Page 70 of Ten Rules for Faking It
Simon scowled, saying to Rob. “Fine.” He turned to Everly, the sneer still present. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
Hard pass. “No.”
Stacey slid closer until her shoulders were brushing Everly’s. “You can get lost, though.”
“I’m not talking to you,” Simon said, teeth gritted.
“And it doesn’t sound like Everly wants to talk to you, so why don’t you go finish your workout and leave her alone?” Rob’s voice was calm and smooth, but it was clear the question was not a suggestion.
“Five minutes,” Simon said.
“Is that your personal best?” Stacey asked. She leaned into him, not even pretending to whisper.
Everly lowered her chin to her chest and bit her cheek to keep from laughing. She shouldnotbe laughing. There was nothing funny about running into her ex after he’d recently bashed her on another station. The memory infused her with irritation.
Simon started to speak, something unpleasant if the sneer on his face was any indication. Everly squared her shoulders, holding a hand up.
“Stop. Honestly, he’s not worth the time.” He wasn’t. He wasn’t even worth the energy it would take to insult him.
His gaze whipped to her, showing surprise. “Everly.”
“Go away, Simon. Before one of us says something we shouldn’t.”
“Or kicks you right in the—” Stacey started.
Simon cut her off. “Screw you, Stacey. I know that contest was your idea. It has your stupidity all over it.”
Rob’s chest puffed up, but he glanced at Everly, making her want to weep with appreciation that even though it was clear what he wanted to do, he paused long enough to let it be her choice.
Giving him a surprisingly genuine-smile, she whispered, “Yes, please.”
Rob’s next motions were like a choreographed dance. He stepped into Simon, raised one hand, snapped his fingers once, his other hand going to Simon’s shoulder as two huge, muscled men came out of seemingly nowhere and flanked him.
“These gentlemen will escort you out of my gym. You’re no longer welcome here,” Rob said, his voice tightly controlled.
Everly closed her eyes, realizing belatedly that they were making a spectacle and that others were staring. Her pulse picked up, and the sweat beading at the back of her neck was no longer from overexerting herself.You will not panic. You will not flee. Breathe.She tapped her fingertips against her thumb. Index, middle, ring, pinkie, repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Flickering in the base of her brain, though, was pride. She’d done it. She’d stood up to someone who didn’t deserve her time. She hadn’t been a bitch, which, in her opinion, was the easy road. She’d held her own and felt good about herself.If only people weren’t watching you.
“Breathe,” Stacey whispered, pressing her hand to Everly’s back.
“You know what? I’m going to go,” she said quietly. It was a good decision.Herdecision so it didn’t make her a coward.
“Don’t. Don’t let that ass chase you out of here,” Stacey said, her voice atypically harsh.
“If you need a minute, you can go to my office,” Rob said in a much softer tone.
“I don’t. I don’t need a minute,” she said. She needed a whole bunch of them, all to herself.
The other women hovered around them, and a few of Rob’s staff checked in, glancing at her but speaking only to Rob.
“Don’t go home,” Stacey said when Rob walked back to the class.
“I don’t feel well,” Everly said, trying to rein in her fluttery breaths.
“You’re fine.”
God. Wouldn’t that be something if you actually felt that way? Fine?Instead, she felt overheated and nauseated.
“It’s not like I won’t be back. I have nine more visits paid for.” She’d force herself to use them, but she’d had enough for tonight. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” The need to go clawed at her. Baby steps. She’d handled herself, she deserved some space.No one is looking at you.She walked toward the exit, refusing to keep her head down. Stacey stayed at her side, and when they exited the building, Everly gulped in the fresh air.
