Page 11 of Tangled Rose

Chapter 8

The next morning, I wake up refreshed. It had taken me a while to fall asleep after I’d finished reading the comic book, no doubt because images of a certain guy flashed in my head each time I closed my eyes. The idea that he was lying in his bed in the room right next to mine didn’t help at all—especially not after his invitation to stay. I’ll admit that had me a little worked up. Sex is sex, and I’m not shy about it at all, but I’m choosy as hell about who I do stuff with. Knowing myself, I might even be down with a little carefree fun with Beau—just not immediately after he’s pointed out that his bed is a virtual carousel of girls hopping on and off his ride.

Once I’d finally fallen asleep, I had the best damn sleep ever in that crazy comfortable bed. The old, awful mattress I’d slept on forever used to give me horrible back aches every morning, and it wouldn’t be until I stretched out that I’d feel better. But today? Damn. I feel like I could go flip across the lawn first thing with no problem. I feel good, and I have a ton of energy.

I bound from the bed, hit the bathroom, and brush my teeth. From the dresser, I pull out a sports bra, cotton shorts, socks, and an old concert T-shirt of my mom’s, and get dressed. I burst through the doorway to the kitchen, startling Darla. “Sorry,” I gasp, covering my mouth with both hands when I see I made her slosh raw egg onto the counter.

“No worries. Can I get you some breakfast?”

I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to go do a quick workout first.”

She nods. “You and the boys have more in common than you think, I’d wager.”

My brows draw together. “What do you mean?”

“They’ve been down there about fifteen minutes already. You must be as driven as they are when it comes to your sport.” She nods her head. “And one thing I know is that athletes need to eat. There will be eggs and bacon up here when you’re done.”

I grin at her and then bite my lip, wondering how much to say or if she’d even bother telling anyone anything I share anyway. “Thank you.” I hesitate for a second, but sensing I can trust her, I let the words tumble out. “At home, there isn’t usually anyone around to make me breakfast.”

“Well, I’m happy to do this for you, then.” She tilts her head to the side, smiles, and goes back to work.

Downstairs, I slowly approach the gym, peeking around the corner when I get to the doorway. None of the guys notice me at first, so I get an opportunity to observe. Micah is spotting Griffin while he does reps at the bench press. Beau is doing lat pulldowns. Not a single one of them is wearing a shirt. There’s so much muscle on display in this room, it’s almost overwhelming. Almost.

Drawing in a breath, I stride through the doorway and go directly to a mat for some quick stretching as a warm-up. I sit down with my legs in front of me, tuck my earbuds in, and reach forward past my toes as far as I can go.

I feel their eyes on me as I sit back up, crank my legs wide into a middle split, and reach forward again, my body flattening against the mat this time. If they want to stare, they can stare. I really don’t care.

Sitting upright again, I reach for my right foot, gripping the underside and pulling myself into a deeper stretch. I repeat the same with my left leg. I warm up my arms in a variety of different ways, then arch up into a backbend, groaning because it feels good. Satisfied that my body is warm, I kick from the backbend to a handstand and step down, ready to put myself through a workout.

I can see Beau’s mouth moving, but I can’t hear him over the Paramore album I’d chosen to work out to. Yanking one earbud out, I raise my brows. “I didn’t hear if you were talking to me. Or about me. Whatever,” I huff.

My hands plant themselves on my hips as I wait, quirking one brow at him.

Micah and Griffin chuckle, shaking their heads.

“This is all you, bro.” Micah waves over his shoulder and walks out.

Griffin comes closer, holding out his fist.

I look at him a bit warily but bump his fist in response.

“Have a good work out. See you later.” And then he’s gone, too.

My gaze drifts back over to Beau. “Was there something I missed?”

He gives me a sheepish grin. “Nah, never mind. You need any help? Are you lifting, or…?”

I eye the bench press and point. “I could use a spot, if you don’t mind. Otherwise, I’ll do stuff I can manage on my own.”

He nods. “How much weight do you want on here?” He busies himself removing some of the weight plates and putting them back on the stand.

“I can bench about one-fifty total, including the bar.”

Beau stops, glancing over his shoulder. “Seriously?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, why?”

He stands up, turning to face me. His eyes drift down my body before returning to meet my gaze. “Just don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all. You can’t weigh more than a buck twenty.”

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