The six guys pulling tires… had turned, running right past him.
"Let's walk the next loop, then jog, then walk. Cardio is all about the long haul." Rusty offered as she took a swig of her water.
I nodded as my attention was pulled from the man. If no one was going to say anything, I wouldn't either. Rusty offered to share her water but… I was too self conscious to accept. I didn't really like to share food or drinks after a huge outbreak of herpes back in middle school… I'd luckily avoided catching it but seeing the outbreak on a few friends had kept me from sharing so much as a soda ever since.
Inhale. I really had to go buy a water bottle, and water filter for the apartment. Exhale, coffee flask wouldn't hurt for work, inhale, exhale.Pant pant pant. "Yeah, huff, huff, long haul. Pant pant." Hopefully I'd be better at weights…
We half walked; half jogged for two miles. I occasionally eyed the guy still sleeping… that was actually looking like a good idea right about now.
"To stretch out our calves lets walk the last quarter mile backwards, that cool Max?" Rusty asked.
I just nodded along, too exhausted to think of words. Words were hard… it took me a moment to turn around, right, walking backwards. I was paying attention.
I stumbled a few times, my wobbly legs unused to so much strain. Not to mention… I couldn't remember the last time I'd taken more than a step or two backwards. Definitely used different muscles. Muscles… I probably never used.
"For a first day, you did great Max, we usually meet up Tuesdays and Fridays, are there better days for you?" Rusty asked, her breath as easy as if she were chatting over coffee.
I needed a moment before I could respond, "Uh, I work Sunday through Thursday… uh, I'll be seeing my family tonight, staying until tomorrow…"
Rusty pouted, one of her ears drooping, "Makes sense, so next Friday is good? Have you signed up for a membership yet?"
"Uh, not yet… um, how much is the membership?" I asked looking at the now twitching ear. Dang animatronics were high tech.
"Family pays like $10 monthly, Jack?" Rusty asked glancing at the duo.
"If sponsored $15 a month, no sponsorship $85 a month." Jack reported dutifully.
I felt a little bad, I'd mostly been talking with Rusty this whole time, "What's a sponsor?" Hopefully someone could sponsor me in because $85 was a lot…
Jake patted my shoulder, "We'll sponsor you, after a year you get the family rate."
I tried to not let my relief show, "Thanks guys," We finally finished the last lap, then back to stretching again. I wasn't sure if he ever stretched after a walk… but when in Rome.
"We usually meet up at 8, but there are events going on starting at ten so they clear everyone out to help set up. Next week 8 Max?" Rusty asked moving her arms in circles to help stretch out her shoulders.
"Uh, sure, sounds good." I agreed, I couldn't help glancing past her to see… that guy… in the bear pajamas… he was gone. I looked around, I saw in during the last stretch…
Jack glanced around, "What are you looking for?"
I tried to see if maybe the guy had walked toward the gym… "Uh, that guy… who was sleeping…"
Jake raised a brow also looking around, "What guy?"
I stared at the three of them, all looking around confused. "The guy, in the bear pajamas? He was in the field, you know, where those guys are pulling tires?" I asked staring at the tires that were being tied to a new set of six guys.
Jack stared at the grassy area isolated by the tracks, then slowly glanced around. "I didn't see him."
"How could he sleep with the football players pulling those tires? What did he look like Max?" Rusty asked making a circle to check their surroundings.
I just stared… then rubbed my eyes, "Uh, maybe… I saw wrong."
I stilled, or maybe… another sin is walking around. Damnit, shouldn't they have mentioned they had human forms that everyone could see??? Or… could they… no one had seemed to notice a full grown man in bear pajamas.
Rusty blew on my ear, jolting me out of my thoughts, "Maxie, what are you thinking about so hard? Did you see him again?" She asked tilting her head.
I gulped as her giant blue eyes blinked up at me, "Uh, I uhh, umm, just maybe, no, didn't see him again…" God I felt like a bumbling idiot… words dang it! Words!
Jack continued to glance around, "I'll ask around. Let's grab a drink."
Jake nodded as he sandwiched me between them and Rusty… like I was a fragile egg they had to protect… it was kind of embarrassing. I was escorted to the juice bar where I swear everyone was eyeing me out of the corner of their eyes. Like I wouldn't notice the hundreds of stares stabbing me like knives.
"Yogurt, vanilla, protein, peanut butter, large." Jake ordered as he handed over a punch card and his membership card.
"We can load money on the membership cards for monthly dues, or the fruit bar, or anything really, talkative aren't they?" Rusty asked bumping shoulders with me as she rolled her eyes at them.
"Oh, that's convenient." Then I wouldn't have to worry about losing money, I could just load and go.
"Your first drink is on me Max, they have food too." Jack offered ruffling Rusty's hair. Her hair became such a mess I was sure the ears would fall… but they popped up like nothing had happened.
"I" I didn't even get to protest as Jack held up a hand.
"We invited you, Auntie Mellie would take a bite out of our hide if we didn't treat you," Jack explained pointing a thumb at Rusty, "She tattles. Careful." I laughed when Rusty kicked Jack in the shin so hard he started jumping around as he cursed.
Rusty turned her sharp glare at me. I went silent, pretended to zip my lips, then turned to the menu. "Uhh, yogurt protein shake, uhh, chocolate… umm… medium?" I asked glancing over the available options. The girl at the counter didn't look impressed.
"Are you asking me? Or telling me that's what you want?" She asked back snippily.
I tried not to flinch as all three of my companions glared.
"Get it Ruby, now." Jake snapped slamming his card back on the counter. I was almost sorry when she, Ruby flinched, bowing her head as she took the card again without a word.
"Uh, sorry…" I mumbled under my breath, I couldn't even order a drink right…
"Don't apologize because she's being a bitch. Ruby better be glad I wasn't the one who said something, cause we'd be having more than just words. Isn't that right Ruby?" Rusty snapped leaning over the counter.
"Yes ma'am, it won't happen again." Ruby murmured, clearly on the verge of teers.
"Don't pull that shit again, but maybe I should ask around before our next little run." Rusty snarled showing off her teeth.
"Add two more of what Jake ordered, then bring them to us. Understood?" Jack ordered glowering behind Rusty. I stared at the sudden hostility… there was clearly some history between them.
"Yes sir, yes ma'am." Ruby whispered with her head still bowed.
Rusty turned a beaming smile on me, "Let's grab a seat Max, and if anyone gives you trouble anywhere we've invited you, let me know yeah?" She asked sweetly taking me by the arm. As if nothing had happened she led me to a few group of tables.
"Uh, it… wasn't a big deal…" I stammered as her animal ear brushed against my cheek. It was… warm.
"It is a big deal Max, to us. We have rules, you've been welcomed, that means everyone should be welcoming you." Jack said gruffly looking around.
"I mean, it's not like I'm money, not everyone is going to, you know, uh, like me." I tried to defend, but… it was nice to know they had my back.
"Liking you is one thing, welcoming you is another." Rusty hmphed as she sat down. "They should know better!"
I sat down, "Thanks… for inviting me… and uh, having my back."
"Of course! Now, any other plans for today cutie?" Rusty asked batting her eyes at me. I wanted to say no, that I had the day free to do whatever…
I sighed, "Uh, yeah, seeing my younger brother off tonight. My older brother is going to pick me up." Not to mention… I had no money to spend on hanging out… let alone dates.
Rusty grinned, "Oh, what are their names? Where is your younger brother going?"
I told them about Stevie shipping off to boot camp, I hardly even noticed Ruby dropping off our drinks. We chatted for a little under an hour before we spit. In that time, I managed to get Rusty's number and we followed each other on socials.
I practically skipped home, trying to smother my stupid grin. It had been really nice to just hang out… chat… not worry.