Page 66 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
“Wait. Before you begin...” He holds up a finger and jogs back to the cabin. He returns two minutes later with Johnny and Amelia. “Now you can start.”
“You guys all want to do yoga?”
Johnny laughs. “It’s sure as fuck better than witnessing that shitshow back there.”
Amelia elbows him hard. “Stop being an asshole. Janelle is doing the best she can.” The expression on her face tells me who she thinks is responsible for Janelle’s problems.
I blink and do my best not to react. Because I don’t have the energy to defend a fake relationship to anyone.
Right now I’m just feeling sad and defeated for some reason.
If I were in a legit... something with Ben, then yeah, I’d be pissed. Fake Sienna staked her claim before Janelle returned.
But real Sienna went through her parents’ ugly divorce. And for some reason, all of this hits close to home.
I tell Amelia the truth. “Ben is a free agent. I haven’t handcuffed him to my bed. If he wants Janelle, he’s welcome to have her. But that’s his decision. Not mine.”
“You can handcuff me to your bed,” Johnny chirps, and I laugh.
He’s an idiot, but a lovable idiot.
I return my attention to Amelia. “If you want to do yoga, you’re welcome to stay.”
She rolls her eyes. “Let’s do this already.”
Such a gracious girl. She may be beautiful, but I can’t really see Olly with someone like this long-term. Her nails are too sharp for a sweet guy like him.
I get them situated on towels, which aren’t as nice as mats, but they’re on a grassy knoll, so it should be okay. I warm them up, taking my time so I can check their flexibility. And then we get into a groove. After fifteen sun salutation cycles, we’ve all worked up a good sweat, and the guys strip off their t-shirts.
When Ben finally emerges with Lily, I can tell the guys are starting to get tired.
“Holy shit, dude,” Johnny groans. “Your girl is killing me.”
That makes me pause. “Are you in any pain?”
“No, but this is turning into a hell of a workout. Let’s skip the run.”
Olly agrees, and I smile, pleased that I could give these elite athletes a good session. “Developing your flexibility can help prevent injuries during the season. Holler if you ever want to take my class. Or I can just come over and do a session for you at your house.”
Amelia’s head tilts. “You teach yoga? Like, at a real place?”
No, at a pretend place.
“Yup. At Good Vibes in Charming and sometimes at Blissful Soul in Austin.”
Although I haven’t done much of anything since I caught Cal and Destiny except sulk.
Maybe my dad has a point. I need to get back on track. Whatever that means. I’m just not sure I can handle moving back to California. But what would I do if I stay here after graduation? Follow Rider and Gabby around in Dallas like a third wheel?
Ben and Lily watch from the shade of a tree, and when we’re done, Olly gives me a high-five, and Johnny lifts me in a sweaty hug.
“Gross.” I laugh and shove him off me.
“That was awesome, woman.”
Amelia gives me a quiet thanks and heads back to the cabin as I make my way over to Ben.
“You doing okay?” I ask as I take Lily, who’s holding out her arms to me.
“No. Not really. Would you mind watching her for a bit? I want to go for a run, blow off some steam.” His jaw is tight, and I can see that vein in his temple.
“Sure.”
He heads toward the trail that leads to the lake when he turns around. “I’m sorry I missed your yoga session. Maybe I could join you tomorrow or whenever you do it again.”
I nod. “Whenever.”
He gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes and takes off into the woods at a full sprint.
