The session was all business, no banter, and a whole lot of thinly veiled criticism.
I can’t shake the feeling that Jillian’s attitude is about more than just my fitness level. There’s something personal in her jabs, something that goes beyond a trainer-client relationship.
And I’m almost scared to find out what it is.
CHAPTER13
Adam
The air insideJaded Brewsis thick with the aroma of hops and barley, a familiar comfort that does little to ease the turmoil churning in my gut.
I’m slumped at the bar, a half-empty pint of the brewery’s signature ale in front of me, and I’m totally lost in thought.
The past week has been a whirlwind.
One week ago, I’d been a bundle of nerves, getting ready to go to an event that would totally rock my world. I just didn’t know it yet.
One week ago, I’d forgotten about the shitstorm my life had become, thanks to Jillian and her infidelity.
One week ago, I’d had the most mind-blowing sex of my life—all with a mysterious woman I know I’ll never have the opportunity to see again, thanks to Club Nocté’s rules.
Then …in walked Carlie.
All thoughts about the woman from Nocté left my brain and instead, had me focusing on her. I can’t help but think about how differently things could have turned out if only ...
My thoughts are abruptly interrupted as Dylan slides onto the stool beside me, his arrival marked by a cheeky grin.
“Adam, my man, staring into your beer won’t give you answers. Tried it last week. All I got was a headache and a weird conversation with a barstool,” he teases, tipping his chin in hello to my brother.
“That barstool probably made more sense than you on most days.” Brian, ever the keen observer and part-time philosopher behind the bar, fires back.
I manage a half-smile, still lost in my own world. “You guys wouldn’t understand.”
“Man, try me. I can’t go through another Friday night with Mr. McMopey,” Dylan comments, signaling Brian for a drink. “You look like someone ran over your dog”
“More like someone ran over his pride,” Brian mutters, eyeing me with a combination of concern and amusement.Fucking siblings.
I shoot them both a glare and place my palm over the center of my chest. “Thanks for the support, guys. Really,trulytouching.”
Dylan leans in, his eyes glinting with curiosity. “So, what’s got you all twisted up? Daydreaming again about the mystery woman from last weekend?”
I turn to him, incredulous. “What? No, you asshole. I got fired.”
He winces and part of me can’t help but feel smug about it. “Oh, shit. Sorry, man. I figured this was woman trouble again. What happened?”
“PR nightmare,” I offer, returning my gaze to the bottom of my beer.
“The IG situation didn’t hit right with the hospital?” Dylan guesses.
I shake my head.
“Shit, now I wish you were daydreaming about last weekend,” he mumbles into his beer.
Brian pauses in the middle of pouring a beer and looks up sharply. “Are we talking about the one-night stand Adam won’t talk about?”
Apparently, his interest is piqued, because he forgets about the drink he’s pouring, causing it to overflow. He shuts it down quickly, cursing under his breath.
“I’m not gonna discuss this,” I mutter, trying to wave off the subject. The last thing I want is for my brother to dive into my love life—or lack thereof on top of all the other shit.