Chapter 16
THERE WERE A FEW times over the course of Chase’s life when he could predict the significance of a moment. When he knew everything was about to change, for better or worse.
There was the time his soccer coach gave him a shot in net, and he never wanted any other position.
Or the time Shawn upended his life, outing him to his parents and breaking their relationship.
He hadn’t looked back until Shawn snuck back into his life this year.
Then there was the moment he met Tobias Moyer, and shaking his hand had sent a jolt through his body.
Chase felt it again as he led his first Bring Your Own Buddy class. Out of all the names they’d brainstormed, Tobias thought it would be the most marketable. How many other gyms could put BYOB on their ads?
He led a group of ten adults with kids by their sides—plus Josh, who couldn’t stay away—and everything went exactly as he’d imagined. This was exactly what he should be doing: teaching both kids and adults.
Eleven wasn’t a huge number, but it was a great start for their first session, and both Tobias and Chase hoped the classes would gain popularity as word spread.
Chase crowed when a man signed up with his son, who must have been three or four years old.
The rest of the attendees were women—except for Josh—and had been to similar Mommy and Me-style classes, but never with yoga. Not near Cherrywood, at least.
The kids ranged in age from three to ten and were generally well behaved and followed the directions.
They were excited to work out alongside their parents and guardians, especially when Chase gave them some partner poses they could do together.
Not quite like the acroyoga session Tobias had joined him in, but simple stretching poses where the adult and child had to work together.
Chase moved them from pose to pose, and he wondered what Tobias thought of the class so far. He’d told Chase his plan to hide in his office and watch the class through the gym’s security cameras. It allowed him to watch without having to worry about dealing with eager Inferno fans.
Tobias stayed out of the spotlight so much over the last three years most people forgot he even owned the gym. It wasn’t like members ever saw him, so they probably figured he was merely an investor. He even left his name off their website and social media accounts.
It was amazing how good of a job Tobias had done in isolating himself from the world, and Chase wondered—not for the first time—how lonely he must have been.
Despite being so distanced from the spotlight, diehard hockey fans hadn’t forgotten him.
He’d played for the Inferno for twelve years and won them not just one, but two Stanley Cups, plus the individual awards he got for himself.
Hockey fans weren’t ever likely going to forget him completely, as evidenced by the trending news of his return to hockey for this year’s alumni game.
Chase could sense the tension in him from a mile away when the subject came up, and he wanted to do whatever he could to minimize that anxiety. They planned to work on drills together after this class, once everyone had left the gym.
Instead, he focused on giving these participants the best yoga class he could so they’d tell their friends about it.
When Josh had set up his mat at the beginning of class, a couple other participants had asked him why he didn’t have a kid with him, and he whispered loudly like they were in on a big secret.
“I’m here for moral support since it’s the gym’s first kids’ class,” he said with a big smile. The other members were easily charmed by Josh—like most people—and instantly accepted him.
Chase was thankful Josh didn’t say he came to watch the cute kids in action. That might not have gone over as well, since parents were so protective of their children. As they should be.
The class wound down, and Chase pondered how long the kids could hold the final position. It involved quietly lying on their mats with their eyes closed, and he knew kids weren’t always great at that task.
“Everyone lie back on your mats and tuck your knees into your chest. Wrap your arms around them and pull them against your chest. You may feel a gentle stretch in your back,” Chase explained.
“Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Release your legs so they’re flat on the ground.
Breathe deeply and imagine all of your worries and fears are escaping through your fingers and toes.
If you need to, you can hold your buddy’s hand. Relax and enjoy the quiet.”
Chase usually kept his eyes closed when teaching an adult class and relaxed in corpse pose with everyone, but this time he kept them open and his head turned toward the kids, judging how long they could handle the quiet pose.
They’d likely not last long enough to reap the full benefits, but parents probably enjoyed every second of peace they could get.
He thought the youngest kid with the one other man in the class would squirm first, but Chase could have sworn he heard a quiet snore come from the little boy. A smile graced the face of the man lying next to him.
The soft music he’d been playing combined with the dimmed lights made for a relaxing atmosphere, so people often drifted off, but Chase didn’t expect it with kids.
After about a minute and a half, a girl around seven fidgeted on her mat and poked her mom’s arm to check if she’d fallen asleep, but the woman turned and smiled at her daughter. Chase took that as his cue to bring everyone out of the relaxing state.
With a soft voice, he said, “Start wiggling your fingers and toes to let them know it’s time to wake up. When you’re ready, you can slowly open your eyes. You all did a great job. I hope you enjoyed practicing yoga today.”
Slowly, both the kids and adults started sitting up on their mats. Soft conversation started between the pairs as they discussed the class. Chase heard nothing but positives from both the adults and kids, and he noticed a drop in everyone’s stress compared to when they’d first arrived.
As they stood, Chase directed them through cleaning their mats and helped the kids put theirs away.
Some of the parents escaped with their chattering kids while throwing Chase a smile and calling out thank yous.
A few approached him to rave about the new program, and he loved hearing their praise.
Josh helped organize the rest of the equipment as Chase turned off the music on the gym’s computer.
The only other male participant walked over, his little buddy asleep on his shoulder.
There was a strong resemblance between them, with matching auburn hair and freckles.
They reminded Chase of Tobias and Madison, and he couldn’t help giving them a soft smile.
“I hope the class wasn’t too much for him,” Chase said, his gaze moving from the boy to his guardian.
“It was perfect,” the man said, his voice deep and husky. “Noah has never been so focused before. I think he really enjoyed it, so we’ll definitely be back.” The man extended his hand to Chase. “I’m Brody, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you,” Chase said, taking Brody’s hand and giving it a solid shake. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. That means a lot to me.”
“I was so excited when I found out the gym added this. It’s great being able to get a workout in without having to worry about daycare for Noah.”
Noah started to fidget on Brody’s shoulder, and Josh popped up next to Chase.
“His name is Noah? He’s so cute, and he did such a good job with the yoga,” Josh said as he extended his hand. “I’m Josh. I hope you’ll bring him back!”
Chase noticed the appraising gaze Brody threw Josh as he shook his hand, but Josh killed that interest in his next breath.
“My boyfriend and I have been coming here for years, and we were pumped when they hired Chase and added yoga.”
Brody nodded. “I’m glad I wasn’t the only guy in the class today, so thanks.”
“No problem. They said if I wanted to do it again though, I’d have to have a kid, so now I have to find someone who will let me borrow theirs. Riley and I aren’t ready for kids yet. Hey, if you ever need me to watch Noah and bring him to class, I’m here!”
Brody’s eyes widened as his gaze bounced between Josh and Chase. He focused on Chase and asked, “Should I be worried, or is Josh just extra friendly?”
Chase chuckled at Josh’s sudden look of confusion. “He’s just that friendly. You get used to him, though.”
That was enough for Brody, who laughed along with Chase.
Josh’s furrowed brows prompted Chase to fill him in. “Parents usually need to get to know someone first before they’re willing to let them watch their children.”
“Oh. Well, yeah that makes sense. We should be friends first,” Josh said. “We should ask Tobias to let Brody come to our early class.”
“Earlier than this?” Brody asked, since they’d just completed a nine a.m. session.
“Yeah, it’s at six,” Josh said.
“Six? That might be too early for my schedule. I’m a physical therapist,” he said. “I didn’t see that on the website. Is it invite only? Who’s Tobias?”
“I am,” a deep voice said from behind them, making Chase jump. He hadn’t heard Tobias sneak up on them.
Brody lit up as he took in the new arrival. “Holy shi—” He grimaced, likely remembering the child in his arms, still half-asleep. “You’re Tobias Moyer.”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“I’m Brody. Are you a member here?”
Tobias gave the guy a searching look. He was irritated for some reason, but Chase didn’t know why.
“I own the gym,” he said, extending his hand to shake Brody’s. Chase noticed the quick wince on Brody’s face when they shook.
“Cool,” Brody said, retreating a step after Tobias released his hand, flexing it before returning it to Noah’s back. “I had no idea. I moved to town not too long ago. Small world. I actually just started working with the Inferno on their medical team.”
“Congrats on the new job!” Chase said. “That’s so random.”
“Yeah, random,” Tobias said, glare still on his face.
“Is Cherrywood treating you and Noah okay so far?” Josh asked.
Brody went on to explain the parts of town he enjoyed, and how thankful he was to find a gym with so many different workout options. Tobias continued his grump act and Chase couldn’t figure out why, until Josh asked his next question.
“Is there a Mrs. or Mr. Brody back at home?”
Brody chuckled. “Walsh is my last name. Brody Walsh. No one at home but me and Noah, but we’re available, if you know anyone who’s into redheads.”
Tobias grunted, and it hit Chase why he was being a bit of a dick.
Tobias was jealous.
Chase supposed he understood why. Brody was a handsome guy, and his freckles and son were super cute, but he hadn’t shown any interest in Chase. Still, the butterflies in Chase’s stomach whenever Tobias was around rejoiced at his jealousy.
Whether Tobias liked it or not, he wanted Chase. Now, Chase had to convince him it was a good idea.
Sure, Brody may have been good-looking, but Tobias was a vision. Like God woke up one day and said, “I’m going to create the perfect man for Chase Townsend, even though I’m not going to make Chase for another five years.” Competition didn’t exist for Tobias.
After Brody and Josh left, it took everything in Chase not to immediately tease Tobias about his grumpiness.
Instead, he sidled up to Tobias where he stood at the computer, checking the day’s programming.
“You still up for working on some reflex drills?” Chase asked innocently.
Tobias turned to him, his eyes filled with warring emotions, and sighed.
“At this point, I don’t think I could say no if I wanted to. I need to be ready in less than two months.”
Chase placed his hand lightly on Tobias’ shoulder, hoping he wouldn’t spook him.
“Hey, I’ve got you. Those instincts are still there. We just gotta wake ’em up.”
Tobias flashed him a rare smile and cracked his neck in preparation.
“Okay, coach. Put me to work,” Tobias said.
Oh, the work I’d give you if you let me…