Gym Junkie

Maybe I’m just not a good person anymore?

Was I ever?

It’s 8:00 p.m. and I pour my third glass of wine of the night.

I had the worst day in history. Searching all fucking day for evidence, breaking up with Simon, fighting my own thoughts about what kind of person I now am.

I know what happened between Simon and I couldn’t be helped, and I also know that deep down Simon doesn’t love me like he should, either, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I know he will eventually see the truth for himself. One day, I hope we can look at back at our time together with fond memories of each other. I have no idea where things are going with Brock, but I do know that when I’m with him, I feel safe. Which is just so weird because Brock is anything but safe. Strangely, though, when I was with Simon I always felt on edge. I was always petrified that I was going to fuck it up between us. He was so perfect that not even I could believe that he loved me.

Maybe that’s why Brock feels so safe to me. I know that if anyone is going to fuck it up between us, it will be him.

I never thought I would see the day when it’s a such a relief to be with someone who isn’t a shining pillar of society. And I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. Simon is amazing.

It’s just that maybe I’m not.

The security buzzer sounds and I push the intercom. “Hello.”

“Hey,” Brocks deep voice says through the speaker, and a smile instantly crosses my face.

“I thought you were working tonight?”

“Got off early.”

A thrill runs through me that he came over even though we hadn’t planned it. “Come up.” I push the button and open my front door for him. I take out another glass and pour him a wine. Only moments later does his broad smile come into view.

“Hey.” He smiles sexily as he kisses my lips.

I smirk up at his gorgeous face. “Hey.” I pass him his glass of wine and he clinks it with mine. “What are we celebrating?”

My brows rise. “We’re commiserating, actually.”

“What?” He takes a sip.

“The end of my nine-year relationship.”

He frowns. “You spoke to him already?”

“I told you I was calling him today.” I sigh.

“And I told you to wait for me to be here,” he says, annoyed.

I roll my eyes. “Don’t fucking piss me off tonight, okay? I’m not in the mood, Brock. I’ve had the worst day in history.”

He sips his drink slowly, and I can tell he knows that I really am not in the mood. “Well, what did he say?”

I shrug. “He knows it, too. I can tell.”

He watches me for a moment. “Did you tell him about me?”

I nod. “Uh-huh.”

“What did you say?”

I exhale heavily. “I said I was seeing someone, and he asked me if I loved you.”

The front door bursts open and Meredith comes waltzing in, her face falling when she sees Brock.

“Oh.” She looks at him flatly and curls her lip I disgust. “What are you doing here?” she asks him.

Brock raises his eyebrows in surprise at her disdain. “I should ask you the same thing. Don’t you knock?”

I roll my eyes and fill my glass to the brim. I’m not in the mood for this shit tonight.

“Well, it’s wolf pack meeting night,” she tells him matter-of-factly. “You should leave.”

Brock scowls. “What?”

“This is a girls only zone.” She gestures between her and I.

“Meredith,” I sigh.

“I don’t know what bitch-pack meeting night means, but it’s you that should leave. We’re busy,” Brock hits back, unamused.

I frown and give him a subtle shake of my head. “Ten minutes,” I mouth.

Brock rolls his eyes and walks into the bathroom.

Meredith crosses her arms in front of her, annoyed. “Where’s Callie, anyway? We need to get the meeting started.”

“There is no meeting tonight, Meredith. I’ve had a really bad day and I just want to relax with Brock.”

She rolls her eyes. “Oh God.”

The door opens again and my mother waltzes in. “Hello, Meredith. Hi, Tully,” she says greets us both.

I frown. “Mum, what are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to talk some sense into you.”

I give her a subtle shake of my head.

“What is this nonsense about breaking up with Simon for another man? Simon has been on the phone to me heartbroken on and off all night. I came over to see what on earth is going on with you.”

Not now, Mum. I shake my head again, and right on cue, Brock walks out of the bathroom behind her. He purses his lips and assesses the situation.

“Hello,” he says.

My mother turns in surprise, looking him up and down, her mouth falling open.

“Ha ha.” I fake a smile as the blood drains from my face. “Mum, this is Brock.”