The gym has been my life for so long. I sacrificed everything to make sure it took off and made profit within the first two years of opening. The expansions made to the place had come from those profits and over time it had increased. When Landon became partner, it was to give me time for other aspects of my life. However, I found once I had all the free time, I didn’t have anyone to really spend it with. I could go out with my mates to the pub and have a drink, but I had no one to go places with. And it sucked. I had contemplated getting a dog until I babysat Rex, Landon’s dog. The animal had separation anxiety whenever he parted with Landon.
My phone dings with a message alert as I open the truck door. I lean over the console, taking it off charge. I have missed calls from Mum, Nora and Charlotte. I click on her message first.
Charlotte: Mum has just called me. Is it true? Has someone smashed your windows because of me? Drew, I’m so sorry. I’ll pay for the damage; everything. I’m just so sorry. Please, please, call me back. Please. I’ll do anything to make this right.
Drew: Please don’t get worked up over this. None of it is your fault or your responsibility. I’m on my way. I’ll speak to you when I get there.
Charlotte: You don’t hate me?
Charlotte: Don’t read that if you’re driving.
Charlotte: Sugar, or that.
Charlotte: I’m going to curl up in a ball and cry.
My shoulders shake with silent laughter as I slide into the truck. I quickly type out a reply.
Drew: Be there soon, gorgeous. And make sure you have on thick jeans.
I pocket my phone and turn on the engine whilst glancing around at the crowd of people who have gathered to see what is going on. One of them could be the fucker messing with Charlotte, hoping she’ll turn up at some point to see if we’re okay. This is, after all, her cousin and best friend’s gym, and mine, the guy she is seeing.
I think back to the note that was left as I pull out of the space. It sounded like an ex-lover who wanted her to himself. But there is a slither of doubt that I can’t push away that makes me think there is something more to these notes. Stalkers have obsessions. This person isn’t obsessed with Charlotte in way they deem her as a belonging or theirs. It’s an evil rooted so deep it’s going after Charlotte.
And I’m going to stop them.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
DREW
There’s nothing more freeing than being on a motorcycle. Just like being in a car, the places you can go are endless, but with a bike, it’s something else entirely. It’s thrilling, enticing. There is nothing but you, the rumble of the bike beneath you, and the wind whipping around you.
Today, however, it isn’t just me left to my thoughts. Today I have Charlotte on the back of my bike, her fingers clenching into my jacket. The excitement, the exhilaration of the ride… I can feel it vibrating off her and into me. She had been so tense when we rode off, but the minute we got out of the town and onto the empty roads or motorways, she relaxed. At one point, I watched as she leaned her head back a little, soaking in the feeling you only get on a bike.
I knew she’d like it, if not love it. For someone with deep roots in her life, she’s still a free spirit at heart.
I clutch the throttle, then twist, accelerating up the hill faster and taking the bend with practiced ease. The countryside flies past us, the scent of country air, hay, and horse manure hitting us in the face as we speed through.
Easing on the throttle, I slow down through the village, passing children who are playing in the small park. They all stop at the sound of the bike rumbling through the street, the boys racing over to the gated fence to get a closer look.
Charlotte waves quickly before grabbing for my jacket once again. I grin, speeding up the bike once we hit the main road more, and moments later, take a right turn, riding higher and higher through the windy roads.
We’re close to my favourite spot; a place a lot of locals and tourists come to visit. The cliff top is known for its beautiful view, and people spend the day travelling to see it. The food trucks come into view and I slow the bike down before coming to a stop in the first available spot.
As always after a long drive, my legs buzz from vibrations and my heart races from adrenaline. I rip my helmet off, throwing it over the handlebars before sliding off the bike.
Charlotte’s a sight to be seen. Thanks to Nora, I had a jacket, boots, gloves and a helmet to fit her. In her dark jeans and leather jacket, she reminds me of a model on a cover of my motorcycle magazine.
Whipping the helmet off, Charlotte grins up at me, her entire face flushed and filled with life. Happiness doesn’t just shine from her, it radiates from her.
“You like?”
She sighs, settling back to tilt her head up into air, soaking it in. When her gaze locks on mine, there’s a fire there. “Drew, that has to be the best experiences of my life. I’ve bungee-jumped, zip-lined and swam with sharks. But none of those even compared to what I felt sat behind you on this bike.”
I help her swing her leg over the bike and step between her thighs. Her thick, red hair had fallen free when she took the helmet off, so I tuck it behind her shoulders. “You’re beautiful.”
She melts against me. “You are too.”
Landon’s words earlier are an echo in my mind. I don’t want them to get to me or play a part between Charlotte or I, but I know her well enough to know she’ll never broach the subject. “Charlotte, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“About the vandalism?”
I avoided talking about the gym, wanting her to enjoy the day. I know I’ll have to talk about it. I’m just hoping we have more time before conversation turns sour. “This is about us.”
The light in her eyes dims and she folds her arms in front of her, ducking her head. It’s like I have sucked all of the joy out of her. “About us?”
I tilt her chin up with my finger. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” she whispers.
“Think the worst. You never give yourself enough credit or worth.”
“I don’t mean to.”
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her flush against me. “I know.”
She gulps, still looking vulnerable with her green doe eyes blinking up at me. “What did you want to talk about?”
I rub the back of my neck, finding this harder to bring up than I thought it would be. “We’ve, um, we’ve been spending a lot of time together.”
Her brows dip. “Do you want some space?”
“What? No. I want to spend more time with you.”
She beams. “I’d really like that.”
“But not as friends.”
She shakes her head, her baffled expression amusing me. “Not as friends?”
I step closer, cupping her jaw. “I want to be more than friends.”
“More than friends with me?” she breathes.
“Yes,” I whisper, bringing my lips down.
“Why?” she blurts out, and I pull back, confused by her question.
“Why, what?”
“Why would you want to be more than friends? What do you want to be?”
I sigh, putting an inch between us. I’m not willing to give her more. “Because I want to be more than friends. I want us to be together.”