Page 41 of Go Deep

“This one’s got better hours for my schedule.” A bullshit excuse, but he already knows the truth. I’ve relocated my entire life to avoid running into him, especially after that last time he cornered me in the men’s room at my lunch with Vince.

I thought he’d gotten the message that day.

Clearly, he didn’t.

This place is supposed to be highly exclusive and well-secured. So much for their exorbitant monthly fee.

“How did you even get in here?”

Shane steps closer. His pale blue eyes narrow, thin lips twisting. His eyes are sunken in, face pale. Looks like he hasn’t eaten or slept in days. My gut wrenches.

I’ve seen that look before…

A shudder ripples through me and I take a step backward, closer to the lockers. I could snap him in half, but that’s just sheer power. Something deeper twists his mind and soul, and somehow that can be much more powerful than pure brute force.

“People usually do what I want them to.” His voice is even and calm. “But you know that already, don’t you?”

Why the fuck did I need to come here for a swim tonight? I could have used the damn pool at my building.

Not that it would matter. He’d have found me some other time, in some other place. Because that’s what he does. And it’s the main reason why I needed to get away from him. After about six months, I started seeing glimpses of his darker side, but they were fleeting. Things went south after I came out to the world. The more attention I got, the angrier he became. Jealousy surged every time we were out together and guys would approach me.

Something snapped inside of him when I came out. It was almost as if he felt threatened by the announcement.

He clung tighter. I pulled further away.

I started doing my own thing, keeping it from him, because it always sent him into a green-eyed rage.

One night, he followed me. I saw him dip into a cab when I came out of a club near my apartment. I’d lied and told him I needed to go to a team event.

He didn’t believe me.

I wish I could say that was the end.

Sparks of anger spit from his eyes. “You’re moving on without me.”

“That’s the idea behind a break-up, yeah?” I barely try to keep the disdain from my voice. It’s a dick thing to say, but he needs to know that there’s no going backward for us.

There’s only me moving forward.

Alone.

“It didn’t have to be this way. I told you I was sorry.”

“For which part? Sorry for trashing my place? Sorry for slashing my tires? Or sorry for practically tearing the door off its hinges when I told you I wanted you out?”

“I went off the deep end.” His shoulders sag. “But I can’t live without you, Gabe. I was wrong, but it’s only because I love you. Love makes people crazy, haven’t you heard?”

“I’m done with your crazy.” My body is on full alert. “Now get the hell out of here before I call security.”

“Do you really want this to be our ending?” The thinly veiled threat makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention.

My eyes drop quickly to the combination lock on top of my bag. It’s heavy. I could hurl it at his head and give myself a few seconds to dart out of here. “There is no ‘our’ anymore. Get on with your life, Shane. And get the fuck out of mine.”

His lips curl into a menacing smile. “You will realize that you made a terrible mistake in letting me go.”

“I definitely realize I made a big mistake by not cutting you loose sooner.”

“Cold, Gabe. Very cold. I was there for you when nobody else was. I let you be yourself and I loved you for it. I stood by your side when your family fell apart. Me. And this is the kind of treatment I get after everything I did for you?”

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