“Oo-rah!” three or four responded.
“Son of a bitch. What a weak response. It’s like we caught the air force at practice.” Graham threw his head back and yelled, “Who the fuck are we?”
“OO-RAH!”
The collective war cry echoed off the rafters of the old, dusty gym, settling around them like a comfortable blanket. From the corner of his eye, Graham could see Marianne standing just outside her training room door, looking up at the catwalk and rubbing her arms as if she’d gotten the chills.
He knew the feeling. Knew it well. It was pride, damn it.
Brad nodded once, decisively. “Okay. Bring it in, Marines. Here’s how we’re going to play it out from here.”
*
“FINAL yoga lesson,” Coach Ace said as he greeted Kara at the door. “It’s been a pleasure working with you, and watching you work with the Marines.”
She smiled at the large man, hoisting her yoga mat beneath her arm as she walked through the door he held open for her. “Playing doorman today, Coach? I didn’t see a valet out front for my car.”
He barked out a laugh and walked alongside her toward the gym. “I’m not much of one for the stretching and bending myself. But it’s been a good time watching the guys twist themselves around. I know it’s helped stave off injuries, and improved their flexibility. And I think most of them have enjoyed it, to be honest . . . though I doubt you’d catch them on camera admitting the same.”
“I’m glad it’s been a benefit to the team. I’ve had a good time teaching them and getting to know the guys.” They entered the gym, where a few early birds were dropping their bags and trading street shoes for their boxing gear. Her eyes immediately found Graham, without even trying.
Yes, she’d definitely enjoyed getting to know them. Including one very special Marine.
“I hope, if you like how things have worked out, you’ll consider repeating the experience with next year’s team. Maybe mentioning the benefits of weekly yoga to some of the other coaches you know?” Her bank account could use the boost, that was for sure.
“Absolutely. Much as these bones don’t like to bend, I know it’s a big help. I’ll pass your name along.”
“I really appreciate it, Coach.”
Graham jogged over without another word, waiting patiently while Coach Ace asked how long today’s session would run, if she’d make up a few stretching routines for them to use on the road, and gave a few more instructions, including the fact that she would be a welcome guest at the All Military games.
If only she could actually go.
After Coach left—with a curious look at Graham—she smiled shyly. He’d called the night before, as promised, and they’d talked for nearly an hour after Zach’s bedtime. He’d had no problem answering questions about his childhood and family, and hadn’t pressed when she’d hedged about her own. Most of all, he’d called when he said he would, which was shocking enough as it was, and had let her dictate the conversation.
“Hey.” He gave her a big smile, but didn’t reach out to touch. In the gym, they were sort of like colleagues. Having seen how Brad and Marianne managed their relationship, she knew he would respect her professional standards the same way. “I liked our conversation last night.”
“Me, too.” Walking over to the usual corner she led yoga from, she noticed the table where she set up her small speakers for her phone was already set up. They had been for the last several weeks now. “I never think to ask . . . does Marianne have the interns set up my station here? I should thank them. Maybe a gift card.”
“It was me.” He shrugged when she looked at him. “You struggled setting it up the first day. I saw you while we were being yelled at, so I couldn’t help that first time. I figured it would be easier to just get here early on yoga days and do it for you.”
She fought back a smile, setting her bag down and pulling out the small travel speakers that would play the soothing mix she’d put together that morning. “Are you a naturally thoughtful man, Graham? Or is this just because you’ve wanted to get in my yoga pants?”
He snorted a little at that. “I hope I’m a thoughtful person. My mom would be disappointed otherwise.”
“Then you can tell her good job from me.” She toed off her slides, unrolled her mat and walked across it to flatten it a bit. “I was thinking we could do dinner at my place tonight.”
She’d said it casually, hoping he didn’t read too much into the gesture. She had ulterior motives, and they had nothing to do with sex. At least, not tonight.
“Yeah, sure. What can I bring?”
A naturally thoughtful man. “Allergies. Don’t worry about it, I’ll have it all. Just bring yourself.”