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Emily’s crap , Ethan rationalized. But he wasn’t even sure he believed it.
    * * *
    Sara stayed in bed until the afternoon. When she awoke, still groggy, she had forgotten about Ethan’s betrayal. It was only for a moment, and soon it hit her again. Her overwhelming emotions had settled into a feigned indifference toward Ethan, and a sore aching disappointment in herself for being willing to so sincerely care about someone who was clearly manipulative and two faced. This is why I don’t date , she seethed to herself.
    Sara sat in front of the TV and lost herself in a daytime TV game show. It wasn’t until nearly 3:00 that Sara even remembered her phone had been off. She turned it on. As she did Ethan’s text flashed across the screen.
    “My Ex has been saying some weird stuff, Emily is her name. You probably don’t need to worry, but she has been acting pretty crazy to me lately. Let me know if you hear anything.”
    Real nice recovery , Sara thought bitterly to herself, you expect me to believe any of that crap now? You just got yourself another Ex-girlfriend. Asshole.
    Sara blocked his number. She was tired of even hearing from him.
    The next day, the last day of his camp, Ethan’s alarm clamored to life. He reached out a hand, groped for it, and eventually found the device. He switched off the phone alarm and checked his messages. There was nothing from Sara. She was normally fastidious about responding to texts and phone calls, she claimed the single red icon of an unread message bothered her. Ethan was suddenly very uneasy. This wasn’t like her at all.
    Ethan rose and stumbled into the shower . His body was so sore he could barely walk. He turned on the water, waiting for it to grow hot, desperate for something to ease the stiffness that pervaded his body. The shower felt relaxing, though it did little to help. He emerged and dried himself.
    Ethan looked in the mirror as she shaved. His cheekbones had become more prominent as his diet and grueling training regimen burned off any excess body fat. His black eye had somewhat healed, turning a strange, splotchy green. Even the gentle motion of the razor made the muscle and tendon of his shoulders stand out in relief. Ethan felt like little more than sinew and bone wrapped in thin skin. He was pale from the lack of sun. The Midwestern winter had left him feeling drained and tired.
    He finished shaving, and like a zombie, made his way to the dresser. Thank god I’m not working out this morning . He thought to himself. He dressed and packed his meager helpings of food—all tediously measured and weighed out in small plastic containers. Ethan ate his morning allocation of boiled chicken and asparagus. It was nearly devoid of taste, but despite the blandness his hungry stomach and parched tongue appreciated the calories. Ethan gulped down water and made his way out the door.
    As he arrived at the parking lot, Ethan sat in his car for a few minutes and sought to rally his strength for another day at the office. This was his first fight camp undertaken while working full time, and Ethan was not enjoying having to work while sore, tired and hungry.
    Still, Ethan rallied himself and made his way into the office. He debated visiting Sara, but it was almost 9:00 and their secret wouldn’t last long if every day he made a B-line for the redhead first thing every day.
    Ethan wandering to his cubicle, and fell into his chair. Hopefully, the company didn’t expect much out of him today, because he certainly didn’t have the energy for it.
    * * *
    Sara was devoid of energy herself. Emotionally drained, she had also come to work feeling like a ghost. She was in front of her computer, but the glowing screen could not seem to hold her attention. The closest thing to a bright spot was that Ethan had not shown up at the entrance to her cubicle. She wasn’t sure she could deal with him today. Truthfully, she didn’t want to see him anymore again. Ever.
    Sara slogged through the