He turned to smile indulgently to Mrs. Fletcher, who was staring up at him. “Hello, Mrs. Fletcher. How are you today?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” Her tone brightened further at the attention so I studied the two to gauge their familiarity. I wasn’t aware they knew each other.

“Always nice to see you.”

“You’re too kind.” She blushed and reluctantly left when Charlie, who just got done setting the treadmill, waved her over.

His attention was now directed on me and I felt the pressure of his gaze. “How are you, little lady? What’s new?”

“Fine, thank you. Nothing much,” I lightly replied, attempting casualness.

He continued to stare as if waiting for something. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the familiar need to hide. For the past year he has come to the gym and did much of the same. He asks questions about me and about school. One time he even asked if I was dating anyone. I remember the panic I felt when I thought he was hitting on me and it must have shown because he apologized and left the gym abruptly.

He finally handed me his membership card to swipe after a few moments. “You know, we have a promotion going on if you refer a friend to the gym, you get half off next month’s membership fees. You can even use a wife or child–”

I paused at the anger that flickered in his eyes at the mention of a wife and child. I couldn’t describe it, but it wasn’t warm and fuzzy like people who have families usually get.

“I won’t be bringing anyone,” he replied in a brusque tone. It was a far cry from the charisma he usually displayed.

“I’m sorry if I offended you, I –”

“Nonsense.” His smile was forced and didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It is me who should be sorry. My wife died some years ago. I haven’t quite gotten over her death.”

I immediately felt like an ass, not only for bringing up bad memories but the thoughts I was having about him. “Then please accept my apologies Mr. Martin.” I offered a smile and handed back his card.

“I can tell you are a very special girl, Lake. Such a shame,” he stated and then walked away. My smile immediately dropped as I watched him disappear into the locker rooms.

* * *

Thirty minutes in to my shift, I was cleaning the front windows and bobbing along to the music when I felt the breeze from the outside summer air as someone walked in.

“Welcome back. We are currently running a special promotion. If you refer a friend, you get half off next month’s fees.”

“Excellent. I’m sure Keiran would be very interested to know a certain someone works here.” I heard the gruff voice of the snake who made my skin scrawl.

I quickly turned in the opposite direction to escape when his hand clamped around my upper arm. “Not so fast, mouse,” he taunted while pulling me back towards the reception desk. He freed my arm and grinned down at me. “I’d like to apply for a membership.”

Trevor handed over his I.D. with a smug look and I reluctantly accepted it, keying in his info for the application. I could fill his eyes on me as I did so. Once I finished I handed his card back and kept a wary eye on him as he tucked it back into his pocket.

“So?” he asked with a raised brow.

“So, what?”

“Does he know you work here?”

“What’s it to you?”

“Just protecting my interests.”

“You mean your ass? Because if he finds out –”

“He won’t, and you are going to keep your mouth shut,” he warned. “What do you care anyway? He already hates you.”

“Because it’s a lot more personal now and he actually has a reason to hate me. He’s already threatened me because of you,” I whispered harshly. He slashed his hand in the air impatiently.

“I don’t care. Keep your mouth closed or I’ll threaten you too.”

He stalked away, heading for the weights and I couldn’t help hoping a weight could fall and just smash his brain in. It wouldn't wake me up from this nightmare but it would definitely make me laugh. Now who’s the sadistic one? I wouldn’t tempt fate in such a way because I wouldn’t be able to live with it on my conscious. It made me once again remember the fateful day everything turned to shit.

* * *

16 months ago

“Keiran Masters took over the team! He’s officially the team captain now.”

“I heard Trevor is pissed. What do you think he will do?”

“What can he do? Keiran is too bad ass for Trevor to take on.”

“Well, I’m glad Keiran is the captain. He’s a little scary but so much hotter and maybe we will actually make it to the Championship this year.”

I listened to the giggling girls gathered around the lockers next to me. I couldn’t help but listen considering the subject. I needed to stay alert if a quick get-a-way was needed. I sighed, when I realized this was just another Keiran Masters pep rally. Their unending rambling as they praised his good looks and popularity was making me nauseous so I tuned them out and finished storing my books in my locker. When I was done, I debated if I should risk lunch today. After Keiran had some girls toss a pot of chicken fat over my head for shits and giggles I avoided the cafeteria even if it meant I had to starve.

“Oh gosh, he’s coming this way,” a member of the fan club giggled.  My heart started pounding fast as I quickly closed my locker to get out dodge.

“Hi Trevor,” another one giggled. 

I relaxed a little and released the breath I was holding when they greeted Trevor. My relief was short lived though when Trevor bypassed the trio without responding and headed toward me with purpose. He’d never done anything to me but he was still popular and a jock, while I was too far down the food chain to think this was going to be a friendly social call. 

I was apprehensive but surprisingly he didn't scare me. Only one person scared me and thankfully he wasn't in the vicinity, so I stood my ground waiting for what was to come. He stopped and scanned my face thoroughly. He probably doesn't even know my name, I thought and almost rolled my eyes.

“Lake, right?”  Wait, did I say that out loud?

I continued staring without a response. Maybe I should tell him he had the wrong person since he didn't look sure of who I was. He looked over at the trio of girls who were still standing close by glaring at me when I remained silent.

“Lake Monroe?” he tried again.

“That's her,” one of the girls offered. He continued to ignore her but grabbed onto my elbow and pulled me down the hall behind him.

“Look, I need to talk to you in private. I have a proposition for you,” he said while dragging me into the library. We passed by tables and computers and then into the bookcases until we reached an alcove. I finally found my voice once he stopped and I was sure I wouldn’t trip and plant my face in the floor.

“Listen, I don’t care what he says, I don’t perform sexual acts for money so if that's what your proposition is about you’re wasting your time. I’m sure there are plenty of girls willing to do it for free so please let me go,” I huffed out furiously.

I constantly received money and lewd notes in my locker asking for sexual favors after Keiran spread rumors last year that he saw me giving Peter Simpson oral for money in the hallway after school and then offered to do him for twenty bucks.

“I’m not after that.”

“Oh, yeah? Then what are you after?”

“We have a mutual enemy and I know how to get rid of him.”

Chapter Seven

“Yes, Aunt Carissa, everything is fine. How is Canada?” Whatever she said, I never got to hear as I walked through the door after work. The phone was ripped out of my hands and as I was being tossed on the couch, I watched it hit the wall but thankfully it didn’t seem to break. What the –?