6. Olivia

Chapter six

Olivia

I escape to a bathroom on another floor. It’s a single stall, so I have some privacy. We just released a new app, so if any issues come up, I’m the first person people come to. I place a hand on my chest as the tightness becomes unbearable. I rub my thumbnail back and forth along the small cut on the tip of my index finger. The sting of pain loosens the vise around my heart.

I pull my cell phone out of the pocket of my blazer, dial Victor’s number for the hundredth time, then stare at it. I rub my thumbnail along the small cut one more time before pressing the call button.

He answers on the first ring. “Victor.”

I open my mouth to say something. Anything. But nothing comes out, so I hang up. I lean my head back and stare up at the ceiling and count the number of tiles until my heart stops beating like crazy in my chest. Putting my phone on mute, I place it back in my pocket and leave the bathroom.

Does Victor know the things Donovan did to me? Would he care? What if he did tell Donovan he saw me?

Instead of taking the elevator back to my floor, I use the stairs to give myself some more time to get my emotions back under control. Because no one cares that I’m currently going through a mental and emotional crisis. They’re probably going through one as well.

Every person you come into contact with is going through something. It could be as small as the coffee shop got their order wrong or as big as they were just diagnosed with some type of life-changing disease. That’s why I try to be kind to everyone, because you never know if you’ll be the person who pushes them off that ledge or stops them from jumping.

I choose to be the one that stops them from jumping because I have a feeling one day I might need that in return. And I want to be on the right side of karma when that day comes. So, I plaster a smile on my face, push the door open to my floor, and answer the questions that are thrown at me.

Caroline walks into the locker room with a tired smile. I return her smile, still working to push down my emotions. I’ll deal with them later. Maybe.

“Tired?” I ask her. She answers with a yawn and a nod. I huff as I grab my clothes to change in a stall.

“I wanted to skip today’s workout so badly, but Sebastian keeps saying I need to at least stretch some to help with my recovery from the race,” she says.

“If it makes you feel any better, I really didn’t want to workout today either. We can at least do thirty minutes.” I bite the inside of my cheek as I run my finger over the scars on the inside of my thigh. I pulled the tin out last night, but all I did was stare at it.

Then this morning I accidentally cut the tip of my finger with a stack of papers. I forgot how the slight pain released so much tension in my chest. It’s been a year, maybe more, but ever since I saw Victor I’ve been struggling more than usual and gardening hasn’t been helping like it usually does.

Getting dressed, I tell myself working out will help. It will quiet my thoughts, which will help and will force me to focus on my breathing. I close my eyes t, roll my shoulders, take a deep breath that doesn’t fill my lungs, and walk out of the stall. I smile at Caroline as she finishes tying her shoes, hoping it reaches my eyes.

“Ready?” she asks.

I nod and follow her out. We stretch for a few minutes, then do a quick strength training workout. Bass, the gym owner and Caroline’s boyfriend, comes over and chats with us, giving some pointers every few minutes. I zone out and focus on counting my reps instead of the unease that won’t go away. When we get done and make our way back to the locker room, Caroline touches my hand gently.

Her voice is laced with concern. “Are you okay?”

“Of course,” I answer immediately, giving her a bright smile.

Her eyebrows furrow. “You were really quiet today.”

“I didn’t sleep that great last night, so I’m a little tired.” She nods once, but I still see the concern in her eyes. Normally, I’m better at hiding my emotions, so I change the subject. “I’m excited about going to see Ansley this weekend. I’ve never been to Atlanta.”

“Me too. I’ve been to Atlanta once when I was a kid, but not recently. I think we’ll have fun.”

We talk about the different things we can do while we’re there. Maybe being away from this town for a few days is exactly what I need. After we get dressed and start walking toward the exit, Caroline tilts her head at me.

“Have you noticed how much more of an ass Lincoln has been since Ansley left?” I groan and we both start laughing.

“Since she left? He started acting that way almost as soon as she put her notice in. He was actually becoming bearable. Like when he gave us that bonus. He’s never done that, and I’ve worked with him since he started the company.”

Caroline gives me a thoughtful expression. “I didn’t realize you had been with him that long.”

“Yeah. He had ten employees when I started and now look at him. He may be an ass, but he is a smart businessman.” I decide not to change and grab my bag.

I’m almost certain something is going on between Ansley and our boss, Lincoln. Lincoln is her brother’s best friend. She’s known him since they were kids. They have a strange relationship. Sometimes they’re at each other’s throats and other times they’re as thick as thieves.

She put in her notice about a month ago and has moved to Atlanta to follow her dream of being a fashion designer. Lincoln has been an ass ever since. Which isn’t unusual, but it’s been worse.

“I’m going to take a shower,” Caroline says. “Sebastian and I are going to get something to eat when he gets off.”

I give her a hug. “See you tomorrow.”

As I walk to the exit, I swallow the lump in my throat at the sight of the dwindling daylight. I’m sure I can make it home before it’s completely dark. I do a quick sweep of the parking lot, making sure I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. When I’m about to open the door and walk out, Bec comes up beside me.

She’s Bass’ second in command and although I don’t know her that well, there’s something about her I like. She always seems to know when I need something I refuse to speak out loud.

“Are you headed home?” she asks. I nod, not wanting to chat so I can get home before it’s completely dark. “Me too. I’ll walk out with you.”

I glance at her, offering her a grateful smile for that sixth sense she seems to have. I don’t have to walk to my car by myself, but I still stay hyper aware of anything out of the ordinary. She walks with me silently and gives me a small wave when we make it to my car.

“I’ll see you later.” She smiles and I want to hug her. She has no idea how much I needed that small gesture of walking with me to my car.

“See ya,” I reply and quickly get in my car as she walks to her car. I make sure she gets in okay before exiting the parking lot. I put my phone in the holder and look multiple times in the mirrors to make sure no one is following me. My phone rings, so I swipe it quickly without paying attention to who it is.

“Hello?”

“Olivia.” Victor’s voice sounds smooth, deep, and worried. My heart takes off in my chest, tempted to hang up again.

“Victor,” I finally reply, not sure what else to say.

“I wanted to make sure you were alright.” He pauses. “I did try to call you back, but you didn’t answer.”

Flexing my fingers against the steering wheel, I roll my shoulders, trying to force myself to relax. “I’ve had better days,” I admit, unsure why I’m okay telling him that, then sigh. “Sorry for hanging up on you earlier and for not calling you back. I was at work and busy, so…”

“You don’t have to apologize. I’ve debated about calling you again all day. I'm sure me showing back up in your life suddenly has thrown you for a loop.”

I suck in a breath. He has no idea how true that is. “I am glad you showed up, though. I did miss you.”

“I missed you as well. Are you busy tomorrow? Would you like to get lunch?”

I bite my lip, giving myself only a minute to think it over. “Sure. Just text me what time and where.”

“See you tomorrow,” he replies.

Hanging up, I tap my fingers on the steering wheel. Maybe if I see him again, it will ease the vise surrounding my heart. I breathe in until some of the restriction eases up. Something has to give because I don’t know how much longer I can take this.