Page 7 of The Secrets Behind Us

Mateo’s stoic face is staring back at me as I get off the treadmill. “What did you do that for?”

“What are you doing here so early?” He avoids the question like a pro.

I take a sip of my water. “I couldn’t sleep so I decided to come in early to work out.”

“Does this have to do with someone we saw last night?” He growls out as he crosses his arms over his chest.

I narrow my eyes at my older brother as rage courses through my veins. I shove it way down. I don't want him to know how much she affected me.

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“I said no. I don’t want to talk about it,” I growl as I push past him.

“Dexter. What are you going to do?”

“It’s none of your business,” I yell back at him over my shoulder, moving to clean off the treadmill.

“Fine. Don't tell me. Just make sure you know what you're doing if you let her back into your life." He huffs out with exasperation, turns and walks away.

Not wanting to deal, I head back to the locker room to wipe off the sweat from my run and take a moment to breathe. When I return to the main gym area, Mateo has retreated to his office. I busy myself with finishing getting the gym ready to open.

Right at eight our first client walks in, and I greet him as he scans his gym card. “Hey, Taylor.”

“Hey, man. How are you today?”

“Tired.” It's not really a lie, but Taylor and I aren't close enough for me to lay all my problems on him.

“I hear you. I worked late shift last night,” he says as he yawns.

“Was it at least a calm night?"

He chuckles. "Yeah, it was. Perks of being a cop in a small town."

"Trying to get a workout in before you get some sleep?"

“Yeah, if I don’t get it in now, I won’t.”

“Well, I won’t keep you.”

He nods as he walks off to the locker room to change. More people come in and I greet every one of them, answering any questions about the equipment. After a steady stream of gym goers, it’s almost time for my first client to come in. I walk around and make sure everything is cleaned up before I start my appointment.

Right on cue, I hear the door ring telling me it’s time. I head to the front desk to greet my client and Hazel is standing there. She’s dressed in black camo leggings that cling to her as if they’re a second skin. On top she’s just wearing a sports bra that smashes her breasts together and you can’t help but see the perfect swell of them. She is showing off her flat stomach, leaving nothing to the imagination. I hate how good she looks. I hate how she looks like she belongs here.

I round the counter and rush toward her. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to talk to you.”

“Well, I don’t. Leave.” I sidestep her and move toward the computer. I need to check who this appointment is for, there’s no way it’s her.

A determined look comes over her face when she says, “No. I’m here to train with you.”

As she says it, I pull up the schedule and see that it’s for Ashley. Hazel’s sister. Fuck, I knew training her was going to bite me in the ass at some point. I stand up to my full height and slowly walk over to her. She gives an audible gulp as I give her a menacing look. I don’t say anything. What I have to say shouldn’t be heard in public. I grab her arm and drag her to the back room.

“What are you doing?”

I just grunt, because if I start talking to her, I’ll yell, and this is nobody else’s business. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the people who are in the gym staring at us. Nosy bastards. Mateo even steps out of his office and shakes his head at me, before returning.

---