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"Come on, Isabella. Let's get moving. I've got things to sort out at home." He says gruffly.
What a dickhead. Fine. Whatever. I guess at least I tried, and let's take the wins where we have them. Hopefully, Bella is going to be joining the class and I just know, without a doubt, that she is going to shine.
This is going to be the best thing for her.
I look over at Bella. "You did so well. I am looking forward to seeing you again. Maybe for tomorrow's class?" She runs over to me and wraps her arms around my waist, giving me a really tight hug. I glance at Alex again hoping he will say yes or give some indication that he is bringing her back.
"Bella, let's go," Alex says sharply.
I roll my eyes. Seriously? Can he be any ruder than he is right now?
He is starting to walk away when I remember something I wanted to tell him.
"Oh, Alex, just some info for you - Arnica oil - for the bruise. It works really well."
He looks back towards me and nods and then turns his back on me again, marching towards the door. He does not even wait for Bella, just assuming she will follow him immediately. She does, but she shouts "Bye, Gabi, see you tomorrow I hope," as she runs out.
They leave without Alex saying a word of goodbye and I stand there - really angry at him - but grinning anyway. A win is a win and little Isabella certainly had a win today so that means that I also had a win.
This bullying nonsense will be over very soon if he lets her come to another class.
I just hope her dad comes around. His attitude sucks so bad, I can't understand why he was so rude after such a great class. But I will give it time. I will not say anything, because well, he is my neighbor.
I go back to the mats to wipe them down and pack the boxing gloves away to get ready for the next class. I find that I am smiling while I am working, even though Alex has infected my happiness. I did not get my admin done today and that means I'm going to have to take it home with me tonight, but it was one hundred percent worth it to see the look on Bella's face. Glancing at my watch I see she managed almost a full hour of class with ease, and I feel proud of her. Her grumpy father hopefully feels proud of her too, even if he does not know how to show it that well.
I laugh and shake my head, trying to get rid of the negative energy he left behind, as a group of people start arriving for the next class of the day. I welcome them and my mind is trying to focus back on my work. I still feel really happy that I could help Bella like that and hope with all my heart she will show up tomorrow. Maybe without Dad so that his shitty attitude does not ruin the whole vibe.
CHAPTER 6
ALEX
In the morning all Bella can talk about is going straight to Gabi's gym for her first class and as much as I am reluctant, I know that I promised her we could go. So after a light breakfast, we find Bella's gym gear and head over to the address on the brochure that Gabi gave me.
We walk into the gym, and I am immediately impressed by the size of the space and how tidy everything is. Gabi obviously runs a strict setup and takes pride in her gym. I wonder what the inside of her house looks like.
She is in the back of the fitness area putting weights away on a rack. She picks up the heavier ones with ease and I find myself quite surprised to see how strong she is for such a petite woman.
She has her back to us and bends over as she puts the weights down. I can't take my eyes off her. She is wearing skintight, pale blue workout pants that show every single curve of her body in great detail and her tight crop top is pressing her breasts against her chest, but not enough that they don't bounce slightly when she moves.
I picture what it would feel like to run my hands over the spandex fabric against her body.
Watch where your thoughts are going, Alex. I talk to myself in my mind.
I clear my throat to try and clear my head. Gabi turns towards us and her high ponytail splashes across her face. I want to twist my fingers in her hair and pull her head back to expose her neck.
Oh, my word. Get your thoughts back in the moment and stop daydreaming. Gabi comes skipping over to where we are standing. The closer she gets the hotter she looks in her gym gear.
I realize that Gabi has been talking to us and I have not been paying attention. "Yes. Isabella wanted to come for a class now." I say when I see her staring at me, hoping that my words don't seem too out of place.
She looks momentarily perplexed but then smiles that radiant smile of hers and I find my thoughts drifting again.
Stop looking at her body. I tell myself. Stop - looking - at - her - body.
My eyes dart down again over her tight curves.
I grit my teeth.
Finally, the awkward interaction is over, and she is leading Bella off to the mat to start her first lesson.
