Drill sergeant Reid returns the second the vans come back into view. He instructs, “Okay, five minute break, squats with the bike, then we’ll finish with a thirty minute HIIT.”
I’m solemn as I say, “I always knew the bike would kill me. I just didn’t know it would be like this.”
My dramatics are working—he rolls his eyes, but I catch asmall smile forming on his lips. I’m still annoyed for how he acted at that party with Callum. He can flirt with any girl that breathes but it’s a problem when I do it? Bullshit. But I miss my best friend.
Like a starfish, I’m sprawled out across the shaded spot of grass. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and Callum’s name flashes across my screen.
I answer it immediately, forgetting to even consider how horrendous I look right now. His boyish smile is wide across my screen as he says, “Hey pretty girl.”
He always greets me like that, and it feels surprisingly good. I’m not used to casual compliments. I’m smiling right back as I toy with my sweaty hair. “Hey Callum.”
I wish I had the confidence to compliment him back, but Reid is right there—watching me scornfully as I chat with Callum.
“So, how’s the training?”
“It’s rough.” I motion down to my current state. “As you can see.”
He’s blushing as he replies, “You look great, Addie. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Whistler. Maybe we can?—”
I’m distracted by Reid angrily waving his hands in front of me. “What?” I mouth.
He taps at his wrist, as if he has a watch there.
Callum notices. “What’s wrong?”
I’m shooing Reid away as I say, “Sorry. We’re on a break from our workout.”
“Oh. I can let you go.” His face falls.
Reid has his arms crossed as his eyes bore into mine. Gently, I let Callum know I have to go, ending the call with a, “I’ll call back later.”
As soon as the call ends, Reid is storming closer to me. “Addie. I’m not going to keep wasting my time if you’re not serious about this.” He’s scowling in the direction of my phone.
“So what, I took a ten minute break instead of five. It’s not like we have any other plans today.” I shrug.
Reid shoots back, “Maybe I do have plans.”
“Oh, well then. Be my guest. I can train on my own.”
“Oh please. You’ve been getting so much better since I’ve been helping.”
I have been getting better—there’s no denying it—but I won’t give him the satisfaction right now. He treats Callum like he’s some scoundrel, and it’s infuriating.
I’m bold this time. “I feel like this isn’t about me taking a longer break.”
He drops the topic there, rolling his eyes and pushing my bike into my hands. I heave it up over my head, almost tumbling over in the process. My hands are slick with old grease, and I almost drop the frame on my head with every squat. Reid hardly looks my way as we struggle through the rest of the workout in silence. Well, I struggle. He glares at my phone screen as he effortlessly squats down again and again.
I know what I’m talking about in therapy tomorrow.
18
Reid’s familiar knock shakes me from my slumber, and I groan loudly. The noise gives me away, he knows I’m awake. I hear the key turning in the door. I start to scramble—I’m not wearing any pj’s, just a loose bralette.
He cannot see me like this.
Before he enters my bedroom, if you could call it that, I manage to grab a dusty flannel and drape it over my shoulders. He’s standing at the end of my bed, looking at me while I fumble with the buttons to cover up my scantily clad chest. Reid scolds me, “Addie, let’s go before it gets hot.”
He won’t look at me. Instead, he toys with a piece of rubber between the door and the cabinet. I keep trying to catch his eye, but he refuses to look up and meet my gaze. I need him to get out of here so I can put some damn pants on.
