I’m back at the gym today, and Laurel is acting like nothing ever happened. Am I really that much of an embarrassment? She sure is making it seem that way. After repairing some equipment and teaching one of my day courses, I decide to head over to the boxing corner where the professional fighters all hang out. Laurel and Marianna are sparring in the ring while the other women are doing various other exercises on their private equipment.

“Ladies,” I say as I make my appearance, and a few of them roll their eyes. “I wanted to come over and thank all of you for signing up for my fundraiser.”

Laurel and Marianna come over to the side of the ring and lean on the ropes to look over at me. The other women have all stopped their routines; it’s kind of nerve-racking having them all looking at me –that rarely ends well. “Yeah, well,” Britany, the loud mouth brunette of the group, rolls her eyes, “I think your buddy’s little testimony did us all in. That, and Marianna thought he was cute.”

“Fuck you, Britany,” Marianna hisses.

“Well, I really do appreciate it. With all of you helping, the gym will save some money not having to pay for additional trainers. And the point is to fundraise, so any money we can save is great,” I say and try to not make it obvious that I’m checking Marianna out to try to gage what Tyler would think. She’s slender but well built, and she is a redhead –something I know Tyler’s in to. Would it be weird if I tried to set them up since they all pretty much hate me? He’s been slumping around a lot lately since he broke up with his ex.

“No problem,” Laurel says, and she has this annoyed tone in her voice. I guess we’re pretending the other night didn’t happen. I’ve learned my lesson after she reported me to Alex –I definitely won’t say anything about it in front of the other women, but I’m not going to just wonder off.

I smile at them. “Is there anything I can get for you ladies while I’m over here?”

“Yeah, pretty boy, why don’t you go get us some of those shakes at the smoothie bar? I could go for an energy booster,” LaWanda taunts.

I just smile, “Okay. Which one would you want?”

She gives me this blank stare. “Huh?” she asks.

“I asked you if you needed anything, and you told me what you needed. I’ll go get you a smoothie. Anyone else want any?” I can see Laurel seething slightly; she doesn’t care for the sudden friendliness I’m showing everyone.

The other women place their orders with me, but Laurel says she doesn’t want one. I head over to the smoothie bar and have the girl working the counter make something for everyone. All of them ordered the same thing –strawberry smoothie with energy booster, so I assume Laurel probably would have wanted the same thing so I have the girl make an extra one anyways. Since I don’t have anything else to do at the moment, I wait for the girl to finish the smoothies and take them over myself. I’m actually a bit surprised that I get thank-you’s from them all –even Brittany.

“I grabbed you one too, Laurel,” I say. Laurel just scowls at me.

Marianna hops out of the ring, leaving Laurel behind, so that she can grab herself a smoothie. “Don’t be so rude, Laurel,” Marianna says, “so what if he almost fucked your drunk ass?” the other women all laugh at her expense.

“Screw you guys,” Laurel hisses.

“I’m calling for some truths,” I say and then hop into the ring uninvited.

“What the hell are you doing?” Laurel asks.

“Come on,” I say, “I want a rematch. You laid me out on my ass when you surprised me with your MMA shit last time.”

“Oh, I got to see this,” Katie says, “I’ll go grab his gloves.” She runs off, returning shortly.

“I’m not boxing you,” Laurel says, “I’m not a boxer. You’ll knock my damn teeth out.”

“So we can spar MMA style, but you won’t box me?” I question. “Your skillset must be pretty limited, then.”

“Ooh,” Britany chants.

“I bet I could get three jabs in before you could,” Laurel snaps. I’m pissing her off.

“Wanna make it interesting?” I say as I start putting on my gloves; suddenly all of them gather around the ring, sipping on their smoothies with these looks of satisfaction.

“How so?” Laurel asks.

“First one to get three clean jabs wins,” I say, “And if I win, I want to take you on a date.”

The other women all go starry-eyed in the excitement of this drama that is in progress. “Ha!” Laurel laughs, “forget it.”

“What’s wrong? You think you’ll lose?” I ask.

Laurel grimaces. “Okay, fine, what do I get if I win, though?”

“What do you want?” I ask.

She steps forward, “I want you to quit your job here at the gym.”

I frown. “You’re out of your damn mind.”

She holds up her fists, “What’s wrong? You think you’ll lose?”

Fuck her. I can’t figure this bitch out! I hold up my gloves. “Fine.”

“Pick a referee to make the call,” she says.

“Marianna,” I say, and she excitedly jumps up into the ring, smoothie still in hand.

“First three, clean jabs wins. Boxing rules only, all right, Laurel?” Marianna says, laying out the rules of the deal.

“Fine,” Laurel hisses.

“Go!” Marianna decrees, and Laurel comes in hot. She immediately lands a jab; I didn’t think her jabs would be that fast. “One for Laurel!” Marianna decrees. I’m going to fucking lose my job.

We sashay around the ring for a minute, and as soon as I see an opportunity I deliver two, quick jabs. “Damn! Two for Jonathan!” Marinna shouts.

Laurel swings, but she only punches my gloves. We’re both starting to act for defensive than offensive. After a moment of staring one another down, I go for it. I leave myself open when I miss the swing, and Laurel gets me right in the jaw. “It’s two-two! Next jab wins!” Marianna is practically giddy.

Then I see it. This slight curl in her lip –she’s fighting back a smile. And what she is doing is subtle –too subtle for any of her friends to notice, but she widens her stance and opens herself up for me to jab her. I go in and deliver a third, clean jab to her chest. “And Jonathan is the winner!” Marianna hoots.

She let me win?

“Damn, Laurel,” Britany huffs, “I thought you had him.”

Laurel hops out of the ring and grabs the smoothie I had brought over for her. “I’m not a boxer, Britany. Cut me some slack.”

I smile and hop out of the ring. “I’ll pick you up tonight at eight,” I say with a wink before leaving the women to their training.

There is an undeniable excitement in me as I finish up my day at the gym. The best part? Every once in a while when I glance across the room, I can see Laurel smiling over at me, making me feel slightly flustered whenever I catch her staring–and it’s a good feeling to have.