I step off the elevator with more purpose and determination than I felt earlier. I’ve got a job to do and it’s time I get back to doing it.
I don’t bother with a shower since I’m heading to the gym. Pulling on some shorts and a grey t-shirt, I head downstairs.
For Monday morning, the gym is empty. There are only a couple of people on the stair climber machines, a couple more on the treadmills, and no one is using the heavier weights. I stretch out my arms and shoulders before picking up one of the lighter weights to warm up. I’ve barely finished the second set when Iglimpse a streak of vibrant red hair walking behind me in the mirror. It’s Cara, and I can smell her heavy fragrance.
“I heard a rumor that you were back,” she says, walking slowly, her hips swaying, until she’s standing next to me.
I don’t stop curling the weights to respond. “Good news travels fast.”
She smiles. “It sure does. You were gone a long time. I wasn’t sure if you were coming back.”
“My father was sick.”
Her face falls. “That’s right. I’m sorry. How is he?”
“He’s doing a lot better. Thanks.”
She pushes her hair back behind her shoulders. “What are you working on? Do you need a spot?”
“I’m good. Thanks.”
She nods but doesn’t move to leave. She just watches me through the mirror. I try to ignore her but it’s getting a bit annoying. If I ask her what she’s working on, to remind her she should go ahead and do it, it’ll only encourage more conversation. So, I breathe through the reps and stare at my arms as I lift the weights above my shoulders.
I’m grateful I don’t feel any pain, and I’m so focused on my movements that I don’t hear her question until she asks, “So, are you?”
“Huh?” I ask between breaths.
She rolls her eyes playfully, but I’m not really amused. It’s so strange how I couldn’t get enough of Cara a few months ago, and now I just want her to go away.
“I said, are you going to Carlos’s party tonight?”
I hadn’t even heard about any party, but even if I did, I knew I wouldn’t be interested. “I just got back from New York. It was a long flight, and I didn’t get any sleep. I won’t be up past eight tonight.”
She sucks her cheeks and it makes her lips pout. I used to find it hot when she did it before, but I feel nothing now.
“Oh, that’s too bad.” She steps closer to me. So close that I’m concerned my elbow will hit her temple if she doesn’t move out of the way. So, I step to the side.
She notices. “What about tomorrow night? I’m free if you want to hang or something.”
After a series of reps, the weight feels heavier and I blow out a loud breath. “I have no plans tomorrow night.”
She smiles, and this time, she massages her neck, pushing her long hair back and to the side. “Great. Then pick me up at eight? We can go to the new club on Rodeo.”
Finishing my warmup, I drop the weights and place them on the stand. I don’t know Cara well, but I know that she won’t give up easily. I could just make an excuse and hope she gets the picture, but I don’t want to waste her time.
I turn to her and soften my face as I’m sure it must look a little annoyed at having to stop my work out. “Look, I don’t want to give you the wrong impression, but I’ve come off a long break from baseball, and I’m planning to spend every minute of the next few months getting back into the best version of me. That means working out, practicing, and focusing on my mechanics. When I’m not doing those things, I plan to rest my body. I don’t plan on going to any parties or hanging out with anyone. It’s nothing personal. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She crosses her arms but her eyes blink rapidly. Her face doesn’t give away any of her feelings. “Yeah. I understand.”
She turns to walk away but stops and looks over her shoulder at me. “I really liked you, Casey. Like a lot. And sometimes you just don’t see what’s right in front of you.”
I huff. That’s absurd. I see a World Series Championship in front of me. I see the biggest contract in MLB history in front of me. I see success. What I don’t see is partying to achieve any ofthat. I get that she’s disappointed, but I think the condescension is a little unnecessary.
I shrug my shoulders to loosen them up and then move on to the next set.
13
Sage
