Page 37 of Fight For Her
He shook his head. “It’s fine. Calm down. It’s not like they haven’t seen someone all riled up after a rub down before.”
I grabbed a towel from the counter and tried to blot the wetness away to no avail. “Ugh, you’re gross.”
“Not gross.” He crossed the room toward me still very much at attention. “What would have happened if they hadn’t knocked?” He watched me intently as I bunched up the towel and hid it under the sheets.
“Nothing. We have rules remember.” I lied through gritted teeth.
“Rules…right,” he said sarcastically.
Katie knocked again. “Is there anything you need in there?”
“Come on.” I gave him a gentle shove toward the door and adjusted my robe. “And tie that robe tighter. This poor therapist has dealt with enough trouble from you today. She doesn’t need a heart attack.”
“I don’t think this robe can hide what’s going on under here,” Coby joked.
Feeling hot, bothered, and past my limit of witty comebacks, I closed my eyes and shook my head following Coby out into the hallway of the spa.
Chapter 17
Coby
OnceKendahlwasledinto another room for her facial, I was shown the Jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna where Shawn and a few of the other guys were hanging out. We spent the next hour or so lying back in the hot water goofing around and telling stories about our early days at Krav. Shawn admitted he wasn’t my biggest fan when we first met. Like I hadn’t known that. But even he hasn’t been immune to my charms. The usually quiet and gruff Mike was full of laughs and stories about how him and Jill hit it off after she stepped on his toe in a group activity a few months ago.
Who would have thought that a gym where people quite literally choke and kick each other would be such a matchmaking haven. Thoughts of Kendahl swam in the back of my mind the entire time I marinated in the water. We had been so close to taking things to the next level in that couple’s suite. The noises that came out of her had been small and needy. Fuck. I didn’t need to be thinking about those while sitting in a hot tub with a bunch of dudes. I hoped she was okay. I’d dealt with clients having emotional releases on my table before. We store all kinds of shit in our muscles and have no control when or where they come out.
Back in the locker rooms, I toweled dry and pulled my clothes out from the crumpled pile they were in. Shawn did the same beside me. He rubbed some deodorant on before slinging on a black T-shirt. “How are things going with Kendahl?”
I sat on the wooden bench that separated the rows of lockers, thinking of a response. “It’s going as well as can be expected.”
“That good, huh?” He smirked as he sat down to put his socks on. “I have to admit, I was shocked when Mia told me you guys got back together. That was fast considering how she reacted last night.”
If only he knew. “No one was more shocked than me. Believe me, I still have a lot of groveling to do.”
He chuckled. “Knowing Kendahl, I believe you.” He quieted for a moment before continuing, “And you may want to drop the whole Casanova act. Tell her why you left if you haven’t already.”
My mind spiraled. Had I told Shawn about my father in a moment of weakness? No, I’d remember that.
“Helping a friend isn’t a bad thing, man. Plus, it’s better to set the record straight than have her stewing on all the rumors that have been going around.” Shawn finished tying his sneakers and stood up to close his locker door.
“My friend…yeah, you’re right, man. Honestly, I was waiting for her to bring it up. But maybe I should do it first and clear the air.”
I stood and rubbed my towel through my still damp hair. Not that it would help, I could still hear the rain pelting the roof. Shawn waited for me against the row of lockers.
“Oh, and take it from me, you can never go wrong with wine and chocolate.” We chuckled. When had he become so soft?
We arrived back at the inn before the women and all went our separate ways. As much as I liked these guys, I was thrilled to get a minute to myself. In the solace of my room, I watched the wind spray rain sideways out my rattling window.
Staring at the faded geometric patterns on the throw rug in front of me, I decided to give mama a call and check in. I reached her room after dialing the main number and hitting her extension.
“Caroline Barnes speaking,” she answered in her unsteady voice. Sounds from her television were playing in the background.
I stood up to pace the length of the small room. “Hey, Mama, it’s me, Coby.” I could picture her sitting on that little loveseat in her studio, flipping through the early evening news channels.
“Hello, dear. Thanks for calling.”
“How are you settling in?” I asked, forcing myself to speak louder so she’d hear me over the noise.
“Very well. I’ve been playing every day, and the food here is much better than I’d ever imagined. We’re having chicken pot pie tonight.”
