Gym Junkie

I stare at him for moment, feeling like I need to explain myself.

“I did what I thought was right at the time, Ben.” I pause. “I’m not saying it was, but I thought I was doing the right thing for everyone.”

He purses his lips. “You see, I have no idea what you’re talking about right now.”

I frown. “Brock didn’t tell you what happened between us?” I ask,

“Nope.” He stares at me but doesn’t say anything further. I feel myself wither again.

Do I tell him?

No, this is none of his business.

But he’s Brocks best friend. “He won’t even talk to me,” I say quietly.

Ben looks at me flatly.

“I went around to his house last night and cried in the rain for over an hour. He wouldn’t let me in.”

Still, he remains emotionless.

“Has Brock ever forgiven anyone who hurt him?” I ask softly.

He shrugs, as if uninterested.

“You’re not going to talk to me about this, are you?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

I cross my arms over my chest. I don’t like the way he is making me feel. “You don’t have to be so rude about it,” I say, agitated.

“I’m not being rude. I’m being polite. This is none of my business, and trust me, you’ll know it when I’m being rude,” he replies coldly.

Frustration fills me. I shouldn’t have said anything. These men are a different breed. I feel uncomfortable now. “Well then, you can leave. I’m not having a stranger in my house overnight.”

“You’ll have to clear that with the boss,” he says dryly.

“The boss isn’t here.” I sneer as my anger begins to bubble. Fuck this, who do these guys think they are? “I’ll call the police if you like and they can ask you to leave.”

He smiles sarcastically. “Go right ahead… if you want to get yourself killed.” His eyes hold mine. “You call the police and let them handle this.”

“You think the police are responsible for this?” I ask.

“Certain of it.”

I stare at Ben for a moment and think. I’m going to tell them about the evidence going missing at work. I have to. Something is definitely going on here. There are just too many coincidences.

“I have some information in regard to the lab and evidence,” I announce.

Ben narrows his eyes. “Such as?”

“I’ll only talk to Brock.” I tilt my chin in defiance. “Alone.”

Ben smirks, showing the first bit of emotion he’s shown all day. “You’re going to blackmail some time with him?”

“Yep.” My eyes hold his and I tilt my hip like a petulant teenager. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

I pace around in my bedroom. It’s just turned 10:00 p.m. and I’ve negotiated a deal.

Brock is coming to talk to me.

What a joke. I really am at rock bottom with not a shred of self- respect left at all.

He thinks he’s coming here for information regarding evidence but I’m having my say first, and he will listen if it’s the last thing I make him do. He’s going to be furious that I’m forcing his hand, but he’s left me with no choice.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Ben is here, and I think Jes is still out in the hall. I don’t know where Brock was but he’s taking his sweet time getting here.

I’ve been on tenterhooks and have been pacing for two hours now.

I hear a knock at the door and close my eyes. This is it.

The next fifteen minutes will determine my future with him.

Good or bad, I’ll know where I stand.

I go to the door and open it. Brock’s cold eyes hold mine, his jaw clenching in anger. He’s clearly furious that I have pushed him into a corner like this.

“You have new information?” he asks, raising his eyebrow sarcastically.

Nerves dance around in my stomach. I nod and move back from the door.

“Come in.”

He walks past me, and I get a waft of his aftershave. It nearly makes me burst into tears.

I miss him.

Ben nods as he sees him, and then he walks out of my apartment without saying a word.

God, he’s a rude prick.

I sit down, watching as Brock takes a seat on the couch opposite me.

“What is this new information?” he asks flatly.

I swallow the lump in my throat. “I have do have information for you, Brock. It’s vital information.”

He raises his brow again, not believing me at all.

“But… I want to talk about us before we talk about that,” I add.

His cold eyes hold mine. “I’m not interested in anything other than the case.”

My eyes instantly fill with tears. He’s so cold, and his tone is filled with hatred. “Brock,” I whisper. “I miss you. I want you back.”

I try to take his hand in mine but he stands and turns his back. It’s as if he can’t stand the sight of me anymore.

“Don’t!” he snaps.

“Brock, please, just listen to me. I thought I was doing the right thing.“ I stare at his back. “I thought…” My voice trails off.