But though their relationship was in the past, there was nothing saying they couldn’t be friends. He didn’t have a ton of friends, and he already knew that Amelia was someone he could trust.
“Alright, guys,” Cole said, turning to Ben and Luca. “Let’s get into the gym. The kids are going to be arriving soon, and I want to have a few minutes with you all before they get here.”
As Cole strode toward the doors of the gym, Ben turned back to Amelia and smiled at her. “It was good to see you again.”
Something flickered in her eyes as she nodded. “You, too.”
He wasn’t sure if she really felt that way, but he hoped she did. Their paths were probably going to cross frequently over the next few weeks.
CHAPTER FOUR
Amelia watched as Benji… Ben… followed Cole into the gym, the same tall, muscled man at his side she’d seen the previous day. She was sure it was his bodyguard, since she knew he’d ended up with a new one after the one he’d had in high school had made the decision to stay at the Idaho estate instead of going with Benji to New York.
Though Amelia had known she’d be seeing Ben that day, nothing could have prepared her to hear him say her name. And then to look into his familiar blue eyes and see his smile.
But there were still some changes since she’d last seen him. He’d been a lanky teen with broad shoulders, and while he was still tall, he’d filled out more, and the muscles of his arms and shoulders had definitely become more defined.
Unlike his older brother, Julian, Ben’s hair wasn’t really styled. His light brown curls were still a bit disheveled and had blonde highlights, just like in his teenage years. She knew from the past that those highlights were a result of him spending time in the sun.
When he disappeared from sight, Amelia blew out a breath and slumped back in the chair. Her stomach was in knots, and she wished that she had begged off from working at the table. The only reason she hadn’t was that she’d known it would just put off the inevitable.
Ready for a reprieve from her thoughts and emotions, she was relieved to see a group of teens approaching the table.
All the kids’ parents had previously registered them and signed the papers that allowed their child to participate. It was Amelia’s job to check each participant in and give them a nametag to wear.
The teens were respectful, waiting their turn at the table before heading into the gym. However, there was no denying their excitement.
The nametags gradually dwindled down until there was just one left. It appeared the teen was going to be a no-show as the clock clicked past one, the start time for the afternoon clinic.
When Amelia heard a whistle blow, she got up from the table and walked to the open gym door to watch. She stood to the side of the doorway, which gave her a view of the group, while also staying somewhat hidden. She crossed her arms, her hands tucked tightly against her sides as she watched.
Cole had the group of teens gathered in front of him, and on either side of him stood the men who had come to help him with the clinic. After opening with a word of prayer, Cole began to lead the teens through a series of exercises.
Amelia felt a pang of envy as she watched them. There had been a time not that long ago when she’d been able to move as effortlessly and energetically as the people in the group.
Now it was a struggle to even climb a flight of stairs without having to pause halfway. It wasn't just the physical ability she missed. It was the certainty that had come with it. The knowledge that her body would do what she asked of it.
Amelia watched Ben follow Cole as he called out instructions for their warmup, his movements smooth and coordinated. Even though Ben had complained about being too old to keep up with the kids, he moved with an athletic grace that made her heart ache.
“Excuse me.”
The soft voice had Amelia turning away from the gym. A teenage girl stood a short distance away, her body tall and thin. She clasped her hands tightly together.
"Am I too late?" she asked, worry on her face. "My mom had to work, and I had to wait for my brother to give me a ride.”
“It’s fine, hon. Just come over to the table here.” The girl followed her, then nodded when Amelia said, “Is your name Jessi?”
“Yes.”
“Here you go.” Amelia handed her a name tag. “Just stick that on your shirt.”
The teen peeled off the backing, then smoothed it onto her shirt. She glanced towards the gym, wariness on her face.
“Should I just walk in?”
Amelia could see that the idea made the girl nervous. “Do you want me to come with you?”
She hoped that Jessi would decline her offer. At one point in her life, she’d had no trouble having attention focused on herself. On the largest sports stage in the world, she’d skated out alone to perform in front of thousands.
