Breaking Beast (Pounding Hearts 4)

What doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger, right?

Mentally pumping myself up, I dry off and get dressed. I pull on a sweatshirt and some jeans since the outfit I was wearing is covered in soap and conditioner. My shoes are a little damp but there’s nothing I can do about it. I slip them on without socks. Hopefully they’ll dry overnight because I didn’t think to grab a second pair, I was too rushed to think about it.

Slinging my backpack over my shoulder, I do my best to clean up. I don’t want to leave any signs that I was here. The last thing I need is to get in trouble for being here after hours when I’m not supposed to be.

After wiping down the bench, I toss the towel into the laundry and flip the light off.

Stepping out of the locker room, my heart nearly jumps out of my chest in surprise.

Sitting in a chair, looking like he’s been expecting me, is one of the fighters I’ve seen around the gym.

I think his name is, “Alex?”

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he asks, his deep, bassy voice rumbling with accusation.

I don’t even know how to answer him. I didn’t expect to get caught so I didn’t think that far ahead.

What can I say? Fuck. I have to lie and I hate lying.

“I… was just taking a shower… after working out…”

“You know the gym closes at nine,” he says, leaning back in his chair and regarding me with dark eyes full of suspicion.

I nod my head slowly and swallow down the large lump forming in my throat. I don’t really know Alex; I just know of him. He transferred to this gym right after I joined Chase’s program, and I don’t think we’ve said more than two words to each other.

Honestly, he kind of looks like a hard-ass, and I’m afraid he’s going to tell Chase on me if I don’t think up something quick.

I’m so nervous the explanation I’m trying to come up with just tumbles out of me in one big run-on mess. “Yeah, but sometimes you guys stay late… and I was thinking of some of the moves Chase was showing me, and I was hoping someone would be here to practice with. When I tried the door, it was unlocked, and I guess I just figured it would be okay if I did a quick workout and then figured I would do everyone a favor and lock up after I left.”

I take a breath and mentally slap myself. There’s no way he’s going to buy that…

His eyes narrow and he nods his head slowly.

My heart thumps sickly behind my ribs.

I’m so fucked.

Slowly, he rises to his feet, and I wince as his chair scrapes against the concrete. I’m not a short girl by any means but even at 5’7 he’s got a few inches on me. I tip my head back to look up at him and he scowls down at me.

“Please,” I plead. “Don’t tell Chase. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble…”

His brows furrow together and I wish I could tell what he is thinking, but his eyes give nothing away. They’re too dark and mysterious.

There’s a long, tense moment, and I consider getting on my knees and just begging him.

“I’ll let it fly this time but don’t do it again,” he finally says, and I almost fall over in relief.

“I won’t,” I quickly assure him.

Tonight has been so bad I was afraid this would be just one more thing to put on top of the shit pile I have to deal with.

“Good,” he grunts and turns around. Grabbing his chair, he folds it up and leans it against the wall.

Turning back to me, he extends his arm in an ‘after you’ motion.

I nod my head and walk in front of him. The entire walk to the side door I can’t help but be very aware of his presence at my back.

Still, after passing through the side door, I stop and turn back to face him.

“Thank you,” I tell him again, trying not to gush with the emotion. “Seriously, thank you.”

He frowns, and before he can change his mind, I turn back around and shove my hands into my pockets.

Dropping my chin, I head off across the parking lot.

Behind me, I hear him mutter something under his breath and the door slams.

Once I reach the sidewalk, I pause for a moment, trying to remember which direction the hotel is. I think it’s north.

“Hey!” he calls out from behind me and I whip around to face him.

“You got a car?” he asks, and I shake my head.

“Is someone going to pick you up?”

I shake my head again. “I’m just going to walk.”

“Shit,” he curses and hits the clicker on his keys. His red car beeps and lights up. “Get your ass back here.”