleen in silence. We ride the elevator up to the fourth floor where the offices are situated. Kathleen turns to me. She’s about to speak when the elevator comes to a halt and another Mutineers’ employee steps inside.
I look to the floor, keeping my gaze fixed on Kathleen’s shoes. When we reach the fourth floor, my heart begins to thud hard in my chest.
I feel everyone’s eyes on me. I’m in full uniform, almost full makeup. I’m not supposed to be here.
Nobody says a word to me, or Kathleen. We reach a door and Kathleen’s hand goes to the handle. She turns my way, but she doesn’t look me in the eye.
I see her swallow. ‘I wish you’d come to me,’ she whispers, then opens the door.
Light floods my face. Kathleen leads me inside an office with full windows overlooking Canyon’s business district on the far side of the parking lot. There’s a substantial conference table. Samantha Conway is waiting for me in a navy pant suit, killer heels and deep red lipstick.
