5. Not My Kind of Cardio
Not My Kind of Cardio
This workout wasn’t doing anything to clear my head like normal.
After that work call interrupted us, all I had been thinking about was Allie.
On one hand, I was ecstatic because what were the odds we worked at the same location?
But on the other hand, there could be rules against coworkers dating—if we made it to that step.
I’d already read through the employee manual once, but I’d need to comb through it again to see if there was anything in there about this.
All afternoon, thoughts of her plagued me.
Those skin-fucking-tight black jeans that hugged every curve.
Those plump, shiny pink lips and stunning forest eyes.
They weren’t only green or brown, but a mixture of them.
They had a deep green ring around the outside that lightened as it went in, brown splattered around her pupil, with drops of gold in the middle.
That raspy voice with a slight drawl in it.
I grabbed my phone and pulled up my group chat with Jacob and Carson.
Spencer: You fuckers gonna be on tonight?
Carson: Well hi to you too fuck face
Jacob: Maybe if you play your cards right ;)
Spencer: Yea no thanks buddy, we don’t know where that things been. Yall wanna play a few rounds?
Jacob: :( that hurt my feelings I don’t wanna play with you now
*Jacob has left the chat*
*Spencer has added Jacob to the chat*
Carson: He’s right man, no offense
Jacob: Sorry that I wanna show the ladies some love out here
Carson: You show them anymore love and you’re gonna end up with a kid
Spencer: Ok enough about Jacob and his activities… We playing or not?
Carson: What’s got your panties in a twist tonight
Jacob: Is it that girl?
Spencer: I’m never telling you fuckers anything else
Jacob: Spencer do you haattee me :(
Spencer: …Be on in 30
After I got home, I took a shower before sitting down at my desk.
Booting up my system, I started eating my dinner.
I still hadn’t made it to the store, so another burrito bowl it was tonight.
Once I got on, I joined our party and pulled up the game.
It had been a few weeks since I could enjoy a night to myself and hang out with my friends to game.
I’m sure some people considered it childish that I still played video games, but it’s what I enjoyed.
Besides going to the gym and occasionally hiking, it kept my mind busy and away from any dark thoughts that tried to cloud in.
“Yo, can you hear us, Spence?” I heard Carson call out. I had zoned out again and wasn’t paying much attention.
“Hey, yeah, sorry man, had the mic muted and was eating.”
“Well, what are you eating? Where’s ours?
” Jacob asked like he did every time someone said they were eating or drinking.
I loved the kid, but man, could he be annoying sometimes.
Jacob was still younger, recently turning twenty-five.
We met when he first started at UTK, and the poor kid got lost on campus and ended up in the wrong building.
He was looking around, confusion written all over his face, and most people ignored the scrawny kid with a mop of messy black hair as they passed by.
I helped him out and told him he could always reach out if he needed anything, and the rest is history.
He was like the little brother I wished mine was, though, so I put up with it.
“Burrito bowl and I guess it’s back at the restaurant,” I said while I shoveled more into my mouth. “Y'all ready to play?”
“Yeah, let’s go, and while we load up, you can tell us why this girl has you acting all weird,” Carson said.
Out of all my friends, he was the one I would consider my best friend.
We had gone to the same schools and became friends throughout middle school.
He had been there when so much shit went down with my family toward the end of my senior year.
His family had been like a second family, a better family if I’m being honest. They had even let me crash with them for a few weeks during the summer before I went off to college.
He was usually quiet and observed those around him.
Needless to say, he knew me better than anyone and knew when I was down bad for a girl.
“Her name’s Allie. Found out today that I work with her. Well, not directly with her, but in the same company. Didn’t really get to talk to her much because work interrupted me.”
“Couldn’t lay the moves down, huh? Shit sucks, bro. Do you think you’ll see her again? I mean, you said y'all go to the same gym, right?” Jacob asked me.
“I dunno. It’s a decent-sized company, so there’s a chance I may not run into her at all. As for the gym, I don’t wanna be that guy.” I rubbed my hand down my face and sighed.
“Yeah, nobody, even dudes, wants to be interrupted during a workout,” Carson chimed in.
“I mean, I wouldn’t mind if a lil baddie came up to me,” Jacob shot back in a teasing tone.
“Jacob, I mean this with my whole heart and say it with my full chest. Shut the fuck up, bro.” I tried and failed to sound serious, and ended up busting out laughing.
Jacob may be annoying, but he knew how to ease any tension and get us to laugh.
Our map finally loaded, so I set my food to the side, “Alright, boys, saddle up and focus. We gotta game to win.”
We played for a long time because the wins kept happening, and it was the most fun we’d had in a while.
Once I got off and got into bed, I decided to get on my phone.
I was not big on social media by any means, mainly because I didn’t want certain unwanted people to message me, but I did still have some accounts where I maybe shared the occasional post of the mountains, or if I did have hookups, I could check them out beforehand.
I clicked the search button and typed in her name, which I jotted down from her IT ticket earlier.
Probably against some rule and not morally acceptable.
Her profile was the first one that popped up, and I clicked on it. Immediately, her pictures filled my screen. I could see she liked to share various things like pictures of food, what I’m assuming is her dog, family, friends, and outfits. She had a small following, too, and I could see why.
Everything about her posts was magnetizing, and you were drawn in. In her posts, she advocated for plus-size inclusivity, mental health matters, disability awareness, all kinds of stuff, really. I scrolled back to the top and, “Shit shit shit.”
I was trying to do some light online stalking, but I somehow managed to accidentally hit the follow button.
I couldn’t unfollow her. It would look weird for me to follow and then unfollow, right?
I know the social norms are against that, but maybe following her in this situation would be okay since I do want to talk to her again.
Truthfully, I was severely overthinking this. Running my hand through my hair and taking a deep breath, I refreshed my app. It was after midnight, so maybe she wasn’t even awake, and—AllieGrace followed you back.
“Well, that was unexpected, but okay, then we’ll roll with it.
Keep cool, Spencer. At least I didn’t accidentally like an old picture or something even more embarrassing,” I mumbled to myself as I scrolled through one more time, and then I quickly closed the app out so I didn’t accidentally click anything else.
Part of me hoped I would run into her somewhere so I could get the chance to talk to her again.
I woke up the next morning fairly early and figured I’d get to the store to knock out getting everything left for the house.
I needed a few cleaning items, groceries, and some personal care items. Keeping the sweatpants I slept in on, I threw on a hoodie, and then slid my tennis shoes on and headed out the door.
“Fucking southern weather, dude,” I grumbled to myself as I walked to my car.
It was barely eight a.m., and it was already hot as hell outside.
My skin was already sticky from the humidity, but I didn’t feel like changing what I had thrown on.
Since I didn’t have any coffee supplies yet, I decided to swing by this local coffee shop called Brewed Stories, which I found on Google.
Aside from two other cars, the lot was empty, so thankfully, no lines.
I walked in, and only two other people were inside, nestled back in some corner chairs, reading.
“Hi there, welcome to Brewed Stories. What can I get for you?” The woman behind the counter asked me cheerfully as she swung a towel over her shoulder.
“Hi there, um, I was just looking over the menu. Is there anything you’d recommend? Haven’t stopped in before.” Even though they were a small local place, they had tons of options to choose from.
“Well, we’re thrilled to have you. My name is Georgia, and you’ll see this old face around a lot if you stop in.
I help my granddaughter out running the place, and it’s her pride and joy, plus it keeps me busy!
” She was beaming as she explained. Georgia seemed like that sweet southern Grandma who always had fresh-baked goodies when you came over.
The one who was always boasting about her kids and grandkids, like she was doing now.
Her voice was warm and friendly, and she had deep crinkles next to her eyes and mouth.
The kind you get by smiling and laughing all the time without a care in the world.
“Now personally, hun, I love our toasted almond and caramel. You could do that either hot or iced, and the flavors carry over. It is more on the sweet side, so if you’re not big on the sweet, then maybe not that.”
“Nice to meet you, Georgia. I’m Spencer. That sounds perfect, actually. Thank you. I’ll get that iced, please, and could I get whipped cream on it?”
“No problem, hun. Anything else?”
Scanning their bakery case, I decided to go with a bagel since I needed to get some food in me. I paid and went to check out the cafe a little more.