THE TEMPTRESS

||Mistake||

•KADEN•

Frustration gnawed at me with every step as I stormed out of the house, the weight of paperwork and tension lingering. The door creaked shut behind me, and a wave of cold, fresh air hit my face.

In that moment, the relief was palpable, each inhale a soothing balm to the stress that had clung to me all day.

As I turned around, AJ emerged from the house, his presence a welcome interruption. Our eyes met, and I shot him a tight-lipped smile, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken tension that had loomed between us.

Since that day Stephanie had entered our lives, our conversations had become strained, the unspoken discomfort hanging in the air. AJ wasn't thrilled about her staying with us, and the strain on our friendship was evident.

But now, with Stephanie gone, there was a subtle shift in the air. AJ's guarded demeanor seemed to thaw, a sign that perhaps we could return to the easy camaraderie we once shared.

As he joined me outside, I sensed a thawing in our unspoken standoff.

His expression softened, and I could feel the unspoken understanding between us growing, a silent acknowledgment that our friendship was finding its way back from the tension that had plagued it.

I watched as AJ lit up a cigarette, taking a puff before passing it my way. Grateful for a stress reliever, I accepted, exhaling as we stood outside our driveway, gazing at the road.

AJ glanced at me, smoke swirling around him.

"Where were you planning to go?"

I passed the cigarette back and sighed. "Just needed some fresh air."

"Wanna hit the gym to lay off some steam?"

Skepticism crossed my face. "We have a gym at home."

He smirked. "Yeah, but a change of scenery might do us good."

Contemplating the idea, I shrugged and then nod my head.

"Sure, why not?"

He grins and popped the cigarette butt on the ground before stomping on it.

Then we headed back inside, grabbing our gym bags and stuff before leaving.

OoO

My fists collide with the red punching bag, the rhythmic thud echoing in the small, dimly lit room.

AJ holds the bag steady, his presence a silent anchor as I unleash the storm building within me.

Adrenaline courses through my veins, and with each strike, I feel the heat building up, sweat dripping down my face.

I jump from side to side, my body in sync with the relentless assault on the bag. It's a physical release I desperately needed.

The pressure that had been building, the turmoil from everything happening around me, becomes a distant hum as the bag absorbs the force of my blows.

Stephanie's haunting presence lingers in the corners of my mind, a persistent ghost. Even now, in the midst of the furious barrage, her memories are etched like tattoos on my brain.

Her face, her smile, her hair, her body - they play on repeat, refusing to be drowned out by the thumping of fists against the bag.

It's maddening, a relentless tug-of-war between the need to escape and the memories refusing to let go.

Yet, paradoxically, picturing her fuels my energy, driving me to hit harder, faster.

Each punch becomes a desperate attempt to break free, to find solace in the physicality of the moment.

As I continue to pound the bag, I realize that this is more than just a workout. It's a battle against the echoes of Stephanie, a struggle to reclaim my mental space.

The adrenaline surges, the sweat pours, and for a fleeting moment, the relentless thoughts are drowned out by the rhythmic symphony of fists meeting fabric.

Suddenly, AJ's firm grip halted my assault on the bag, and I stared at him, confusion etching my features. His eyes bore a knowing look.

"Let's take a break and cool down for a moment." He said while releasing the punching bag.

The urge to continue pulsed through me, but I reluctantly accepted his advice, sinking onto the nearby bench.

As I grabbed my water bottle, taking huge gulps, I glanced around the sparsely populated gym.

A wave of relief washed over me; the absence of many witnesses spared them the spectacle of the rampage I'd unleashed just minutes ago.

AJ reappeared, engrossed in his phone.

"Something's come up," he said, looking at me.

"We need to head back home and check it out."

I sighed, nodding slowly as I processed the interruption to our workout routine.

After resting for a while, I decided to freshen up and change before leaving. The gym's solitude allowed me a moment to collect myself.

I shifted my focus to the familiar routine of changing, a sense of normalcy amidst the earlier intensity.

Ready to face whatever awaited us at home, I joined AJ, and we left the gym together.

As AJ and I walked to our car, the weight of the gym session lifted off my shoulders, leaving me oddly calm.

Dumping our gum bags in the trunk, I couldn't help but consider hitting the gym again if stress crept back. AJ started the car, smoothly driving us home.

Just as we were about to exit the gym's parking lot, I glanced outside and froze.

My pulse quickened when I saw her - Stephanie, standing there, casually opening her car.

Panic surged through me, and I poked my head out the window.

"AJ, stop the car!" He slammed the brakes, and I scrambled out, shedding my seatbelt, jogging back to the brunette outside.

"Steph." I touched her arm, she turned around, confusion in her eyes.

My face fell, and so did my heart.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else," I quickly apologized before retracing my steps to the car.

AJ was outside, shaking his head at me, and I shot him a glare.

"Seriously, man, you need help," AJ commented as I approached.

"I know," I mumbled angrily under my breath before getting back in the car, the mix of embarrassment and relief settling in.