A pang of sadness twisted in my stomach at the mention of my mother.
“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to?”
“It’s okay, Ms. Taylor. I’m just running late for my spin class,” I interrupted.
“Well, then you go on. Guess we both need to work off that chocolate cake, huh?”
I grinned and gave her a wave, heading over to my electric blue Acura. My car was the one personal luxury item I’ve splurged on in the last three years. I preferred to drive in silence, letting my mind run through all the things I needed to take care of for the day before heading to the bar that night. Thankfully, there was plenty of parking in the gym’s lot.
“Hey, Susie,” I greeted as I rounded the front desk to sign in for my ten o’clock class.
“Hey, Angela. How’s it going?” Susie studied the textbook in front of her. She was a college student at one of the major universities in the city and worked at the gym part-time.
“I can’t complain,” I answered, before heading off to the locker room to change into my cycling shoes. I was wearing my usual black biker shorts, sports bra, and a pink sleeveless tank top to the gym, figuring I would just change when I got back home. At five of ten, I exited the locker room to head to the class where the spin class was held. The previous class had already piled out and left the doors open to air it out before my class started. Seeing a few of my regulars, I waved and gave a couple of hugs out before moving to where the speakers and small entertainment center was set up. Plugging in my phone, I hit the music app to bring up high-energy playlist.
“Let’s get this shit over with,” a familiar male voice sounded off as he entered the room.
I turned around, and a laugh burst from my lips.
“You havegotto be in the wrong place,” I said to the group of men in front of me.
“Angela?”
“Ah, shit!”
Don and Corey belted out at the same time.
Without my consent, my eyes began searching the rest of the men with these two until they found him. Eric was amongst the group of firefighters, and right along with them, he was wearing a pink tutu over his workout clothing, but his strong, masculine presence couldn’t be overshadowed even by the ridiculous ensemble.
“W-what’re you all d-doing here dressed like th-that?” I stumbled out.
“Sean set us up.”
“Sean?” I looked to Eric even though he hadn’t given me that answer.
He remained silent, but his eyes did his talking for him, eyeing me up and down. I remembered our last encounter at the bar, just a few nights earlier. His eyes now held that same promise in them. He took one last look before climbing onto a bike in the front row, his eyes holding a glimmer of mirth.
“Time for class,” was all he said, staring intently at me as ifIwas the one out of place.
The music started, taking me out of my mystified trance.
“All right, everyone on your bikes!” I announced into the microphone that was attached to an earpiece. “Make sure your feet are secured into the latches on the pedals. And … 3… 2…1. We’re starting off slow today,” I began, my voice growing louder to be heard over the music. I climbed onto the bike in front of the room, facing the crowd of peddlers and directed the class as usual. We began seated to warm up, but by the time the second round of the hooks came for the first song, we were up off our seats, doing arm push-ups against the handlebars. By the beginning of the next song, we were down for a short rest and then up again, pumping our legs. Even though I was working just as hard in addition to calling out cues, I kept an eye on each one of the twenty-five or so participants. The usuals were used to my high-energy, fast-paced class, and while I suspected none of the firemen had attended spin class before, they all kept up with no complaints. Even while I tried to keep my eyes on everyone in the class, my gaze kept floating back to the man directly in front of me. Every time I looked at Eric, his gaze was squarely on me, pinning me. At one point, the look he gave me was so intense that I faltered and I lost my grip on one side of the handlebars. Having been an instructor for three years now, I quickly recovered without too many people noticing. Embarrassed, I resolved to keep my gaze off of Eric for the remainder of the class. I failed miserably.
“Thanks, Angela. I needed that workout today,” Sharon, one of my regulars, panted as I unplugged my phone.
“It was my pleasure. Why don’t you bring Larry in here next time?” I laughed at the face she made. Larry was her husband, who she brought a few months back. She said he complained for days afterward.
“Never again. Larry can stick to his early morning runs now that he’s retired.”
I was amused at Sharon’s exasperation with her husband. We talked for a few more moments until we both stopped upon hearing loud whooping and hollering coming from outside the room. Wondering what was happening, I made my way to the main gym room to see my brother and two other men from his fire station cracking up and taking pictures and filming the men from Rescue Four.
“I knew they’d show up eventually,” Don stated loudly.
“Don’t worry, someone was taking pictures of you in class, too,” Sean laughed.
I continued to watch as Sean and his crew followed the Rescue Four men out the door. I covered my mouth, laughing to myself.
“Something funny?” That deep voice penetrated my senses. Although my temperature had begun to decline from my workout, I felt myself get all hot and bothered again.
