“Watts? Thanks.”
“Anytime, Ace. I’ve got a team skate to get to. We’ve got a game tomorrow.” He pauses at the door and raises an eyebrow at me. “Where we will…”
I grin at him. “Pound them into dust.”
“Yeah, we will.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ELLIOT
If you need me,call me. No matter where you are. No matter how far. Don’t worry, baby.
Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell sing to one another in perfect harmony, and I am going through the motions.
Literally.
“And shoulder presses!” I demonstrate the exercise in front of my class, pushing the light dumbbells over my head. “Keep your core strong and your shoulders back. Whether you’re using dumbbells or body weight, good form is key!”
After another sleepless night it’s hard to put pep in my step, but I push through it. A forced smile is better than no smile at all, right? And exercise releases endorphins, so maybe if I move my body to Motown classics long enough, I won’t feel so miserable.
Ever since I left Arthur’s office yesterday, I’ve felt wounded and lost. Like I’m bleeding internally and no one can tell. I dragged myself through work, treating players’ injuries while ignoring my own. I moved my Sunday morning class to Saturday so I can spend my birthday morning with Sam. But this morning at breakfast all Sam could talk about was mybirthday dinner tomorrow. I didn’t even have the courage to tell him that Arthur likely wouldn’t be there.
Not that I know that for certain. In order for that to be true, we would have needed to have an actual conversation. But he didn’t reach out. And I didn’t either.
Radio silence.
Unlike the speaker that pumps out “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
Remember the day I set you free. I told you you could always count on me, darlin’.
Oh shit. I think I’m going to start crying in front of a pool full of seniors. I’m so frustrated. Frustrated with Arthur for shutting me out. At myself for letting him.
Coward. I am a coward.
Well, that ends now. Or whenever this class is over. I’m going to track Arthur down and make him listen to what I have to say. God, I don’t even know what I’m going to say. But whatever it is, it will be honest and it will be real, and I might get hurt but at least I’ll do it on my terms.
“Elliot, I’m gonna say the same thing I said to my second husband before he keeled over in front of me.” Reggie pauses for dramatic effect. “You don’t look great.”
Inappropriate laughter bubbles out of me and I cover my mouth. “You’re awful, Reggie.”
“Yeah, but I’m honest. And I’d rather be an honest old biddy than a lying sweetheart any day.” She wraps her fluffy pink towel around her even pinker bathing suit. “Are you okay, sugar?”
I open my mouth to say what I always say when someone asks me that. Yes! Absolutely! Of course! Instead I look her in the eyes and tell her, “Not really. But I will be.”
“Good girl.” She nods her approval. Her gaze seems to snag on something just behind me. “I’d offer to help, but I get the feeling in this instance, three would be a crowd.”
Iturn to follow her line of sight and freeze. Arthur stands six feet behind me. He’s dressed casually in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey,” I reply.
“Heyyyyyy,” Reggie adds, wiggling her fingers flirtatiously at him. It breaks the tension and we both laugh a little. “See you next week, darling,” she calls to me as she struts toward the locker room. “See you in my dreams, big fella,” she adds as she passes Arthur.
Arthur looks mortified, staring at the floor.
“You get used to her,” I say when she’s out of earshot.
