Stained

Chapter 41

"I never said it was because of you," I say without hesitation.

"by—."

I interrupt him, "I said it because of Billy. Not you."

All of a sudden, rage paints his features and he clenches his fists at his sides. "I need to create a schedule with you at the gym."

I cock my head to the side. "Erm, what do you mean you need to create a schedule at the gym with me. And a schedule for what?" What am I, a business meeting?

Plus, I'm here trying to get away from him as quickly as possible and stay away and he's here creating plans for the future with me?

"I'll train you at the gym," he informs me. Doesn't ask.

I make a weird face in his direction. "Thanks for asking but no thank you."

"I wasn't asking. I'll train you. You seem to get into these types of situations quite often," he says soothingly, to add some gentleness to his harsh words.

Wrong. Unfortunately, one in three girls always deal with this bullshit.

"I handled Billy though." Lie.

"You froze, Rose," he says almost painfully.

I don't want to have this conversation with him. Not now. Not ever. I wordlessly walk away from him and into the living area.

"Rose," he calls from behind me.

I ignore him and sit on the couch. Yesterday was a fluke. Usually, I would have grasped control of myself sooner.

"Rose. Don't fight me on this," he says standing in front of me. I pretend to look through him.

"I'll show you different techniques at the gym."

I slap a frustrated hand on the couch. "I already have different techniques."

"Please Rose."

I try not to portray too much of my shock at hearing him say the word please but my eyes betray me and widen slightly.

He seems to think he's hit the goal because he repeats, "please let me train you at the gym."

"I don't need training. I already know how to stick up for myself. Okay." I don't need no man telling me what I am or aren't good at.

"Fine, show me then?"

Surprised, I narrow my eyes at him. I have to have heard him wrong. "Sorry what?"

He gestures to himself. "Show me."

I let out a nervous laugh. "It doesn't work like that." I don't know what I'm saying.

"Just do it."

I blow out an exasperated breath and stand up. "Fine then."

"Can I?" He asks, holding his hands out between us.

Sucking my lower lip into my mouth, my eyes flit between his hand's outstretched hands and his face. He's asking for permission to grab me. I don't know how I feel about him holding me.

No. I don't want him to do that.

"Is it okay if I show you without you..." I trail off feeling stupid. My cousin's words echo throughout my head.

'People go through worse things than you yet they don't act the way you do.'

"No, it's fine." Damien's voice snaps me out of my head.

I give him a tight grateful smile. And then, without thinking too much into it, I throw my arm back in an attempt to punch him. He misses it by moving his head to the side. I try making up for it by punching him under the chin — bearing in mind I'm using my left hand when I'm right-handed — but he also dodges that. I try kneeing him in the groin, but he doges that too.