Page 15 of The Way We Dance

"Fair enough," he shrugged as he kept running, taking his gaze back to his screen. "I normally workout at the complex with the players but they are getting on my damn nerves so I had to leave for a bit."

"Are you normally there on Sundays when there are no games?"

"Everyday," he huffed. "This time of year we’re gearing up for the season and every day is something. There are no days off. Speaking of, how is Ty?"

"Have you spoken to him?"

"Of course I have, but he is vague and gives me more headaches than I can stand."

I laughed because in my two days of seeing Ty, he had already given me a few headaches.

"Ah, you too?" Mr. Peyton smiled. "Trust me, he is arrogant, rough, tough, and I bet he hates me so much for putting him in ballet class like he's a five year old. But he is fucking worth it. If I can figure out what is fucking him up, I will be the happiest coach alive."

"Well, I will do my best to help," I gave him a "you're paying me well" smile and shrugged. "I just wish I could see what it is he needs help with. Any insight there?"

"No clue. Honestly no clue. I think it’s in his head. I was hoping ballet would get him out of his head."

"Yes, but it is so much more. He could learn techniques that match his playing style. if I knew what that was. Is there anywhere online that has any good video of him catching and playing?"

Mr. Peyton stopped his run and cocked his head at me. He seemed to be dumbfounded by what I asked and now I was feeling sheepish for even bringing it up. I may not have wanted to spend a lot of time with Ty Black, but he was a job now. I took all my jobs seriously and tried everything I could to excel.

"I can do one better for you," he smiled. "Come to practice with me tomorrow."

My eyes widened and I started to shake my head. Poor Mr. Peyton didn't realize I didn't like being around a lot of people. I would be a ball of nerves and I was 1000% sure Ty would have a coronary if his ballet teacher showed up in his big bad tough guy world.

"Um, that is probably not a good idea," I turned my head from side to side, like it was a good idea, but I had thought of some amazing and understandable reason that it was also awful.

"It’s a great idea. You can stay for an hour and I can have Ty run drills. You can get an idea of his quirks and movements. You are trained in the art of balance and poise. It is why I asked you to do this in the first place. You can probably see things that we can't."

"Mr. Black does not want everyone knowing he is taking ballet."

"Oh trust me, I know all about how much he doesn’t want to tarnish his 'bad boy of the league' reputation with his tutu, but I don't have to tell a soul who you are. A lot of teams have professionals come in and observe. You would be treated as such."

I started to turn the idea over in my mind. It really would help me speed this along. Saying yes to Mr. Peyton was an impulse decision when I was scared, but since I had met Ty, it was better that I take the money and run.

Ty was a force against my resolve and it was only a matter of time before he saw through the frosted glass I built around myself. He drove me nuts and made it hard to stay in character. Character meaning the persona I kept when I was in the studio.

Ty Black was exhausting.

He was a cross between charming and scary. A teddy bear and a snake. Some part of me knew he was a good guy to have around and the other part of me feared the outcome of having him close for too long. Like Mr. Peyton had said, he had a bad boy reputation. It was totally a vibe he exuded, yet, he was in control of when and where it presented itself.

"You know what? I think I will take you up on that. Maybe if I can see something, we can get him corrected quicker."

"Great!" he slapped his hands together and got off the treadmill. "I have your number from the other night. Why don't I send you directions to the complex, you can follow me if you like.”

"Oh, I don't have a car but I can take the train to the stadium."

"Oh we don't workout at the stadium during camp, it's out in Johns Creek."

Shit, that was 30 minutes from the center of town.

"I would offer to give you a ride but I’m there all day and wouldn’t be able to bring you back. How about I send a car for you, then they can bring you back into the city after a few hours. Sound good?"

I nodded. I would accept that. He may have been paying me but this was definitely a favor in his advantage.

"Ok, I’ll make sure someone is out front at 9 am! Thanks Giselle!" He jogged from the room so fast I giggled. It was like he was sure if he stuck around I would change my mind.

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