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“You’re not.” That sick fucker is. “I get to spend more time with you. It’s a win for me, Fin.”
“Okay,” she whispers, her eyes searching my face.
I keep my distance from her, not wanting her to smell the bile. When I reach for my toothbrush, Finlay takes hold of the door and draws it shut.
I let out a heavy sigh, thinking I need to be stronger for her.
Me falling apart is not going to keep her safe.
Come fucking hell or high water, I will protect Finlay from that sick fuck.
Chapter 24
FINLAY
Walking into the gym with Ethan, my eyes dart around, taking in the equipment. There’s a fresh smell in the air, and then I see why as my gaze lands on the pool.
The music pulsing from the speakers makes my energy level spike.
“Morning.” A woman grins at us as we walk to the reception counter, her face open and friendly.
“Hey, B. Recovered from your hangover?” Ethan asks, a teasing tone to his voice.
“What hangover? You know I don’t drink,” she snips at him, a playful annoyance pinching her face.
Ethan takes hold of my hand and tugs me closer to him.
The woman, who I assume is Barb, glances at me. “Is this the beautiful Finlay I’ve heard so much about?”
My cheeks flush from her compliment. “You must be Barb?”
“One and only, hun.”
Smiling at her, I say, “It’s nice meeting you.”
“Soooo…” Barb’s gaze flicks between Ethan and me.
“So what?” Ethan chuckles.
“Come on. Put me out of my misery already. Are you a couple?”
Ethan’s thumb brushes over the back of my hand. “Yes.”
Barb lets out a shriek as if someone just told her she won the lottery. “I knew it! Carl owes me ten bucks. I win.”
“You bet on my love life?” Ethan asks, not looking upset at all.
“Of course. Not much else in this town to bet on.”
Their bantering makes me relax and even has a smile tugging at my lips.
“Is Sydney with a member?” he asks.
“Nope. She’s in the back with Carl. Want me to call her?”
“No, I’m heading that way now.”
I give Barb a quick wave then walk with Ethan toward a hallway. “Barb seems like a very nice person,” I comment.
“Barb’s good people.” Ethan glances down at me. “What do you think of the gym.”
“I like the energy in the air. It’s contagious.”
“That’s what I love most about this place.”
He tugs me into an office, my eyes immediately falling on the man and young woman sitting at a desk.
“Finlay, this is Syndey and the old man’s Carl.”
“Old man, my ass,” Carl grumbles at Ethan, then he gives me a wide smile. “Hi, Finlay.”
“Hey.” I inch closer to Ethan.
“Sydney, I need you to take over my private training sessions. Is that okay?”
“Sure.”
“Will you tell Barb? I need to talk to Carl in private.”
Sydney nods, then leaves the office, pulling the door shut behind her.
“What’s up?” Carl asks, his eyes locking on Ethan’s face.
“I’m taking a couple of personal days. Can you keep an eye on everything?”
“Of course.” Worry settles on Carl’s face. “Everything okay?”
Ethan nods. “Yes. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“I’ll take care of the classes as well,” Carl says, then his eyes flick to me.
I quickly look down at my shoes, my fingers tightening around Ethan’s.
“Thanks. Call my dad if you need help with anything.”
“Will do.” When we walk to the door, Carl adds, “Let me know if there’s anything I can help with.”
Ethan nods as he opens the door. “Thanks, Carl. You keeping an eye on things is already a big help.”
When we walk down the hallway, I whisper, “You don’t have to take off from work.”
Ethan gives my hand a squeeze. “Just until your dad’s back.” He grins at me, but the look in his eyes is turbulent.
I’m just about to ask if he’s okay when two guys head our way. I recognize the one from the diner. He asked me out to coffee, and Ethan had to step in because I couldn’t cope.
Ethan tugs at my hand, partially pulling me behind him, then he nods at the guys as we pass by them.
Only when we climb into the truck and Ethan starts the engine do I get to ask, “Are you okay?”
He nods at me, but it feels like he’s deflecting when he says, “Let’s get a new number for your phone, then we can head home.”
“Okay,” I murmur, my shoulders slumping as a new worry trickles through me.
What if this is too much for Ethan? After all, we’ve only been dating for two weeks.
I know he said he’s going to stand by my side, and he has, unwaveringly, but… what if my darkness is too hard for him to deal with?
What if I lose Ethan?
My stomach tightens, and my heart clenches with panic.
I don’t want to lose him. It feels like we’ve been a couple for much longer than two weeks.
