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So I’m understandably wary as I offer a brief smile. “I just started working here today.”
“Oh? Then I guess I’ll have more of a reason to show up, won’t I?” From the looks of him, he’s here a lot, and I can’t pretend not to appreciate his muscular build and broad, brilliant smile.
His dark eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles again, running a hand through his short, sandy hair. And what would your name be?”
“Her name is none of your fucking business.” Colt wedges himself between us, popping out his earbuds. “So why don’t you just get back to your workout and let her do her job?”
The older man quickly sizes Colt up and either decides it’s not worth the effort or he doesn’t feel like getting his ass kicked. He backs off, hands raised. “Sorry. Just making conversation.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a gym. This is where we work out.” Colt waits for the guy to step onto a treadmill before turning to me, his eyes narrowed.
I don’t give him a chance to start his shit with me. “What is your problem?” I whisper. My cheeks are burning with embarrassment, and I know there are people paying attention even if they’re pretending not to. “I’m supposed to work here, you know? How am I going to keep my job if you do things like that?”
“He’s a piece of shit. And you were lapping it up, weren’t you?”
“You don’t have the first idea what you’re talking about. That much is obvious. He was only trying to be nice.”
“Would you grow up?” he sneers. “He wasn’t trying to be nice. He was trying to get into your pants.”
“Oh, and I forgot, didn’t I? I have no say in who goes there, either, do I?”
We’re still glaring at each other when Nix joins us, covered in a sheen of sweat, though he doesn’t seem winded. “Come on. Time to go.”
At first, I figure he must be talking to his brother, but then I realize they’re both looking at me. “You’re kidding.”
“Does it look like I’m kidding?” Nix grunts. “We finished our workout, so we’re going home. And you’re coming with us.”
This is all too bizarre. “But I’m working. I can’t just walk out.”
“Yeah, you can. Since that’s the arrangement we came up with. We know the guy who owns the place. We can pretty much do whatever we want.”
That’s their entire problem in a nutshell. They’ve spent their entire lives believing they can do whatever they want with no consequences or thoughts for anyone but themselves. “How am I supposed to earn any money if I’m hardly ever here?”
“Do you ever stop complaining? We’re going. That’s the deal. Don’t worry. You’ll get your money.” Nix rolls his eyes and turns away, followed by Colt. I guess I don’t have a choice but to believe them and follow. If this is all a joke, it’s a pretty complicated one, but even Piper looks surprised to see me leave. I can’t bring myself to acknowledge her, even to show my own confusion.
Every day, I lose a little more control over my life. How long will it be before I have no say over anything at all?
CHAPTER 11
“Leni! Come on, we have to go.” My mother’s voice doubles and triples on itself as it echoes up the stairs and through the second floor. She’s trying hard to sound happy and lighthearted, but I’m not fooled. I’m holding her up, and she wishes she could chew me out for it.
“Be right there!” I call out while taking one last look at myself in the mirror. This is my nicest dress, far nicer than anything else in my closet except the dress I’m wearing tomorrow at the wedding. A light yellow color with a black floral print, it swings around my thighs when I walk and even has pockets. For the first time in days, I feel like myself. Nobody is telling me what to wear or how to be. And that gives me a little bit of courage to face whatever tonight will bring.
I hate that I have to dread what should be a nice, memorable evening with family. The rehearsal dinner is a big event. But I’ll be too busy worrying about staying away from the pair who will be my stepbrothers as of tomorrow.
That’s not the only thing I’m worried about as I pick up my purse. My back’s been bothering me all day—I didn’t do anything to aggravate it, and I don’t have to. Sometimes, I happen to move the wrong way, and bam. I’m in at least discomfort and, at worst, pain for the rest of the day. What a time for this to happen. It’s not bad enough that I have to smile my way through this little charade, but now I’ll have to do it while my back is screaming.
