Page 78 of The Sacrifice

“When are you leaving?” Jade leans her hip against a treadmill. We’re at the gym where her husband works. How she managed to get me here without dragging me out of the car is a shock. Probably because I’m going to miss her. Tears fill my eyes, and I blink them away.

“I don’t know.” I don’t want to go, but what other choice do I have? It’s too painful to stay here and never see them. And I can’t go forever without making money. “But I can’t stay here.”

“I think it’s a bad decision.”

“It’s the only decision. It’s been three weeks and nothing. He’s not even talking to Andrew.” The pain in my head matches the one in my heart. If he loved me or saw a future between us, wouldn’t he talk to my brother?

A million times, I’ve thought about calling him, but why? When I broke up with him, he clearly realized he was better off without me. That’s the only explanation for why he’s ghosting Andrew.

“Come on, you’ve wallowed long enough.” Jade shoves me toward the treadmill, but I don’t budge.

“Why did we come here?” I cringe at the whiney tone of my voice. It even grates on my nerves. If I had the energy, I’d feel sorry for Jade and Kevin for having to put up with me, but that’s what friends are for. And I don’t have that much energy.

“Because going to Chloe’s and eating your way through the phonebook of scone types is not a life’s mission.”

“I don’t want a life’s mission.” It smells like rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer here. My stomach churns. I miss Chloe’s. Her place smells like chocolate and vanilla. “I’d rather have a scone. Thank you very much.”

“Get on the treadmill. Now.” She pushes harder on my back.

“Don’t go all mom-mode on me.” I trudge to the treadmill, bracing my feet on either side. “You know I’m not in the mood for this.”

“Yes, I know.” She rolls her eyes and hops onto the one next to me. Her ponytail bobs in the air like she’s an annoyingly perky cheerleader. Mine looks like a rat is sleeping in it. I haven’t bothered to use shampoo in a week. Yeah, I’m gross and feeling sorry for myself.

“Seven percent incline and four miles per hour,” she chirps and presses the buttons on the panel of her machine.

“Not going to happen, Ms. Perky Pants.” I’ll do it my way. I press the button until the light displays a two percent incline at a three miles per hour speed.

Jade licks her lips and glares. “Really?”

“Yes, really. This is as good as it gets. At least I don’t have a pastry in my hand.” I step onto the conveyer belt. The rumble of thunder, along with the pelting of rain on the roof and windows, matches my mood.

A couple of guys walk by, eyeing Jade but dismissing me. My eyes narrow into slits. Assholes. So what if I look like that meme where the woman is wearing a robe with stuffed cats attached to it. They could still check me out.

“So… You still haven’t heard from him?” She speed walks on the treadmill.

“No,” I growl and increase the speed by two stabs of my index finger. “I haven’t. Andrew hasn’t. And I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“You broke up with him.”

“But he should appreciate my sacrifice.” I realize it’s irrational. It was my decision to walk away during his custody battle, but an ‘I love you, and I’ll do everything in my power to resolve the situation as quickly as possible’would’ve been nice. Or a phone call with an ‘I love you, and no matter how long it takes; we’ll be together.’”

But no. I stab the button again. Andrew came home from his place that night, pissed off, and wouldn’t say a word about what they talked about.

“Did he say that he didn’t?”

“He didn’t have to. I saw his face, and his lack of contact says it all. We’re through, and it was stupid to think I could have a future with him in the first place.” My breath comes out in a pant as I attempt to walk and grit my teeth. “He’s realized we’re too different. Or it was a case of forced proximity. We both know he’s into the cheerleader type, and that’s not me. I could never compete with those young girls that flock around the players.”

“You’re being ridiculous.” Jade’s arms pump back and forth as she uses the machine’s arms. Her face glistens, making her dark complexion appear rosy.I’m going to jump off here, and throat punch her.

“No, I’m not.”Is that Tony?Panic swells in my chest. It’s Tony and Gunner. This is why I can’t be here. Everything reminds me of him.

“Jackson cares about you. You need to talk to him and ensure he understands that you want to be with him as soon as Hadley’s custody situation is resolved.”

Sweat drips down my ass crack as the sound of weight machines cling with a steady rhythm from the row of clients using the Smith Cages.

“It’s pointless. He’ll move on with some other girl that fits his lifestyle better. He probably already has.” Tightness fills my chest. It’s not a heart attack, but it doesn’t feel any better.

Jade jabs the button and comes to a stop. “You’re sabotaging this on purpose.”

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