One to Love (One to Hold 4)
Page 63
“He’s growing up so fast!” She sighed. “I convinced Patrick and Elaine to take a date night, so it’s just me and him. He can count to ten! He knows more colors... He keeps patting my head and saying purple...”
“How old is he again?”
“Two!” She cried, and even though she was upset, I couldn’t help a laugh.
“Isn’t that still considered a baby?”
“He’s a toddler. And I remember so clearly the day he was born.”
The image of her caring for a little guy made me smile. “It sounds like you’re one of the best moms.”
The line was quiet a few moments, and her voice was hesitant when she spoke again. “Thank you. For telling me that story last night.”
My stomach tightened. “It was a shit story. I’m sorry I told you.”
“I’m glad you did.” Her voice was more forceful. “It helps me understand you better.”
“How about next time we just stick to your stories. They’re a little easier.” I looked at the 21 on my hand, thinking about her one bit of ink we hadn’t discussed, a potentially difficult Kenny story.
“Okay.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “But I wanted to thank you for trusting me.”
A fist unclenched in my chest, and I knew what I wanted to say. I wanted to tell her how I felt, the possessiveness expanding and opening out to surround her. Instead, I stuck to the basics.
“I don’t want you to think I’m holding you out. There are just some things I’d rather not relive.”
“I understand that.” Her voice was quiet. With my eyes closed, I could see her mouth, and everything in me wanted to taste it.
“I wish you were here.”
“I’ll be there this time tomorrow.” She was smiling again. “I miss you, too.”
* * *
Rook was waiting in his office when I arrived at the gym Sunday afternoon. “You wouldn’t happen to be licensed in CPR, would
you?”
“No,” my brow lined as I watched him write on a blue card.
“Didn’t think so. I can’t officially certify you until you are, but I can make it pending that. It’ll cover us so long as Kenny or Pete is in the building.”
“I’m not interested in being certified—”
“Like I said, I’ll have to increase your pay. How does an extra five bucks an hour sound?”
“Fuckin’ good.” I might actually be able to buy a few more groceries. Take Kenny to a restaurant instead of my crap apartment for dinner.
“Let’s get started.”
Learning to be a trainer wasn’t much different from being trained. Basically, it was shit my own trainer had taught me when I was boxing—monitoring form, encouraging clients to push themselves.
“You’re stronger than you look,” Rook said, as I finished a set, bench-pressing three hundred.
Sitting up with a loud exhale, I shrugged. “You’ve had me moving some heavy shit around here.”
He laughed and clapped me hard on the shoulder. “That’s enough for today. You know more than most trainers starting out.”
I followed him back to the front ready to head back to my place. A quick look at the clock told me Kenny would be arriving soon, and I had a surprise in mind for her.