Page 26 of Burnout
“Anything.”
“Did you really work out with her for two hours,everyday?”
“Yeah. Probably. I was there a lot.”
“Doing what?” Disbelief makes my voice rise.
“Whatever they did. Quinn and I had just started dating, so at first it was just another way that I could hang out with her. She was on the team and they practiced every afternoon, then after, she and Avery would go to the club gym to get in extra skills practice.” He shrugs, then takes another drink of his beer. “I had to get a workout in too, and it was a hell of a lot better while staring at Quinn in tight shorts and a sports bra. For such a small chick, she’s got a big ass.”
I close my eyes and shake my head. Quinn’s a cute girl but I’m not trying to have images of my buddy’s girl in my head.
“You did everything they did?”
“Well, no. I stayed off the bars and beam, and never attempted any of those crazy tumbling runs, but anything that was in the realm of doable, I did. I can almost do the splits. Wanna see?”
“Definitely not.”
He grins wide. “I know it seems wild, but I swear I’ve never worked out harder than with those two.”
“Doing handstands and splits? That’s the hardest workout you’ve ever done? I need to introduce you to the team trainers at Thorne.”
He laughs quietly. “I really thought you and Avery would hit it off.”
“Why?” We’re so different. She and I are from two completely different worlds.
“You’re both competitive and hard-working, not to mention incredibly stubborn.” He eyes me in that knowing friend way, seeing past all my bullshit. “She’s this decorated Olympic gymnast, and you’re on your way to being the best motocross rider the sport has seen in years…” His words trail off. “I don’t know. I guess I just thought you two would get each other.”
My brain is stuck on one particular phrase. “Did you say Olympic? LiketheOlympics?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “She’s legit.”
Fuck me. I really know how to put my foot in my fucking mouth.
“I didn’t know,” I say absently.
And why is Avery with a couple gold medals around her neck such a sexy image? I add a mental note to look her up later since there’s no way she’s ever going to help me now. Damn.
“Why would you? She doesn’t walk around flaunting it. Avery’s cool, and I’m not just saying that because Quinn would hurt me if I didn’t. My girl is feisty. Don’t make her angry unless you want to find out how hard she can punch.”
“I appreciate you trying to help, but I can do this on my own. I’ll call around to some trainers tomorrow.” Surely someone other than Miss Priss (I mean, Miss Olympic Priss) can give me some exercises to help with the strength and coordination of the tricks on the bike. I don’t need her.
Colter waves me off. “Forget about it for the weekend. I’m having a party tomorrow since a lot of the team is in town. It’ll bea good chance for you to get to know everyone. Bring your swim trunks and come hang by the pool, kick back, relax, and have some fun. You do remember what that’s like?”
“Fuck you, I have fun.”
“He really doesn’t,” Brogan interrupts.
With a laugh, Colter stands and pulls out his wallet.
“I got it,” I say, waving off his money.
“Thanks.” He slides his wallet back into his pocket. “Two o’clock tomorrow. You better be there.”
As soon as he’s gone, Brogan clears the empty glass. “I like the sound of this Avery chick.”
“Yeah, I bet you do.”
He enjoys another laugh at my expense and then he says, “She’s one hundred percent right, too. Your ego really is twice as big as your dick.”
