Rinsing my legs off, I shave my pits and then lather up my head. After rinsing the shampoo out, I coat my hair in conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes.
I’m reaching down for my body wash when the shower curtain is suddenly yanked to the side.
“Christy,” Travis grins as the cold air hits me. “You’re back.”
Straightening with a gasp, I stare at him. Is this real? I didn’t even hear him come in…
Travis’ eyes light up with delight as they rake over me, lingering on my breasts.
Everything happens so fast, there’s no time to think, I just react. Travis reaches into the shower and grabs me by the arm.
I cry out and my feet slip as he yanks me forward.
He pulls me into his chest, and as my breasts smash against him, I immediately pull back.
“I knew you couldn’t stay away,” he grunts, yanking me back into him.
“Get off me!” I scream and kick at his shins.
Grunting in pain, his fingers tighten around my arms, digging into my skin. He backs me up and presses me against the cold tile wall.
Pressing forward, he grinds himself against me and I can feel his zipper digging into my stomach.
“You can stop playing hard to get now,” he says. “I know you want it.”
Panicking, I feel a burst of strength and shove him back, hard. His grip breaks and he stumbles backwards, not expecting such strength from me.
Anticipating his forward rush, my instincts kick in, and I swing out, landing a perfect blow to his chin.
His eyes roll up into the back of his head and he crumbles to the floor.
Just like that, he’s out.
I stare down at him with a mixture of shock and horror.
I can’t believe I just did that. I can’t believe I just knocked him out.
My heart is beating so fast I feel like I’m going to be sick. My ears are buzzing and my fingers are twitching.
Travis groans and my adrenaline shoots up again. I carefully step over him and then make a naked dash to my room.
Oh, god, I gotta get out of here before he gets back up.
I grab a shirt off my floor and pull it over my head then wiggle my wet ass into a pair of wrinkled yoga pants. Shoving my feet into my shoes, I grab my backpack and make a run for it.
Feet pounding the floor, I run up to the front door and yank it open. Outside, the tricked out green Neon is parked in front of the house, idling.
The driver, Travis’ friend Ryan, notices me and calls out, “Hey!”
I slam the door. I can’t go that way.
Turning, I hear a loud groaning and a couple of thumps as I run through the kitchen for the back door that leads to the patio.
Just as I slide the patio door open, Travis calls out, “Christy! You little bitch! You’re going to pay for that.”
I don’t waste a second closing the patio door behind me. I just run. If I don’t get away, if he comes after me again, one of us is seriously going to get hurt and end up in the hospital.
Jumping down the stairs of our deck, I rush across the yard and jump over our back fence. I race through our neighbor’s dark yard and hear Travis bellowing.
“Christy! Get your ass back here or it’s going to be worse for you!”
Fuck him. Does he think I’m stupid? He must think so because I hear him yelling out a minute later, “I’m sorry! Just let me explain. Fuck. I promise I won’t hurt you.”
I don’t stop, I keep running. It’s run or die now.
After I make it through the yards I know I can get through, I hit the sidewalk and pound the pavement.
My body is functioning on automatic and it’s a few streets later before I realize where I’m going. I’m not just running idly; I’m fleeing towards safety.
My stamina draining away, my pace slows to a jog and I take in my surroundings, quickly recognizing the neighborhood. My feet are carrying me towards the only place that feels safe in this world—Chase’s gym.
I jog the last couple of streets, not slowing until I reach the gym’s parking lot. The parking lot is empty and all the windows are dark.
Still, I walk up to the front door, panting as I catch my breath, and check. I pull on the handle but it doesn’t budge. It’s locked.
Dammit.
I walk over to one of the windows and peek in. Everything is dark.
No one is here but I really want to get in.
Suddenly, I hear an engine roaring in the distance. My heart beats wildly with panic and I glance frantically around me. Everything is lit up and there’s nowhere to hide.
I’m screwed if it’s Travis.
Skirting around the side of the building, I head for the shadows and pray I can’t be seen.