“She's cute.” Jamison adds another plate to either side of the bar as I rest for a minute.
“Yeah, I guess.” I try to sound a little nonchalant, the last thing I need is another argument with Sarah. “If you like that sort of thing.”
“One more rep and then water break.” He closes the collars back up and signals for me to go again. “So, you're not interested?”
“Nope, why?”
“So, would you mind if I ask her out?”
Fuck no! There's no way I'm letting her get involved with him.
He's a nice guy and a knowledgeable coach but I met him when I was in foster care, and he has some huge issues with anger management. Nope, I don't want him sniffing round her.
“I think she's got a serious boyfriend.” I lie, hoping that he'll drop it. “Plus, it's probably not the best idea for my coach to be involved with my employee.”
“Dude, if you want her for yourself all you got to do is say.” He jokes as we stop for a drink.
Heading into the kitchen to grab a couple of bottles of water from the fridge, I see the plated pancake stack that Mia has left for me with a handwritten note that simply reads; 'enjoy' and smile.
We're just about to head back into the gym when my attention is pulled to the front door.
That was quick.
I follow Jamison into the corridor and spot Maddie. Her eyes are red and puffy and there's a huge swelling above her eye. My poor girl.
“What the fuck?” I yell, noticing the worried expression on Mia's face.
“Sweetie, go wait in the kitchen and I'll be there in a minute. I just need to speak to daddy quickly.” She pats Maddie on the shoulder and sends her on her way as Jamison walks towards the gym.
“What the fuck happened to my daughter?” My voice booms through the hallway, echoing in my ears. She's supposed to be protecting my girl, how could she let her get hurt?
“I'm so sorry. I took my eye off her for one second while she was playing on the swings and her friend accidentally kicked her.” She blurts out without taking a breath, her face flushed.
“You were too busy nursing your hangover to do your fucking job more like!” I growl, immediately regretting it when I see moisture building in the corner of her eyes. She doesn't respond, instead, she pushes past me and shuffles in the direction of Maddie.
“That was a bit harsh.” Jamison appears from nowhere. He must have been eavesdropping around the corner. I groan, realising that I need to go and apologise and then make my way over to the girls.
When I enter the kitchen, Maddie is sitting on the counter swinging her legs and giggling while Mia holds a bag a frozen vegetable wrapped in a tea towel against the bump.
“Maddie, can I speak to Mia?” I ask softly as Mia turns her back on me. I'm a complete jackass.
“Okay daddy, but don't shout at her. She made it better.” She jumps down of the counter and skips off to her room singing.
“You want a coffee?” I ask, putting the kettle on and grabbing two mugs from the cupboard. “I shouldn’t have gone off at you like that.”
“Yeah, but you did.” She looks at me with those doe eyes and for a moment I don't know how to respond.
“She’s my girl, I can sometime be a little overprotective when her. I’m working on it.” As much as I don't want to get into this right now, I need to be honest. “When I lost Sam, my whole world fell apart and my girl was the only reason I was able to get out of bed in a morning. I don’t deal well with her getting hurt and it sometimes makes me a little crazy.” I pour the drinks and pass her a cup, both of us sitting down to continue the conversation.
“You crossed the line and I get it but kids play, and they get bumps and scrapes. You can't kick off with me every time it happens.”
“Like I said, I’m working on it.”
“Well try harder.” She stands up and walks away, turning to face me when she gets to the door. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I assume that was supposed to be an apology?” She giggles and then disappears down the corridor.
This week has been a little better. Ever since Ethan opened up to me last Sunday, we've been getting on a lot better. I've actually been spending a lot more time on an evening out of my room and in the living room watching Netflix on the big screen rather than on my laptop. He's mainly in his study anyway, but he has made a few jokes at my movie taste as he's been mooching about.
He's out again today with Maddie, probably doing some more adventure stuff. I'm so glad they never invite me along, it sounds terrifying.
The messages from Elijah have kept coming, and he's asked me out on a date tonight. As I put a little makeup on and straighten my hair to within an inch of its life, I ponder what to wear. Lexi's advice was to go for something a little slutty but I'm not actually sure that I have anything in my wardrobe she would approve of.
Instead, I finger through my closet and pick out a little navy blue boat neck fitted dress with a bit of a ruffle down the side and pair it with my black heels. I examine myself in the mirror, and happy with how I look, I head to the courtyard and wait for the taxi to arrive.
This journey into town is awful, I love living out in the countryside but when you're single and starting to date again, it's hard to stay out of the city. It would be so much easier if I was still staying with Lexi. Even if
