Just One Look
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 9
Sunday morning, I walked into the gym, ready for another session in the chambers of horror, but more than anything, eager to see Rachel again.
Derek was his usual bright and cheery self, grinning when he saw me.
“Hey, Pete!”
“Hey, Derek,” I replied, scanning the gym. “Is Rachel already here?”
“Nope. She texted Bella and said she had something to do today. She’ll be back Tuesday at her usual time.”
I felt hurt. Disappointed. Maybe even a little betrayed. Was she avoiding me?
Derek clearly noticed my mood shift. His brow furrowed, and his smile faded.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just feeling sorry for myself. Ignore me.”
He looked a little unsure of what to say next. “You sure, buddy?”
“Yep. What torture have you planned for me today?”
“That depends. How are you feeling? Still sore?”
“I’m actually not too bad,” I said, rolling my shoulders. “Either I’m getting stronger, or I’m just getting used to the pain.”
I’m sure Derek saw right through me, because he didn’t push too hard.
We did the usual treadmill-and-elliptical hell, then moved on to weights at the cable machine. If he wasn’t standing beside me, he was watching me.
I knew I was pushing myself. But the harder I pushed, the better I felt. The burn in my muscles cleared the fog in my head. The more I moved, the less space there was for disappointment.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Derek said, stopping me mid-low-pulley raise. “Or you’re going to be crawling out of bed tomorrow.”
I paused to catch my breath as he reset the machine. He handed me a towel.
“Want to talk about it?”
“Nope. See you Tuesday.”
I was just heading out when Derek called after me.
“Pete?”
I turned back. “Yeah?”
“You’re doing great. There are a lot of people rooting for you, you know.”
I gave him a tired nod. “Thanks.”
My sullen mood followed me into work.
Marisa stared at me, stabbing my low-fat yogurt like it had personally offended me.
“What?” I snapped. “Do you know how long you have to jog to burn twenty calories?”
“I’m just pleasantly surprised you’re sticking to it. But you’re attacking that yogurt like it owes you money. What’s going on?”
“My personal cheerleader ghosted me at the gym today. You’d think after our non-date I’d at least rate a heads-up text, but apparently not.”
“Ah,” Marisa said knowingly. “So, that’s why you look like someone kicked your puppy. It was either that or the yogurt. How was your date?”
“It wasn’t a date. She made that clear up front.”
“Maybe she said that so she wouldn’t scare you off.”
I snorted. “Sure. Good one, cousin.”
“Does she have a boyfriend?”
I twisted my mouth. “I don’t know.”
“How do you not know?”
“Because I didn’t ask.”
“Well, maybe you should.”
I shrugged. “She acts like she’s single. No ring.”
“Did you text her to check in?”
“Nope.”
“Did you text her to say you enjoyed your date—” She caught my look. “—I mean, your non-date?”
“No. I was supposed to see her this morning at the gym.”
Marisa rolled her eyes. “Can I have your phone?”
I gave her a suspicious look. “Why?”
“I’ll text her for you.”
“I can text someone, you know.”
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