Page 69 of Tiny Fractures

Saturday, June 12th

Cat

I’m still pondering the past when my phone buzzes again just past eight this morning. The sun is up; its fresh, newborn glow washes in through my windows. I look at my phone apprehensively but relax as soon as I see Vada’s name.

“Isn’t it a little early?” I ask when I answer the phone.

“Yeah, it’s way too early,” she yawns. “But I was telling Steve last night that we have softball camp in like two weeks and I haven’t really worked out since our season ended, so he talked me into going to the gym with him this morning. I thought I’d pay it forward and convince you to join me. Pretty please?” She sounds desperate.

I laugh. “I don’t think I’m up for it; I didn’t really sleep well, Vada,” I say, about to fall back onto my pillow.

“I have pretty reliable information that your boyfriend will be there as well,” she teases, and my heart skips a beat. Weird how just minutes ago my heart felt heavy reliving the memories of my relationship with Adam, but then Ronan is brought up and I feel euphoric. This is already so unlike anything I ever felt with Adam. Even in the beginning of our relationship I was never this giddy to see Adam, never this excited to spend time with him.

“Alright,” I giggle, unable to hide my enthusiasm. “How long do I have to get ready?”

“Like five minutes. Steve went home to change and I’m heading out the door now!”

I brush my teeth, pull my hair into a messy bun, and throw on some black workout pants and an olive-green racerback tank top at the speed of light. I rush down the stairs and slip my feet into my running shoes just as I hear Vada honk her horn outside. I only have time to yell at my mom that I’m going to the gym with Vada in response to her questioning look before I’m out the door and in Vada’s car.

“Didn’t take a lot of convincing.” Vada eyes me as I buckle my seatbelt. “Now I know what carrot to dangle in front of your face anytime I want you to do something—Ronan!” She makes flirty eyes, blinking her eyelashes as she says his name.

I smack her shoulder. “Hey, you can’t push me to date him and then hold it against me when I’m actually excited to spend time with him.”

She laughs. “You’re right. Plus, you guys are too cute together. He’s gonna be so stoked to see you. He’s probably gonna drop the weights,” she laughs to herself.

The drive is short, and Vada pulls into a small parking lot outside of a converted warehouse. It’s unlike the gyms I usually see. A large rollup door stands open, and I peek inside as Vada pulls her car into a spot right next to Steve’s black Challenger. We get out and we walk into the gym.

I spot Ronan right away, like my eyes are drawn to him, and I smile watching him. He finishes a set of pull-ups with his back to me, muscles flexing as he pulls up his bodyweight over and over again with ease before he lets go of the bar and lands effortlessly on his feet.

As if he can sense my presence, he turns around and his eyes find me immediately. He clearly wasn’t expecting to see me here; his eyebrows knit together for a second before he beams at me.

There’s some kind of black tape strategically placed on his left shoulder and, as he approaches me, I see two dark, menacing bruises stretching from his left bicep all the way around to his shoulder blade.

“What happened?” I ask him, unable to take my eyes off his injury. I didn’t really see his shoulders yesterday, but he didn’t appear hurt when I saw him last.

“I’m fine,” he says without further explanation, and all concern is erased from my mind when he pulls me into his arms as soon as I’m within reach of him. “What are you doing here?”

I shut my eyes for a moment, feeling his warmth radiate off his body. His scent is comforting.

“Steve made Vada work out, and she made me come, too,” I complain loudly, but grin at Vada.

“Don’t let her fool you, Ran. The second I told her you’d be here she was ready to sweat her little butt off.” Vada drops her bag to the floor. “So, what are we doing, boys?”

“Uh, there’s some cardio equipment upstairs,” Zack chimes in, pointing in the direction of a metal staircase that leads to what appears to be a landing with some treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes. I notice a small tripod set up with Zack’s camera mounted on it. Apparently there truly isn’t a moment Zack isn’t filming.

Vada snorts, shaking her head. “Nah, we’re here to do what the boys are doing. So what are we working on today?” She turns her attention to Steve.

He smiles proudly at her. “Back and shoulders. Better go warm up because I won’t take it easy on you.”

She smiles as she pulls me away with her to warm up.

Ronan

Looking at Cat, you’d never expect such a beast of an athlete. I should have known, though—she’s been playing softball as long as I have hockey. She’s obviously fit; her legs, arms, and stomach are toned, which I’ve certainly noticed before. Like, a lot. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible for me not to notice with the inordinate amount of time I spend just staring at her like she’s some goddess. She’s kicking ass working out with us, and I’m having a hell of a time watching her push around weights. She has incredible form, and Zack is dumbfounded when she easily outnumbers his push-ups. And man, those tight black workout pants contour her curves in all the right places, leaving little to the imagination. I have to work to keep a straight head. The need to touch her, to kiss her, is overwhelming. I’m definitely distracted by her presence, something Shane points out to me about a handful of times over the couple of hours we spend at the gym.

As soon as Vada found out about Cat and me yesterday, she spread the word. First to my brother, obviously, then Tori, who in turn told Shane, who literally called me at midnight to find out if the rumor was true. And when I met up with Steve, Shane, and Zack this morning, they immediately requested firsthand confirmation, whooping and high-fiving me like I just won the fucking lottery. And honestly, I feel like I did.

I still feel weird talking about Cat and me. Not because I’m embarrassed or anything, but because she’s the one thing in my life that makes me so completely happy that I feel like if I say it out loud, I’m going to jinx it. I feel vulnerable with her, which is a feeling I’ve spent my life avoiding. Vulnerability is not a good thing where I’m from; it exposes me to pain. Although I can’t say that not being vulnerable has spared me before.

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