CHAPTER SEVEN
SCARLETT
It’s quarter to one and I’ve just finished a class with an online client.
The studio is quiet and serene – a delight that I am sure won’t last long when my next client arrives, if he arrives.
The bright Seattle sun is spilling through the floor-to-ceiling windows warming the room, bathing it in a nice glow and highlighting the greens of the potted plants along the studio’s back wall.
The mild scent of Eucalyptus lingers in the air creating a calm and focused environment, and I’m going to need all the help I can get when it comes to Levi Carter.
I’m standing behind the front desk as I glance at my phone again, a text blaring on my screen.
WILLIAM
Come home, baby. We can work this out.
Sighing, I shake it off, shifting my attention to the time. Levi’s ten minutes late. I should expect better from a professional hockey player, but due to his attitude, I’m not all that surprised. Especially considering he was also late for our first session a couple days ago.
I take a deep breath to will myself to have some patience – my schedule doesn’t allow for this tardiness; does he not care about being fit for the coming season? I understand he doesn’t want to do this but the sooner he gets it over and done with, the better. For both of us.
At last, fourteen minutes late, the door finally swings open.
Levi’s large, 6’1 frame fills the doorway.
His broad shoulders fill out his grey hoodie, black shorts showing off his muscular legs, and his typical white sneakers.
He walks – actually, he struts – toward the desk carrying an air of confidence, bordering on arrogance, as his bright blue eyes sweep across the room, before finally landing on me.
“Ah, Scarlett, lovely to see you again.” He teases.
“You’re late, Levi.”
“Sorry, traffic.”
I arch a brow. What a lame excuse. “Don’t let it happen again. My time is not to be wasted.”
I purse my lips, starting over to the reformer beds as I glance back at Levi, “Shoes off. We shouldn’t waste any more time. Here are your socks as well.” I point at the bench.
After removing his shoes, Levi walks over to the bed I’m standing at, staring it down, “Seriously? That thing looks like a torture device.” He grimaces.
“Well, this torture device is what will get you back on the ice, so let’s get going. I’m gonna talk you through how everything works before we start.” I retort.
He shoots me a smug smirk, and I get down into a squat position next to the bed.
“Here are the springs; yellow is light, blue is medium, and red is heavy. You must use whichever spring load I tell you at any given time.” I start, glancing up quickly so my eyes meet his to make sure he’s paying attention.
He rolls his eyes. “Here we have the carriage, the platform, and the foot bar. The carriage is the part that moves.” I look up again, he wears an exasperated look.
I continue anyway, turning back to the reformer, “the straps you see here pull the carriage. We use the short loops for our hands,” I look back to Levi as I finish, “and the long loops for our feet. When I refer to the well, I'm talking about the space behind the carriage. That’s about it. Got any questions, Carter?”
He looks dumbfounded. “Um, no, no I don’t think so… I think we should get this over and done with.”
“Alright, we’ll start with a chest expansion on a light spring. We just want to focus on your mobility today,” I look up at him, “Come into high kneeling on the carriage facing straight toward those mirrors.” I point toward the back wall.
Levi stares at me for a second before climbing onto the reformer, looking unsteady the moment his knees touch the carriage.
I make sure to catch his eye, “Levi, today is not about strength, or overworking. I want you to focus on slow and controlled movements. Do you understand?”
He rolls his eyes. “Yes, princess,” he teases, which seems to be his default tone today. Is he not taking this seriously?
I glare at him as I inhale deeply, grounding myself.
I stand behind him, slightly off to the right, looking into his eyes through the mirror.
“Good. Now, we are starting with just single arm work to isolate your injured shoulder. Grab onto that little loop in front with your right hand, like I showed you before.” He hinges forward slightly through his hips to grab onto the strap before straightening back up into a high kneeling position.
“Staying nice and relaxed through your neck, keep those shoulders down, away from your ears, looking straight out to the mirror,” he adjusts accordingly.
“Perfect, now, starting with your hand straight down beside your hips. Good. Inhale to prepare,” he breathes in, “And as you exhale sweep your arm behind you nice and slow. Focusing on engaging your upper back and shoulder.” He breathes out through his mouth as he sweeps his arm behind his torso.
I move my hand to lightly guide him through the movement, my eyes following his arm.
As our skin connects, I notice his breath hitch and his muscles tense slightly; my heart also skips a beat.
I snatch my hand away as though it’s been set on fire.
“Good control. Remember, stay nice and slow. Switch on that core, use those abs of yours for something worthwhile.” He huffs out a surprised laugh.
Levi glances back, eyebrow arched and a hint of a smirk pulling at his mouth, “You trying to say my abs aren’t already worthwhile?”
“They seem to just be for show at this point, Carter.” I deadpan.
“I can’t wait to prove you wrong,” He remarks as he turns back to face the mirror, releasing from his current rep.
I step back slightly, “Beautiful, another rep now.”
As he moves into his next rep, he yanks at the strap, the carriage jerking. He snaps forward through his hips, immediately toppling straight into the back part of the well.
“Levi,” I sigh, “slow and controlled. What did I tell you?”
“I couldn’t have predicted that to happen, now, could I?” He shoots back, “Now, are you going to help me up, or what?”
“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, rolling my eyes, as I reach in to help him up, “you didn’t bang your shoulder, did you?”
“No!” He barks, stomping over to put on his shoes and grab his gear.
“Levi, we’re not do–“
He cuts me off, “Yes, we are. I’ll see you in a couple of days, Quinn.”
I stare at him, my eyes following as he strides out of the room. His posture is defeated, and my heart sinks a little at the sight.
Shaking it off, I begin to clean the studio for closing.
I can already tell this is going to be a fun couple of months.