“Oh God.” Two men are standing at the urinals while another is looking at me like I’m an idiot.
“This is the men’s room, ma’am.”
“Right. I’m so sorry. Tired is all,” I try explaining myself to them. “Long flight.”
It was less than a two-hour flight, but they don’t know that. Nor is this the time to try and launch into a made-up story.
“Can you leave so I can take care of business?” one of the men throws over his shoulder. “I can’t take a whiz with a lady here.”
“Yup. Sorry.”
I’ve turned into a bumbling idiot.
Rounding the divider of the restroom, I peek my head around the corner. There’s no sign of anyone at the baggage claim.
Thank God.
One of the men gives me a funny look as he leaves the bathroom, and I hurry off in the direction to try and find my bag.
So much for being a badass.
I cowered at the first sign of him.
The carousel has stopped, and my lone orange bag is the only one sitting there. There’s no one else around to witness my humiliation.
I can’t believe—of all places—I ended up in the men’s bathroom.
I have too much nervous energy to do anything productive. Making a decision, I pick up my rental car and plug in the address for the gym.
Nothing like a hard workout to get rid of these feelings of inadequacy.
I clear my head as I drive into town, following the voice of my navigation. It’s hard not to smile as I come down the main drag.
Everything here is exactly the same as I remember. The antler arches. People coming and going throughout the town, some looking like they just came from the slopes.
It’s the epitome of a small ski town. And I love it.
And so far, not a single reporter in sight.
It’s bliss.
The gym comes into view as I roll through town. An old, converted warehouse, it’s exactly what a gym like this should be.
Grabbing my backpack, I lock my car and head inside.
It’s crowded, even for the middle of the afternoon during the week. Sweat and hard work clings to the air in here. High beams allow for a lot of light to filter through the open windows. Machines take up one-half of the space, while mats and free weights line the other.
I know this is exactly the place I need to be.
“Hey there. Can I help you?” someone asks from behind the front desk.
“Hi. I’m not supposed to be here until tomorrow, but I’m Audrey Meyers.”
She comes around the desk. “Scott said you’d be joining us. Welcome. I’m Heather, his partner in crime.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“I’ll see if I can find him, and then maybe you two can get started?”
