Free Second Lies (The Second Life Series) by Jessica Cruz

I had just closed by eyes, but the morning sun greeted me.  As I turned to my left, I realized I was still alone.  I rolled over and screamed mercilessly into my pillow.  I wondered if all girls went through this during a breakup.  In the beginning it was easy ignoring his calls and trashing the flowers he’d send to my place.  I was still so enraged by the fact that he’d gone to Dennis and confided in him about me working at Lux.  I vowed that one day when I had the courage to see him again without breaking down I’d get the full story.  As for now, I knew I’d break, and I couldn’t be with someone who I couldn’t trust.
    For the next thirty minutes, I started getting ready.  I took a shower and pulled my hair up into a ponytail.  I put on my workout clothes and coat.  After a short walk, I was at my gym, ready to go.  At this rate, I was pretty sure I could be come a professional fighter.  Craig had me on a strict workout regime and diet.  I didn’t mind though.  All the training distracted me from my thoughts, or at least, that was how it was supposed to be until I walked into the gym this morning.
    I pushed open the double doors and peeled off my coat, jumping up and down in place to get my blood flowing.  It was freezing outside.  I hated the winter, but at least, the snow was holding off.  Nothing was worse to me than when the sidewalks in the city were covered in snow.
    Craig sat at the front desk, leaning as far back as possible in his chair.  It was dead at the gym this early in the morning.  He flipped through the newspaper, slowly easing it down to make eye contact with me.  He smiled, an alarming, menacing, torturous smile, “So I’m guessing you already got your workout in last night.”
    He released a boisterous laugh.  I huffed, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I hung up my coat and started stretching.
    Craig slammed down the newspaper.  It was an article about the art show last night.  The largest pictures was of the “Center of Attention ,” which made me smile, but then, off to the side, was another picture that made me cringe.
    Garrett held me in his powerful hands, leaning into my hair with the side of his face.  If you didn’t know us, you’d swear we were couple.  I had to admit we did look good together.  My face was contorted into pure bliss, something I hadn’t seen on myself in a long time.  Shit, our clothes even matched.  I hadn’t noticed that last night.  We definitely looked like we’d gone together.  Below the picture, the caption read, “Adriana Ward, socialite, and Garrett Holden, entrepreneur, engaging in the finer arts.”
    Craig laughed at my expression, “If I had any idea, I was training a socialite I would have been more delicate on you, Paris .”
    “Shut up and let’s get to work,” I threw the paper back at him and stalked toward s the heavy bag.  I was going to kick the crap out of this thing.
    Craig, still laughing, walked over and handed me my gloves.  He used to be a professional fighter, so he was a large guy who kept himself in phenomenal shape.  Somehow, that still wasn’t intimidating enough to me because I felt like I could take him out with one hit.  He’d be begging for mercy by the time I was done.
    I couldn’t believe that picture was published, and I couldn’t believe they labeled me a “socialite.”  That made me sound like some snobby, rich bitch who took everything for granted.  I hit the bag hard at the thought.  Truthfully, I guess I had recently earned the title.  After all, I was being photographed at every event in the area downing expensive drinks and dressed in extravagant, designer clothing.  Dennis had me set up with a stylist.  He said he didn’t want to be seen next to the whore stripper from Lux, so my wardrobe was filled with the best names in the business.  I hit the bag again.  Part of me missed working at Lux.  I didn’t like this asshole paying my way like the