I settled into my mat and did my stretches aided by some grip blocks and my more athletic suited prosthetic which was more about function then fashion and light weight compared to the one I typically wore during the day. I had been attending the class long enough that no one asked me about it anymore and I felt comfortable, or at least as comfortable as you could feel with David Easton eyeballing my butt from behind.
I figured if he was going to give me a look over I could look right back and damn any consequences. Our oldest class member and regular at the studio, Mrs. Easterly, a salty woman in her late eighties was chatting him through the moves. At one point, she moved over and showed him the correct position for downward dog.
“That’s adorable. Have you seen your man’s ass.” Kelsey continued to chat up David’s physical attributes and I did my best to ignore her. I wanted to feel badly for David when I was sure Mrs. Easterly cupped him inappropriately, but I couldn’t, because I was trying to hold back my howl of laughter at his shocked face. His cheeks, neck, and ears sported a blotchy red hue.
I worked through my adaptive poses focusing on clearing the bad energy around me. I listened to our teacher chant asanas and I relaxed into the zone. My ex would have never come to a class like this, but it was also asking a lot of an immature seventeen-year-old boy. David wobbled a few times, but he actually did pretty good until we got to tree pose.
It was hard to focus on my own practice feeling somewhat self-conscious, but David ignored me and eased into the moves on his own. I admired his tenacity and his tight face looked more relaxed by the end of the ninety minutes. Sweat dripped off my body and I used my towel to wipe off my skin feeling refreshed.
“I’m going to pass on dinner because I think you need to give that man some attention.” Kelsey hugged me with a sly smile on her face. She shrugged her jacket on and collect her mat and purse slinging them over her shoulder.
I felt the panic rise. “Kelsey don’t go.”
“Come on. You were brave enough to go home with him and he seems like a decent guy pursuing you. Stop making excuses or I’ll rat you out to the Aunts.”
I pointed at her as I watched David in the mirror chat with the instructor asking for pointers. “You are a terrible sister.”
“Possibly, but I’m also asking you to be my Maid of Honor, so don’t disappoint me here.” She patted my arm and scooted out the door making eyes at me.
I scrunched my nose shaking my head at her. I’d pay her back during the bachelorette party by putting Dijah in charge of the entertainment.
15
David
Class was finally over. Ninety minutes of contortionist hell. I should have called my old commanding officer and told him to present this as new addition to boot camp. My manhood survived and shockingly my head felt clearer than it had in a long time.
I waited to approach Kiara and made small talk with the teacher soliciting a few additional stretches. I waved to her sister on the sly who winked at me. At least I had one person in my corner. Since I saw Chase it was agony waiting for the week to pass so I could see her again. Our schedules were not meshing despite feeling more settled into my job and position as the new official assistance coach.
“I didn’t exactly peg you as the yoga type.” Kiara’s eyes refused to meet mine and short of clutching her arm it didn’t seem like a good idea to hassle her outside of class and the yoga studio. There were at least half dozen women eyeballing me like I didn’t belong there. I didn’t disagree with them, but this was the only way to get Kiara’s attention. I probably looked like an ogre among maidens inside the yoga studio doing their silly stretches and breathing. I did it for Kiara though, I did it because she was worth all my awkwardness and embarrassment, and all the questions to my manhood.
“Gotta be honest, it’s different, but I like it. I’m more relaxed that I was at the beginning.”
“Look I’m not good at this relationship thing. I don’t even know what we’re doing.”
I shrugged and leaned in caging her body against the wall. “Who says we have to do anything? I thought I was on probation until spring away.” Kiara glanced up at me and her eyes sparkled as she bit her lip trying to tamp down the smile.
“You are on probation, David.” Her hand came up and gently pressed against my chest. I stepped back to give her some breathing room. I wasn’t a total dick.
“Hey, if you need to maintain a prickly attitude for your credibility, I can work with that, but I would like to see you more than a passing glance.”
“I’m not making out with you under bleachers, or in the classroom.”
“Whoa, that escalated quickly. I just meant that dinner would be nice.” I watched her eyes round like saucers. So she did think about me. That was nice to know because I definitely thought about her. Often. And in several positions and places I probably shouldn’t. The struggle was real.
“I like you a lot, Kiara. I’m putting my cards on the table.”
“Is this flirting? Are you flirting with me, David Easton.” She said bringing that sparkle back to her eyes.
“No ma’am. You would definitely know if I was flirting.” I took her yoga mat back and slung it over my shoulder. I would coax her to dinner if it killed me, but at the least I’d walk her to her car and see her safely inside.
“Well that’s a shame. I might need a date to my sister’s wedding in a six to nine months’ time frame.” She handed me her other duffle bag and I took that too.
“Will you now? Sounds like my probation might be up by then and I could be available.” I hemmed and hawed teasing her.
“So until then…” She trailed off and I took her hand in mine stroking her soft skin. She was like silk under my rough hands and I didn’t feel worthy of touching her. It was a privilege just being in her presence and I honored that.
“No games. But I do want to ask you to dinner. A real dinner, not a hook up. Doesn’t have to be a date if you don’t want it to be.”