Page 23 of Our Broken Pieces
Her blonde hair is up in a high ponytail, big brown eyes find mine, and she looks a little nervous. “I’m really bad at this.”
“I can spot you if you need it after I get through my reps.”
“Oh god, you don’t even know I was hitting on you. I’m so embarrassed.” Her cheeks turn pink, but she continues. “My therapist said to get off the apps and try to approach people in the wild, but I have the worst pickup lines.”
“You were using a pickup line?”
She runs her towel down her face. “I’ll just let you work out. Sorry for bothering you.”
A woman is approaching me. This is what I need, right? This could be the answer to my problem; it just isn’t like me to entertain someone random. Last time I did was in Jamaica and that was only because I was like a third wheel on that trip and got a little too drunk. I take her in as she stands in front of me, clearly embarrassed. She seems nice enough, and she looks like a blonde version of Lauren. Same body shape, maybe a little taller. I have to get out of my comfort zone. I’ll never know if she could be the one if I don’t make a move. Or be receptive to hers.
She turns to walk away. “Wait. How long have you been a member here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
Her face relaxes as she turns back around to face me. “I just moved to Boston a few weeks ago. I’m usually here after work, but this place is filled with gym bros at that time. So, this is the first morning workout I’ve done.”
I reach my hand out. “I’m Marcus.”
She places her hand in mine and shakes it. “Jill.”
I rub the back of my neck. I’m just going to get this over with. “Uh, Jill, would you maybe want to go grab dinner sometime?”
A smile forms on her lips. “Yeah, I would like that.”
I pick up my phone, open a new contact, and hand it to her. “Put your number in?”
She takes the phone and types in her information. “I’m free Thursday or Saturday.”
I nod. “Okay, I’ll see if I have anything going on and text you.”
“Sounds good.”
I smile at her, trying to appear comfortable with this entire interaction. “I guess your pickup line worked.”
She lets out a small laugh. “I guess so. I’ll let you get to it. I’ll talk to you soon, Marcus.”
“You will. Have a good day, Jill.”
“You, too.”
With that, she walks to the women’s locker room.
I did it. I have a date, sort of. I thought I would feel relieved, maybe a little proud of myself for breaking out of my bubble. But I don’t feel that at all. It just feels like work.
Chapter Fifteen
Gigi
Harry Styles’ cover of The Chain blares from my phone as I blow dry my hair. Since I was up so early, I decided to put the energy into straightening my hair. I’m sure I’ll be a sweaty mess by the time I’m done, but that’s the price I have to pay to get rid of my waves.
I try my damndest not to replay what happened last night over in my mind. As soon as I woke up, I knew I was done crying. Now the anger and resentment are kicking in something fierce.
Then I hear the voice in my mind. The one I try to keep quiet.
‘No one wants to keep you.’
‘No one ever stays.’
I stuff it down again, shutting off the hairdryer. I usually know those thoughts aren’t true, but in times like this, when things fallapart, it’s harder not to listen to them. I finish my makeup, and as I brush my teeth, I hear the sound of the garage door. I rinse and spit, wiping off my mouth.
