Page 154 of Unrivaled Love
And I wanted to be waiting for her at home after the team’s first loss. I could see the defeat in her shoulders as she walked off the field with her hands on her hips.
I had to settle for a phone call as she drove home. I stayed up way past my self-imposed bedtime to talk to her but it was worth the drag I felt the next day.
But we’re figuring it out. And staying true to ourselves while doing our best to support each other.
Hockey players are way more bendy than soccer players.
Before I reach the door my phone buzzes in my hand.
Aiden might be. You? Doubt it.
Oh, it’s on.
***
Oh, it’s off.
Fuck. All I’m doing is holding a down dog pose with both my feet on the ground and the back of my legs from my heel to my ass are on fucking fire.
“Bry Guy, you okay?” Aiden asks cockily from the mat in front of me. He has barely broken a sweat.
“Yep, all good.” I say through gritted teeth. I close my eyes and try to breathe through the pain when something fuzzy rubs up against my arm. “Hey little guy.” I coo as I drop to my knees using the puppy as an excuse for leaving the pose early.
The pup nuzzles into my palm and I instantly forget the strain I was under.
Puppies are good for the soul.
The instructor asks us to roll to our backs so I pull the pup onto my chest and get into position for bridges.
“Hey teach, watch me.” Duncan calls out, pulling the attention of Elle, our instructor. He thrusts his hips up into the air quickly three or four times and she rolls her eyes.
“Speed isn’t important. Today is about increasing your range of motion and improving endurance.” She says and Felix slaps Duncan across the shoulder from the mat next to him.
“Stop hitting on my friend’s sister.” He scolds.
“Why?” Duncan asks. “Are you harboring feelings for Elle Thorne, Cap?” He teases.
I just bite my tongue and pet the puppy. Felix Fornier doesn’t talk about his love life much, if at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a thing for Elle but based on what I’ve seen so far today they’re almost like siblings.
“That is neither here nor there.” Felix replies as he slowly lifts his hips up into a bridge position.
I turn to look at Crosby who usually will help rein Dunc in if he’s getting too randy. Just over my shoulder, Crosby is laying on his back with three puppies surrounding him. One is laying on his feet. Another is snuggled up against his side. And a third has his nose nuzzled up in Crosby’s neck.
And Crocs is fast asleep.
I’ve never seen himlook so peaceful.
“Now if you’re able, pull your right ankle over your knee for a Supine Pigeon hold. Thread your hands through the opening between your legs and pull gently towards your chest.” Elle leads. “We’ll hold for a minute here, switch, and move into the final resting position.”
I keep the pup on my chest as I stretch. Again my legs burn but it feels good. I might end up using my foam roller at home as I settle in to watch Jo’s afternoon game today. Really work out any knots I have left before the playoffs start.
Two of the puppies that were on Crosby make their way over on floppy legs and jump on my stomach. I huff out the breath I was holding and switch legs as they move on to terrorize Caroline’s long ponytail.
The door to the studio opens behind us and Harper’s friend Wes walks in with the group from the shelter who brought the dogs in. I give him a little nod because he was the camera man for a FaceTime between Harper and Aiden last year that I coordinated. I know Felix takes credit for getting them together, but no one remembers what I did to keep their connection alive.
Elle guides us to a seated position, except Crosby who is dozing away.
“We are honored you took the time to do puppy yoga with our four legged friends today.” The shelter employee starts. “They each have a profile on Forever Home and we’d love to use your star power to draw in some new interested families. Do you mind if we take some photos real quick of you with the dogs?”
