Adam
Itap the ‘Live’ button on Instagram and my heart nearly gallops straight out of my chest.
The need to set the record straight—to lay out my truth for Carlie, and whoever else is watching—feels vital.
It’s my lifeline to a future I want to have a chance at.
“Hey, everyone,” I begin, forcing my voice to remain steady, despite feeling anything but. “There’s been a lot of talk about me lately. Rumors about using someone special to kickstart my fitness business. But I’m here to lay out the truth.”
A car honks loudly behind me, nearly making me jump out of my skin. I shake it off, trying to ignore the city noises, focusing on what needs to be said.
“Those who know me, know I value honesty and integrity—both in my personal life and at the gym. This situation blowing up on my feed—the bullshit being said—it’s all been twisted into something it’s not.”
Taking a deep breath, I address the heart of the matter. “To those spreading and believing these rumors, shame on you. The woman you’ve seen with me is working hard on herself—for herself—just like I am with my potential business when, or if, I launch it. And right now, I have a non-compete clause I’m respecting from my previous employer. So, thereisno Foxx Fitness. Not yet. Carlie and I—we’re partners in this and rooting each other on. To the rest of you, we should be supporting each other, not tearing each other down at the first sight of blood.”
I let the words sink in, hoping they resonate with my audience. Then, I focus on the most crucial part of my message. “Carlie, if you’re watching, I need you to know that you mean more to me than a business strategy. Our time together has been incredible. Hell, it’s more than that. You’ve become so important to me ... more than I ever expected.”
My heart hammers in my chest as I continue. “I’m sorry for this drama—for the chaos. But please know, everything being said is nonsense. Because the truth is …” I swallow hard, realizing I had no intention of saying this on Instagram of all places, but it needs to be said anyway. “I’m falling for you.Hard.”
When the words escape my lips, I release the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding so hard onto. “We need to talk—and I hope we can do that now. I’m outside your door, praying you’ll let me in.”
The comments are going nuts as I end the live session, but I can’t bring myself to care or even read a single one. Instead, I lower my phone, and my entire soul feels exposed.
I’ve laid it all out there for Carlie, and now, it’s time for the moment of truth.
I approach her door with my heart lodged in my throat and press the doorbell.
After a few excruciating moments, the door swings open, and there she stands, her expression a complex mix of surprise and guarded emotion as she says, “Adam, that was?—”
Before she can finish, the door on the left swings open, and out hobbles Carlie’s grandma. “Well, well, look who’s back. We must be making quite the impression on you.”
Despite wanting desperately to get Carlie alone, I chuckle. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“You here to see Carlie, I assume? Or did you just miss my delightful company? Because my door is this one on the left.” She winks at me.
Carlie shoots her grandma a brief, exasperated look before turning back to me, her eyes searching mine. “We need to talk.”
I nod in agreement. “Yes, we do. I’m here to explain everything.”
Carlie hesitates for a moment, then steps aside, motioning for me to enter.
As I walk past her, I catch a glimpse of her grandmother giving me an enthusiastic two thumbs up—a silent gesture of support that somehow eases a bit of the tension in my chest.
We walk upstairs and when I’m standing in Carlie’s apartment, the tension is palpable.
So many emotions play across Carlie’s face as she turns to look at me. I can tell my Instagram Live hit a nerve, but I’m not sure if it’s good or bad.
“Watching you …” Carlie starts, her voice trailing off. She takes a deep breath, as if gathering her thoughts. “It was ...a lot.Seeing you put everything out there, it’s just—” A humorless laugh escapes her lips. “Leave it to Instagram to turn our love story into a reality TV show.”
“Look, I know it’s weird. I didn’t know how else to get things across,” I admit, crossing the space between us so I can hold her hands in mine.
“What I don’t understand is … if you’re ...” She shakes her head, her green eyes full of pain, unlike anything I’ve seen before. “Why did you go to Jillian’s?”
I blink back in surprise. “How’d?—?”
“She posted it,” Carlie responds matter-of-factly.
Of course, she fucking did.