Balance (Off Balance 1)

“Huh? What?” Avery’s voice brought me back to our conversation.

“Oh, sorry. I was talking to Hayden.”

Her voice heightened, surprised to hear his name. “Hayden’s at your place right now?”

“Yes, he’s going to help me soak in ice water.”

“Ice water?”

“He’s filling my bath tub with bags of ice and adding water. It helps relieve swelling and repair my muscles so I can train at the same rate I’ve been going at, or so I’ve been told. Today was brutal, quite possibly the worst day yet. I’ll sit for ten to fifteen minutes or so and say a prayer.”

“Interesting...and boring. So, I’ll leave around seven tomorrow morning?”

“Perfect! I can’t wait to see you!” I said excitedly.

“Later, girlfriend.”

“I’m so excited! Be right back!” I yelled dramatically walking into my bedroom and shutting the door. I shuffled through my drawers for raggedy clothes. Quickly changing into ones I could wear in the tub, I opened my bedroom door to let Hayden know I was finished. I hadn’t seen my best friend in many long months and tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.

“I can’t wait for you to meet Avery. I’ve known her since we were in diapers.” I was fixing my shorts and sports bra, waiting for Hayden to respond. When he didn’t, I looked up and my cheeks reddened.

“Pick your jaw up, Hayden. You act like you’ve never seen me in such little clothing.”

His mouth moved but nothing came out at first. “I have, but...”

I chuckled, a rosy smile spreading across my face. “Just shut up,” I said playfully. “Now come help me out.”

“Aid...” I looked over my shoulder at Hayden scratching his head. “You’ve got a hot body. Seriously, it’s rocking.”

I knew my body had transformed over the past couple of months from the intensity of the workouts, but I hadn’t realized just how much until he mentioned it.

“So do you, now let’s go.”

Standing in my bathroom, I stared down at the ice filled bathtub and bit the inside of my lip.

“So I just climb in?”

“Basically.”

I took a deep breath, my chest rising high and put my hand out blindly behind me, searching for his. He wrapped his hand around my hand as my toe dipped into the frigid water and I squeezed his fingers.

“Shit.”

“You just gotta take the plunge.”

“I know,” I replied, staring at the ice cubes. “It’s just the initial step into the water that’s going to shock me.” I looked at Hayden and expelled a deep breath. “Okay. I’m doing it.” I bit the bullet and dropped one foot into the icy waters.

My mouth dropped open. “Oh my God!”

“Keep going.”

So I did, and once I had both legs in the water, I looked at Hayden for strength. Goose bumps broke out across my skin and a shiver wracked my body. “I don’t think I can feel my toes.”

“Don’t be dramatic.”

I puckered my lips and crouched down. The worst part was going to be the water hitting my pelvis. Even when I would swim in the ocean, the cold was always so shocking to my hips and boobs. Once I got that out of the way, it wasn’t so bad. But I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be the same thing. Not even remotely close.

Holding my breath, I let go of Hayden’s hand and slowly eased in. My hands gripped the side of the tub, my knuckles turning white as my butt hit the ice and I squeaked.