Page 52 of Shamed
The trembling returns, rattling more than just my bones.
He calls out some more, mostly about me letting him in and how I’m a bitch, accentuating his annoyance at my lack of response by banging on the door every few seconds.
I hear another muffled voice and take another step back. Are there more guys coming up the stairs?
Oh god.
Not wanting to wait around to see if they all make it through the door, I run into my kitchen to grab a knife so I can feel at least a little safer, then rush to my bathroom and lock the door behind me.
Collapsing to the ground against the door, I let out a small sob and hug my knees to my chest. It’s going to be a long fucking night.
I hate this. I hate this apartment. I hate my job. I hate my life.
But still, I hate myself so much more.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mase
“Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Great job, buddy.”
Zach blows out a heavy breath, his cheeks flushed pink from the exertion. “That was flippin’ tough. I didn’t think I’d make it.”
I scoop up his water bottle and hand it to him. “Was the weight a little too much? We can go back down ifyou think you need to, then increase the weight again after another session.”
“Nah.” Zach gulps another mouthful of water and swipes a forearm across his sweaty forehead, the dark-blond hair stuck there sliding to the side with the movement. “How else will I grow these guns and attract all the girls in my class?” Lifting his shirt sleeve, he flexes his muscles, showcasing his “guns”.
Pride swells in my chest at the change in his confidence. He’s come a long way since he first started training with me a couple of months ago.
Back then, he was a quiet, skinny string-bean. Now the sixteen-year-old says he’s one of the biggest in his class.
Snickering, I shake my head. “This isn’t about quick gains, but long-term strength and fitness.”
“I know, I know.” He smiles. “The weight is hard, but I don’t think it’s too much.”
“In that case, do another set, ten reps. Then you’re done. Your mom’s already waiting.” I nod to the front entrance of the gym where she sits watching us.
Zach gives her a quick wave before grabbing the handles of the chest press machine, ready to go again. Puffing his cheeks, he drops his head back. “All right. I’ve got this.”
I walk Zach to the front a few minutes later, clapping him on the back. “Okay, I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Are you done for the night?” Zach asks, shifting his gym bag higher.
“No, my class starts soon.”
“Oh, right. The self-defense thing. That is so flippin’ cool.” He nods, eyes bright, and a little warmth buzzes through me. “Maybe I should get my mom to do that since she works late nights at the hospital. Dad would probably like that.”
I pluck a candy from a bowl on the front desk. “Well, the booking information is online.”
“Okay, I’ll tell her to look.”
I wave him off, then quickly make my way to the changing room. I have a short period of time to fit in a leg workout before people start arriving for class.
Half an hour later, and post mini-workout, I’m showered and ready to welcome the few women already here. It’s a beginner’s class, the first of eight sessions, so we won’t be getting into the harder demonstrations today.
I look through the front windows on the off-chance I’ll see long, shiny brown hair walk toward the entrance.
I’ve done the same thing the last couple of nights, hoping that Jennifer—Jayne—will take me up on the offer. Yet I’m never surprised when she doesn’t appear.
