Chapter 6 #2
I tip-toe across the bitterly cold floor to the bathroom, doing a quick run-down of my routine to make it on time.
I brush my teeth and wash my face. I quickly apply a thin layer of moisturizer, leaving my face otherwise bare.
I take my brush, trudging it through the rats nest upon my head and throw the black mange into a quick bun.
I hurry out of the bathroom, grabbing my gym bag and black high tops on the way out.
The hallway is dimly lit in the early-morning hours, giving off just enough light to my feet in front of me.
I silently walk through our underground lobby, the inviting lights mimicking the sunrise, and tap the elevator button.
The doors chime open, and I step on, hitting “G2.” But a hand slips inside at the last second.
As they slowly re-open, I’m greeted with a glowing smile from Jasper, gym bag slung over his broad shoulders.
“Good morning, Florence,” he says.
A tight lip and a nod of my head is all I can offer this early. “Morning, Jasper.”
He steps in, taking a step back behind me leaning against the panel. I hold my Converse tightly against my chest, looking up at the overhead lights. The elevator soon opens, revealing our ground two-floor.
This is where the fun starts. As we step out, we’re greeted with an open lobby floor with multiple passageways; one leading to the gym, the second the sauna, the third leading to the indoor gun range, the four indoor archery, and the fifth to indoor wall climbing— you name it, we’ve got it.
Anything to keep up our skills sharp while we’re here.
I bank left, well aware of Jasper keeping pace beside me. My awareness only grows as we round the hallway corner the gym. Most people learn quickly that I prefer my space, and Jasper knows it too. He just ignores it. The irritating part is that I don’t hate it nearly as much as I should.
Nyx is bent over, setting cones on the far side, wearing black sweats and no shirt. He straightens as we enter, his lethal gaze lifting to Jasper.
Nyx isn’t built like a gym rat; no, it’s almost a farm build. Naturally solid, with a few cuts of muscle here and there. A mixture of American Traditional tattoos flow in sleeves from his shoulders to his fingertips, wrapping around him like a second skin.
His chest reveals a beautifully detailed snarling wolf with sharp hatchets crossing just beneath its mane. He whips his head in my direction, but I ignore him, dropping to the floor to lace up.
Jasper kneels beside me, exchanging his slides for his tennis shoes. “Need some help?” he asks.
I avert my eyes, hiding beneath my lashes, “No thanks.”
Nyx’s shoes come into view “What are you two doing up here so early? Sneaking in a private session?”
Pulling the double knots tight, I hop to my feet, spreading apart my messy bun. “It was a party of one, but guess I wasn’t the only one with the early-start idea. What’s your excuse?”
Nyx glares at Jasper, who’s still tying his own laces, as he replies. “Thought I’d save us some time and set up.”
Jasper jumps to his feet, shaking his arms out. “A private sesh sounds like a great idea, but I don’t trust her enough to spot me.”
He grins at me, resting an elbow on my shoulder. I shrug him off stepping around Nyx to head to the center, where I begin my usual routine of stretches. Spreading my feet apart, I reach down for one ankle, dropping my head completely out of view from the two men still standing in place.
Thank the Lord the doors open. I glance quickly at Nina, Cici, and Greer sauntering in, snickering. They quickly drop their own bags and shuffle over. The women fall into rhythm, mimicking me, yet they’re unable to suppress the giggles slipping from their lips.
“What did you?—"
My head jerks to the door clanging open, glass threatening to shatter.
Bear is panting heavily and not so silently cursing underneath his ragged breath.
He slings his bag against the wall and points angerly toward the doubled-over women before me, pieces of shredded duct tape clinging to his hairy arms.
Bear opens his mouth, sputtering helplessly. He snaps it shut, simmering with rage. He attempts again, but only a strangled snarl bubbles from his throat.
He aggressively shakes his finger. I whip back around to the culprits, now gasping hopelessly for breath.
“They duct taped my door completely shut! By the time I got out, the assholes had the audacity to close the elevator in my face and lock the damn top gate! I had to find the stairs… I didn’t even know we had stairs! ” he exclaims.
Cici wipes tears from her eyes. “At least you got a good warm up.”
I laugh softly, placing the soles of my shoes together, flapping my knees up and down in butterfly position.
Usually this would require scolding given my title, but I think I’d spend a whole paycheck just to see Bear look for those ancient stairs.
He glares at the women before him, rage simmering across his face, mouth still open as he rips the duct tape full of hair from himself and throws it on the floor.
“Bear, close your mouth before the flies spot that gold tooth and pawn it,” Jett calls out as he and Matt make their way in.
“Did you two find the stairs?” Bear asks, rubbing at the bulging red spots along his arms.
The men turn to each other. “For what?” They ask in unison.
Bear squats to gather his improvised wax strips. “The girls locked the gate! How else did you get up?”
They both exchange a confused look, pointing to the glass to show the now open gate and elevator. “Yeah, but we all have a key Bear?” Matt says.
Bear fumbles in his gym shorts for his key chain pulling it out to reveal the silver elevator key attached to a rabbit’s foot.
I can’t help it. I burst into laughter.
Eyes widen around me. Bear’s features lighten as he chuckles. “Oh, y’all just wait. I’ll remember this. You shall reap what you sew!”
I cover my mouth with my hands, my shoulders still shaking with amusement.
Nyx claps his hands together behind me. “OK. Everyone gather in a circle.”
Shaking my head, I take a step back beside him as our team forms in front. What is this gym class?
Clearing my throat, I cross my arms tightly as Nyx gives me a nod.
“This is the start of our required teamwork; I assume you all received our email since you made it on time this morning. Attached was the schedule, not just for this week, but for those following after until directed otherwise. This is mandatory.”
Nyx steps forward. “Scott believes by getting closer to one another that our missions will improve in the long run. I do agree; helping each other on and off the field requires communication and I’m sure we could teach each other a thing or two.
If you fail to participate, it will be reported to Ana and then that is no longer in mine or Florence’s hands. ”
I snort, straightening as I bare my teeth. “If you fail, to participate, I will personally dispose of you from this base myself. Consider this a group project—, if one falls, we all fall.” I narrow in on each of them in promise. No one moves, awaiting their next orders.
I unfold my arms and walk to the wall track. “Let’s go.”
In union everyone rises, falling into a silent jog.
As we pass the bench, Matt reaches for his phone. “Any requests?”
“‘Motley Crue’” Cici and I shout.
Matt flips his cap backwards ahead of us, peering over his shoulder to Cici. “Good taste.”
She blushes, elbowing my side. I throw her a quick wink, stretching my arms from side to side. The music blares, slamming into the walls. Every drum hit ricochets through the gym. The bass crawls up my spine, while the raw vocals course through my body with each step.
An hour flies by, and Nyx and I slow to a walk.
Everyone else falling into place behind.
I turn, examining the team, taking note of the amount of sweat on each of their faces.
Barely any, which is a good sign. “With it being day one I think it’s best to just give them free rein on the weights, see who favors what and decide on rotation pairs from there. ”
Nyx squirts a stream of his water into his mouth before responding, “Sounds good.”
I jog back over to my bag feeling inside for my headphones. Nyx’s voice thunders over the roar of the music behind me as he gives further instructions to the team.