Chapter 17
It was my month to plan a team building event for the Ramblers players.
I’d taken Deion’s words to heart and thought long and hard about the best activity.
When the bus I rented pulled up to the building, I held my breath, now uncertain of my choice.
The driver opened the doors, and the team filed out.
The only direction the invitation provided was to dress comfortably and be prepared to move.
On the sidewalk I rallied the troops. “Thanks for showing up. I wanted to pick something that would allow us to relax while still providing a new experience for most. So I asked myself, Aldridge, what activity would a bunch of men in peak physical condition enjoy but also be challenged by, and I decided on Pilates.”
There were audible groans from various people in the crowd. “Are you kidding me? The last team event was ax throwing and now you’re saying I have to stretch for the next two hours?” Paxton complained.
Okay not the reaction I expected but I wasn’t going to let a few negative remarks get me down. “Yep, Pilates is actually proven to be great for professional athletes because it helps with core strength, range of motion, muscular balance, and it can help prevent injuries by increasing flexibility.”
“Did no one tell you the rules for these events?” Colin Pratt hissed. “We’re trying to have fun not whatever the fuck this is.”
“Yeah, well I’m sorry this event doesn’t include an open bar and a bunch of barely legal women for you to run game on.”
“I’m a married man so what the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know ask your wife.” Colin was a known womanizer and although he had a wife and kids at home, he moved like a bachelor.
Normally I didn’t give a shit what another man was doing.
But I’d met his wife, and she was bubbly, outgoing, and oddly enough one of the few people who talked to me at the preseason party for staff, players, and their families.
Maybe she was gauging my temperature to see what type of time I was on and how that would impact her husband which in turn would directly affect her and her family.
In my book it was fuck Colin Pratt for life and any team expectations of allegiance.
Because if his wife ever asked me to my face if her husband was cheating, I was snitching and offering her the contact number to a good divorce lawyer.
“Hold on, wives are off limits,” Powell said.
“This fucker wouldn’t understand that shit because he can’t keep a bitch. What happened to the influencer model chick you were dating. Did she dump you when she realized you’re a scrub who’s ideal of fun is Pilates and Scrabble game nights?”
“Well when I’m no longer feeling a relationship I end things. Unlike you whose over here collecting side chicks like infinity stones.”
“I think he’s trying to say your dick is for everybody,” Dante always leaned into an opportunity to instigate some shit.
Deion interjected. “You two are acting like some bitches. I’ma need y’all to wrap this shit up … bickering back and forth like two old biddies.”
My eyes telegraphed surprise. “Old biddies? That’s not a word you hear every day.”
“It sounds like something my grandma would say,” Dante agreed.
Deion’s jaw ruminated. “It means annoying nags.”
“Oh I know what it means. I’m just wondering why you’re saying it,” I teased.
Some of the other players chuckled. “Sorry Deck even I have to admit you should drop that word from your vocabulary.” Colin chuckled.
Deion rubbed his beard. “Can we just go inside and start stretching?”
Inside the studio reformer machines were set up for all fifteen players. I chose a one in the back away from Colin. Our instructor an outgoing blonde welcomed us to class. It was a private session just us and the trainer.
“I heard you lot were basketball players.” Her British accent caught me off guard. “My name is Stacy and I’ll be your instructor this afternoon. You all look big and strong but make no mistake this class is about to kick your ass.”
“Doubt it, sweetheart,” Colin shouted out to a smattering of laughs.
“I’m looking forward to breaking you.”
“Wait what?” Dante asked.
“Now remember this is a safe space so if you have to tap out or need to cry feel free.” She hit play on her remote and ambient music filled the room. “First we’re going to start with some footwork. Follow me, legs together toes on the bar.” She jumped on her machine.
The footwork was simple enough, the goal was to get us acclimated to the repetitive motions.
I took Pilates classes regularly and was excited for us to ramp shit up.
I’ll admit I chose this class because I knew most of the guys weren’t flexible and I wanted to humble a few of them.
Yes, the purpose of the team event was to build camaraderie and what better way to do that than to watch each of them tap out one by one.
Halfway through the class and grumbles rang out from various players.
We were tasked with holding the high bridge position.
The position required us to bend backward with one foot on the bar and the other straight in the air.
Players were quitting left and right. I turned my head and next to me Deion was in perfect form his eyes closed.
This shit was light work for him which didn’t surprise me.
He seemed like a man who appreciated that strength conditioning was more than just weights.
“Continue to hold.” Stacy’s voice was soft and calm.
Closing my eyes I released a deep breath pushing out the bullshit and accepting peace.
My quickie getaway with Danessa was supposed to be Zen and relaxing but for most of the trip I was on edge.
Mexico made me realize I was still madly in love with her.
Okay let me stop lying, I knew that shit when she greeted me at the door of that first property several weeks ago.
I’d had a couple of relationships since her but everyone else was just keeping her seat warm.
Our kiss under that waterfall erased any doubts.
I loved her and I needed her to know it.
But I was also terrified because she literally destroyed me.
The breakup hit me hard. She changed her fucking number, blocked me on everything, and moved the fuck on.
I had to have a few screws loose if I was ready to spin the block on heartbreak.
Honestly, it should be fuck Danessa for life.
Who was I kidding, if someone said I needed to wrestle a bear to get my girl back, I would douse myself in baby oil and get in position for a double leg attack.
Stacy’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Great job guys. Even the ones who tapped out.” I surveyed the studio and found Pratt huffing in the back of the room. Pussy. “There are healthy snacks and drinks in the next room. Thank you so much for coming to Body Flex.”
After thanking Stacy for the excellent class I joined the others for refreshments. When I walked into the room, there was a round of applause. “That shit was hard as fuck. I loved it,” Dante shouted.
“That’s because Pilates works different muscles. This was a good class.” Deck gave the event a compliment and by extension he was complimenting me. I wanted the team to be pushed out of their box but I also wanted to pique their interest so maybe they’d check out another class on their own.
“Glad y’all enjoyed it. I’ve been attending these classes for a while now and it’s not about brute force, but it still requires strength and patience. You should have seen me at my first class, my legs got tangled in the machine. But look at me now … growth.”
“Sign me up. I’m down for another class,” Dante announced. I don’t really understand how Dante became my best friend on the team, but here we were.
“Me too,” Deion said checking his watch before brushing past me. Deion’s words shifted the energy in the room, and players buzzed about the next time we could get together for more stretching. Colin Pratt did not join in on the excitement. He just loitered in a corner, flashing me a dirty look.
Dante pegged me on my chest. “Anika said you went to Mexico.”
“Yeah, with Danessa.”
“No invite? I would’ve been down for margaritas by the pool.”
“Well then you would’ve been disappointed because it was a dry resort.”
Dante’s voice dropped to a whisper. “So did you two …” He inserted two fingers into a hole in his other hand.
“What did Anika say?”
“That you two were on some voyeur shit. Running around naked on the beach.” So, Danessa had shared our exploits.
I thought she would chicken out and just rave about the snapper and the views.
“Just so you know, I’m all caught up. Anika told me about college, and Danessa stomping on your heart to go to law school in Chicago which she ended up dropping out of a few months later.
I’m firmly on your team. Shit, so is Anika.
You know women and that independent I don’t need a man bullshit they be spewing.
Anika said she still loves you, so there’s that. ”
“What?”
“Danessa she’s still fucking in love with you. And when you guys ended, she immediately regretted it or some shit. But she had to stand on business.”
“Anika said that?”
“Not word for fucking word but yeah.”
Anika was an unreliable narrator, you couldn’t believe most of the shit that came out of her mouth but if half of it was true, Danessa and I needed to stop being polite and have a real fucking conversation.
“Wow this is you?” I asked as I made my way through the entry hall which opened into Danessa’s living space.
Her condo looked exactly like I’d pictured.
Light colored furniture, art by Black artist, zero clutter.
I’d only been here for a minute, and the space already felt like a place I’d like to kick off my shoes and hang out in for a while.
“Yeah.”
“I see why you like it, views of the city at night, nice high rise building with what I can only imagine is all the amenities.”