A few moments later, I'm lost in Nirvana and I can't help singing along

With the lights out its less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now

I'm working up a sweat now and still singing to my hearts content. I take off my tee.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Man.. was that a good run or what… Fresh air, the ocean breeze… I should do that every day. Walking into the locker room to splash my face with a little cold water to cool down a little. Patting my face dry, I look into the mirror.

“Natalie… This is going to be the new you.. No more heartache, no more tears. I can take care of myself.. I don’t need anyone, especially, a man. I’ve been taking care of myself for most of my life anyways. So.. welcome to the new and improved Natalie Smith.. ” turning from the mirror, “ Now for some crunches..” walking out the door.

As I walk into the main room, there were hardly any people there. I was surprised. All I saw was some guy on the treadmill. Hmm.. interesting.. quite ironic exactly. Fate better not be playing with me. As I walk over to the mats, I noticed that he was singing along to some song. I laid my stuff down and looked up just in time to see him taking off his shirt.

“Oh my god… “ freezing for a moment. This guy had a great body, from the looks of it. He was tall, about 6”-6’2”, and blonde. His hair was cut short but with longer locks on the top. Sweat had dampened the back of his hair. His back was to me, so I didn’t get a full look but… this guy was definitely hot.. Then something in my head was nagging at me. What the hell am I thinking, I’m not interested.. I’m not…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I get the strangest feeling that I'm being watched. I turn around and see her standing there. Wait a minute, is she checking me out? Nah, she couldn't be. Not knowing what to do, I force myself to smile politely.

"Hi, again"

Just as I was tearing my eyes away from him, he saw me. Nick… This guy was the guy I met at the club. Oh god… this should be good.,”

“Hi… “

"On your own today?"

"Yeah, I am trying get back into my usual workout... it's been a while.."

I look at her. Damn she looks great as it is, she doesn't need to work out.

"Routine is always good", mentally slapping myself, that sounded stupid

Knowing he was nervous, I smiled back..

" You come here often?"

"Sometimes, I go to another gym near my friend's house or I work out on the courts”

That's when it hit me, oh hell, I'm attracted to her but there's absolutely no way I can tell her

"You play a mean game uh?"

"Well not to brag or anything but I run circles around everybody else. Maybe you should watch me play someday, see how mean I really am"

Now I'm really sweating, but this time it's my nerves. This girl is totally getting to me.

“Maybe sometime… “ Realizing that I need to get to it., I lay down and prop my feet on the wall and start crunches.

This is torture for me. I have a girlfriend, who I'm crazy about yet I don't want to leave Natalie. I suppose there's no harm in offering to be her friend.

"Would like me to spot you?”

“I’m ok right now, thanks.”

“Ok, I know it was a long shot, I didn't really expect her to say yes”. so I smile and let her get on with her work. I take a swig of water and move on to the rowing machine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After doing my 10 reps of each, I stretched my arms, took a drink of water and wiped my face and neck with the towel. As I strolled over to the weight bench, I saw him on the rowing machine. I went over and sat on the leg weights bench and started lifting. . I did my 25 reps and turned over for the other 25, when I realized what position I was in. “Maybe he won’t look.. he can’t see me anyway right now.. maybe if I hurry..” I thought

~~~~~~~

I glance out the corner of my eye and see her on the weights bench. Damn she looks hot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“17…18… uh… 19… uh.. 20….. uh… 21… oh my god… this kills. Ok.. a few more Natalie… you can do it.. “

I struggled with the last 3 , I thought my legs were going to fall off. Finally, I reached 25.

Thank God.. I’m done… “ laying there for a couple minutes.

Finally, I eased up from the bench and turned over. Just as I was standing up, a weight fell on my foot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At first I thought I was imagining it, but it was really happening. She turned over and started to stand up when the weight fell. Impulsively, I raced over to her.

"Are you okay?" I ask, concerned

“Umm.. yeah… It.. umm… hurts a bit”, I said through clenched teeth, without looking up

I can see she's in pain so i gently take her foot in my hands and apply light pressure

"I don't think you've broken it, maybe a strain"

Wincing.. "Great... I strain a muscle and drop a weight on my foot on the first day back. That's gotta be a record"

"Well it's gotta be better than falling off the treadmill in front of people on your first day down here"

I blush slightly as I realize that I'm still holding her foot, I let go and help her slowly to stand up

"I guess everybody has those moments, I guess. I can't say that I not one of them, as you can see"

As soon as the thought entered my head, the words came out.

"I could give you a lift home"

I couldn't take them back. All I could think was that; what Amy doesn't know won't hurt her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Surprised by how nice he was being, considering how offish I was too him.

“I don’t want to impose on you, I’m sure you have things to do.. “

"Yeah I do, but they can wait. Besides, I’d feel better knowing you got home, ok"

What the hell is going on with me today? I'm used to treating girls much differently 'treat them mean and keep them keen' as the saying goes but today it's not working to my advantage.

"Thank you so much, Nick. I really appreciate it and I'm sure my body will thank you too.. "

: "Anytime" I mumble as she hooks her arm around my shoulder to support herself as we head towards my car. This was gonna be some drive.