by Aven Ellis
“Was it hard to move out here on your own?” I ask, as I can’t imagine leaving everything I know behind.
“I love the adventure of learning a new city, and I’ve always wanted to live in Dallas,” Lila explains. “Making new friends is harder. I make myself get out and do things. I was so excited to be drawn for this lunch, I can’t even tell you.”
“Me too,” I say, as I have a feeling I’ve made a new friend today.
Soon Elise calls lunch to order, and we all go around the table and introduce ourselves. The blogs are as varied as the women sitting around the table. There’s fashion, lifestyle, mom-life, home renovation, and organic living. I’m the lone representative for the fitness field.
Lunch is fascinating. As I enjoy my honey-glazed salmon salad, I soak up the conversation around me. Some bloggers are like Lila, where it’s a side business. Others are like me and make a living off it. We share marketing ideas and strategies. Then we talk about the downside, like the pressure to come up with daily content, how to not get burned out, and, of course, how to deal with trolls.
“I get them whenever I eat something unhealthy,” I share with the group.
“Ha, for me that would be daily,” Aimee Scott, a dessert blogger, says, laughing.
“Even though I state right up front I believe in balance and indulging sometimes, some people pounce on me the second I post a picture of a cupcake.”
We all start sharing some of the horrible comments or direct messages we’ve received and how we deal with them.
Of course, I don’t talk about some of the nasty comments I’ve received because I’m dating JP. People have said pretty rude stuff: he’s only dating me because I’m a fitness model, I’m a slut showing off my body in my workout clothes, and I’m a puck bunny using skimpy clothing to attract players.
I take a sip of my iced tea and reflect on this. I’m good at letting this stuff roll off. JP was livid when he saw them. In fact, it was the only time I’ve seen him as mad as when he wanted to punch Easton in the face at Harrison’s that night. I assured him they don’t mean anything to me. In fact, I teased him that I know he keeps me around for my stellar housekeeping skills, which eventually made him laugh.
I also know once the season starts, if hockey fans start up on JP’s play, I’ll be just as mad. In fact, I’ll probably have to sit on my hands so I don’t reply.
Hmm. Maybe I should have Holly hold all my electronic devices until after the game so I’m not tempted.
The truth is, people can call me a slut, an idiot, and a girl chasing after a celebrity because I know the truth.
Real.Life.Reese is in love with JP.
I love him. I love the man he is off the ice: the pianist, the old movie lover, the man who can speak to me in four languages, the one who finds joy in figuring out how to balance numbers, the one who likes adventure.
I smile to myself. I’m planning a little adventure for the two of us tonight, our last one before the season starts in two days.
And I can’t wait to share it with him this evening.
Chapter 28
October 4th
Today’s Schedule: Dallas Blogs! Networking Lunch, noon
Surprise Swiss Date for JP, 4 PM
“This is epic,” JP says, staring at the bouldering walls before us at the indoor climbing gym. “I can’t believe we’re going to boulder.”
I study the wall facing us. I picked up JP for our surprise date and told him to change out of his dress shirt and pants and get ready to hit the gym with me. Happiness surges through me as I remember how his face lit up when I also told him to grab his chalk bag and climbing shoes because we were going to boulder this afternoon.
Now we’re in a climbing gym in Dallas, facing a wall designed for boulder climbs, painted in varying shades of green. Huge windows are behind us, letting in lots of natural light. A thick, light-gray mat covers the surface, providing a safe place to land. It’s a fantastic design, and I always enjoy it when I come here to climb.
JP turns around and faces me, his face full of wonderment. “I never thought I’d meet a girl who would want to boulder with me.”
“You hadn’t met me yet,” I say, flashing him a flirty smile. “This mermaid likes the land, too. I love bouldering because it’s climbing at its basics—just using your hands and feet.”
Which is why bouldering walls are shorter in height, so you can’t fall very far—and you will fall. The ones at this gym range from thirteen to sixteen feet high, and no ropes are involved.
“This is called my Swiss adventure date,” I continue, “because while I can’t bring the Alps of your homeland here for you, I can climb boulders with you.”
“That would be faux Swiss, wouldn’t it?” JP teases.
“Shut up,” I say, giggling. “Don’t poke holes in my logic.”
JP loops his arm over the top of my shoulders and draws me close. “What level are you going to climb?” he asks, kissing the top of my head.
“I’m intermediate,” I say. “I think I’m going to go with a V3. What about you?”
“I’m flirting with advanced, but I’ll go V4 to start.”
I cock an eyebrow at him. “Are you trying to one-up me?”
JP lifts one back in return. “Are you trying to make this competitive?”
“Maybe. I thrive on competition, you know.”
“So, we both climb a V3 and see who can solve the problem?” JP asks, referring to the route up the boulder, which has a sequence of holds marked by tape.
“I can solve it,” I say confidently.
JP throws his head back and laughs. “My mermaid is so modest.”
“Let’s time it after we warm up. Unless you don’t think you can solve it.”
“Oh, I can,” JP assures me. “Time me.”
First we go to a V0 wall and take turns climbing. Then a V1. Once we’re warm, JP goes up to the wall I’ve selected for the climb. He takes a moment to study the problem, seeing how the course is marked. Then he goes to the starting hold and begins his climb.
I watch his athletic body move up the wall, slowly and carefully considering his placement as he goes. His body is so beautiful in motion like this. In hockey, I see his quickness, but here, I see his muscular calves and quads. The powerful forearms and biceps as he changes his grip.
I love bouldering.
JP is about halfway up the wall when he goes for a far reach and his fingertips just slip off the next hold. He falls backward onto the thick mat below landing with a soft whoomp.
He smacks his fist against the mat in frustration and puts his hands over his head, groaning.
“Dang it,” he groans.
Oh, JP is so cute. He’s so competitive, I know he hates that he fell.
And I love him for it.
I kneel next to him.
“V4, huh, Batman?” I tease.
“Shut up,” JP says, laughing as he sits up.
I lean over and kiss him on the lips. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
I stand up and move past him, facing the wall. I do the same thing JP did and study the problem, tracking the markers to the sequence of holds I need to use.
Then I get to work, taking my time and following the markers. I’m in my element now. Using my body. Using my brain. Facing the challenge and seeing how my core and my arms and my legs are all working together to solve the problem.
This is what I love about athletics: the mind and body connection. What obstacles can you overcome when you train? How can you push yourself? Nothing is impossible with hard work. Believe you can accomplish goals. Trust your body and brain.
Before I know it, I’m at the top.
“That’s my girl!” I hear JP yell out from below.
I’m beaming as I come back d
own. Around the halfway point, I let go because I know how to fall. The mat is underneath me and will cushion me, it’s safe to do so.
I hit the mat with a whoosh and sink into it. “Victory!” I call out, laughing.
“Two climbs out of three,” JP says.
I roll onto my stomach, facing him.
“No,” I say matter-of-factly.
“No?”
“That wasn’t the deal.”
JP sits down on the mat next to me.
“We’re pretty good at breaking deals, you know,” he says, gazing down at me with affection in his hazel eyes, which have taken on more of a green hue here in the gym. “I mean, I didn’t want a girlfriend when I came back to Dallas.”
My heart holds still.
“And luckily for me, you agreed to break that rule,” he says softly.
JP is staring at me seriously now.
Is he going to tell me he loves me?
“Reese?” he says, his voice quiet.
He is. I know he is.
“Yes?” I say, my heart pounding.
JP pauses for a moment. He clears his throat.
I bite my lower lip.
“I’m happy,” he says.
“Me, too,” I say, pushing myself up so we are now sitting face-to-face.
Another pause.
I wonder if he’s nervous.
Should I say it first?
“I—” I start.
“I—” JP says at the same time.
We both laugh.
“You go first,” I encourage.
“No, you can,” JP says.
“I insist,” I say.
JP clears his throat again. “Okay. Reese, I . . . I’m happy with what we have, are you?”
“Yes,” I say, waiting for him to continue.
“The way it is,” he says, but I can’t tell from his tone if it’s a statement or a question on his part.
“Yes,” I say, nodding. “I’m happy with the way it is.”
JP blinks.
Silence.
All I hear are the sounds of other climbers and people falling on mats.
He coughs.
“Good,” he says, leaning over and kissing my lips. “I’m happy, too.”
He lifts his head, and I realize that is all he is going to say.
I can’t help but feel disappointed. JP is happy with us being what we are, and I am, too, but I do want to have those words said to me by the only man I want to say them.
I want to hear him say he loves me.
“Come on,” JP says, standing up and offering me his hand. “Let’s climb again.”
As he holds my hand in mine, I know this is what matters. What we are building together. I’m ahead of him, that’s all.
“Wanna go V2 so I can take it easy on you?” I tease.
“No. I’m going to crush you this time,” JP says. “Go ahead. Ladies first.”
“I just went.”
“I know, but I get to admire your sexy body when you climb, and I’m already missing that view.”
I blush as I playfully smack him on the chest.
“Pervert.”
“Only for you,” he responds, swatting my butt with his hand.
I laugh and head back toward the wall, reaching into my bag and getting some chalk for my hands.
What we do have is wonderful and perfect in its own way, I think as I place my foot on a hold. Whatever wall JP has to climb to get to the top where I am, I know he will.
I’m sure of it.
Chapter 29
October 13th
Today’s Schedule: Live Q&A with followers, 1 PM
3PM Meeting with local fitness shop for promotional opportunity
Los Angeles Stingers vs Dallas Demons, Home Opener, 7:30 PM
Never have I been so into hockey as I am tonight.
I haven’t even picked up my phone. I’ve reached for Holly’s arm a few times and gripped it as JP took a few glass-rattling hits from Los Angeles players.
Regular season hockey is a whole new level of intense.
I’m sitting, once again, with the Demons’ WAGS, and we’re all wearing matching, long-sleeved, black and silver retro Demons shirts to celebrate the return of regular season hockey and support our guys.
The game has remained scoreless so far, and I have to say, putting Easton with JP has appeared to be a brilliant move so far. As JP explained to me, Easton is incredibly good at moving the puck and winning puck battles, where JP said he’s more of a traditional defender. He told me last night he has a feeling their chemistry will only get better as the season goes along, and JP’s already pleased with where it’s at.
Of course, I’d like to think I helped them develop that chemistry when Easton made a move on me. He was horrified to learn he flirted with me while I was with JP. They had a good laugh about it later, though, as did I, and now it’s a joke between them.
A TV timeout is taken, and JP and Easton skate over to the bench and grab towels.
“Hockey is a lot more fun to watch now, isn’t it?” Holly asks. “Now that your boyfriend is down there playing.”
“Oh, so you’ve noticed I’m not on my phone?” I say.
Holly laughs. “That’s one clue, yes.”
“Oh, Holly, look at this shot I got of Nate,” Kenley says, leaning in and showing us her phone.
It’s Nate talking to Harrison, who is wearing an A on his jersey for alternate captain.
Holly beams with pride, as it’s her brother’s first year to wear the A. The other alternate captain is Erik Larsson, a veteran defender for the Demons.
“It looks so good on him,” Holly says. “Nate’s worked so hard for it.”
“He deserves it,” Kylie adds. “Nate is a leader on this team, no doubt about it.”
Kylie pauses and takes a sip of her water. “I’m going to get some nachos. Anybody else want some?”
“Nope, Momma Flynn, you sit right down,” Holly says, standing up. “My turn to get nachos. Extra jalapeños?”
“Ha, the baby just kicked, so yes,” Kylie says.
“Anybody else need anything?” Holly asks.
“I’ll wait until we can go to the lounge at intermission,” Kenley says. “It’s sushi night. I definitely want that.”
Holly nods and heads up the stairs, leaving me with Kenley and Kylie.
I look at Kylie’s belly in amazement, wondering what it must feel like to grow another human being. One born to two people committed to not only raising the child, but who are in love and committed to each other as well.
“Do you want to feel the baby?” Kylie asks.
I blink. “What?”
“You can,” she says, nodding.
I tentatively put my hand on her belly, which feels hard. It catches me off guard, as I didn’t know what to expect.
Then I feel it. A ping against my hand.
“Oh! I felt it!” I say excitedly. “I felt a kick!”
“Yeah,” Kylie says, smiling at me. “This baby is so active.”
“How can you stand not knowing the sex?” I ask.
“Oh, I want to know,” Kylie says. “Harrison wants it to be a surprise, which is killing the planner in me.”
“Tell her what you did,” Kenley says, smiling.
Kylie turns to me. “I only agreed to keep it a secret if Harrison would let me plan two nurseries at a baby boutique. I have bedding on hold for a boy and a girl. After the baby is born, Gretchen is picking up the right stuff and is going to decorate the nursery with my mom and sister-in-law while I’m in the hospital.”
“That is so cool,” I say. “You’ll have your dream nursery when
you get home.”
“I’m still dying to buy clothes that aren’t neutral, though.”
“Do you have a feeling?” I ask.
“Harrison swears it’s a boy,” Kylie says, “but I think it’s a girl.”
“I think it’s a girl, too,” Kenley says.
As they go on to talk about the baby, I’m struck by the feeling I have as I study Kylie. Her petite body has curves and is rounding out as the baby grows, but there’s no mistaking the sparkle in her eyes, the rosy color in her cheeks, and the happiness she is exuding.
She’s glowing.
I know I’d feel the same way if I was having JP’s baby.
The thought, one I’ve never had in my life, doesn’t make me flinch. I can see marrying JP in the future and being his wife and building a home with him. Years and years down the line, I can see us having a baby. I can imagine JP holding our child and singing in French to him or her.
This picture makes me happy.
While I know I never wanted to be serious, let alone have a relationship, my perspective has changed.
I no longer fear being vulnerable. I trust JP, and because I trust him, I allowed myself to love him.
Love. Marriage. Children.
All things I didn’t want until I met JP.
The players are back on the ice in the face-off circle on our end, in front of the Los Angeles goal.
Matt enters the face-off circle for the Demons. The puck is dropped, and Matt loses the draw. The puck goes into the corner, and Harrison moves it back up, passing it to Nate. He takes a shot, but it’s blocked. The puck bounces out and this time Matt shoots. Denied! The crowd groans as it bounces off the goal post. The puck comes straight back toward JP, who is to the left at the top of the circle. He fires and boom! It sails over the outstretched glove of the Los Angeles goalie and he scores!
“JP!” I yell, leaping to my feet. All the WAGS are high-fiving me, and we’re all cheering for the first Demons’ goal of the season. Everyone in the arena is celebrating as JP has broken the scoreless tie. “Back in Black” is booming, and JP is engulfed by his teammates in celebration. His smiling face is flashed up on the Jumbotron, and adrenaline is running through me.
