When Worlds Collide

9. A Workout

~Ryan's POV~

I showed up to the gym and went inside but I didn't see Valerie right away, she must be running late I thought to myself. While I'm already here, I might as well get a workout in. I paid for a few hours and I decided to go run the treadmill.

I put my headphones on and turned on some music and started jogging. After a few minutes I looked in the mirror and Valerie was standing next to the elliptical machine. "There you are, I thought you might be running a little late." I said stopping the treadmill

"No I was in the back, I decided I'd come up here and get on the elliptical for awhile." She had on a neon yellow sports bra and black spandex shorts with her hair in two braids.

"I have to admit, this is the best first date I've been on so far."

She looked at me weirdly, "You call this a date? What's romantic about being all hot and sweaty." She said starting the machine

"I could think of a couple of things." I said eying her body. She giggled and continued what she was doing

"Aren't you gonna workout to?"

"Nah, I'd rather watch you instead." Her laugh was heavenly and her smile was contagious.

"Ok have it your way. This is just a warmup for me."

"Goodie! Now I get to see you really sweat!"

"You're so silly!"

She got off the machine and went over to her bag and got some wrapping tape. "What do you need wrapping tape for Ms. Missy." I asked getting some water

"I'm started my workout for today." She said while wrapping up her hands.

"You gonna do some CrossFit or something?"

She giggled, "No, I'm gonna box." I waited for her to crack a smile or tell me she was joking, but she never did.

I let out a hearty laugh and she raised her eyebrow and put her hands on her hips, "And what's so funny about that?!" She said with attitude

"Nothing, it's just the idea of you boxing, that's all."

"So what you're trying to say is that women can't box?"

"No, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that you don't look like the type who would box."

"I'll have you know that I'm one of the best ones here." She said matter of factly

I laughed again, "Ok, maybe in a league of your own."

"How about this, you get in the ring with me since you think that just because you're a man you could beat me."

"No sweetie, I don't want to embarrass you like that." I said smiling

"You won't embarrass me, are you scared that I might actually beat you?"

"No I'm not scared." I said confidently

She reached in her bag and pulled out some boxing gloves, "Then prove it, right now." She walked over towards the ring and started putting on her gloves

"Valerie this is silly, we don't need to do this." I said walking over to the ring

"Oh we most certainly do need to do this. So come on Mr. BigShot and show me what you got."

I grabbed the extra pair of gloves by the ring and I got in, "Think about this for a minute, if I knock you out people will say that I'm a monster, or if you knock me out then people will think that I let you win simply because you're a woman."