“Whoa, I thought that was someone else making all that noise, but it turns out it’s just you.”
I froze, looked over my shoulder. Amber was strolling across the empty gym, her eyes scanning me with a predatory sort of curiosity.
“Amber?”
“The one and only.” A smug smile played on her lips.
I didn’t have the energy for her shit. I turned my back, walking over to the bench to grab my phone. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, it’s been a while since I heard from you, and it’s been hard trying to get a hold of you. Thought I’d come for a visit.”
“Got bored of Kane?” I didn’t look up from my screen.
Amber laughed as she sauntered her way to me, closing the distance again. “Oh, I could never get bored of Kane. But sometimes…”
She trailed her fingers up my forearm. “A woman needs a little variety.”
I stepped away, but she still let out a little coo. “Ooh, such big muscles. You’ve really worked up a sweat. How about you help me work up a sweat, too?”
I shoved my phone into my pocket, grabbed up my bag and gloves. “Fuck off.”
I strode toward the locker rooms.
Amber’s huff followed. “Tristian, I know you have something on your mind.”
My jaw tightened. I couldn’t stand how she tried to read me. “I always have something on my mind.”
“I know thissomethinghas to do with Ingrid.”
I stopped dead in the middle of the gym. I turned back to Amber, my blood beginning to simmer. She shrugged, looking entirely too pleased with herself.
“I heard you shouting about wanting something out of your head,” she smirked, closing the distance between us again, her hips swaying. “Figured it must be her, after how you looked her when she got her top wet at the boxing match and coddled her after. Justwhyshe of all people would be stuck in your head, I have no idea, but—”
“Why are you here, Amber?” I crossed my arms, my patience snapping.
“Look… I know you’ve been spending a lot of time with her and I’m letting you know... she isn’t good enough for you.”
She stepped into my space, her perfume engulfed the space around us, suffocating me. “Tristian... Ingrid knows nothing, and I mean nothing... of what the real world is. Her father holds her by a rope, and once she tries to pull, he takes her right back in...” She reached up, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“What does that have to do with you?” I asked, my voice flat.
“You and I both know I could offer you more than what she ever could or can.”
I should have pushed her off.
Once I made the move to, she kissed me.
Her tongue probed for mine—
And I shoved her back, hard.
“Leave…”
Amber frowned, trying to reach out again. “Tristian, I—”
I turned, the words tearing out of me with enough force to shake the walls. “GET. THE FUCK. OUT.”
She didn’t wait for a third suggestion. Amber hurried for the exit, only turning back as she passed through the threshold to shoot me a hurt look.
