Page 5 of Revived
Pulling up my track pants over my teal leotard after practice, I’m talking to my teammates and friends, Kenzie and Addison, when Addison whistles low while looking behind me. I’m assuming someone just landed a new move. Bending down, I grab my hoodie from the floor. I’m tossing the too large sweatshirt over my head when Kenzie stutters out.
“Don’t look now, but I’m pretty sure the hottest man I’ve ever seen just walked into the gym.”
“I’mpretty sure he’s walking over here because it’s love at first sight and he’ll whisk me away to have his babies and lock me away.” Addison responds with a look of pure infatuation.
I can’t help but laugh at her. They’re dramatic on their calmest days, but in the best way. They are the closest ‘girlfriends’ that I have. We’ve been training together for years. Addison stands about four inches shorter than my already five foot nine inch frame. Whereas Kenzie stands at about five feet two inches if I’m rounding up. My hair is dark brown, where Addy’s is almost white it’s so blonde, and Kenzie’s is midnight black. Addy’s eyes are a bright blue, and Kenz’s are a deep brown, where mine are a deep green. And Addy’s skin is pale where mine is an olive tone all year round, and Kenzie’s is a deep brown. We couldn’t look more opposite, but we enjoy each other’s competitive nature while we train and silliness while we aren’t. To us that’s all that matters.
Before I can turn around to see who the future Mr. Addy is, a deep voice rumbles throughout the space that brings tears to my eyes and a zap of excitement shooting down my spine. No, he’s not supposed to be home for another three days. But as I turn around and see Xavier standing about fifteen feet from me, my body reacts before my mind can catch up. Without thought I sprint for him and throw myself into his arms.
Xavier catches me with ease as he wraps his arms around my back and holds me tight to him.
“What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming back for a few more days?” I’m shouting. I know I am, but I’m so excited that I can’t help it.
Xavier, or X as we call him, has been gone for the past month for soccer. He plays here for the D.C. Volts, but they’ve been on the road, and then he hopped on a plane to speak to the owners of a club in the United Kingdom. We’ve talked over text and calls, but when one of us is on the road, we all feel it to our core.
X’s dad and mine work together, so we’ve been friends since I popped out when he was three months old. His dad is actually my dad’s second in command, so we were raised more like cousins or siblings than friends.
“I hopped on a plane this morning, then came here as soon as I landed. I knew you’d give me a better welcome home than the guys… Also none of them are home, so.” He laughs as I glare at him and kick him in the shin.
“Wow, moment ruined. I’m just secondary to the others.” I wiggle until he sets me back on my feet.
“You know that’s not true, don’t be like that. Are you done here?” His smile is so bright that it’d have my heart stopping if he were a particular Byrne brother. Alas, he’s not, and he’s the closest thing to a brother that I have. So my heart stays at the typical steady beat, and I glare at the charming persona he’s pulling out.
“Yeah, let me just grab my bag.” I turn to find Kenzie and some of the other girls from the gym staring at us wide eyed like we’re a complex math problem they can’t figure out. “Oh– Uhh– guys, this is Xavier. He’s practically my brother and just got home early from a trip. Sorry for the theatrics.” My cheeks heat under their surprised expressions.
Breaking off from X, I move to grab my bag and leave him to try to charm the girls openly gawking. Kenzie and Addy follow, and Addy tries to discreetly talk out the side of her mouth.
“I didn’t know you had a brother?? He’s hot, Elle. I know I’m not supposed to say that, but what the hell. You’ve been holding out on me!”
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of my chest as I sling my gym bag over my shoulder and slide my feet into my fluffy slippers to try to combat the hours of abuse I just put them through. “He’spracticallymy brother, notactuallymy brother. We were just raised together; our dads are close. I actually have five guy best friends, all dudes, all objectively attractive. They stay in our town, and my training stays here. You guys know this.”
“Yes, yes, yes, the foolproof training plan, I know. I’m just saying you could have shot a sister their IG handles or something.” She laughs, just giving me a hard time.
The playfulness dancing in her eyes tells me so, but she doesn’t realize that I’ve been burned by girls who are supposed to be my friends my whole life for that very reason. People would call me a ‘pick me’ in high school and college, but really I’m one of the best wingmen my friends have ever seen. When they’ve been in relationships, I’ve built friendships with their girls. I also make sure they keep their houses and bathrooms stocked for whatever their hookups could need now because they’re all single. Well– all except for Sully. He’s technically single, but I’m not stocking his house with shit for anyone but me. Anyway, I’ve just learned to keep my gymnastics friends separate from The Luckys so I don’t look like a dummy for being used to get close to the fools I call my best friends.
I mean, I had Annie when we were a little older and in college, but that’s different. And I’ve had my gymnast friends over the years, but for the most part they stay separated. They always have. Smiling at Addy, I offer her what I’m able to.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I just like to keep my worlds separate.”
“I know, I’m just giving you a hard time.” She smiles and moves over to the other girls obsessing over X.
“That’sX?” Kenz balks now that it’s just the two of us here. She hasn’t seen him inyears.I mean, she probably has, but just never paid attention at meets. She’s known who they are and seen them around for years since we’ve been at the same gym since high school.
“Yeah, he’s definitely not the same kid from high school anymore.” I laugh.
“You’ve got that right.” She shakes her head in disbelief as she pulls her phone out of her bag and reads a text. “Shit, my ride’s here. Tell the guys I said hey, and I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” She easily moves on. It’s why our friendship works. She’s not easily offended and seems to understand what I’m saying without me saying it. Kenzie has her own secrets too. She doesn’t want me digging into hers, so she doesn’t dig into mine.
Addy, on the other hand, is hanging off every word that X says, along with a couple of other girls. She’s making eyes at him, and Kenz and I have to actively try not to laugh at the girls. Shaking my head, I turn back to her.
“Yeah, I’ll be here at seven sharp.” We knock shoulders before I turn, and I grab X’s wrist on my way by, practically dragging him out of the gym.
“Come on Xavier, tell the pretty ladies bye.” I tease.
“Bye, pretty ladies.” He sing-songs, but lets me pull him along.
Great. Now I’m going to be bombarded tomorrow. I need to go home and get to bed. I’m officially over today.
Chapter three
