Right on cue, a stern “Addie!” breaks through my peace.
My groan is guttural. “I’m coming.”
Reid grumbles, “I can go without you. I’m not the one who needs training, right?”
There’s my temperature check on his mood for the day. He’s still pissed about my harsh words in Jackson.
I shout back, “I said I’m coming.”
Tripping multiple times, I finally yank my shorts over my ass. It might be time for a shopping spree—the squats have been a bit tooeffective. I swing the door open as I finish tugging my shirt down over my head.
When I look up, Reid is staring hard—right at my abdomen. He wants to be snarky? Then so will I. “Nope. No abs yet. As you like to remind me, I’m not as fit as you.”
His jaw is ticking—this is good. He always trains me harder when he’s annoyed. He’s been annoyed with me a lot lately. Hence thealmostabs.
Reid disappears around the back of the van, probably to retrieve his chosen weapons for the day. I follow, needing to see what’s in store for me. Instead, I see Reid resting his foreheadagainst the cold metal of the van, and it looks like he’s whispering to himself.
“Whatcha doin?” I startle him, and the shock on his face is so satisfying that I can’t restrict the laugh that bubbles out of me.
His cheeks go pink as he says, “Uh. Nothing. It’s just so fucking hot already.”
Hot is an understatement. I thought it would feel cooler up here.
He unloads the bikes and sets them off to the side by a few trees. The shade is calling to me, and I rush over to sink my back against a trunk. The reprieve doesn’t last long before he’s spraying me with water.
The hose from Willa barely reaches, but he manages. I’m soaked head to toe with freezing cold water—it feels wonderful. I stick my tongue out at him and crinkle my nose. “Jokes on you! That shit feels great.”
“Great. I’ll reward you with another spray if you’re good.”
My cheeks flush. I’m not used to Reid being frustrated like this—it’s fucking with my head. Suddenly my mind is wandering to other potential rewards he could give me, and my mouth has run dry.
He turns the water on himself, and the sight is downright pornographic. His chin is tilted up high as he opens his mouth to gulp down some of the water. Once it’s soaked through, he tugs his cotton shirt up over his head. His hair is messy and wet, and I can’t look anymore.
Quickly, I turn my back to him and will my brain to scrub itself clean from the past thirty seconds. Two thick water droplets hit my shoulder. He’s looming behind me, abs gleaming in the rising sun. According to my heart rate, the workout has begun.
A self-satisfied smile crosses his perfect face as he says, “You ready?”
I gulp. “Mhmmm.”
Reid’s brow rises high, and I take off in a run. He typically has us jog to warm up—I’m hedging my bet, and I hope I’m right. I won’t have to talk if we’re running.
He’s ahead of me instantly, taunting me as he passes by. “Come on, Addie. Keep up!”
“I’m fucking trying.” I can hardly get the words out, and I suffer for trying.
After a mile, I give up. Pitifully and painfully, I slow to a stop with my hands on my knees. Reid takes a minute to notice, but when he does he jogs back towards me with ease.
That annoying ass smirk is back on his face. I wave him away—I don’t want him to see me this way. I’m wheezing, soaked in sweat, and the cramps have only gotten worse. I shouldn’t have eaten that donut this morning.
“You doin’ okay down there Blondie?” he says with a laugh.
All I can do is nod but then he’s reaching down to grasp my wrist, tugging me to stand. My legs are jello as I protest, “Just leave me here.”
Never in my life have I missed the gym so badly. All I want to do is jog on a treadmill in an air conditioned room and lift some normal-ass weights. These elevation runs are going to be the death of me.
“Addie. We barely ran a mile. You’re gonna be okay.”
His tone is a twinge softer now—it has the desired effect. With a hand clutched to my rib cage, I jog at a snail’s pace back to the bikes.
