Page 35 of Burnout
“Does he know that?”
“Point your toes.”
With a grunt, he does while I continue stretching. My knee aches tonight. The doctor warned me that it would continue to be sorer than the rest of me as I keep pushing myself in the gym.
“What about you?” I ask, standing and doing arm circles to get some blood flowing.
“He’s not my boyfriend either.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” I reply dryly. Then perk up. “Though not a terrible visual.”
I’m trying to decide who’d be the more dominant one. Tristan is bigger, but no, it’d definitely be Knox.
He smirks and pauses between sets. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but I don’t do the relationship thing.”
“No, really? I’m shocked. Another guy who is afraid of feelings,” I say with all the annoyance I feel.
Hope waves to me from the beam, grinning so big at Knox. I wave back and cross my fingers she doesn’t come over here. She might drool on him if he gets too close.
“What about you?” he asks.
“What about me?” I play dumb purposely to delay answering.
“Do you date or just chew up boys and spit them out for fun?”
An unladylike snort erupts from me. For some reason I like the idea that he thinks I have that kind of prowess. “I’m also not doing the relationship thing right now.”
“I’m surprised, princess.”
“Why? Because I’m a girl and we’re supposed to wear our heart on our sleeve at all times, so big, bad playboys like you can stomp all over it?”
“Single. Got it.”
“Yep. By choice.” It feels very important right now that he knows that part.
“Yeah, I got that too. The Ken doll over there would love to change your mind.” With another smirk, Knox goes back to working on the press. He’s improved a ton in just a day.
I don’t comment and Knox says, “Maybe you should let him. You look like you could use some tension relief.”
I roll my neck. “He wouldn’t know how to relieve my tension if I gave him a manual.”
Knox’s deep laughter catches me by surprise. “I knew it. You already hooked up with him.”
Dammit. I did not mean to share that.
“We made out once,” I clarify, feeling my cheeks warm. “And it’s never happening again.”
“Not if he has anything to say about it.”
“I think you’re ready for something else.” My irritation level is high and all I want is to get up on the beam for a little while to recenter.
I put the bars away and then lead Knox over toward the beams. I guess I’m going to have to chance Hope drooling on him because she’s still working on dismounts when we get there. I run my hand along an empty beam. “Is it okay if we join you?”
“Oh my god, of course!” Her smile is locked on Knox.
“You want me to get up there?” Both dark brows lift, and he shakes his head.
“While it would be fun to see you attempt it, no. Beam is way too advanced for you.” I point to the rings dangling from the ceiling behind us. “I thought you could work there while I get in some extra practice.”
