Epilogue
SHAE
Two Months Later
“ H ow did I let you talk me into this again?” I ask Luke. Everyone is at the studio, the entire friend group, and we’re all in my room ready to start a class.
“It’s for a good cause, plus boys against girls.
Imagine if you win, the clout your group will have over us; we’ll never live it down.
” Luke stretches his neck from side to side.
I’d roll my eyes at his antics, except he’s right.
When the hospital hosted a silent auction, we all jumped in, well, everyone who could, at least. This wasn’t like your usual run-of-the-mill, six-hundred-dollar-a-plate gala, either.
The hospital opened it to the public, had a buffet-style, open-house sorts of event, and the community showed up in masses.
Luke and Gallo went in together for a prenatal care scholarship of sorts.
Johnny donated a night in the VIP room at Undercover Lovers.
Jagger, Asher, Trent, and Crew formulated a plan to give so many hours a project of the winner’s choice from Jagged Edge Construction.
Tysen donated a chartered flight within the country, round-trip.
Jude offered up a top-of-the-line security system, and Matthew donated legal fees.
That left me, the last one in our group who owned a business, and I had no problem offering a membership to LITHE.
Then Luke suggested a class where people could bring whoever they wanted.
The idea was solid, so I ran with it. The rest of the girls made a sizable donation to help cover the costs for children who come in for treatment.
“Fine, you’re right,” I tell him, clapping my hands together to get the attention of the group.
We weren’t sure everyone would be able to join in, Lennie only having twins a couple of months ago and the others getting further along in their pregnancies.
The guys said it’d make it fairer if we did a beginner’s class even though the girls know what they’re doing.
“Everyone ready?” A chorus of agreements hits me.
“Alright, we’ll go over the rules first. One, if you tap out, sit on your yoga mat.
Two, the ones with the most tap-outs lose.
Three, have fun and don’t do anything that will have you needing a chiropractor.
We’ll start with some stretches and then go from there.
” I didn’t make up these rules; the guys did.
I swear they are a glutton for punishment.
I’m sure they’ll do well, but let’s be honest, this group of guys, minus Luke, is more for lifting weights and running or swimming.
And then there’s Jagger, whose workout usually consists of construction work.
Lyric’s been trying to get him in the studio, but he says no, then she makes him do a few poses at home.
“We’re totally going to kick your ass,” Kennedy states to Trent.
He shakes his head, not bothering to reply.
Luke has said multiple times he’s reaping all of the rewards with how flexible I am, and he insists it’s all of the yoga I do.
Plus, these men talk, way more than us girls do, and I’m sure he’s alluded to what all it does for him.
“I’m not so sure about that, Kenny. You haven’t seen my killer moves,” Jude announces from the back of the class.
“Sure,” Winnie replies over her shoulder.
“Alright, some of us have work to do. Can we begin?” Matthew says.
“Bro, everyone knows you just want to be home to catch your housekeeper before she leaves,” Jude spills Matthew’s tea.
“Alright, let’s begin. Shall we?” I use my instructor voice and step on the mat.
“Follow along with my movements. I’ll go slow, don’t worry.
” We go through the motions of pelvic tilts, leg stretches, the easy pose where we’re sitting cross legged, and no one complains.
It doesn’t take long for us to finish our stretches easily, no complaints thus far.
Though, the next part might be a little more difficult, and I’m sure the guys will watch their women more than they’ll do yoga.
“The first pose we’ll do is the seated forward fold, and remember, do your best.” My playlists changes, switching to more of a deeper beat.
The vibe is different than what I’d choose for my usual group.
I bend over, hugging my legs, and look up to see the rest of the group doing similar.
The women have this in the bag; even with a few having a pregnant belly to contend with, they still try.
The guys, though, well, let’s just say a few of them are having to bend their knees.
“Holy fuck,” Asher grunts.
“I’ll never complain about the bill again.” Trent looks at Kennedy with a wolfish smile.
Luke’s gaze locks on mine. He gives me a wink and mouths, “Keep them coming.” I nod at him in response, more than ready to take it up a notch, and I know exactly where to go. These guys are going to end up on the floor only to watch their women the entire time.
“Alright, next up is the child’s pose.” Luke remembers this all too well.
One of the first times he did yoga with me, this is how we started.
We made it through one more pose until neither of us could contain ourselves.
I do believe he’s trying to make it to where the guys will definitely lose.
God, I love this man. Three more poses, and the majority is sitting out.
Asher is watching Lennie. Trent is doing the same to Kennedy.
Tysen can barely contain himself while staring at Maci.
And Jagger is definitely doing the same with Lyric.
Matthew and Crew are the ones who look to be bored.
“The women win. Please, for the love of god, put me out of my misery,” Crew announces.
“Thank fuck,” Mattew says behind him.
“Jude and Luke are the last two standing. I think we’ll have to bring our men here again,” Maci says, teasing Tysen. He places his hands on his hips, shakes his head, and smirks at her.
“I want a rematch,” Jagger states .
“Do it with your woman on your own time, man. It’s not like she doesn’t work here,” Crew guffaws.
“Oh, I will, don’t you worry about that.” Lyric wraps her arms around Jag.
“Girls officially rule!” Lennie raises her arms over her head and does a small dance.
“Told you, baby girl.” Luke comes up behind me, whispering in my ear as he pulls me into the front of his body.
“We really should do this again. I mean, everyone seemed to have fun, plus the studio can hold all of us. The only downfall is the kids aren’t here with us.
” Luke’s hand slides lower until it’s resting on my lower stomach.
We have news of our own to share, only not yet.
It’s still really early, and, well, we’re enjoying ourselves before the cat is out of the bag.
“There’s always Lyric’s room. We can keep the door open. Briar and Sebastian can entertain themselves, and the twins are still in the eat, sleep, poop stage.”
“I’m out of here. We all know I won for the guys in our group.
Luke, cheap shot seeing as how you’re here more than you are at the gym,” Jude says, tossing his hand over his shoulder and waving goodbye to everyone.
Everyone else follows suit, except Luke and I.
We hang back. We have some celebrating of our own to do.
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Coming next is Feels Like Forever, Jude and Ronnie’s story is releasing Septembe r