Jake and Jack settled me on a bench, checking me over repeatedly. I was so caught off guard I even didn't protest.
"Did he hurt you?" Jack demanded looking me in the eye.
I shook my head, "No, uh… I'm fine…" I glanced between Jake and Jack who shared a look… "Uhh, is he… not welcome… here?" I asked uncertainly. Truth be told, if Jason had told me Jack wasn't here, I would have probably waited outside, or just gone home. Not out of spite or anything. Just because everyone staring had been so nerve wracking.
Jack closed his eyes, bowing his head in relief. "Sorry we're late. We'll make sure they know you're welcome."
I noticed neither had answered my question… I'd definitely have to ask Wrath when I got home. "Uh, it's okay… um, are you guys okay?" They looked like they'd run here… it reminded me of when they came to the apartment, when I'd been freaking out not knowing about the sins yet.
Their concern was reassuring. But, considering we'd only met a few times, it was a little over the top.
"Yeah, let's sign in." Jake said nodding to the counter where Jason had raised a brow.
I stood up only to realize one of my shoes had untied itself. Freaking great. With a flush I bent down to tie my shoes as Jake went over to the counter.
"Well well well, is this him?"
I looked up to see a girl walking up to us. Walking… may not have been the best word. There was a confident, almost prowling gait… I wasn't even sure what word to use. I did recognize her though. Rusty, from Auntie Mellie's picture.
Rusty was wearing dark blue leggings with an unzipped wind breaker over a matching sports bra. I noticed that her head band once again had animal ears attached, and a fluffy brown tail was revealed with every step. I tried to not stare… she was pretty… in a tom boy, I'll kick your teeth in if you ogle me sort of way. But at least I knew that yes, indeed, people were wearing animal ears here at the gym.
"Uh… hi…" I was ready to kick my own teeth in… at least then I'd have an excuse for how inept I was sounding.
Rusty grinned wolfishly as she circled me. "Auntie was right, you are pretty. I'm Roxanne, but everyone calls me Rusty, Max right?" She greeted coming to a stand in front of me.
I wiped my hand on my sweats before taking hers, "Uh, yeah, um.. you're… pretty too." I cringed so hard I was sure if I ever had children… they would still flush from the second hand embarrassment. Gods above please, let a hole just swallow me now.
Rusty burst out laughing as she pulled me up to stand. Then she measured herself against me, "Hmm, I like it. We're about the same height." Without warning she tugged me into a short hug before Jack pulled me back. Nearly choking the life out of me when he tugged on my shirt.
"Rusty!" Jack growled making sure I was steady. I rubbed my throat as I nodded.
Rusty rolled her eyes, "Relax Jack, I'm not going to bite him." Then she winked playfully, "Well, not unless you ask really, really nicely."
I was sure there wasn't a tomato out there that could rival my current flush. No one had ever… was this flirting? No one had ever been so forward before. Rusty wrapped herself around my arm pulling me… somewhere. Where the heck was Pride when I needed him? I was acting like I'd never seen a pretty girl before. Or Lust, Lust would be a great coach right about now. Yet here I was… all alone!
"I'm teasing, really, you are super handsome Max. It's your first time here right? You're dressed like you're ready for a run, track or treadmill?" Rusty asked leading me past the weights.
"Uhh, track? I guess… I uh, don't, it's been a while." I explained looking over my shoulder for help. Jake was jogging to catch up while Jack was rolling his eyes.
"Give in, it's easier." Jack sighed as his shoulders relaxed.
Rusty pulled me all the way to the track, glaring at anyone who even started to side eye us. Honestly, I wasn't used to so much… physical touch from the opposite sex. Even Arianna only held my hand or gave me pecks in public. "Uhh, I can. I can follow…" I tried to gently dislodge myself. Rusty blinked up at me, her giant blue eyes staring as if she were searching my soul.
"Do you not like me?" Rusty asked drawing us to a stop.
"I didn't mean that! I just uh… we just met… and…" I wasn't even sure what to say. Where were the sins?????
"You're not dating anyone right?" Rusty asked.
"Uh… no." I almost said yes, I was in a relationship… but… not anymore. I really didn't want to get into my failed engagement.
Rusty narrowed her eyes, "Hmm, recent break up?"
At least this time I wasn't flushing from embarrassment, "Yeah, barely a month ago." I was relieved when she let go, walking off. I couldn't help staring at the tail… the swish… was from her walking right?
"Come on Max, that track won't run itself." She called glancing over her shoulder.
I forced my attention up. Jack bumped me with his shoulder. I hadn't even realized I'd stopped walking.
"Let's go work up a sweat, but not from panic, yeah?" Jack half joked as they continued to follow Rusty out a double set of doors.
I stared in awe… There weren't three tracks, there were four, three tennis courts, four basketball courts, a pool, a rock climbing wall, pull up bars… I'd never seen such a huge gym… at least not outside of tv dramas. There is no way I'm going to be able to afford a membership…
Jack pushed me toward Rusty, who started stretching beside a set of bleachers. "Let's warm up yeah?"
I nodded as I started to copy Rusty's movements. Jack and Jack helped each other stretch, then Rusty helped me. I was sure if Jack pushed on my lower back… I'd be turned into a taco… At least I Wrath had been hounding me on the importance of stretching so I wasn't surprised.
"We'll walk the first lap, then start jogging, Max did you bring flats?" Rusty asked as we started walking.
I blanked… flats… dang, well so much for not looking like a complete noob, "Uh, what are flats again?" I asked sheepishly. Dang, even walking they were fast!
Rusty gave me a toothy grin before responding, "Flats are for like weightlifting and the likes. You don't want to wear tennis or running shoes when you're doing weights."
I nodded along. "Oh, that makes sense."
Rusty grinned, "No worries, I prefer cardio anyway. Though…" she looked me up and down again, "I like morning swims too. Have swimming trunks?"
I flushed despite the morning chill. "Uhh, no, didn't… I didn't know there was a pool." I pretended to not hear the tisk of disappointment, though I felt the flush all the way to my toes.
"Next time! Or, when you come out to the lake, though that's more of a summer swim." Rusty grinned.
"Uh, sure." I listened to her talk about her favorite parts of the Lake, how the pool was heated, that the smoothie bar needed to have more flavors available… It was nice. Then we started jogging. Rusty was able to keep chatting, but I could barely grunt through my desperate need to inhale more oxygen… Jesus Christ… what happened to catching a second wind?
I could tell they were keeping pace with me. The sad part was my pace was barely more than a walk by our second loop. I'm ready to crawl back into bed… My lungs hurt, my legs were wobbly, my side had a stitch, my feet felt heavier than lead! Seriously, where was that second wind?
Just as I thought it couldn't get any worse, I started hallucinating… in the middle of the field… was a man in bear pajamas… curled up asleep like it was perfectly normal… I couldn't afford to keep looking or I'd go face down.
When the guys dragging tires in the grass were running faster than us, I spared a moment to check. Yep, still hallucinating. Otherwise, someone would have said something. Right?