“You were amazing. You’re so good at this.” He gives me a proud smile. Why does that feel so good?
“Yoga is really good for preventing injuries, so I hope it helps the team this year.” I blurt out, like I didn’t just say that in class twenty minutes ago.
“Yeah, that could really help us this year, Mads. I’m so glad you’re doing this.” He reaches out to push my hair behind my ear, and I lean into the warmth of his touch. Wanting more.
His eyes meet mine, and a jolt of arousal runs through my body at the heat I see there. I’ve never seen him look like this, especially at me. Is he attracted to me? It could just be my imagination.
“So where do I sign up for some personal yoga lessons? I need some one-on-one instruction.” He leers as he sidles up next to me. Ugh. Is that a wedding ring? Is this guy for real? What a jerk!
Liam moves closer to me while slinging an arm around my shoulders. It’s an obvious message that I am off-limits. There’s something about this guy that gives me the creeps. In response, I drift closer to Liam. As a single woman, I’ve learned to trust my intuition over the years, and right now it’s screaming that this guy is bad news.
“I don’t do personal instruction, Mr.?” I reply as professionally as possible.
“It’s Bell, but you can call me Karl. We’re going to be good friends.” Ugh, does he really think that line works? I wouldn’t be friends with this guy even if he paid me.
“I have plenty of friends already, Mr. Bell. Excuse me.” I turn my back on him and walk away. Grabbing my gear, I decide to ask Liam to walk me out if Kenji’s still busy. He’s over talking to Damon, and it appears as if their bromance is blossoming.
Liam and Karl are off to the side of the room in what looks to be an intense discussion. I’ve rarely seen Liam angry, but he’s looking as if he’d like to take a swing at Karl. His mouth is pressed into a tight line, and the hard lines of his body are rigid with tension. His fists are curled at his side, as if it’s taking all his willpower not to throw down, and doesn’t that give me a little thrill? Protective Liam is pretty hot.
Madison
I’m tired, but in an “I worked hard today” way, by the time I climb the stairs to my apartment after my five o’clock class. It’s getting dark. I’m hungry, and I can’t wait to soak in a hot shower. I’m halfway up when I hear the barking.
Oh shit! I left poor Ace in the apartment all day long. Oh my God, I’m a terrible dog owner. I totally forgot about the poor guy. The walk that I had planned for noon ended up being just a quick bathroom break because one of my instructors called out with a sick child. Since I was the only one available, I had to take over her class immediately. After that, I barely had time to breathe for the remainder of the day and no time for a break. Damn it! My poor puppy! I rush up the stairs as if hurrying will somehow make it right. Who forgets they have a dog, for goodness’ sake?
“I’m coming, Ace!” I say as I fumble with the door lock. Why did I let those guys install three deadbolts? It’s taking forever to get this door open, and I can hear his sharp, high barks. I fling the door open, darting inside.
The state of the room stops me in my tracks. It looks like a bomb went off. The chaos that greets me is jarring. A whitefluffy substance resembling snow covers the floor. Under closer examination, it turns out to be the fluff inside my shredded accent pillows. One of my leather sandals is on the kitchen floor next to an upended trash can. There’s trash and empty takeout containers all over the kitchen tile. I walk over and pick up my shoe. Hoping against hope that it’s still in one piece. It isn’t. Damn, these were my favorite. I’m surveying the mayhem with regret when a cold nose bumps my thigh. I look down, and there’s Ace. Looking up at me with those sweet chocolate eyes, nuzzling my thigh.
“Well, this is a disaster. Isn’t it, buddy? Mom really messed up, didn’t she?” He whines and paws my thigh. It doesn’t smell bad, so maybe I lucked out in that department. I resign myself to a night of cleanup and go to grab his leash.
“What the hell happened in here?”
Walker and Liam are standing in my doorway, staring open-mouthed at the disaster that is my living room.
“Did someone break in again?” My brother asks, his voice full of concern.
“This looks like more of an inside job to me,” says Liam. “Ace?”
I nod.
“It’s all my fault. I left him up here all day, and I didn’t have time to take him for a full walk at lunch.”
“Yeah, he’s a working dog. He’s not going to do well cooped up in here all day long.” He looks around in dismay, which is when I remember that Liam’s family used to breed dogs.
“I’m not sure what to do here. I remember your family always had a lot of well-trained dogs around and I was always so jealous. God, I wanted a dog of my own so badly.” I confess.
“Me too!” Walker injects.
I used to love going to Liam’s house because of all the dogs. My parents were adamant about their refusal to get us a pet.They blamed it on hockey, but I just think they didn’t want pets. My mom was so OCD about cleaning. I can’t imagine her dealing with dog hair.
“Let me think about it while you take Ace out. I can see he’s got to go.” Oh God, why did I think I could do this dog mom thing? I’m terrible at it.
“Yeah, back in a few,” I say as I hurry out the door.
I hear Liam tell Walker to help him clean up while I’m gone. I don’t hear Walker’s answer, but I hear the protest in his tone. He’s probably trying to get out of it. Cleaning is his least favorite thing.
I walk Ace across the street to the park. It’s a short walk from my studio and so convenient, plus there are quite a few people out tonight walking their dogs. Ace stays by my side the whole time. He doesn’t react at all to the other dogs, although some of them react to him. I wish I had a treat with me. He’s behaving so well. I give him a pat, telling him he’s the goodest boy. I may need to do a little Amazon shopping tonight. Everyone else has those poop bags attached to their dog’s leash. At least Kenji brought the basics last night, so I’ve got food and bowls. Mentally, I make a list in my head of all the things he’ll need. I really should have thought this through so much more than I did. Nowhere to go but forward for now.
