Page 16 of Spinning Out Of Control

That’s how I ended up investing in James Adler and Amir Salman’s idea for a customer relations management tool that would become a multi-billion-dollar company, Streamline.

I’ve wanted to be more hands on somewhere for a long time, and Spin Sync came with a CEO role to boot. The production aspect was one of my favorite parts of my acting days. I love the company’s mission of promoting health and wellness for every person and every body, making fitness accessible to anyone at any level. And the tech is unmatched. There is no one in the fitness or streaming markets that is doing what Spin Sync does.

“How come you’re not sending anything through to Kira right now?” I ask the man–Greg, I think. Usually,I’m much better than this, but I’ve met a lot of people today, and I’ve been a little preoccupied by being called a British twat-waffle.

I’ll make up for it, though. By the end of the week, I’ll know every employee's name and how most of them take their coffee.

“She and another instructor switched classes this morning. We don’t really love when they do that. It makes our jobs up here in the production room much harder. But Kira always bribes us with the best pastries in the city, and she never makes any changes to the class plan. If she is switching with another instructor, she teaches what they have programmed,” he says, tapping the top of the monitor that reads “JESS R–REGGAETON HIKE EN ESPAÑOL”.

I nod in response. He moves on, pointing out some other equipment and going over the process of editing a class before it is available to stream on the Spin Sync app. I only hear about half of what he says, though. I’m too enamored by Kira as she struts and sings on her treadmill.

It’s impressive, the way she moves. She’s clearly working. That much is obvious from the sweat beading on her chest and her exposed torso, but she doesn’t sound the least bit out of breath as she continues to speak and encourage the students in the room with her. I’m amazed by her ability to teach an entire class off the cuff, but to do so in a whole other language is beyond amazing.

I have no idea what she’s saying–fuck me for studying French in school–but damn, does it sound good coming out of her pretty mouth.

“Cambia un par de cosas si sentis que no te funcionan, si no sientes esa frescura que quiero que sientas hoy en este momento. Organízate, para que puedas tener esa libertad y ligereza mental que te llevará tan lejos, ¿OK? Mi nombre es Kira McKenna, nos vemos!”

The class comes to an end, and Kira makes a heart with her hands and holds it up to the camera. A production assistant counts down from five, and the red light turns off, signaling the end of the livestream. The sound is cut but the cameras aren’t, and I watch as Kira disembarks from her treadmill and laps around the room, offering high-fives and sweaty hugs to anyone who asks for it.

Something about the way I’ve been struck by Kira has me completely out of sorts. I don’t know her, not really. I know the persona she puts on. I know who she is when she’s on a bike or a treadmill with five cameras pointed in her face. I know what her laugh sounds like when she’s dressed in an evening gown, surrounded by her friends. I know she speaks Spanish beautifully, and that her chest flushes a deep pink color when she comes.

But I don’t knowher, though I desperately want to.

Later on, after hours of meetings, run-throughs, and watching classes in production rooms, I’m sitting in the lobby of Spin Sync munching on a stale bagel that wasleft over from this morning at the lobby coffee bar. It’s the first chance I’ve had to eat all day, so even though the onion bagel is practically an onion crouton by now, it’s going in my mouth.

The lobby is a beautiful creamy-white color, outfitted with couches, chairs, and benches. There are lush, green plants all over the floor, the walls, and hanging from the ceiling. There is some sort of indoor pond in the corner, but I haven’t ventured over there yet. If there are fish living in that thing, I’m not ready to find out.

I fucking hate fish.

There are televisions mounted on the walls, spaced out every few feet. Right now, they’re all playing a James Adler spin class. It was recorded earlier today, with students in the studio. I would have liked to attend, and on any other day I might have found myself on a bike next to some of our colleagues, but duty called. I plan on taking at least one class with each instructor in the coming weeks, so I’ll get my chance to see the former CEO turned spin instructor in action.

I close my eyes for a moment, taking in the first time all day I’ve had a second to myself. I take a deep breath in through my nose, planning to follow it up with a meditative exhale, but I’m struck by the scent of lemon and sugar.

I know that scent. I remember that scent. It’s the same citrus scent I haven’t been able to get out of my mind for months. Sweet and sour, just like the womanit’s coming from. I don’t want to make any sudden movements, but I can’t help the small smile that creeps across my face in her presence.

Opening my eyes, I see Kira leaning against a chair a few feet to my left, her arms crossed on her chest. She’s back in the same purple sweatshirt and shorts she wore this morning in Jonathan’s office, but her hair is damp and pulled back in a clip. Her face looks fresh and dewy, her skin still pink from the shower. She’s staring at the TV, a contemplative look in her eyes. I can’t tell if she’s noticed me here, so I clear my throat.

Nothing. She doesn’t look my way, but she doesn’t leave either.

“You were there in the studio, weren’t you?” I ask, gesturing towards the row of televisions on the wall. It’s a stupid question, considering I can see her next to her girlfriends on the screen anytime the camera pans. Kira must agree that it’s a dumb thing to say, because she doesn’t answer.

“Well,” I continue, not ready to give up yet. “James Adler, huh? We’ve been friends for years, business partners for longer, and I never could have guessed that he’d make such a life change. But he looks good up there. Who knew he had it in him?”

Kira scoffs, and even though I don’t understand why, I’m glad to know that she can actually hear me. I look up at her and see that her face is twisted into a snarl.

“Kira, I understand that my presence here today hasupset you, but–” I start, but I’m cut off by another, louder, scoff.

“I knew, Warren. I knew James would kill it at this job. I knew it the day I met him. He’s loud and bubbly, just like me. He’s got the body that makes straight men question their sexuality. He knows how to flirt with the camera, and he’s got impeccable taste in music. I’m the one who scouted him. I’m the one who planted the seeds when he was questioning his career. I’m the one who helped him pass his certifications and I’m the one who brought him on to the Spin Sync team. Me. That was all me. All of this–” she gestures around the lobby, arms flailing above her head. “All of this was me. The building, the talent, the community, all of it. I built this house, and if you think I’m going to sit back and watch while you fuck up what I built, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Kira turns on her heel and stomps out, the glass door of the lobby ricocheting in her wake as it slams shut behind her. I’m left sitting there, watching the door as if she’s going to come back and continue her verbal lashing at any moment.

That was a little bit frightening. And, if I’m being honest, a whole lot of sexy.

Tossing my head back, I wipe my hands over my face while staring up at the ceiling and counting to ten.

Then I push to my feet and run after her.

8

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