Read Online Every Breath You Take (Oasis Book 1) by Kenna Avery Wood - Free Book Online
Authors: Kenna Avery Wood
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improved.”
“Towels,” I said, surprised that he’d irritated me just by showing up. It wasn’t his fault we lived in the same building. And true to his word, he was taking things slowly. He was being patient. If I asked him to give me space right now, he probably would.
Finn increased his speed to a jog. He had good form, making the workout look easy. Effortless. I wasn’t as smooth as him so I kept my eyes ahead.
“Towels,” he said.
“Yes. You have them in the locker rooms, but none out here. There should be a stack next to each workout station. Weights, mats, cardio. You know, in case people forget to grab one from the locker room.”
Finn glanced around with a nod. “You’re right. I’ll talk to Lance after we’re done here.”
After we’re done. Like we’d come to work out together.
But I didn’t mind, especially because after that brief conversation, he let me jog in silence for another mile and a half. It felt almost companionable. This, we could do. We could work together, and it felt right.
When I stopped to wander to the free weights, he said, “I’ll catch up to you in a few minutes.”
Fine by me. Finn might have good form, but I still didn’t have my routine down, and I didn’t need him seeing just how out of shape I’d become. I’d slacked on the weights the last several months since I’d quit going to the gym.
After the second time Mark followed me there, I’d decided not to go back. But there was only so much I could do at home. I wasn’t–or hadn’t been–a homebody before this. Before I’d started worrying about where I was going and who might find me there.
I was finished by the time Finn walked over. His neck glistened with sweat and he had a towel over his shoulder. “Hey. Need a spotter?”
I rolled my eyes, and then checked the clock over the locker room doors. “I’m finished, I think. I don’t want to rush before work.”
“I’m finished, too. I’ll wait for you if you want to walk up together.”
I nodded. Might as well. “I think I’ll shower upstairs.”
“No problem. Just grab your stuff. I’ll be outside.”
I was the only one in the locker room. My bag was in the closest locker to the door. I pulled it from within, and then stopped when I heard a shuffling noise near the showers.
I hadn’t heard anyone come in, but they could have already been inside and I just hadn’t seen them. After another moment of silence, I slung my bag over my shoulder and went for the opposite door.
Then I heard whispering. Quiet, so low I couldn’t tell whether it was male or female. My heart raced. “Is someone there?”
The locker room wasn’t that big–how had I not heard someone else?
Gripping the strap of my bag, I wandered to the showers. The doors were all open except for the one on the end. I swallowed, debating whether or not to check. What if someone was hurt or needed help?
The whispering started again the closer I got to the stall. My hands shook. No, I couldn’t check. I’d let an attendant know or–
The lights flickered and then went out. The entire room pitched into blackness and I froze. I was afraid to reach out, afraid I’d touch something unfamiliar. Or worse, human. All the scary thoughts I’d had over the last several months slammed into me. My lungs constricted with each breath.
“Charloootteee….”
Oh my God, someone said my name.
Panic set in. I have to get out, I have to get out, Ihavetogetout! Feeling my way along the wall, I made myself step forward until I saw the exit sign above the door. My lungs were so tight, I could hardly get any air in.
I whimpered softly, and suddenly, the lights came back on. Too terrified to look around, I darted for the door and burst through. I slammed into someone and stumbled.
Finn gripped my arms, his face blurring in front of mine. “Charlotte–what?”
“I can’t–” I pointed to the locker room, and then clutched at my chest where the air wouldn’t reach. “Lights
“Towels,” I said, surprised that he’d irritated me just by showing up. It wasn’t his fault we lived in the same building. And true to his word, he was taking things slowly. He was being patient. If I asked him to give me space right now, he probably would.
Finn increased his speed to a jog. He had good form, making the workout look easy. Effortless. I wasn’t as smooth as him so I kept my eyes ahead.
“Towels,” he said.
“Yes. You have them in the locker rooms, but none out here. There should be a stack next to each workout station. Weights, mats, cardio. You know, in case people forget to grab one from the locker room.”
Finn glanced around with a nod. “You’re right. I’ll talk to Lance after we’re done here.”
After we’re done. Like we’d come to work out together.
But I didn’t mind, especially because after that brief conversation, he let me jog in silence for another mile and a half. It felt almost companionable. This, we could do. We could work together, and it felt right.
When I stopped to wander to the free weights, he said, “I’ll catch up to you in a few minutes.”
Fine by me. Finn might have good form, but I still didn’t have my routine down, and I didn’t need him seeing just how out of shape I’d become. I’d slacked on the weights the last several months since I’d quit going to the gym.
After the second time Mark followed me there, I’d decided not to go back. But there was only so much I could do at home. I wasn’t–or hadn’t been–a homebody before this. Before I’d started worrying about where I was going and who might find me there.
I was finished by the time Finn walked over. His neck glistened with sweat and he had a towel over his shoulder. “Hey. Need a spotter?”
I rolled my eyes, and then checked the clock over the locker room doors. “I’m finished, I think. I don’t want to rush before work.”
“I’m finished, too. I’ll wait for you if you want to walk up together.”
I nodded. Might as well. “I think I’ll shower upstairs.”
“No problem. Just grab your stuff. I’ll be outside.”
I was the only one in the locker room. My bag was in the closest locker to the door. I pulled it from within, and then stopped when I heard a shuffling noise near the showers.
I hadn’t heard anyone come in, but they could have already been inside and I just hadn’t seen them. After another moment of silence, I slung my bag over my shoulder and went for the opposite door.
Then I heard whispering. Quiet, so low I couldn’t tell whether it was male or female. My heart raced. “Is someone there?”
The locker room wasn’t that big–how had I not heard someone else?
Gripping the strap of my bag, I wandered to the showers. The doors were all open except for the one on the end. I swallowed, debating whether or not to check. What if someone was hurt or needed help?
The whispering started again the closer I got to the stall. My hands shook. No, I couldn’t check. I’d let an attendant know or–
The lights flickered and then went out. The entire room pitched into blackness and I froze. I was afraid to reach out, afraid I’d touch something unfamiliar. Or worse, human. All the scary thoughts I’d had over the last several months slammed into me. My lungs constricted with each breath.
“Charloootteee….”
Oh my God, someone said my name.
Panic set in. I have to get out, I have to get out, Ihavetogetout! Feeling my way along the wall, I made myself step forward until I saw the exit sign above the door. My lungs were so tight, I could hardly get any air in.
I whimpered softly, and suddenly, the lights came back on. Too terrified to look around, I darted for the door and burst through. I slammed into someone and stumbled.
Finn gripped my arms, his face blurring in front of mine. “Charlotte–what?”
“I can’t–” I pointed to the locker room, and then clutched at my chest where the air wouldn’t reach. “Lights
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