Page 144 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“No, I just worked out too hard yesterday and needed to soak for a while.”

He blinks as if he’s fighting to keep his eyes on mine. “If you want some tips, I’m pretty knowledgeable about how to work out without hurting yourself. A close friend of mine owns a gym I used to work at, and I’ve been lifting and boxing for years. I know all about feeding and fueling your body properly.”

“Really?” I ask with excitement, and he nods. “You sure you’reallowedto?”

Ty tilts his head and flashes a small grin. “You let me worry about that.” He winks, then steps back. “I’ll let you get dressed now. Sorry again for barging in. Breakfast is ready whenever you are.”

A genuine smile splits my face. “Okay, thank you.”

That afternoon, I skip the gym and decide I’ll take Ty up on his offer tomorrow when I’m not so sore. Instead, I find a meditation class on TV and work on de-stressing before I have a panic attack from being locked in here. If I’m going to stay sane, I need to keep levelheaded. Stretching and breathing techniques help keep my core strong and ready to tackle whatever is thrown my way.

“You ready?” Ty asks me the following morning. “Made you a pre-workout chocolate shake.”

“Where’s breakfast?” I frown, looking around the empty counter. Though I typically eat light in the morning before classes, I’ve gotten used to Ty’s cooking.

“In that cup.” He jerks his chin toward it.

Grabbing it, I look at the thick liquid and glower. “It doesn’t look like eggs and hash browns.”

Ty snorts and shakes his head. “No, but it’ll help give you energy so you don’t burn out after one rep.”

“Oh, God,” I groan. “I’m gonna regret this, aren’t I?”

“Nah.” He shakes his head. “You’re a dancer, so you should be drinking this anyway.”

“Agree to disagree.” I sniff it first, then take a drink. “It’s no crispy bacon.” I gulp the rest of it down and make a sour face. “Chocolate takes offense to that being calledchocolate. More like chalky vomit.”

He scoffs, shaking his head at me. “It’s not that bad.”

“Next time, just feed me a cup of dirt.” I snatch a bottle of water and take a long sip.

He pops a brow, then leads me down the hall to the gym. “Anyone ever tell you how dramatic you are?”

“Only since birth.” I chuckle, thinking of my sisters who’d wholeheartedly agree.

After Ty spends twenty minutes explaining the proper way to lift weights without straining my muscles, I sit and take a break to rehydrate.

“So, tell me about this boyfriend of yours,” he says after I catch my breath. “Or,ex—as you said.”

I arch an eyebrow, curious if he really wants to know or if he’s just gathering information for Victoria. Though, she already knows Liam and I were together behind her back, which is why I’m here in the first place.

“You want to know about Liam?” I ask, cautiously watching his expression.

When he barely flinches and keeps his eyes on me, I decide he’s being genuine.

“Whatever you want to share.” He shrugs, then continues, “How long were you together?”

“Uh…well.” I chew on my lip, thinking about how to answer that. “That’s a difficult question.”

Ty chuckles. “That’s supposed to be an easy one.”

“Technically, we met my senior year of high school four years ago. I lied about my age, he scolded me for almost gettinghim into legal trouble, and then I moved to Sacramento a year later. We were reunited when my sister invited me to a party, and it was Liam’s house.”

“I bet that was a shock.”

“Oh, it was. Then he basically ignored me for three years. Well…he tried to anyway.” I swallow down another gulp of water. “We were around each other a lot because his best friends are dating my older sisters.”

“Really? Mason’s dating your sister?”