Rumor Has It

Three

Chapter Three

"Oh my god!" I shout, frustration rumbling through my entire existence as I grip my hair, walking towards the girl who didn't catch the flyer. "Fucking move. It's not that hard. Watch."

The girl stumbles to the side and I yank the fallen flyer up, moving to a crouched position. My hair is flicked over my shoulder as I hold my hands between my knees. "Five, six, seven, eight—"

My arms strain as I lift the flyer up, stepping forward and getting beneath her, holding her up. She wobbles for a moment and I inform her to tighten her stomach as my hands tuck near my chin. Eventually, I count down again and extend my arms fully above my head, one leg bent in front of me and the other behind me to stabilize me.

"Cradle, five, six, seven, eight." By the time I finish my sentence, the flyer is lying in my arms, "That's all you have to do." I state, turning to the side base. "Do better."

A frustrated sigh bubbles from the base of my throat, my arms crossing over my chest. "We're running this drill one more time and then we're calling it a day."

I am not blind. If you practice something for too long, over and over again, it gets boring and the longer you do it, the worse you get.

"Tomorrow," I clap my hands, getting the girls' attention after they run through the drill. "We will do a team exercise. We will not stress on this routine for the rest of the week, okay?"

The girls run the drill one more time and I see the damage stricken all over their faces. Sighing, I wave them off, making sure they stretch and hydrate, before heading out myself. I get in my car and drive to my mom's, a grimace settling on my face as I walk inside the apartment.

"Mom," I call out. "I'm home."

My mom walks around the corner, clipping an earring on and walking over to me. "I'm headed off to the club with Tanner and his friends."

Pursing my lips, I turn around, following her figure as she walks past me. "You're going to the club . . . again?"

"Drop the attitude, Cameron." She snaps, kneeling down to grab a pillow off of the floor, tossing it at me. "Clean the house up while I'm gone. You always make a mess of it."

I stare at the pillow in my hands and look up at her. "I don't make a mess of the house, Diane." Clenching the pillow between my fingers, I glare at her, my eyes narrowing. "You do when you bring guys back from the club."

She pauses and I freeze, watching as she walks over to me and points her finger in my face. "What did I say, Cameron? Hm? God, you are just like your father." She spits, grabbing my chin. "I said clean up the house, now do it."

"Love you too, mom." I grit back, glaring at her with resolve.

"Like I said," She whispers, releasing my chin aggressively. "Just like your father."

With that, she silently saunters around the house, grabbing her wallet and other shoe, along with the keys, before walking out the door, slamming it shut behind her. I flinch, my eyes lulling shut and tears burning in the depths of my irises. Sniffling, I wipe my nose and walk around, picking up pillows and blankets off of the floor.

Beer bottles clank on the coffee table as I toss them into a trash bag. I take the trash out, wiping my tears as I go along, avoiding the creepy men that give me looks. After taking the trash out, I clean the dishes, put dishes away, do laundry, fold clothes, and all of that other shit.

"Fuck," I sniffle, walking into my small room and plopping on my bed, staring at the note on my nightstand.

It's Jordan's address. 

After today, I feel like this may be something to try out. I'm fucking exhausted, and maybe Jordan can help . . . if she knows what she's doing. 

God, this is stupid. But, honestly, what do I have to lose?

Standing up, I grab a matching set of baby pink lace undergarments, a black hoodie, and grey leggings. Walking to the bathroom, I take a shower and shake everything. By the time I am done shaving, it is probably an hour later and I am lathering lotion on like my life depends on it. Then, I spray White Tea and Ginger body mist on.

Deciding against makeup, I put serum and toner on before brushing my lashes and eyebrows and heading out.

I type Jordan's address into my phone and follow the GPS until I arrive, my heart hammering in my chest. Stepping out of the car, I lock it behind me and walk into the fancy apartment complex, my eyebrows furrowed.

Once I reach door 387, I freeze, taking deep breaths. I drop my head, my fist held in the air, and turn around. Suddenly, the door opens and I pause, my head still cast down.

"Come on, Baby." I hear Jordan's raspy voice call from behind me, casual and teasing. "Get your cute ass back here."

Oh, fuck me.