“Good job.”Spencer didn’t seem ready to gloat, though.His expression didn’t change at all as he handed her a small towel.“I’ll give you your diet plan when we meet up for tomorrow’s workout.”
She’d been wiping the sweat off her face and nearly dropped the towel at his words.“Wait, we’re working out together again?I thought I’d come back on my own time and go through the exercises you gave me here,” she said, holding up the printout.At least she’d be able to read without being bitched at on her own time.
“AndIthought some structure would help you with this.You said at our first meeting that your workouts were pretty irregular and that you were a freelancer with a flexible schedule.That’s great for now, but it’s my guess that things are going to be a little stricter at the combine.I want to get you as ready for this as possible in all ways.Does that work for you?”
“Depends.How much is this going to cost?”If today was any indication, working with a trainer felt too much like someone her age or younger treating her like a child.She didn’t feel like paying someone to do that.
He quoted his rate, and Misty inhaled sharply.“I can swing that...if I don’t get takeout, go out for coffee or drinks, or buy new clothes, shoes, or anything extra whatsoever for the next two months.”So much for getting new workout gear.
“For the next two months,” he repeated.“After our time’s up, you can go back to doing all those things with a successful World Winter Games tryout under your belt.”
The only thing keeping her from cancelling this arrangement was the thought of going to the Games with Tish.Her friend had looked so excited about the possibility, and she was intrigued by the thought of doing something no one else in the world had ever done, and that only a handful of people would get to do.“Then, to answer your question, it does work for me.”
“Good.”
On the walk home, Misty put her earbuds in and music on.If Spencer had put up this much of a fight about her reading a book and demanded so much of her attention for the workout, she bet his head would have exploded if she’d tried to put on a playlist.His instructions were well and good, and yet she couldn’t help wondering where the line between sexily stern and a bossy asshole was.
A block or so into her walk home, an incoming call interrupted the song.She glanced down at the screen and took it.“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey!”Janice Kaufman’s voice rang out over the phone.“It’s been a while since we talked.”
“I know, it’s been busy with work for me.Not to mention, Tish and I are trying out for the World Winter Games, so I’ve been working out more.”
Her mother made a confused sound.“I’m sorry, what?”
“Tish’s track coach suggested she try out for the World Winter Games’ four-woman bobsled team—the first time they’re doing that event—andshesuggested I try out too.”
“How are you going to train forthat?”
“I signed up with a personal trainer to build strength and speed.”
“How’s that going?”
“Tell you later.Today was the first official day.”
“Well...”Misty could practically hear her mom struggling to say the right thing.“Good for you!”
That was exactly what Janice had said, and in the exact same tone, when Misty had come out as bisexual, launched her official freelance website, joined the kickball team, and done just about anything that would never have crossed her own mind to do.Misty could never decide whether it was meant to be praise or patronizing, and didn’t feel like going into it now.
“Thanks.”She took a breath.“If it all works out and I make the team...you told me that there was some money set aside for me.Can I use some of that to go to this?”
When Janice and Ed Kaufman had sold their Upper West Side apartment to follow their older daughter to Vermont, they’d found that it had nearly quadrupled in value since they’d bought it in the nineties.It had left them with enough money to buy a new house and set aside small nest eggs for Misty and Natalie.
And yet, Janice hesitated.“I meant that for when you get married or if you decide to have a baby and it doesn’t work out the way you hoped.”Indeed, Misty’s older sister and her wife had spent the past year or so going through IVF with help from their parents.
“Mom, I’m not even dating anyone.”Maybe now wasn’t the time to go into detail about her hot but strict trainer.“And I don’t need a big wedding or anything like that, but I have this incredible opportunity now.”
She could hear her mother hedging.“Let’s get you on the team first and see what happens.”
“Okay.Thanks.How’s Lisa and Natalie?”The IVF had finally taken for them a few months ago.Misty was happy for them, and not least because they offered a ready subject change.
“Well, your sister yelled at Lisa for heating up leftovers with cabbage, and that started a fight.But once it came out that it was making her morning sickness worse...”
Misty let the story wash over her as she finished the walk home.Impressing her family hadn’t even factored into her decision to try out for the team, but it would be a nice perk.
****
“Good start,” Spencerchirped after their next session, this one on the strength side.“Now that we’ve gotten your arms warmed up, let’s give some chin-ups a try.”He gestured to a bar off to the side.
