His brother hesitated. “I think it would be better coming from her.”

Adam squinted at him. “What would be better coming from her? Did she ask you not to tell me some—”

“No. Actually, she said I could tell you. But I think it’s something she needs to tell you herself. And she agreed. But then she fell asleep, and I didn’t have the heart to wake her. She was so tired. But it’s definitely something you need to know.”

Adam had no idea what the something was, but he felt like his head was about to explode. “Well, apparently she can’t tell me because she’s asleep. And I’m not going to wake her either. So spill.” His brother stood there, not saying a word. “Michael, damn it. Tell me.”

“Fine. But you’re going to stay calm.”

Adam clenched his fists at his sides, making a conscious effort not to punch his brother in the face. “Would you just tell me already?”

“Okay. While we were talking, Preslee admitted that, for the past week, she’s been on a new crash diet. One that promised she would lose twenty pounds in a week if she followed a strict diet regimen that included appetite suppressants and intermittent fasting.”

Adam blinked. “What?”

“Hold on. That’s not all. She’s also been squeezing in extra workouts without telling you to lose weight faster. And she’s been suffering from bouts of insomnia—probably due to whatever appetite suppressants she’s taking since some of those have stimulants in them. She hasn’t slept more than three or four hours per night for the past week. Which is what most likely added to her severe exhaustion.”

The words were like a verbal slug to the gut. “You’re kidding.”

“No. I wouldn’t joke about something so serious.”

Adam blurted out a mindless oath and paced the room furiously. God, he wanted to throttle her. “Why would she do that?” he asked, burning with frustration. “And why the hell would she tell you that but not me? I’m her trainer, damn it.”

“Maybe she felt more comfortable with me because I’m practically a stranger. Or maybe she was afraid you’d blow your top…sort of like you’re doing right now.”

True. Adam was wound up tighter than a rubber band, ready to snap. “Do you blame me? I didn’t okay her adding more workouts. And nowhere in the diet I gave her did it say for her to fast or to take diet pills that could possibly harm her. If she isn’t going to follow my instructions, then I’m as useless to her as air-conditioning on a fucking bicycle.”