"So let me get this straight," Will says as he jogs next to me on a treadmill. "They pulled you into the room, the CEO confronted you with the whole fucking around with your boss thing, you got the axe, and Nate didn't say one word in your defense the entire time?"
We are at his gym, an exclusive training center near Seattle for the Seahawks to come and train. It's the off season, so many of his teammates have left Seattle for their hometowns, but there are a few guys working out in the state-of-the-art facility.
"That's pretty much the way it went." I confirm and boost up the speed on my treadmill. "Then he came to my place while I was packing."
"What did he say then?"
"He told me to calm down and he'd tell me what happened before they pulled me into the room."
"And?" Will asks and takes a swig of his water.
"And nothing, I didn't let him talk." I feel Will's eyes on me, and when I meet his gaze his eyebrows are raised. "What?"
"Why didn't you let him talk?"
"Because I didn't want to hear it, Will. It doesn't change that he sat in that chair and let them fire me without saying one word to me. He had no emotion in his face at all. It was like I was a stranger who was being fired for sexual harassment."
"Has he tried to call?" Will asks.
"I don't know, I haven't turned my phone on since I left the house yesterday."
"Maybe you should hear him out."
"Maybe not." I shake my head and increase my speed again. "I don't want to be with someone who doesn't have my back."
"Maybe…"
"Maybe not, Will. Shut it!" I glare at him, done with the conversation and he rolls his eyes at me.
"Fine, brat. You're a complete pain in the ass. But if you want me to have him killed, I'm sure I know someone who knows someone." He grins at me and I find myself grinning back.
"I'll keep it in mind. For the rest of today, I just want to put it out of my head."
"Okay. How about if I kick your ass in the pool, and then I'll take you to dinner and a movie."
"That's the best offer I've had all day."
We slow the treadmills down to a walk and finally climb off them. After changing into swim wear, we walk out to the pool area to swim laps.
"Hey, Williams, who's the honey?" A very tall, very muscular man with mocha skin and long black dreadlocks approaches us, looking me up and down in my bikini.
"This is my sister, dude." Will frowns at him and stands in front of me and I snicker.
"I'm Jules."
"Terrence Miller." I shake his hand and smile kindly. Any other day I would have been flattered by the attention and definitely would have flirted with the handsome football star, but I can't help but think about how pissed Nate would be if he saw me standing here, in my bikini, being ogled by these men, and it makes me somber.
Damn Nate.
"Nice to meet you. Shall we?" I ask Will and we dive in, swimming back and forth down the long pool. I tire out long before Will, so I boost myself up on the side of the pool and dangle my feet in the warm water, spreading my toes, enjoying how it feels.
I wonder if Nate has tried to call or text. I miss him. It hasn't even been a full day and I miss him.
It's disgusting.