Page 46 of Sangre
“Good. You?”
“Great. I’m at the gym for about forty minutes and then heading over to The Rear End for rehearsal. I just told Keith that he doesn’t need to come inside the gym with me because I know a ton of people in there and feel totally comfortable and safe. Can you tell him to chill until I come out?”
“Let me speak to Keith.” Isla passed the phone to him and then leaned against the car, straining her ears to hear their conversation. Keith had rolled the window practically all the way up, and since he was a low talker anyway, she couldn’t really hear what he was saying. She did catch a few phrases, and they all related to her flat tire. Keith rolled the window down and handed her the phone.
“Sangre?”
“Keith said you had a flat tire?”
“Yeah. It turns out that some brats in the neighborhood slashed the tire. There’re a couple of boys who live down the street from me, and they can be a pain in the ass.”
“I didn’t hear anything last night. Dammit.”
“Relax. It’s not your fault. My neighbor fixed it, and all’s good. I’m going in tomorrow to get a new one.”
“Was your neighbor’s tire slashed?”
“No. Their cars were in the garage.”
“Did you talk to any neighbors who parked on the street?”
Looking at the time, she tapped her foot on the asphalt. “Not yet. I was going to when I got home. I really have to go. I’m meeting the guys in an hour, and I want to work out before then.”
“So, you don’t really know if anyone else had their tires slashed, you’re just assuming. I don’t like it. Keith needs to go inside with you.”
She groaned. “I need privacy, okay? I feel completely safe in there. I’m just going to work on the machines for twenty minutes and jump on the treadmill. No one followed us here. I’m sure you already asked Keith that.”
“I did.”
“Then…? It’s all good. Tell him to be right in front in forty minutes. You can call him on his phone. I have to go, okay? I’ll see you later tonight.”
“I have club business tonight, so Jeff’s on the schedule.”
Disappointment weighed her down. “Oh. When will I see you?”Don’t sound desperate.
“I’m not sure, but I’ll call you. I’m calling Keith now.”
As she put her phone into her tote, she heard Keith’s ringing, and she walked away.
“Hey,” Scott said as she entered.
“How’s it going?” she answered, stopping at the front desk to swipe her card.
“Not too shabby. Going for a swim today?”
“I don’t have the time. Just a quick workout,” Isla replied as she walked into the machine area. Usually she incorporated a swim into her routine, loving the calming effects of the water. If her workout was too strenuous, she’d just float on her back and let the water soothe and cradle her.If it hadn’t been for those damn kids, I’d be able to get a swim in. And what’s with Sangre? I thought for sure he’d be over tonight.In fact, she’d been looking forward to it.Probably has a date with that blonde. Who cares? I don’t.But she did, and that made her mad at herself and at him.
She went over to one of the elliptical machines and opened her duffel bag, taking out a towel, water bottle, and MP3 player loaded with metal and hard rock songs. After putting in the ear buds, she stepped onto the machine, turned it on, and started off at a slow pace to warm up. Lost in Anthrax’s “Welcome to the Madhouse,” a hand gripping her bicep startled her, making her stumble and lunge forward. She slowed the machine down and turned her head sideways. A man around her age, with killer abs and muscular legs and arms, gave her a wide, toothy grin. Her belly tightened as she pulled her arm away then wiped her face with her towel.
“What the hell? You know better than to do that when someone’s on a machine,” she said, her voice laced with irritation. The last person she wanted to run into at the gym was Devin, and here he was, as always, grinning at her like a damn Cheshire cat.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to talk to you before you rushed out of here. I’m starting my workout, and after you finish yours, you’re history.” He laughed.
“I don’t have much time to talk. I’ve already had to cut mine short this morning. What do you want?” She wished he’d go away. He seemed to be at the gym every time she was—no matter if it was morning, afternoon, or night.Does he live at this damn place? Doesn’t he have a damn job?
“I have an extra ticket for a play this Thursday night. I was wondering if you wanted to go. We could have dinner before.”
“I can’t. I told you I have a boyfriend, and he wouldn’t be too happy about me going out without him.”Why the hell can’t he catch on that I’m not interested in him?
