She’s always craved attention, and playing games has been her forte. But this time, she’s crossed a line, and I can’t let it slide.
Not when it involves Carlie.
Her house comes into view, and it’s a symbol of the life she always wants to portray—perfect, orderly,unattainable.
I pull up, my resolve solidifying with every breath. She thinks she can play games with people’s lives? It’s time she learns that actions have consequences.
I march up to her door, my heart pounding in my chest. This isn’t just about setting the record straight. It’s about protecting what I’ve started to build with Carlie—about defending the semblance of peace I’ve found with her.
I ring the bell, ready for whatever façade Jillian chooses to present because I’m one hundred percent sure she’ll pick one.
The door swings open, and there she stands, her expression shifting from surprise to a calculated smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Adam, what a surprise,” she purrs, leaning against the door frame. “What brings you here?”
She doesn’t even have the courtesy to look sleepy or disheveled at eight in the morning.
“I need to talk to you.Now.” I don’t mince words, the urgency is clear in my tone.
“About what?” she feigns ignorance, but her eyes betray her.
“I’m here for the truth, Jillian,” I say, my voice steady. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
She chuckles—it’s an amused, totally obnoxious laugh that makes me want to break things. “You’re going to need to be more specific, Adam.”
“The Instagram bullshit. The lies about Carlie and me—about Foxx Fitness. I know everything was started by you,” I ground out, my fists at my side.
For a moment, her mask falters, revealing the briefest flicker of guilt, but she’s quick to regain her composure. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would I care about you and Carlie? Or the notion that you’ll ever venture out and start your business?”
Her words cut like knives.
She was always so pissed that I didn’t start up my own gym and get out from under St. Mary’s. In her words, it’s the reason she cheated.
I was going nowhere.
“Don’t insult my intelligence,” I counter. “It’s over, Jillian. Whatever game you’re playing, it endsnow. Stay away from me, and stay away from Carlie.”
“Or what?” she fires back, the lines in her jaw hardening. Her challenge hangs in the air between us, her smirk growing as she awaits my response. “Orwhat, Adam? What are you going to do? We both know that taking initiative isn’t your thing.”
I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves. It’s time to play my hand. “Or I’ll go to the hospital board with what I know. About your ‘extra-curricular activities’ with some of the gym clients. It’s against the policy, right? Fraternizing with clients in a way that could ... tarnish St. Mary’s reputation. It’s how I was fired—thanks to you.”
It all clicks into place. She’s a fucking projector.
Putting all eyes on me to take them off her own indiscretions.
I never said a word about her and that stupid asshole who jumped at her the first chance he got.
But I will.Oh, I fucking will.
Jillian’s smirk fades, her eyes widening slightly. It’s the reaction I was hoping for. “You wouldn’t dare,” she hisses.
“Oh, I would. And I have enough to back it up,” I say, my voice firm. “I’ve seen the way you operate, Jillian. The flirtations, the private sessions that are a little too close for comfort. It wouldn’t be hard for people to believe. Not to mention the clients you push around instead of helping. People like Carlie, for instance …”
Her façade crumbles, replaced by a look of panic. “You’re bluffing.”
I shake my head. “No more games, Jillian. I’m done playing. Leave Carlie and me alone, or I’ll make sure the hospital board hears about every inappropriate encounter you’ve had at the gym.”
She steps back, the doorframe no longer a support but a barrier between us. “You’re serious,” she whispers.