Page 66 of Hear Me Roar

“Haha, funny. You know that's not what I meant. What's goingon?”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I’mfine.”

“And ‘I’m fine’ usually means you’re anything but fine. Tell me,” hepressed.

“Seriously, I’mfine.”

“Why are you lying to me? Don’t think I haven’t noticed how quiet and tight-lipped you’ve been since I said I couldn’t go. Is that what this is about? Are you mad atme?”

“I’m not mad, Knox…” I paused, unsure of whether I really wanted to open this can of worms right now or not. “I’m just...disappointed.Confused.”

“What are you confusedabout?”

“Where you stand in ourrelationship.”

I guess we were doingthis...

“Where I what?” He sounded slightly outraged. “Are youkiddi-”

“Are you fucking Brie?” I blurted out, unable to hold it back anylonger.

A hiccup of silence passed and then he asked, his question drowned indisbelief.

“What did you justsay?”

“Are. You. Fucking. Brie? It’s simplequestion.”

“No, I’m not fucking Brie, Hazel. What the fuck would make you thinkthat?”

Though he hadn't said it with a sneer, I could feel it. He was angry and he was trying his best to remain in control. But you know what? I was too. I was angry I even had to ask him thisquestion.

“I don’t know, maybe how she just can’t seem to leave you alone, despite my warning. I know you’ve told me you’re ignoring her, but how do I really knowthat?”

“Because you should trust me in the same way I trust you,” he saidsimply.

“Well, it’s hard to trust you when you’re out until almost midnight every night, and then suddenly you can’t work your schedule out to come to Miami with me as planned. You’re mycoach, Knox. If anyone should be here with me, it’syou.”

“Baby, are you serious right now?” Clearly, this was killing him as much as it was me. “You know I’m working like an animal, hence the late hours, and Ishouldbe there, but I can’t let these clients slip away. I promise you with everything I am that there’s nothing going on withBrie.”

“I don’t believe you…” Iwhispered.

“Why?”

“Because the entire situation is just too convenient. I mean, who the hell really works out at eleven o’clock atnight?”

“People who have busy schedules. Hazel, I swear to you, on my own damn grave. Aside from the night at the shop, which I told you about, and the night she showed up the arena, I haven’t seen Brie,” he avowed, and still I shook my head, regardless of the fact he couldn’t seeme.

“You may swear it, but it seems hard to believe. Too many dots can be connected in this picture for it to be some sickcoincidence.”

I could hear him growing frustrated. Not in an angered way, but in a desperate way. I was almost certain I could hear himpacing.

“Do you love me?” he askedwildly.

“With my life,” Iconfessed.

“Then just trust me, baby, please. I beg you. I would never do anything to hurtyou.”

Tears filled my eyes at the ache in his voice. My heart was breaking. I draped an arm over my face just as they spilled over my cheeks, hating everything and everyone againstus.

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