Redeeming Heart

Maggie's flirt

“Why am I doing this again?” I asked Aunt Maggie when we pulled up in front of a gym.

“I need a gym partner and you are the only one who can keep up.” She replied.

“It’s Saturday and I could have been sleeping right now.” What was with these people who liked waking me up on a weakened when they were aware of my sleeping habits and bed addiction?

“It will do you some good since you stopped participating in any kind of sport.” I frowned at her remark.

“Skateboarding is classified as an extreme sport.” Aunt Maggie rolled her eyes at me.

“Fine, you are in shape. Well, I am not. So, quit whining and let’s go.” She should really consider becoming a drill sergeant.

I bit back a remark and followed her.

To me, it was already amusing to hear people say that a gym always has the after the smell of sweat but I’ve never had that bad experience since I was a kid and spend most of my time working out in a gym.

Aunt Maggie swiped her gym membership card and paid for me to join her.

“Where do you want to start out first?” I queried looking around and taking in all the well-sculpted bodies that were really pushing through their busy workouts.

“Well, I am definitely not going to humiliate myself by working in front of fit gymnasts.” I suppressed a chuckle and followed her up the stairs to where she was comfortable with working out.

I grabbed a few weights and might as well get in a good workout since we were here.

I didn’t understand why Aunt Maggie was so worried about her physique or that she was unfit. She worked out for thirty minutes straight without taking a break longer than a minute. Aunt Maggie was at least five years younger than my mother and in her mid-twenties.

Like my mom she was beautiful and it wasn’t a secret that men appreciated her beauty and curves. Her mission has always been the pub and she worked endless nights to get it to this point where it become the most famous pub in town.

Men haven’t been on her radar since she got her heart broken by a rich asshole who was married and lied to her about it. She found out when his wife became her best friend and they started talking about the man she was seeing. Only to realize that it was her newfound friend’s husband.

My mother had to intervene because Aunt Maggie would have burned his house down. His wife at least divorced him and she is still best friends with Aunt Maggie. 

She is now sipping cocktails somewhere on some island where hunky dudes were her servants.

I handed Aunt Maggie a towel when she finally finished up. “Is there another reason why you brought me here?” I questioned when I realized that Aunt Maggie lied to me about her fitness level. She didn’t need someone to look after her.

“I thought maybe it would do you good to get out of the house.” She insisted but I still had mixed feelings about it. I just couldn’t place my finger on what she was hiding.

“Morning, ladies.” A deep, unfamiliar voice greeted.

I was seated on the floor gazing up at a very well-built man who was only interested in Aunt Maggie. He was the male package that was classified as perfect. Smooth skin. Perfect teeth. Big, muscular shoulders. Strong and smooth jaw. A handsome face and he was definitely interested in my aunt who was blushing.

She can’t lie to me and tell me she is flustered from the workout.

“Kevin, this is my niece, Sasha.” Kevin nodded my way and for a moment his eyes widened as if he recognized me but he covered it up as quickly as it happened.

Did we know each other?

I watched them interact with each other with smiles and I could feel the s****l tension growing between them.

I jumped to my feet not wanting to be a part of whatever this was. “I am just going to get myself a smoothie from downstairs. Do you want one?” I asked Aunt Maggie.

She nodded at me and then handed me her wallet. “I do have my own,” I assured her but she shook her head.

“I brought you here. I am paying for everything. You gotta save up that hard-earned cash you’ve made.” I nodded and decided to be obedient for a change.

I headed downstairs to the small built-in restaurant that was only serving healthy meals and smoothies. I placed an order for two peanut butter and banana protein shakes. I raised my head looking for Aunt Maggie and noticed she was still talking- more like flirting with Kevin. So, I decided to stay out of that conversation and took a seat at a nearby table that looked out on the swimming pool.

“Is this seat taken?” A voice asked.

Without looking at them, I answered. “This is not a pick-up bar, champ.”

The familiar chuckle made me raise my head. My eyes connected with Brandon’s smokey-grey eyes burning bright with amusement.

Without being in control of my reactions, my eyes took in his muscular arms as he was wearing a tank-top that was drenched in his sweat. “Don’t you take at least one day off from working out?” I questioned.

He shrugged and decided to sit down at my table without asking permission. “It’s more of a mental therapy session than physical.” He answered, smiling at the waiter who brought his order over to our table. Noticing he was also sipping on a peanut butter shake.

“Your girl fan club giving you nightmares?” I joked, remembering the girls from the other day.

“Stereotypes are giving me nightmares.” He noted.

I frowned and he noticed. “The sports directors don’t see me as a player who is passionate about ice hockey. They see me as the face of the sport and making sure I don’t step out of line to lose my endorsements or ruin their good name.”

I small smile unravelled on my lips. “Becoming someone famous comes with bad terms, huh?”

He nodded. “Heard you helped out the girl’s hockey team.” It kind of amazed me that he knew so much about my life.

“Are you following me around now? Should I start hiring a bodyguard?” I joked.

He didn’t look offended as he shot me an amused smile. “That would be called stalking.”

I tried to conceal a smile but it slipped before I could cover it. “I barely know anything about you and here you are talking about my life like you are rehearsing a poem.”

“Well, firstly. I sucked in literature and second I dated a girl for years who hated the sight of you.” He explained.

“So, Clarissa was the stalker?” He chuckled and shrugged.

“Sasha.” I gazed up at Aunt Maggie. “Sorry, that took so long.” She apologized accepting her smoothie and wallet.

“No, it’s fine. I had no desire to be a part of that conversation.” I joked, standing up from my seat and catching Brandon’s humoured expression at the same time.

“Thanks for keeping me company.” Brandon nodded at me and I excused myself before things got even weirder.

“Who is your friend? And was that a boy you spoke to?” Aunt Maggie asked.

“That’s Brandon Hills and yeah, we discussed our first date.” The last part was a bit sarcastic but at least Aunt Maggie caught my sarcasm.

“Pfft, please. You don’t do boys or dates. If you could, you would be dating your hockey stick. I am surprised that you have a special place for it to rest.” I chuckled at her sarcasm and remembered why I always loved hanging out with her.