Balance (Off Balance 1)
“Yeah, something hot to drink while you’re sitting in the tub. It probably won’t make a huge difference at first, but if you focus on the heat of the liquid, it may help a little bit.”
I rummaged through my cabinets only to realize I didn’t have any tea. It wasn’t something I normally drank, so I never bought it. However, I had coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
I spun around. “Would coffee do the trick? I don’t have tea.”
“Yeah.”
Hayden walked into my bathroom and began filling the tub. As I pulled out a little coffee cup, I thought about how nice it was of him to offer assistance. I was used to being on my own and taking care of my needs, but fortunately Hayden wasn’t afraid to speak up and be pushy. So when he firmly told me his plans, I easily agreed to them. Anything to ease the pending soreness.
Just as I finished brewing a cup of coffee, a clattering caught my attention. I glanced down the hall to the bathroom and spotted Hayden bent over, dumping the second bag of ice into the bathtub. I couldn’t help notice how tight his sleeves were around his toned biceps or the way his back flexed under the material.
The sound of my cell ringing startled me. I grabbed it from my purse and shook my head at The One & Only BFFFFFF on my caller ID before picking up.
“How nice of you to finally grace me with a phone call.”
“I could say the same of you. I don’t hear from you for two weeks and then you get all pissy on me because I don’t answer for a few days? I’ve been busy.”
“Let me guess, you and your new beau,” I stated mockingly. “A text would’ve sufficed, you know. Not the fuck you button eighty-seven times. I thought something happened to you. I was ready to put out an Amber Alert.”
Avery chuckled at my exaggeration.
“Where have you been?” I asked, my voice malleable. “I miss talking to you.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Avery paused and then said, “I got into a fight with my boyfriend. It’s been pretty rough...I think we broke up, Aid.”
I was surprised to hear sadness in Avery’s voice. “So why didn’t you call me and vent? You know I’m always here for you.”
“I didn’t want to talk about it, I guess. I’m really just upset over it.”
“This is totally unlike you to be so down over a guy.”
“You mean for me to be a
sap?” she laughed sadly. “Yeah.”
Then it dawned on me. “For you to be this put off could only mean one thing. You love him. You love him and I don’t even know who him is.” Avery’s silence confirmed my deduction.
“Ave? Are you crying?”
“No,” she lied. Her throaty voice gave her away.
My heart ached for her. “I can’t believe how upset you are and I’m not there to comfort you. I feel like a shitty friend now.”
“It’s okay, I’ll get over it soon...I hope.”
An idea sprung to me. “You know, tomorrow I have the day off. I was going to go to the beach with some of the gymnasts here. Why don’t you drive over, come to the beach, and stay the night? The next day would be boring since I have practice and all, but you can come and watch for a little.”
“Aid, you’re like a million miles away.”
“Don’t be ridic, three hours at most, and that’s with traffic. You have to see the guys here and what they look like. Whoever you’re pining after will be easily forgotten once you feast your eyes upon the eye candy at my gym. The boys’ team.” I knew what would entice her.
Avery perked up. “Boys’ team? You mean Hayden?”
“Well, there are more boys other than Hayden, I just don’t talk to them often. Doesn’t mean I don’t look though.” I laughed, and so did Avery. “So you’ll come?” She groaned and I pushed. “Please, Avery?”
“Oh, all right,” she agreed, I could hear the smile in her voice. I jumped up and down, grinning from ear to ear.
Hayden appeared at my side, concern written on his face. “You okay?” he mouthed. I nodded frantically. “Yeah! I’m way more than okay!”