Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
As flustered as I am on the inside, this is still my job. I have a responsibility to the rest of my students to make this a positive experience for everyone. With a fortifying breath, I push on, leaning hard into my script and the muscle memory of having run through these poses a thousand times.
“We’re going to start on the floor with our legs crossed and our hands on our knees.” I sit down on my mat to model the position. “Focus on keeping your back straight and your shoulders back. With each breath you take, feel your chest open, centering you here in this moment.”
After a quick breathing exercise that does little to calm my own racing thoughts, I direct everyone to stretch their legs out in front of them and their arms overhead.
“Remember, you want to feel a slight stretch, but it shouldn’t hurt. If something hurts, ease up on the stretch or take a break and then jump back in with a modified position. I’ll be demonstrating modified versions of certain poses as we go along.”
I continue leading the class as though Nate isn’t here, though I can practically feel the chill from his cold stare as I move around the room, helping people adjust their posture. After a brief balancing workout and some sun salutations, I guide everyone into table pose—on hands and knees—and spend a few minutes focusing on back stretches. I end the class in shavasana, with everyone lying prone on their mats, relaxing—
Everyone except Nate, who braces himself on his elbows, eyes trained on me.
“That’s the end of our time together,” I say quickly, not a second later than I must. “Thank you all for joining me, and I hope to see you again soon.”
I immediately start packing up my bag, figuring I’ll head to the bathroom and hide out in there long enough for Nate to get bored and leave. While the rest of the group rises from their mats looking thoroughly refreshed, Nate takes his sweet time gathering up his things. As I shoulder my bag, a shadow falls over me.
“That was quite the lesson, Skyler,” Nate says. “Wasn’t nearly as difficult as my regular workout, but not everyone has the stamina for that level of intensity.”
I clench my jaw and suppress the urge to roll my eyes. Nate might be a shithead, but he’s also a customer. I should at least try to be professional.
“Thanks, Nate,” I respond flatly. “Glad you enjoyed it. Now if you’ll excuse me...” I start to walk past him, eager to end the conversation before it starts.
“You forgot a pose, though.”
Reluctantly, I stop halfway to the exit.
“Oh yeah? What pose is that?”
“The one where you get naked and lie on top of some guy. I was looking forward to trying that one.”
I freeze in place as Nate’s thin lips curve into a sneer.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I mutter in a low voice, looking around to make sure no one else heard us. The only way Nate could possibly know about that photo is if he’s been following my blog.
“Oh, I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.” He steps closer to me. Every inch of my body is screaming at me to recoil, but I stand my ground. “Come on, Skyler. If you needed a volunteer, all you had to do was ask.”
My skin prickles as Nate’s gaze trespasses down my body. I ball my hands into fists. The first time Crystal’s douchebag boyfriend tried hitting on me, I got whiplash. My mind couldn’t reconcile the terrible things he said to me with his desire to cheat on his girlfriend with her fat friend. I thought he was fucking with me. Then I realized he really did want to fuck me. He just didn’t want to own his attraction to girls like me in public.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snap, professionalism be damned. “I told you before, I have zero interest in sharing so much as an appetizer with you. Are you so thick-headed that you don’t remember the last time I turned you down?”
He has the gall to look annoyed, as if I should be honored that someone conventionally attractive would deign to leer in my direction. “I remember you being a frigid, cock-teasing bitch —”
“Is there a problem here?”
Relief floods me at the sound of Ben’s barking voice. He strides over to us with his arms tensed and his mouth set in a hard, intimidating line.
“No problem here,” Nate says, giving Ben a once-over. “We were just talking about the class.”
“Class is over, so you can take off now.” Ben crosses his arms over his chest in a way that accentuates his large biceps. “I’d be happy to escort you out if you’ve forgotten the way.”