His Gymnast by Darcy Rose

Epilogue

Aria

It’samazing how fast life changes.

One day, I was suffering. Scared. Unwelcome in my own home, in my own family. Unable to control anything about my life. Glad to live through another day, wondering if I’d get the same chance tomorrow.

Now? Now, I wake up in the morning, and all I feel is love. Connection. Like I belong somewhere. Like I’m needed.

Because I wake up in Knox’s arms. We always sleep this way, and it’s the only way I can sleep soundly. He admitted to me not long after we first got together that he never used to sleep much before the first night he had me stay in his bed. Now? There are mornings when I wake up to the sound of him snoring in my ear.

I’ll take it. It means he’s feeling peaceful. I get the feeling he didn’t have a lot of peace in his life before we met.

Not that there’s much more peace now. He still does what he does for his family. I can accept that—his family is the most important thing in his life, and he considers me part of that. What he did to Dale, he would’ve done to anyone who dared hurt somebody who matters to him.

I don’t know how they cleaned up the cabin to hide what happened. The family probably has a lot of experience when it comes to things like that, so I’m sure it wasn’t difficult.

I know my mother’s gone, too. I didn’t ask many questions about that, and I have no intention of doing so. I don’t need to know the specifics. As far as she was concerned, I might as well not have been alive. She would’ve let her husband kill me and would’ve defended him afterward. I can’t bring myself to feel much pity for her when I remember that.

I’m sure they’ll both be declared legally dead in time, but right now, they’re only missing. I’m also sure people think it’s weird that I haven’t launched an investigation into what happened to them. The house sits dark, empty. I don’t even know if either of them had a will or if anything was even supposed to go to me.

It doesn’t matter. I don’t want it. I don’t need it.

I have everything I need.

Knox stirs against me, and I smile as I nestle closer to him. He’s so warm, so comforting. “Good morning,” he murmurs in my ear before kissing my cheek.

“Good morning.” I lift my head from his chest and smile up at him. He’s still sleepy, and something about that strikes me as adorable. He’d probably gag if I ever used that word to describe him, so I keep it to myself.

I still can’t get over this new feeling. Being glad to wake up. Knowing somebody wants me around, that my presence actually makes him happier. He gave me a life, one worth living. I never knew people lived like this—and even if I did, I wouldn’t have imagined it happening to me.

It takes a second, but I finally remember why today’s such a big deal. I’m going back to the gym for my first class in over a month. Lisa was great when I explained in vague details that I had needed time to get myself together. She didn’t ask for more. Once again, I had the feeling she always knew more than she let on, and it seemed like she understood.

I can’t wait to get back to work, back to the kids. I never understood until now how bearable they made my horrible life—seeing their enthusiasm, watching how hard they were willing to work, and how overjoyed they were once they mastered a move. It always made me remember how I felt as a kid, how exciting it was to see the results of my hard work. Back when I had self-esteem and dreams.

I’m working on getting that back. It’ll take time, but the odds are in my favor thanks to the second chance at life Knox gave me and continues giving me every day.

We shower together like we do most mornings, only today he’s in too much of a hurry to do much more than wash up and head out. He’s been this way lately—distracted, in and out at random times. He’ll get phone calls I can tell he doesn’t want to take in front of me.

I know what I signed up for when I decided to make a life with him. He knows what he’s doing—he’s been working for his family for way longer than he’s known me. I can only hope he stays safe. Maybe one day it’ll be easier to deal with my worries and questions.

He comes back in the afternoon to drive me over to the gym. It’s nice not having to rely on a bus schedule anymore. “You excited to get back to work?”

“I am. I didn’t think I’d be this excited, but now that the day’s here, I can’t wait.” I’m practically bouncing in my seat as he drives. “I’m sure the kids will want to show me what they’ve learned. I’ve missed them.”

“I’m sure they’ve missed you, too.” He squeezes my knee with a little grin, and it strikes me how happy he looks. How relaxed he seems. It’s good to see him this way. It makes me believe I’ve added something to his life just like he added so much to mine.

I’m about to say that to him when we round the corner and the gym comes into view. “Wait. Why is it all dark? There are no cars in the lot. She’s never closed on Mondays. Why isn’t anybody here?”

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Knox drives farther into the lot, parking near the door.

I jump out of the car and go to the windows. There aren’t any lights on in there, and I can’t see anybody moving around. “Lisa can’t afford to randomly be closed like this.” My heart sinks. I was so looking forward to getting back here today.

Knox rubs my back. “No offense, seriously, but you’re overthinking it.”

I hold my head in my hands. “Oh, my God, what if something happened, like she’s sick or something? Or what if she had to close? I had no idea she was going through trouble here. I wish she had told me.”

“Maybe it’s not that. Maybe she had to close for a little bit, like she’s getting it painted inside or something.” He cups his hands around his eyes and leans toward the window, trying to look inside. “Why don’t we see if we can go in?”

Right. Why didn’t I think of that? Because I’m too busy freaking out. “Yeah, if the door is even unlocked.” But it is, and Knox easily opens it.

“Hold on.” I take a few tentative steps inside. Knox flips on the light, and my head swings in one direction, then another. “I don’t get it. It’s all different.” There is new flooring, new walls. I can still smell the fresh paint and lumber.

Knox whistles. “It looks good, though.”

“It looks nothing like it did before. Lisa didn’t mention anything about renovating the place.” It’s not like we’ve talked every day or even once a week, though. Why would she think to call me and keep me in the loop? I was glad enough that she accepted my needing time away from work and didn’t want to press my luck by bothering her, so I’ve stayed under the radar. Now I wish I had been more involved somehow.

“Where did she get the money for this?” The rooms are incredible, with all new equipment—not so much as a patched mat or scuffed beam in sight. It practically gleams; it’s so new. The walls have been repainted, and the floors replaced in each of the rooms we pass. Even the offices look like they’ve been renovated.

“What do you think?”

I jump in surprise at the sound of Lisa’s voice. She’s standing behind us, smiling from ear to ear while I sputter in shock. “What is all this? I had no idea you were renovating.”

She waves her arms around. “Do you like it?”

“I love it! It’s absolutely gorgeous! Like, dream-come-true levels of gorgeous.” I can’t stop gushing over it. “I would’ve loved to train in a gym like this when I was competing.”

“What about owning a gym like this?”

My head snaps back. “Sure. That would be good, too.” Where did that come from? I look at Knox, wondering if he thinks this is as weird as I do, but his expression is unreadable.

“Because you do.” Lisa covers her mouth with her hands while tears sparkle in her eyes. “We both do. We’re partners.”

I think I need to sit down. All the air leaves my lungs in one big gust. “What?” I manage.

“She’s telling the truth.” Knox’s arm hooks around my waist, holding me up. “You’re half-owner now, along with Lisa. I put up the money for the renovations.”

Now I really need to sit. And maybe a drink would be good. “Are you serious?”

“You wanted to know why I’ve been ducking in and out so much lately? Now you know. Surprise.” He presses a kiss against my forehead while Lisa cries, still beaming.

It’s all too much to make sense of. I can’t get it to come together in my head. “You’re saying you did all this for me?” No wonder he’s been so secretive. No wonder he kept so much from me. Here I was, thinking he was up to the sort of stuff I didn’t want or need to hear about.

“Yeah. For you. And Lisa, too.” He pulls me closer. “But mostly you.”

“This is too much.” I can’t stop shaking my head. I can’t stop shaking in general.

“Nothing is too much for you. You deserve this. You have something of your own now.”

Lisa comes to me and gives me a hug. “What do you think, partner? You ready to help me run this place?”

Am I? This is the first time in so long anybody’s had faith in me. I’ve spent so long being told I’m worthless and stupid, lazy and useless. I always told myself I didn’t believe it, but maybe a tiny part of me did. After you hear something long enough, it’s bound to sink in.

But it’s my choice whether I want to believe it—and whether I want to move on with my life.

Which is why I nod with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. “Yes. I’m ready. I can’t wait to start.”

“Well, you won’t have to wait long. Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the changes before we officially re-open.” She links her arm with mine. “You’ll love it.”

I already do. What I love more is the man who’s now smiling at me, encouraging me to look around. Nobody would guess he’s capable of so much love and support. Nobody would imagine he’s so protective and gentle underneath that monstrous façade.

Only me. Because he’s mine—and lucky for me, I’m his. For always. Now, the future looks brighter than ever before.

* * *

Thank you for reading His Gymnast! If you enjoyed this short and spicy ready, check out the rest of this series.

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