I gave them all a low wave and then jerked a thumb in the direction of the parking lot. “They’re already gathering. Apparently, this is the most exciting thing to happen in Hambleton since... well... ever.”
Bowie checked his watch just as women’s voices filtered in from a room at the back of the gym.
“Classes are done,” Donovan called out, undoing his boxing gloves with his teeth and pulling them off before parting the ropes and jumping down from the ring. “Guess we can let the guys in now.” He came over and kissed my cheek before taking Imogen from me.
DJ gave him a nod and headed for the door just as a cry of, “Mommy!” went up, and the sight of Gabby racing toward me, all arms, legs, and flowing dark hair, entered my line of vision.
She flung herself at me, sending me on the back foot. “Yoga was rad!” she exclaimed. “You’ll have to come next time.”
“Sounds great.” I pulled back, smiling at her, while not meaning a damned word I said.
I hit the gym regularly because I loved food and refused to live on lettuce leaves. I had curves, but I was also fit and strong, and I was proud of my awesome ass. Still, the thought of having to do yoga as well as working out didn’t fill me with good vibes.
I looked over Gabby's shoulder to see Layla, Cara, and Kennedy approaching.
Excited chatter and laughter filled the room as a steady stream of teenage boys filtered into the gym from the parking lot, followed by a handful of adults. DJ made his way back over with Maverick by his side.
Maverick's eyes immediately fell on Sunny, and he grinned. “Hey, Sunshine.”
She blushed prettily and replied, “Hey, Mav. Are you looking forward to the boxing?”
He held her gaze and answered, “Yeah. My dad taught me to spar some, but he’s no professional.” His eyes slid to Donovan and then to Bowie. “It’s cool you’re doing this for us. Appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, son,” Donovan said with a nod of acknowledgement
Layla approached with the girls and did a double-take when she saw Maverick. Her eyes slid to meet Sunny’s, and they sparkled with excitement.
Mav Meadows had obviously been a hot topic of conversation already, but then, knowing Gabby, she would have told the girls all about Mav’s interest in Sunny before they even hit the yoga studio.
“Okay,” Bowie yelled, clapping his hands and raising his voice over the fray. “Everyone, line up over by the ring. We’ll get you sorted into groups and talk through the basics.”
A thrum of adolescent energy surged through the gym, and sneakers squeaked across the wooden floor as boys jostled and joked, eager to impress.
I held my arms out for Imogen, waiting for Donovan to transfer her back to me, and then I steered Gabby to the side of the room, eager to watch DJ in action.
Kennedy found a stack of mats, and we moved to sit on them as we watched the guys show the kids how to warm up and then how to position their hands so they felt minimal impact when they got to punching.
Imogen crawled off my lap and curled up on the springy gym mat, her thumb immediately going to her mouth as she watched her dad go through some moves.
Layla nudged Sunny. “Mav’s cute.”
“Yeah,” Sunny breathed. “He’s on the football team too, and he does track.”
“I spoke to him outside,” I told her. “He seems to have a great attitude.”
It was like Maverick could sense we were talking about him because he glanced over and sent Sunny a little smile and a chin lift.
Kai, who stood next to Mav, caught them flirting, and his jaw hardened as he looked between the two teens.
“Oops. Someone’s jealous,” Cara sang.
Kennedy laughed. “Good. I love my boy, but if he’s going to pass Sunny over for the likes of Sienna Barrington, then he has to expect some payback.”
I laughed softly. “You heard about that?”
“Kady,” she replied. “She came home full of it.”
“So did Gabs and DJ. Donovan’s so invested that he makes sure he’s there when the kids get back from school so he can hear the next installment of the daytime drama we callHeartbreak at Hambleton High. At this point, it's an addiction.”
