and it was perfect

Chapter 20

Classes kept me busy all day; Wednesdays usually were the worst. Zoe didn't want to leave my side all evening and decided to take me shopping. With knowing eyes, she scanned the clothing racks and filled my arms with things she thought would look good on me. It was really sweet. I ended up buying some loose high waist jeans at the thrift store and a lacey bodysuit. It felt more like a dessous than an actual outfit for the day, but Zoe kept assuring me that it would look casual enough underneath a loose sweater or cardigan. And she was right.

On our way back, I texted Zack to see if he was at the gym already. Luckily, he wasn't, and I quickly changed after throwing my new clothes in the washing. My body finally wasn't sore anymore, and I couldn't wait to release some energy after the last two rough nights. I saw Aiden's Jeep in the parking lot, and my heart jumped a little. Watching him working out had turned into my own personal soft porn. I couldn't help but look up from the treadmill occasionally to watch him lifting weights. Zack joined him shortly after, and he looked up in my direction, giving me a greeting nod before focusing back on his routine. He was completely in the zone whenever he worked out, and watching his muscles tense with every move was way too much fun.

I was about to start a new playlist on my phone when it suddenly vibrated. "Stop staring at me." It was Aiden. Fuck. I looked up, and he looked at me while leaning against the bench press Zack was currently using, waiting for his turn. He grinned. I was glad my cheeks were already reddened thanks to my HIIT session, so he couldn't see my embarrassment. Although, he must see it in my eyes as well. "Maybe I was watching Zack, you nympho. His walking in with his underwear the other day was pretty hot." I texted him back teasingly, trying to make the best of the situation. I looked up, and he grinned even wider, sending his reply. "You're such a bad liar." It made me smile too. After this, I did my best not to look in his direction anymore.

But then I had an idea. I usually didn't like using the machines in the weightlifting area with many guys around and only did it every now and then. Not today, I decided and walked straight towards the squatting machine. If you really like my ass that much, get ready for a treat, I told him in my thoughts and set up the right weights. It was maybe ten feet away from the dip machine he was currently using; he could see me from a ninety-degree angle if he just lifted up his head. Then I slowly started to move. I hated squats; I always had. But watching him look up to stare at me from the corner of my eyes was priceless. I knew my staring at him earlier wasn't any better, but I couldn't help but laugh on the inside.

I hated being stared at by other guys at the gym or in general; it was gross. But having that power over a guy you cared about and especially slept with felt pretty cool. I didn't look in his direction through all of my three sets. But when I finished, and he still looked at me while doing his dips, I looked back at him and raised a knowing brow before walking to the next machine. He grinned.

After two more exercises, I was done and went inside the boxing room. My heart still skipped a beat when I read my gloves' initials. While yes – it was only two pieces of fabric. But him giving them to me, and especially those being his before was so incredibly sweet. It didn't take him long to join me. "That was unfair playing." he stated, smirking while walking towards the punching bag to hold it for me. "I have no idea what you're talking about." I grinned back.

He slapped my ass lightly before positioning himself behind the punching bag. "You're getting better, by the way." he told me, making me proud. "Well, thanks for teaching me. How comes you're so good at this, actually?" He shrugged his shoulders, and we swapped positions. "It's a great way to vent. I started when it was fifteen." That explained a lot. But I wouldn't ask him what he had to vent about; it would be too personal for him. We continued talking about techniques and how he even used to fight a little against others for a while. It was great to just talk to him casually. I was glad he didn't keep a total distance between us since we were sleeping with each other now. He still treated me like a roommate and not a stranger, which I felt he did with the other girls he used to have. Not that I knew much about them anyway. Or wanted to.