Page 44 of Not For Keeps
Also…thank you again. For the snacks. For the quiet. I didn’t say it that night, but I really needed you. I’m glad you showed up for me.
I stare at the screen for a long moment. My thumb hovers over the keyboard, unsure of what to say. Then I type:
Analyse
Always.
Chapter Fourteen
MATEO
I’m just trying to get through the damn day. That’s it.
I’m running on four hours of sleep, I forgot my protein shake on the counter, and my shoulder’s been acting up since yesterday’s drill. But I figure if I don’t move my body soon, I’m going to crawl out of my skin—so I hit the gym.
I’m halfway through my warm-up set—lat pulldown, shoulder twinging in that annoying way—when I feel it. That familiar weight, like someone’s watching me. I glance up.
Shit. Letty.
She’s posted up by the front mirror, tight black leggings, sports bra, hair tied up with two perfect curls hanging down her face. She catches my eye and smiles. Slow. Like she’s been waiting for me to notice her. Fuck me.
I turn back to my set, keep going, pretend I didn’t see her. But it’s too late.
A second later, I hear her voice behind me. “Wow. Look who decided tofinally show up.”
I don’t answer. I finish the set, keep my focus straight ahead.
“Mind if I work out with you?”
I wipe the sweat from my brow, still not looking at her. I’m not a total asshole. I don’t want to be rude to her, but I wish she’d take a goddamn hint.
“I guess,” I mutter. “Just…don’t get in my way.”
She grins like the cat that caught the canary. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I move to the free weights and start loading the bar for a shoulder press. Letty grabs a set of dumbbells and sets up beside me, just close enough that I can feel her eyes on me. I focus on my form, count my reps in my head, and try to ignore the perfume cloud creeping into my airspace. Two sets in, I feel her step closer.
“Damn,” she murmurs, placing a hand on my bicep mid-rep. “You’ve been putting in work, huh?”
I shift away, rack the weight, and glance down at her hand. “Don’t do that.”
She pulls her hand back slowly, batting her lashes. “Relax, Mateo. It’s not a crime to appreciate good arms.”
I don’t answer. I grab my towel and turn back to reset the weights. I keep working out, trying to stay in my lane, trying not to snap at Letty as she tosses out flirty remarks between sets. But then?—
“Yo, Mateo!” a voice calls out.
I turn, towel in hand. And there he is. Nico. Strutting toward us, looking every bit the asshole that he is. What the hell is happening today? I just wanted to work out in peace.
He stops a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes flicking from me to Letty, then back. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Letty smiles too big. “Hey, Nico.”
I look between them. They know each other? Lettydoesn’t offer an explanation, just keeps that damn smile plastered across her face.
Nico’s smirk sharpens. “What? Small town. Everyone knows everyone, right?”
Letty steps back, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I ran into Nico at the Fall Festival. We had some things in common.”
