After picking up Dottie and changing, I take us to our new winter running spot. I may have made quite the case for a new machine to come into the Blues training facility.
“What are we doing here, Beckham?” Jensen asks.
“It’s a surprise, Jen.” I put my truck in park. “Wait for me to come around, it’s still slick.”
Jensen lets out a small huff. “I think I can handle a little ice.”
I look her dead in the eye. “I know you can, I’m talking to Dottie.”
Jensen bites back a smile. “Fair.”
Getting inside the lobby, I know the anticipation is eating at both of them. Dottie’s turning circles which is only stressing Jensen out more.
“So, do you have, like, an indoor track or something? Are we going to run fake bases a hundred times?”
I chuckle. “No, smart-ass. I have another idea to try first.” Making sure the door is locked behind me, I turn to Jensen and tap her nose. “Trust me, Killer.”
“Beck,” she groans my name as she swats at my hand.
“Follow me.”
Picking up Dottie’s leash, I lead them both down the hall to our workout room. I honestly can’t believe I actually talked Olsson into this. I mean, I’m the one who paid for it, but really, my argument for the team to bring their dogs might actually encourage workouts seemed to help.
Hitting the code to get into the workout room, I hold the door open for Jensen to go in first.
She hesitates for a moment studying my face. Part of me thinks she might actually want to try and guess what I have up my sleeve, or maybe she’s thinking of taking Dottie and leaving.
I hold my breath until she walks in. “Head over to the treadmills in the back.”
Jensen eyes me curiously, but walks anyway. When she hits the line of machines, she spins around. “What is this?”
“It’s Dottie’s treadmill.”
Jensen’s jaw drops. “You bought her a dog treadmill and got it put in a Major League training facility?”
“Hell yeah, I did. Gotta say it’s probably a gamble if she’ll even like it, but I figured if anyone could get her on it, it’s me.”
Jensen swats at me first, but her dropped jaw has since turned into a smile. “I cannot believe you did this.”
“Believe it.” My hands tug her closer by her waist. “I like running with you both, I’m not going to let some snow stop that.”
Jensen looks back to the machine then back to me now biting back her smile. “You could really charm your way into anything, couldn’t you?”
“I really could.” I tap her ass playfully. “I think the crush you have on me really solidified that statement.”
Jensen shoves me back, but that smirk won’t leave her face. “You and your ego.”
It takes a little convincing to get Dottie comfortable on the machine. Every little adjustment we had to make to ensure her safety while running made her quite apprehensive about it, but once she got going, she absolutely loved it.
Jensen and I stood by on either side for a few minutes to make sure she got the hang of it. It’s non-electric, and once she realized she could control the speed, it was game over.
After that, Jen and I hopped on the two next to her and ran our typical five miles. It may not have been our usual route with the views of the Harborwalk, but I’m not complaining.
Dottie’s definitely not either. We all but have to pull the emergency brake to get her off.
“Safe to say she likes it.” I chuckle, then give Dottie big pets. “Good job, I knew you could do it.”
Jensen comes up behind her, ruffling her fur on her back. “Such a good girl. You did so good! Let’s find you some water, shall we?”
