I turn red in no time, and I don’t know why, but I feel embarrassed. For getting so worked up about him like I would with a worldwide issue.
I press play on the song and start singing slowly, trying really hard to cool down and ignore the fact that I’m visibly red.
I pull up to the parking lot, and he looks around, visibly confused. We’re in one of those small malls with a variety of stores, so there’s no hint whatsoever.
He follows me, hands in his pockets, strutting behind me.
I touch the handle to Smashing It! and the complaining starts.
“A rage room?”
“Would you trust me?”
“I don’t know why you keep insisting, you know, most of the time I find your stubbornness endearing, but this time-”
“Hey, Dustin.” I greet, letting him ramble to himself.
“Hi, Maddie.”
Jake stops, looks at Dustin, the handsome, older PT, and puts an arm around me.
“Hi, Jake, herboyfriend, nice to meet you.” He extends his hand, and I try really hard not to grab the bridge of my nose.
Dustin laughs, a deep laughter, and Jake shifts beside me, adjusting his posture.
“The room’s ready for you. It has been a slow summer, not enough mad people in the world.” He smiles, ever so charming, and I interject before Jake does.
“Believe me, right now, we count as about a hundred.”
Dustin points at me, laughing like a dad, and Jake is still eyeing him suspiciously.
He passes us the liability waiver, and I just sign it off and pass the pen to Jake.
“So, you’re coming in with us?” Jake asks.
“No, man, I usually leave the smashing to the customers.” Dustin dismisses.
“Pity…” Jake mutters under his breath.
When we’re done in the lobby, Dustin takes us to our weapons and stretches his arm out, letting us pick our delicacy.
“I’m really feeling the crowbar today.” I reach for it and take it.
I look at Jake, waiting for him, and it’s like he’s still not quite sure how he ended up here.
“The baseball bat, I guess.”
Dustin then takes us to get suited up with our coveralls, safety helmets, and gloves.
As soon as we’re geared up, Dustin checks it and then lets us in.
“Any song requests?”
“The usual. Oh, unless…” I let Jake weigh in, and he dismisses it with his hand.
Dustin throws a thumbs-up and then closes the door.
“So we just-”
