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14
Elizabeth
Brenden has plagued my thoughts all week. No matter how hard I’ve tried, I can’t seem to shake the embarrassment of my word vomit as we danced. Or the way it felt as his hands caressed my back, our bodies molded together and eyes locked.
It was easier to distract myself during the week while I was working. Then the weekend hit, the kids were gone, and I was forced to find a new way to keep my mind occupied. This is how I ended up spending my Saturday morning at the gym. After all the Halloween candy I’ve been sneaking from the kids, it seemed like a good idea.
I allowed myself to get lost in my thoughts for over an hour, letting the sweat cleanse the stress away as music flowed through my ears. Going to the gym has never been my thing, but I’m starting to see the appeal. I feel much more relaxed than I did before I came.
Now, I’m ready for a hot bath and some time with my kids. Xander’s parents wanted to keep them all weekend, but I hate being away from them. Every time Xander and I would try to go on a trip without Maddison, we’d always end up coming home early because we missed her so much. It’s even worse for me since losing him.
Things have been going so well for the three of us lately, and I finally feel like I can breathe again—like the pressure that’s been in my chest since Xander’s accident is starting to subside. Sean’s behavior improved drastically once I started dedicating some time to him every single day. And the other day I got a call from Maddison’s teacher to tell me how well she’s been doing lately. That conversation was such a contrast to the one we had two months ago. It finally feels like we’re headed in the right direction.
I sigh as my eyes collide with my reflection in the mirror. I’m in desperate need of a shower, but that isn’t happening here. I grab my bag and throw it over my shoulder. As soon as I step out of the locker room, goose bumps form on my arms and my hair stands on end. I look around, eyeing my surroundings with caution.
When I locate the source, I stop dead in my tracks.
Brenden’s eyes are locked on me, a wide smile on his face as he makes his way over. On their own accord, my eyes roam over his body, his muscle-revealing tank top igniting a fire in my belly.
I pull my gaze from him, allowing myself to cool back down.
Then I notice the woman walking by his side.
My body tenses with a mixture of jealousy and insecurity. The woman is breathtaking, her bronze skin glowing and caramel hair silky. Much like most of the women who were with him in his pictures on Facebook, she’s the polar opposite of me.
“Hello, beautiful.” Brenden smirks, coming to a stop in front of me.
“Hi,” I reply, my voice meek as I reach up to tuck hair that isn’t there behind my ear.
The woman at his side is even more beautiful up close. Her grayish-green eyes focus on Brenden while his remain trained on me. I shift on my feet, pulling my sweat-soaked shirt away from my body as uncomfortable nerves flutter in my belly.
I have no clue who this woman is to Brenden or how I should handle this, but I can’t take the awkwardness of the situation any longer.
“Um…hi.” I force my lips into a smile, lifting my hand to extend a quick wave hello. “I’m Lizzy—Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Lizzy.” I stumble through my words as Brenden looks over to her, the color draining from his face when her gaze moves to me.
Brenden
Please don’t say anything. Please don’t say anything.
I hold my breath, willing Ally to hear my silent plea. She raises a brow with disapproval then rolls her eyes, plastering a broad smile on her face as she acknowledges Lizzy. “Hi, Lizzy. I’m Allison. It’s nice to meet you,” she says, and relief courses through me.
Ally will surely have plenty to say when we leave here, but I’m grateful she’s playing it cool for the moment.
After Jon met Lizzy at the bar, he ran his mouth to Ally. And I got the pleasure of being grilled and lectured about the dangers of getting mixed up with someone who isn’t emotionally available—a second time. She isn’t wrong, but fate doesn’t seem to care. Lizzy has literally been placed in my path yet again.
An unsettling silence falls between the three of us. Ally watches me with pressed lips while Lizzy continues to fidget with her clothes and chew on her lip. This is the part where I should do the typical introduction stuff, but I have no clue how to describe Lizzy. We’re in this odd place. Somewhere between strangers and friends.
“Well,” Allison says, breaking the silence, “if you guys will excuse me, I’m going to get to class to warm up. I’ll never be able to handle the ninety minutes of torture Brenden puts us through if I don’t.” She shoots Lizzy another smile and squeezes my arm before they exchange an awkward wave goodbye.
“I’ll be right there,” I call after her as she walks away.
Lizzy clears her throat, the redness in her cheeks darkening as my eyes land back on her. “So, you teach a class here?”
It’s so cute the way she keeps shifting her weight from right to left, nervously tugging at her shirt.
“Yeah, a kickboxing class. It’s something I do on the weekends.”
“Well, don’t let me keep you.” She eyes the door like it’s her salvation.
