Page 4 of Break

Bile threatens to rise up my throat at the thought of my dad, but I focus on Jared instead. I don’t want anyone to think that something is up, and I definitely don’t want anyone to notice any connections between me and the guys. It’s best if I just keep myself in check.

I love my job, and I don’t want them to mess this up for me.

“Right. That’s what I was thinking.” I put on a fake smile, nodding to Jared as he heads off to stretch.

My eyes settle on the therapy room as all the players do their instructed reps and stretches. This place had become a safe haven for me, helping me heal and move forward from the past. But that’s obviously not the case anymore.

It seems like the nightmare of my past is far from over.

I try to keep myself busy, burying myself in work. Only when the gym empties do I realize it’s time for lunch. I don’t even have a sliver of appetite. My stomach is in knots, warning me that my predators are steadily getting closer.

Thankfully, I haven’t seen the guys yet, but they have to be around here somewhere. I just haven’t found them.

More like,theyhaven’t foundme.

The only saving grace is that there are still people milling around. People who aren’t like my dad and wouldn’t just let the torment happen.

Some of the staff are cleaning off the many machines we have, while others are chatting at the check-in area out front.

The bright white lights of the physical therapy office make shadows a rarity, which means that it’s harder for any of the three big guys I remember to hide. After a few breaths, I wave to one of the front desk workers and head to the cafeteria to eat. Some other people mill around, talking and laughing.

It’s not as huge as a school cafeteria, but there’s plenty of room for a whole football team and our staff.

I grab a salad and take a seat off to the side. Typically, I have no problem sitting with the other staff members or some of the players, but I’m not really in the talking mood today. Thosethree names have shaken me up so much that I need time alone to settle down.

If I could disappear, I would.

Just as I poke my fork into my lettuce, movement around the cafeteria door catches my eye. I peek up and feel my stomach twist as Knox, Jaxon, and Dimitri stride inside, looking like they own the place.

Their smirks and confident strides make my heart race with a mix of anger and fear. They were my tormentors, the ones who had made my college years a living hell with their relentless bullying. Now, they’re back to torture me some more.

I almost wonder if they know I’m working here, but that’s a stupid question. It’s not like anyone pays attention to who works at the therapy office when they’re focused on their NFL career. Just as it passes through my mind, Knox glances my way.

Uh-oh.

Knox’s brows knit as he stares down, then I see the moment of recognition. He grins and nudges the others before he stalks toward me. Jaxon and Dimitri follow.

I try to stay strong as they approach, but the memories flood back with a vengeance. The taunts, the laughter, the feeling of isolation that had consumed me every day. I thought I had left that behind, buried deep beneath the façade of professionalism I wear like armor.

But now they’re here, in my workplace, threatening to unravel everything I had worked so hard to build.

I force a smile onto my face as they greet me. I’m going to stay professional. That’s all that matters.

Their grins widen and that evil glint in their gazes chills my core. I can’t let them see how much they still affect me. I can’t give them the satisfaction of knowing they still hold power over me.

And I can’t let anyone else know about our history.

Once they approach the other side of my table, my eyes sweep over them. My left hand tightens into a fist as it rests on my thigh out of sight.

“Welcome to the team,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil roiling inside me.

Their dark chuckles echo in my ears as they exchange knowing glances, and a shiver runs down my spine. This can’t be happening.

“Long time, no see, Hope,” Knox says as pulls a chair back and sits across from me. Dimitri does the same and takes a seat next to him.

I swallow hard as Jaxon sits next to me, his body even bigger and more muscular than I remember. They don’t look all that different, but they have stubble and more muscle on them.

We’re not alone in my dad’s house. We’re in a public area. This should be fine, or at least that’s what I tell my anxiety. I clear my throat. “I didn’t know you guys went pro.”

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