She leans forward. “Hope I see you there.”
He lets out a strangled laugh before grabbing the bags and stalking out to his car.
“You going?” she asks me, dropping her smile.
“No, it’s on my birthday.”
I’m pretty sure I hear her whisper something under her breath as I turn to leave the store.
Lane is stuffing the grocery bags into his trunk. I feel like his shoulders are tense.
“Are you okay?”
He jumps, hitting his head against the tailgate, and swears.
“Yeah. Get in, I’ll drop you off at the gym,” he says, before slamming the hatch shut.
“Where’s Lewis?”
“He’s gone off to play with his condoms.”
It’s a short ride to the pool, and Lane doesn’t say a word on the way there.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I say quietly, unbuckling my seat belt.
“Yeah.” His hands tighten on the steering wheel.
“Okay. Well, thanks for the ride. Are you heading back to the apartment?”
“I’m gonna grab a beer at Carter’s.”
“Okay. See you later.”
I swipe up my bag and head for the sports complex, turning back several times as I go.
By the time I push open the glass doors, the car is still there. This guy’s mood swings are exhausting.
I get dressed and slip into the water with a shiver. I can’t seem to focus on what Ethan is saying, and he calls me out on it throughout class. I don’t know if it’s because I’m nearer his age, but he picks on me much more than my classmates, which Hope and Prudence love. They keep shooting me knowing glances, while some of the other grandmas look at me like I just stole their cookie. As I’m zipping up my coat after class, Ethan wanders over to me, smiling.
“You’re making some serious gains, you know.”
“You think? I feel like I move like a drunk whale. I thought I’d be wiping the floor with those little old ladies!” I tug on my beanie.
“What can I say? I’ve turned them into machines!”
I laugh and sling my bag over my shoulder. “I need to go. See you next week.”
“Can I walk you to your car?”
“I’m actually walking home.”
“You live far?”
I sidestep the question with a shrug. “Kind of.”
“In that case, let me give you a ride.”
“Thanks, but it’s all good. I’ll walk.”
