Page 69 of Unraveling Rain
I try not to think about what it’ll be like when I have to go back to Raleigh. I just want to hold on to this little bubble we’ve created for as long as I can. And when the time comes? I hope she’ll be willing to try long-distance—because I know I will.
We haven’t had sex, and that’s perfectly okay with me. I’ll wait as long as she needs. Just being close to her, her body pressed against mine at night, knowing she feels safe in my arms—that’s enough. Whenever it happens, it’ll have to be Rain who makes the first move. I don’t want her to feel pressured, or worse, dragged back into old memories she’s tried to escape.
Still, part of me wants to know where that Dennis bastard is. I could hire someone to track the asshole down. Just to remind him what pain feels like.
I push the thought away as I step into the gym and spot Dylan already inside. Time to focus.
Today, we’re adding weights. Another step forward.
“Good morning,” Dylan says, walking over with a tablet, a bottle of water, and a small towel. I enjoy working with him. He’s smart, organized, and knows exactly how to push without pushing too hard.
“Morning,” I reply, heading toward the weight area.
“Are you ready to start the second part of yourtherapy?” he asks.
I nod, already feeling a spark of energy.
“Cool, cool. Let’s start with something simple. Grab two five-pound dumbbells. Three sets of ten bicep curls.”
I blink at him. Really?
He raises a brow. “What? Don’t give me that look. I need to see how your shoulder rotates with a light weight. We’ll increase it once I see progress.”
I huff but grab the weights and start curling. By the time I hit my last five reps, my shoulder’s burning, but I finish them anyway.
“How are you feeling, Xander?” Dylan asks, grinning. “I see some perspiration on your forehead. Thirty curls with ameaslyfive-pound dumbbell. I’m not sure you can keep going.”
I give him the finger, and he laughs.
“At least your attitude is still intact. Let’s do it again.”
We cycle through so many upper-body exercises that, by the end, my arms feel like Jell-O.
“Good job today, champ,” Dylan says, gathering his things.
“Thanks, man. I mean it.”
He nods and waits for me at the door.
“Want a post-workout smoothie?”
I smile. Anything cold sounds great right now.
We head to the kitchen. He pulls spinach, berries, and pineapple from the fridge, tossing them into the mixer alongwith water, protein powder, and something else from a dark bottle.
I reach for it out of curiosity.Spirulina. Never heard of it. A quick Google search tells me it’s a supplement made from blue-green algae, rich in protein, minerals, and antioxidants. Sounds legit.
“Here,” Dylan says, handing me a tall glass filled to the brim.
“Thanks,” I murmur, taking a cautious sip.
Not bad. I gulp the rest down quickly.
“Good, right?” Dylan asks.
I nod. “Yeah, it’s good. I’m going to have to get some of this spirulina when I’m back home.”
“It’s a very complete supplement,” he says, drinking his own. “You should add it to your nutrition plan. Maybe just clear it with the team’s nutritionist first?”
