Thank the Goddess no one is here yet, it’s still too early ona Friday morning. I don’t know if I could fake my way through polite conversation right now. I just need to beat on some stuff and get my head back on straight. Which is exactly what we did. Mina spotted me and laughed every time I added weights to the bars, but she didn’t object or try and tell me to take it easy.
We were on our last set when a voice pulled me out of my train of focus.
“You should have called us, we would have joined you.”
I turned around and my sweat soaked ponytail whipped around my neck.
He stops in his tracks. “On second thought, it looks like you are out for blood, maybe missing out on this workout was okay.” Tyler laughs at us. Mina gives a chuckle and I manage a smile and an eye roll. I’m not done being mad, but at least I can understand that Mina and Tyler aren’t my problem.
“You might not have survived.” I look at him in the mirror as I set up to finish my squats. “I mean your stamina was a little lacking yesterday during the run, I can’t imagine your strength is much better.” I cock an eyebrow at him.
What are you doing? We have to leave to get ready for classes? Mina mindlinks me.
We need answers, and he’s here. You said so yourself.
Maybe if I can get him moving with me I’ll get some.” I respond and then open the link to her, Osiston and Nickolas.
“Tyler is at the gym with me, I’m going to see if I can get information out of him. Mina has to leave for this to happen, I assume at least one of you is nearby. Can one of you follow her home to get ready for class and one stay with me as backup?” I look at her daring her to contradict me.
“At least you asked for back-up, jackass.” She rolls her eyes and I smile at her.
“I’ll see you later, I just need some more time.” I say out loud to her. She nods, gives me a hug and walks by Tyler.
“Mina, I’m outside in the truck. Osiston has Sky.” Nickolas comes through like this is the most natural response to my request.
“Make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid, she’s having a moment. And make sure that she eats…soon. We didn’t get a ton of sleep last night and have been here for over an hour with no food. She will train herself into a coma.” She pats him on the shoulder and walks away.
Tyler just looks at me for a second. “Wanna talk about it?”
“Not really, I’m still irritated and if I start talking the irritation
will just get bigger. I just need to work out the aggression a little longer, can you spot me on the bench press? Wait, I don’t want to interrupt your workout. You did not come here to be my trainer, I’m sorry.” I rub my face, hoping I’m getting the emotion right so he will want to stay and talk to me.
“Hey, hey, come here.” He pulls me into a hug and I reluctantly put my arms around him. “What’s up? Talk to me.” I let him hold me for a minute.
“I’m so gross, I’m sorry.” I say as I pull away, actually kind of feeling bad, but he doesn’t let me get more than a step away.
“You’re fine, I kind of prefer this look on you. It seems right somehow. Is that weird?”
“I have no idea.” I cringe. “This kind of thing is new for me.”
I point between the two of us. “And I really am disgusting and I smell, I should probably go and shower.”
“Like I said, I prefer this look on you and you actually don’t smell bad.” He smiles at me. “Do you have stuff to shower and change here, or do you need to go home?”
“I didn’t bring anything with me, we came in kind of a rush, but I don’t want to go home yet. Ugh.” So far I haven’t had to lie, which is working for me. Tyler seems sweet even if he is a part of the rogue group, he doesn’t seem like a bad guy.
“How about this? I haven’t worked out, so I don’t need to change and I was smart enough to bring extra stuff with me. Do you want to take my bag and go clean up then! can make sure you eat like Mina asked cause I’m sure she can kick my ass too.”
