After my conversation with Dallas during our workout, my brain kept going back to the whole Henri and Fred thing. Could Fred really be cheating on me? And if he were, would he really be so heartless as to move the guy in under my nose? Surely not.

On my lunch break, I tried to text Fred but there was no response. I tucked my phone away and tried to figure out what to do for lunch when Dallas came walking up.

“Hey, why don’t you try one of those smoothies? We have the sample packets out for the clients to try; help yourself.”

I looked doubtfully at the smoothie area that was set up at the far end of my reception counter. “I don’t know, Dallas. But I just started my lunch hour so I probably shouldn’t even be behind the counter right now.”

Dallas flashed me a wink and pointed to one of the stools on the other side of the counter. “You’re right, so why don’t you take a seat and let me whip something up for you?”

When I started to shake my head, Dallas wagged a finger at me. “Listen to your trainer. Go sit down, and let me show you how good and filling these shakes can be.”

By the time I’d made it around the counter and sat down, Dallas already had the blender going. He was saying something, but I couldn’t understand him over the loud blender and the crunch of ice breaking up. When the machine turned off, Dallas’ voice was suddenly loud.

“…the almond butter is just like peanut butter but slightly healthier, because it has more vitamins and fiber.” He lowered his voice and looked around with an embarrassed smile when he realized he’d been shouting. “Anyway, as I was saying. Both of the nut butters are about the same when it comes to sugar and calories, although peanut butter is a better choice if you’re looking for protein.”

When he handed me the shake, I raised a brow at the familiar color. “Is this chocolate? How is that healthy?”

Dallas chuckled. “Not chocolate, carob powder. It’s lower in sodium and naturally low-fat, while being high in fiber, so that’s a win-win. Plus it’s filled with calcium and a good source of antioxidants.”

“Has anybody ever told you that you sound like a car salesman when you start talking about your shakes?” I grinned at his cheerful smile and took a drink of the shake. “Holy shit, that’s good. It reminds me of an Almond Joy.”

“That’s because I used coconut milk,” Dallas said with a smug grin. “Almond milk is a better option because it doesn’t contain cholesterol, but I thought you’d probably enjoy the candy bar shake today.”

I’d just lifted the shake to take another drink when it felt like a Mack truck slammed into the back of me. Dallas looked horrified as the entire shake splashed over my chest. A gruff voice spoke as a large hand settled on my shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, I tripped over the rug and lost my balance. Are you okay, bud?”

Dallas passed me a towel and grinned at the guy behind me. “Nice entrance, Ethan. Hey, have you ever met Kyle? I was trying to recruit him for your yoga class. He’s my latest victim, I mean, training client. I’m sure you recognize him from the desk here.”

I blotted my face and neck with the towel before I even bothered dealing with the shirt. I looked over my shoulder with a grin. “I’m okay, no worries. If you were going to fall on somebody, at least you picked someone solid, right?”

Ethan’s face was flushed bright red with embarrassment, but he relaxed a little once I spoke. He grinned and nodded in agreement. “No shit, a twink like the boss’ brother would’ve been toast.”

Dallas chuckled. “I don’t know, Houston might surprise you. He’s little, but he’s scrappy. He had to be, growing up with three alpha brothers.”

“What was the boss here saying about you joining my yoga class?” Ethan said abruptly. “You should give it a try. The first class is free—just saying. It’s a great way to find some stress relief and learn a little life balance too.”

I loved the contrast of a huge, muscled alpha talking about finding life balance. My eyes caught a hint of a tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve. Yeah, this guy was definitely not someone that you’d expect to be teaching a yoga class, which was probably why I found myself agreeing.

“The first class is free? I can’t turn an offer like that down, now can I? It will have to be one of your morning classes though, my boyfriend doesn’t like it when I don’t come straight home after work.”

Ethan’s eyes shuttered as he visibly closed down. He smiled politely. “Just come by whatever class you can fit in your schedule, I’ll be happy to have you whenever works best for you.”

As he walked away, I looked at Dallas curiously. “Is it me, or is there a story there?”

Dallas smiled sadly. “There’s a story all right, but it’s not mine to tell. Let’s just say that Ethan has his own reasons for seeking peace and life balance.”

I glanced at the clock and slid off the stool. “I’ll do my best to get back on time, but I’m gonna have to run home and get another shirt. My only change of clothes is soaked with sweat from my workout and this shirt is a goner for the day.”

He waved a hand toward the door. “Take your time, you know it’s always slow this time of day anyway. Don’t worry, I won’t tell your prick of a boss if you’re a few minutes late getting back.”

I was still laughing when I got into my car. This was one of the reasons that I’d stayed working at the gym so long. Having a great boss like Dallas who was also a friend wasn’t easy to come by. Plus the pay was great and the hours were good.

I felt a little rebellious as I took my favorite route home, but darn it, I liked taking Sycamore, despite what Fred thought was best. The older houses along the street were my secret fantasy homes with their cutesy gingerbread trim and wrap-around porches.

When I pulled up in front of our house, I was surprised to see Fred’s cruiser parked in the driveway. I didn’t know that he ever stopped by the house during the day, but then again, maybe he’d also had a wardrobe malfunction. I grabbed my keys and got out of the car, jogging up to the front door so that I could quickly change and get back to work.

I’d expected to find Henri parked in front of the television like he’d been when I’d left this morning, but the main living areas were quiet and still. I set my keys down and walked down the hall to our room, pulling my shirt off as I went.

I was so focused on my shirt, that I didn’t pay attention to the grunting and slapping noises until I actually stepped into the room. My shirt fell from my fingertips as if in slow motion as my jaw dropped at the scene in front of me. Henri was riding Fred in a reverse cowboy position, bucking up and down joyfully in the middle of our damned bed.

It took me a second or two to realize what was even happening. I was finally shocked into motion when Henri spoke. “Either join in or get the fuck out, but don’t stand there and gawk like a dumbass.”

That was all it took. I was across the room in three steps, grabbing Henri by the hair and yanking him off Fred. I dragged him out of the bed while I screamed, “Homewrecker! How dare you come into my home and charm your way into my bed with my man?”

“Get your hands off him,” Fred said in a low, threatening voice. He was at eye level with me for once as he stood on his knees on the bed. I released Henri, more out of shock than anything as I turned to look at Fred.

Before I had a chance to realize it was coming, Fred’s fist connected with my face. As I fell to the floor, I was vaguely aware of Henri standing there watching while Fred jumped off the bed and continued to hurt me.

I barely felt the fists as they rained down on my face, chest, stomach—everywhere that he could reach, basically.

The betrayed ache in my chest outweighed any of the physical pain that was being inflicted. I blinked once, then twice as the world grew blurry, before I thankfully gave into the rolling tide of black that washed over me.