Unlovable but Maybe Not by Gina M Adkins

Author:Gina M Adkins [Gina Marie Adkins]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Keiri LaPrade
Published: 2023-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Sweat glistened on Sophie’s arms, ran down her neck and dampened her hairline. Yet, somehow, she avoided the level of sweat soaked that many of the men’s shirts were. This was the kind of day that men dodged out of her way when she passed with a barbell and avoided the benches close to her if they could. Sophie tapped her feet along to Metallica’s Of Wolf and Man pumping through her earphones; the sound of her heartbeat added its unique rhythm to the music. Sophie did not care if anyone could hear the music. Her weight gloves absorbed the sweat from her forehead as she wiped it. Sophie’s own reflection in the mirror dared her to keep going.

The family argument ended but the hurt remained. There was an awkward silence that followed Sophie anytime she was at her grandparents’ house. She caught them whispering when she entered the room. Virginia went out of her way not to mention Sophie when Robbie or Carol called. The one-time Virginia did mention Sophie, Robbie started ranting on the phone.

The barbell smacked down on the leather of her bench with a thud. Sophie drank from her water bottle as her eyes looked herself over in the mirror. There was anger in the reflection that stared back at her. Anger at herself for causing the family drama, for just not being good enough in general. Bringing the barbell up as she went, she laid back on the bench careful to make sure her head rested comfortably. She was lifting heavier than normal. She wanted to feel anything except the stress that flooded her this week. Sophie concentrated on her form. She watched for traces of failure. It would not be good to get stuck under a weight while lifting alone. There was a shake in her arms, but no pause. That was fine by her.

A pair of hands took the weight from her as she moved to sit up. It made it easier for her to sit up, but she wanted to be left alone. Mal-Chin set the weight down then sat himself down on the bench beside her. Catching her breath, she pulled her earphones out and took a sip of water. “How are you?” Mal-Chin’s eyes focused on her hand as she wiped the sweat from her neck.

Sophie just shook her head. She did not feel like explaining the whole situation to him. For one thing, it was embarrassing, and Sophie just wanted to forget about it for a little while. “Can I ask you something? What’s it like living alone?” She rolled the barbell on the bench debating doing another set.

“Well, you can do what you want, when you want. No one bothers you,” Mal-Chin nodded, “Which is nice. But, it can be very quiet and lonely. There’s no one to greet you when you come home, and if something messes up you’re the only one there to fix it.” Mal-Chin put on his weightlifting wrist straps as he spoke then looked up at her with that cheeky smile, “My bed has room for two if you want to come stay.

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