Page 117 of 4th Degree

His spine stiffens and his eyes narrow.

“You’re still at that gym?” he spits.

I knew it.

I don’t answer. I don’t need to, because he’s revealing everything about himself with the way he’s looking at me.

And he knows it, too. His fists clench and his face reddens, maybe from anger, maybe from embarrassment at being found out.

“Why the fuck would you still be training with that creep? And how is his gym even still open?”

For a moment, I only stare at him, feeling nauseous. Then I let out a tired sigh. “So, it was you. I was hoping I was wrong.”

Craig reddens even further. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Why would you do that, Craig?” I ask quietly. “Why would you try to ruin someone else’s life like that? You don’t even know him.”

“He deserves it, Skylar,” he rushes to convince me. “He’s a predator. I know you can’t see it because he’s brainwashed you, but?—”

“Don’t you dare talk down to me,” I snarl, taking a step forward into his space. “Who do you think you are? Who the fuck do you think you are?”

Craig falls back a step, his eyes widening.

I close the distance between us with another step. “Let’s ignore the fact that you clearly did this because your ego was bruised by my rejection.” Anger laces every one of my words. “If you were honestly worried about me being taken advantage of, you should’ve just talked to me. Not taken pictures of me like that to prove a fucking point.”

That’s when something occurs to me. And I tilt my head as I freeze in place once again, this time with fire running through my veins.

“Did you stick around while we had sex? Is there revenge porn on your phone, Craig?”

Panic has him paling.

He shakes his head so hard, his teeth chatter as he answers. “N-no, of course not, I?—”

I take another step, so close now that there’s barely any space between us. Despite the people around us slowing when they notice the scene, only Craig can hear me.

“Tell me the truth right now, Craig, or I swear to God, I’ll go to the police and press charges, if for no other reason than to tie a paper trail to you. Are there more pictures of us besides the ones you posted?”

“Jesus, no, I wouldn’t do that to you, I just wanted to ruin him?—”

I hold up a hand to stop his tirade. “You better hope I believe you, or your future as a shitty personal trainer is no longer going to include a Bachelor’s degree.”

“You can’t prove anything,” he hisses, but I hear the fear in his voice.

I hold his gaze, and I let him see the truth in my eyes. He might be right, but I don’t care. “Maybe. But I’ll let the dean decide that. Fuck you, Craig.”

I turn and walk away from him, mentally and emotionally done with the conversation. I had a suspicion that Craig was the one who leaked the pictures. After it happened, and after Dominic and I got back together, we sat down and tried to figure out who hated us enough to do this. And since Dominic was the one who was truly threatened, we guessed that it was someone who hated him but wanted to, in their own twisted way, protect me—since the fallout mostly avoided me. Even the fact that the pictures weren’t fully nudes showed a level of protection.

I was the first to bring up the possibility of Craig. And immediately, Dominic agreed that it would make sense. When I told him about my history with Craig, and about how he reacted the last time I turned him down, we both agreed that it fit with his fragile ego.

But that didn’t mean we had agreed on what to do about it. Dominic immediately wanted to take the case to the police. I wanted to talk to Craig first. A part of me wanted confirmation that he had done this. And I just got it.

I think I believe him about the only pictures being the ones he posted. Maybe it’s naïve of me, but I saw the emotions in his eyes; I know how he reacted to my accusation. And I don’t think it was an act.

My pace is brisk as I stride across campus. I have a meeting with my anatomy professor in ten minutes, and then after that…straight to the dean’s office. I wasn’t lying about reporting Craig. Regardless of what happens to him after I disclose everything, I need to do the right thing. I just haven’t decided if that also includes a police report.

By the time I knock on my professor’s office door, I’ve somewhat managed to push all thoughts of Craig from my mind. But I still have to urge a smile onto my face when I’m called inside.

“Skylar! I’m glad you’re here. Have a seat.”

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