Chapter 5 Catori POV "Gym Bro"

When I say workout, what I really mean is that Freya and I are going to spend most of our time standing around the gym gossiping, then grab coffee and gossip some more.

Today, however, we're actually running. Around the indoor track.

I can't talk and run.

I stop after the fourth lap, bracing my hands on my knees as I try to catch my breath and not throw up. Freya stops beside me, her ponytail swinging forward as she copies my hunched-over posture. We pant like wild animals while sweat drips down our faces. Out of nowhere, she elbows me.

"Here he comes."

I don't even have to look at her to know she's grinning.

I glance up.

Mark is making his way up the stairs.

He's attractive in every sense of the word. Athletic build, kind eyes, a beautiful smile, and a shiny bald head. Freya calls him Bladie. Katia calls him Gym Bro.

I call him a nice guy.

Maybe too nice.

Especially since I'm probably leading him on.

"Hi," he says, handing each of us a gym towel. "I thought I'd bring these over. I noticed neither of you had one."

"Stalker," Freya mutters.

Mark laughs nervously.

"Don't mind her. She has Tourette's."

"I do not."

"You absolutely do."

He laughs again.

"I'll leave you ladies to it. See you tonight."

His smile lingers on me before he heads back downstairs.

Freya watches him disappear.

"I don't know why you bother."

"What?"

"One, you're in love with you-know-who. Two, he's completely out of your financial bracket."

"That's rude."

She shrugs.

"I'm just saying."

"People from different financial backgrounds date all the time."

Mark is a teacher.

He doesn't make much money.

I know that.

I don't care.

Freya points a finger at me.

"Are you actually trying to date him?"

I don't answer.

"Exactly. Don't play with him because you're trying to make you-know-who jealous."

I roll my eyes.

"As if Constantine would even care."

She gives me a look.

"Does he even have feelings? Because as long as we've known each other—"

"Forever," I interrupt. "Since birth."

"He has always been a needs guy."

I shake my head and grab her hand.

"Come on. Coffee."

An hour later, I'm shopping for yet another lingerie set that nobody but me will ever see.

Freya's words won't leave my head.

Why am I going out with Mark?

What's my end game?

I wander through Stripes and Spots, a lingerie boutique that carries brands from all over the world. The store is women-only, which I appreciate.

I eventually choose two matching sets—one pink, one green.

Bra.

Panties.

Garter.

Stockings.

By the time I get home, the sun is beginning to set behind the mountains.

The second I walk through the front door, I hear them.

Constantine.

Jason.

Owen.

They're in the game room.

Laughing.

Yelling.

Being absolutely obnoxious.

Like they were as teenagers.

The only difference is they're now giant overgrown teenagers.

I try to slip past unnoticed.

My heels betray me.

"Kitty Cat!" Jason calls.

I freeze.

Then roll my eyes.

"She's rolling her eyes," Owen announces. "Only Constantine gets away with calling her that."

They annoy me.

But I can't pretend I hate the attention.

"Is that lingerie? Can I see?" Owen laughs.

Fucking asshole.

Constantine immediately smacks the back of his head.

Thank you.

"Nothing you're ever going to see," I shoot back.

"Nothing anyone is ever going to see," Owen fires back, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

Oh no.

Did I bruise his precious playboy ego?

Why did I ever tell the truth during a game of Truth or Dare?

I shake my head while Jason and Owen continue laughing.

Two months ago, there was a party.

Drinks.

Music.

Stupid high-school games that people somehow still played as adults.

Owen had shown up with some blonde whose name I never learned. I was there with Tara and Madison.

When my turn came, I picked truth.

I always pick truth.

Nobody can force you to do something embarrassing if you pick truth.

At least, that's what I thought.

Someone asked when I lost my virginity.

I admitted I hadn't.

The entire room exploded.

I tried to laugh it off, but it was already too late.

The story spread through our friend group faster than wildfire.

Honestly, what was the big deal?

So what if I didn't sleep around?

So what if I hadn't found the right person?

People acted like I had confessed to being an alien.

It wasn't like I was saving myself.

At least, that's what I told everyone.

Lie.

The truth sat heavy in my chest.

There had only ever been one man I wanted.

One man who made every other guy seem forgettable.

One man who could still make my heart race with a single look.

And unfortunately for my sanity, he was standing only a few feet away.

When I risked a glance at Constantine, I found him already watching me.

His expression didn't change.

Not even a little.

But something in those dark eyes felt different.

"Catori?" my father calls from somewhere deeper in the penthouse.

Saved by Dad.

I shoot Constantine a quick glance.

"Yes, Daddy?"

Jason and Owen immediately burst into laughter.

Everything is sexual to them.

Overgrown teenagers.

Just like I said.

I continue through the penthouse until I find Mom, Dad, and Ivan on the balcony.

The three of them spend an alarming amount of time together.

"We ordered dinner," Dad says.

"She has a date, Mason," Mom reminds him.

Dad's expression darkens instantly.

That is my cue to leave.

I am not in the mood for an interrogation.

I rush toward my room, passing Katia on the way.

She's wearing a tiny black dress and carrying her heels.

For a second, I almost ask where she's going.

Instead, we exchange smiles and continue in opposite directions.

I change and head back down.

A low whistle echoes through the penthouse as I pass the dining room.

Fucking Owen.

I wave goodbye and continue toward the front door.

Then someone grabs my elbow.

Constantine.

My pulse instantly doubles.

"Share your location with me."

His voice is calm.

"And text me if you need to bail. Okay?"

I nod.

Then glance down.

He's still holding my arm.

His fingers haven't released me.

Not yet.

My heart flutters.

Is he starting to feel me?

The way I feel him?

Before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around him.

He smells incredible.

His shirt is ridiculously soft.

For one selfish moment, I let myself enjoy it.

"Thank you," I whisper.

Then I practically sprint for the door.

Because if I stay in his arms any longer...

I might never leave.