“That’s the kind of energy I like to see. Thank you for being here today! If you haven’t taken a ride with me before, I’m Elliot. This is our power cycling class. During the next forty-five minutes, we’ll focus on intensity, combining watts and resistance with RPM. We will ride in and out of the saddle, as well as incorporate upper body movements.
“When you’re ready, reach down to the blue dial in the center of the bike and do a full spin to the right. This will control the resistance. I’ll provide a range that you can see on the left.The right will be your cadence. Ride at what’s comfortable but challenging. This ride is about you…and musical tunes.”
She reaches for the volume button, turning up the volume even louder, simultaneously increasing the energy.
We’re halfway through the ride and out of the saddle, working up a hill. My resistance is set to sixty-five. This is a record for me.
I feel good. Sweaty as if my body is sweating and riding out my feelings for Cooper…I shake my head, shut my mind back off.
That’s what this is supposed to be for the team. A break from hockey. An opportunity to move their body in a new way that’s fun and exciting. They’re all under pressure to clinch their spot in the playoffs. Every pass, shot, block—every game matters.
They’re first in their conference and nation right now. A twelve-game winning streak after a rough start post-winter break.
Dawson towels off, then joins the rest of the room, spinning it above their heads. Elliot’s hair is whipping back and forth as the beat drops in a remix of songs fromThe Greatest Showman.
I sit back down and turn the dial to the left. Grab my water and take a sip while I find an easier RPM to maintain. Elliot catches me and gives me a subtle thumbs up to check in with me. I nod and mouthYou’re doing great.
She’s glowing. In her groove.
If she doesn’t get this position, I’ll find the headquarters and throw a pedal at them. I silently chuckle at myself because I could never do anything like that. Not from chickening out, but I can barely kill a spider. I’d rather stand as far away as I can, leaning forward to scoop it up with paper or something to take it outside. I used to sob when my parents would flush my goldfish from the fair down the toilet.
RIP, Cruella and Maleficent.
Elliot will get this, I know it.
“Are all of her classes like this?” Chase leans in my direction.
“Yeah,” I huff, speeding up my legs to match the newly called out cadence.
“No wonder I can never get into one.”
“You try?”
“Every week.” His eyes flick down before finding her again. “Well, when we don’t have games or practices.”
“Why don’t you text her? That’s what I do, and I always get in.” He shrugs, almost embarrassed. “I try to go every Tuesday morning if you want to come with me next week.”
“I’d like that.” Chase chews on his cheek, then turns back to me. “You think she’d like that?”
“Having her best friend in class? Just maybe,” I manage to get out before becoming out of breath from peddling so fast.
The ride finishes ten minutes later. Once again, I’m a sweaty mess, and Elliot looks like she’s ready to be featured on the front ofSports Illustrated.
Her sorority sisters and a couple of regulars who were able to make it leave. The team congregates in the back corner. Laughing at each other, snapping their shirts on their abs.
“Oooh. Abs.” Elliot winks. “If I knew this would be my reward after a class, I’d beg your coach to let you come every day.”
“Yours are better,” a freshman says. Chase smacks him in the head with Dawson’s shirt that he ripped from his grip. A few others pipe up with the same sentiment.
Elliot does have better abs than a majority of them; and that’s saying something because Cooper’s abs are layered on top of each other like a six-tiered cake.
I worm my way through the bikes and the team. “Cooper,” I call out. He’s heading to the door, his shirt hanging around his neck. “Cooper?—”
I see his muscles tighten with each syllable.
Someone circles my wrist, pulling me back gently. I glance down and spot Elliot’s nails. “Let him brood. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
But I did.
