Page 88 of Sparks Fly
I roll my lips and tighten my grip around the strap of my bag. “Anyway, I am going to go,” I mutter, dropping my face and walking towards the paddock exit.
Relief swarms over me when I don’t hear the sound of footsteps following me, but I was sadly mistaken when I feel fingers wrap around the back of my elbow, pulling me back. Grazing my eyes over my shoulder, they land on the hand before they trail up to him.
My ex-boyfriend's dad.
Slowly, I tug my arm out of his grip, and he turns his head to the side, eyes narrowing, brows furrowing.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” The false sincerity nearly has me fooled.
“I am fine.” My tone is short, and I roll my eyes.
“There is no need to be a brat, Anaïs. I am still your boss at the end of the day.”
“Yes, you are.” I step back, shaking my head. “Unfortunately.”
Walking away, he chases after me, grabbing me again.
“Get off me.” My teeth are clenched.
“You’re going to make this an issue, aren’t you?”
“I didn’t make the issue in the first place, Creed.” I keep my voice low as I look past him and see Royce speaking to some of the press.
He slips his hand down the side of his head, clearly frustrated.
“Can we talk?” Creed dips his head, voice low.
I think over his words for a moment and inhale heavily.
“No,” I quip, turning my back on him and walking out of the paddock before he even has the chance to catch up with me.
I knew what talk meant. I would end up getting twisted around him again and I couldn’t afford to do that. We both slipped down once, and I managed to catch myself, but I wouldn’t be doing it again. It wasn’t fair on me or him, or Royce, if I was being honest.
Laidon the sofa in the apartment I share with Nora, I stare at the ceiling. This day wiped me. I need to edit my footage and get it onto the team’s social media but first, I need to decompress. Nora’s working late so I have the place to myself.
Reluctantly, I move and run a bath. I needed to shake off Creed. He still clung to my skin like an unwanted cardigan. One that belonged under the bed, one that needed to be forgotten about. Lowering myself into the tub, the hot water scatters goosebumps over my skin as I relax. I have contemplated whether taking this job was the right thing because of my history with Royce and my near miss with Creed, but I couldn’t let them stop me from getting to where I wanted to in my career.
I know it’ll calm down eventually and we will be like passing ships in the night. Until then, I just need to keep my head down and keep out of his way.
Wrapped in a towel, I pad into the bedroom when I hear a soft knock on the door.
“One minute,” I call out, towelling my hair as I walk towards the noise.
Nora must have forgotten her key or maybe it was a delivery. No idea. I hadn’t ordered anything. Slipping the door open, I poke my head around to see Creed standing there.
“No, thank you!” I call out and push the door to, but his stupid foot stops it from closing.
“Let me in.” His hand curls around the door as I try and push it harder.
“No.” I shake my head, one hand pushing, the other clinging onto the top of my towel.
“I need to speak to you.” His voice is soft and not at all demanding.
“Wait until tomorrow.” I roll my eyes.
“It can’t wait, it’s about Royce,” he mutters.
I still for a moment which was a rookie mistake because he swoops in with a stupid smirk on his face. His green eyes tease over my damp skin. Turning quickly, I storm towards the bedroom and slam the door.
