Hey idiot, I hope you’re not screwing this up like normal. I’m handling mine and you only have to handle 1!!! She left here almost an hour ago, and we’ve had no status update. The name that flashed up was Bridgette. I rolled my eyes—he could have at least changed her contact info; it wasn’t like Bridgette was a common name.
Slightly panicked he might check on my tracker and realize my GPS showed up at the apartment complex a little while ago, I decided to head out once more and go down to the miniature gym located in the building. It had some free weights which Collin tried to talk me into using all the time so I was under his control more. I was tired, but the adrenaline was coursing through me, and I needed to make this look somewhat believable.
I took the steps down to the basement level, planning to change as I went. No one used the stairs accept for me. The elevator was way too convenient. I cringed as I slid back into my slightly damp shorts and tank top, still sweaty from my run earlier. By the time I got to the bottom of the steps, I just had to slip on my sneakers.
I stuck my duffel bag next to the door and pulled out my phone, thankful that the gym was empty as I turned on my music, blaring it. As I walked to the leg press machine, I remembered the iPod Drake bought me, since I used his all the time. He also got me a gift card to download the music. I felt somewhat guilty when everyone splurged on me before. I had no guilt regarding Collin’s money.
I was constantly downloading music and anything else I had a whim for. I knew he had deep pockets, I just wished I could put a deeper dent in them.
I ha
d been working out for at least a half an hour by the time Collin came running into the gym, wild eyed.
“Hey,” he said trying to look casual.
I didn’t have to act too much right now. I had every reason to act peeved right now. He had man-handled me, after all.
“Hey,” I replied to him waspishly.
“How long you been down here?” he asked as he sat down on the bench by the inner and outer thigh machine I was working on. I could see paranoia and suspicion lurking in his eyes.
I shrugged sullenly. “I don’t know 30, 40, 50 minutes.”
“Did you come upstairs at all?” he probed.
I made a face at him. “No, why?”
He had the audacity to look shamefaced as he looked down at his feet. “Look, Blake, I’m really sorry for the way I behaved earlier. I know it was reprehensible. That’s why I’m surprised you even came back here and so early.”
I sighed and stood up. “I wouldn’t have, if I had someplace to go,” I was letting him believe his control of me was working. “I was abused for the last seven years, I promised myself I would never be in that situation again, but here I am. Whether you meant to or not,” I pointed to the marks on my arms that he had left. “The only reason I came back early was because…hey wait,” I looked at him with feigned innocence. “Did you know Bridgette is here?”
It was believable, even to my own ears.
His look of astonishment…not so much. “As in Bridgette Mason?”
“Yes,” I rolled my eyes. “I thought I was done with her pettiness. I couldn’t even sit through dinner without her ugliness.” I faked a shudder. “When did you stop talking to her? I know you guys were on again-off again for a long time.”
He laughed nervously. “The moment I came to college here I cut all ties to home, well, except for my parents.”
I nodded and walked over to my bag by the door, turning off my music. “Well I’m going to hop in the shower and go to bed.”
“Do you want to watch a movie, maybe pop some popcorn?” he sounded pleased with himself.
I didn’t bother turning around as I rolled my eyes, but said sweetly. “No thanks. After doing cardio, strength training, and the rest of my emotional day, I’m exhausted.”
“Well, I really am sorry.” And for a moment there I could almost believe he meant it.
As I walked up the stairs, I prayed that Gavin and I could get enough evidence to fry them all soon, so I could finally go home, my real home.
Even though I went to bed before ten last night, I hit my snooze button numerous times. I woke up feeling under the weather. I didn’t normally get sick, so I immediately knew the signs when I was. My head was pounding, my body was aching, and I pretty sure I was running a fever. I didn’t even make an effort at all today in my appearance. My limbs felt heavy as I slid on a pair of black yoga pants and a white Knightstown College sweatshirt. I skipped putting on my makeup. Then I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and went out to the kitchen.
“Hey,” Collin said with a wide smile, but then it faltered. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “I think I might be coming down with something. Do we have any orange juice left?”
He grabbed me a glass immediately and poured me some juice. “You need to slow down, babe. You work out every day. You push yourself relentlessly with school work. Now you want to squeeze in a music program. Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
I shrugged. I wasn’t in the mood to fight today. “I don’t know.”