Page 27 of The Tip-Off
“Zeke Sweets, are you afraid of a baby goat?”
“Negative. I just don’t want to touch it.”
I’m two seconds from forcing Trixie into his arms when Misty claps her hands and moves to the center of the pen. “Grab a mat everyone, we’re going to get started.”
“Have fun.” Zeke backtracks, weaving in and out of mats.
“Oh, there you are, Zeke,” Misty calls and motions him over. She looks to the class and exclaims, “Everyone, we have Valley U basketball star Zeke Sweets here with us today.” Zeke smiles sheepishly and waves. He looks like he’s about to tell her he’s leaving, but Misty keeps laying it on thick. “Thank you so much for coming today. It really means a lot to have the support of the student-athlete population. Let’s give him a round of applause.”
Ever seen a seven-foot man try to disappear into the ground? That’s the look Zeke has on his face as thirty girls clap and cheer for him – like he wants the earth to swallow him whole.
I do my best to keep my face neutral as he walks back to the empty mat beside me and takes a seat, but when he leans over, pets Trixie, and says, “You so owe me.” I can’t help but laugh.
12
Zeke
“Thank you for coming with me,”Gabby says as we leave the goats and the weirdest hour of my life behind.
“You owe me. That was… I have no words.”
“When you post that photo of us with Trixie and her brother standing on our backs while we did the tabletop pose and get nine billion new followers, my debt will be paid in full.” She tries to say it with sass, but the usual Gabby spunk isn’t quite there.
“You alright?”
“Yeah, of course. That was amazing. Whoever thought up goat yoga is a genius.”
She goes silent again and I find myself in the unusual position of feeling like I need to make small talk.
“I didn’t know you worked out at the field house.”
She nods.
“I also had no idea they had fitness classes out on the yard. Let alone goat yoga. The guys are going to give me so much shit.”
“Mhmmm.”
We’re standing in the hall just outside of the workout room. She has no reason to follow me any farther and I’m not quite ready to leave her alone. Something is off. Call it Blair instincts or Gabby radar, but something is bugging her.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Really. It’s stupid.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
She expels a heavy breath. “No. It’s just… I came here today hoping to find some new friends and I just realized I failed spectacularly. Those goats were so adorable I forgot my mission.”
I’m processing the words, trying to understand why she’d be looking for friends when she already has a whole bunch of them when she adds, “Blair and her friends are great, but they’re her friends. I don’t really have any of my own friends yet and I have no idea how to make them.” She looks up and groans. “Oh God. Saying it out loud made me realize just how pitiful it sounds.” She smiles the biggest, fakest smile. “I’ve gotta get going. Thanks, Zeke.”
I can’t think of what to say to stop her, so I head back to the gym. I lay on the floor; head resting on the cool wood and pull out my phone. I scan through the photos and find the one she mentioned. Misty perfectly captured the two seconds both goats stayed still on our backs. Gabby is turned toward me with a real smile on her face – the only kind that belongs there.
Without Gabby to help me, I’m a little slower, but I manage to upload the photo and caption it myself: When your friends trick you into hanging out with goats. The hashtags are impossible, but I go with the obvious #goats #yoga #goatyoga #valleyu and hoping it’ll bring a smile to her face #yogawithfriends
* * *
The next day, I’ve got an ice pack on my ankle and a massage pillow on my back as I flip through the channels. I went hard today and pushed myself more than even I thought possible. I’m starving, but according to my nutrition plan, I’ve blown through my calories for the day after this protein drink in my hand.
When I finish it off, I head out to the pool. Gabby lounges in a chair, my earbuds hanging from her ears. I kinda like that she keeps wearing them even though she’s been home plenty of times to get her own.
