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He glared down at me with icy blue eyes and a look of disgust. “I said get out.”
I gripped his t-shirt in my fists as a last resort. “Please don’t kick me out, T.J. Please don’t make me leave.”
He pried his shirt out of my hands, and released me as he stepped back. “I warned you. You knew the rules. Now go.”
Tanner was at my side, knowing T.J. would react this way. He tugged on my elbow. “Come on. I’ll take you back.”
I hung my head as I turned away, and followed Tanner to the door. I did not care who saw me crying. All I cared about was the person who now hated me. I looked back once, and saw T.J. hurl the pad and gloves against a shelf, sending everything crashing to the floor. He stormed into his office, and slammed the door shut.
Back in Tanner’s car again, I covered my face with my hands and sobbed. “What am I going to do?”
Tanner heaved a sigh from the driver’s seat. “Give him some time. Maybe he will come around.” He turned his key in the ignition.
My head shot up. “Tanner, wait.” I flung open the passenger door, and ran towards the gym.
“Where are you going?” he yelled out his window.
I swung open the gym door and ran to T.J.’s office, his door still closed. I knocked on the door, and then pounded harder when he didn’t open.
“T.J. open up!” I yelled.
Finally, the door opened. “I told you to get out.”
I pushed past him before he could stop me, and let myself inside. “Well, I’m not leaving.” I crossed my arms across my chest, and planted my feet where I stood. I did not know if this would work, but I had to try.
His eyebrows furrowed, and his jaw worked under his skin. He held my stare, neither one of us wanting to break first. “You have two minutes. Then, you have to leave.” He gave the door a forceful push, and it slammed shut.
“I messed up last night. I know I am halfway through your training, but we are going to need more than a month to undo almost a decade’s worth of my issues. I still need your help. I made a mistake, and I regret it. Please don’t make me stop training.”
He pointed to his chest. “I am not making you stop training. You did this. You did this to yourself. You keep blaming everyone else for your problems, but you’re the one who needs to take ownership of it all!”
“Yes, I agree. I take full responsibility for last night. I was upset about breaking up with Chase, and then everything with my mother happened. Please give me another chance.”
“Why didn’t you call me? I was waiting by my phone hoping that you would call to tell me what happened with your mom. Instead, you get drunk? That’s the same old weak ass bullshit that you have been doing. I thought you were making progress. I thought you were changing. Fuck me, I guess, right? I trusted you, and you broke that trust. You broke your trust to yourself!”
I stepped closer to him, but he took a step back. “T.J. I am so sorry. I didn’t do this to hurt you. The last thing I wanted was to see the look of disappointment on your face.”
“The last thing you should want is to disappoint yourself!” he shouted. “When are you going to get it, Merritt?”
“I feel it. I know I screwed up.” My eyes were imploring him to let me stay. “Please, T.J. Just one more shot.”
“Why? Why should I believe that you won’t do this again? Why should I waste my time on another coward like you?”
I winced, accepting the verbal punch to my gut. I deserved it. “Because you taught me to keep getting back up every time I get knocked down. I’m making the choice to keep fighting.”
He rubbed the back of his neck while he contemplated his decision. “It’s hard to argue when you use my own words against me.”
My eyes widened. “Are you letting me stay?”
He nodded once, but his eyes narrowed. “No more mistakes, though. Fool me twice, you’re done.”
I rushed at him and clutched his midsection tightly. “Thank you so much. I won’t screw up again, I promise.” I waited for him to return the hug, but grew impatient when he didn’t. I lifted one of his arms, and tried placing it around me. “God, your arm is so heavy. Just hug me, dammit.”
I heard him chuckle, and then his arms wrapped around my body. He rested his chin on the top of my head, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“I can’t lose you, too,” I said quietly.
He held me out in front of him far enough to look me in the eyes. “Then don’t do something like this again.”
