I'm loving the feedback! Thank you everybody that contacted me about Part 1. I hope you enjoy Part 2 just as much.

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Exhausted was the only description I had of myself. Traveling from Kansas City to Tulsa yesterday, getting a tour from Rebecca after the long drive, then a movie night with her family and I was ready to turn in early. Rebecca had insisted that I stay in the guest room while I was visiting, and I couldn’t say no. They had the room and I wanted to be close to my friend and enjoy getting to know her in real life.

My usual morning alarm had gone off and I did not want to do my workout routine that morning. However, an act from heaven itself pulled me out of bed and down to the weight room. I remembered where it was located from the day before, knowing the information would come in handy for this exact reason. Loud music was coming from a glass window door as I came closer. A smile came to me as I looked in and found Tate dancing a routine to the beat. It was a cross between a ballet and hip-hop dance and looked like an athletic feat in itself. The music ended and I knocked on the window before the next song had enough time to start up. Tate turned around and gave me a look that seemed to say he didn’t know what to think of me being there. I gave him a “thumbs up” and a smile as I continued down the hallway to my destination.

Rebecca had stated multiple times that he was a good kid, just couldn’t let some of his past go and let it affect his relationship with his family. “Victim mentality” was how she had put it a while back when she first told me more about him and her life. He was the cause of a lot of fights and contention around the house and unfortunately couldn’t see the trouble that he was creating for those around him.

Sweating it out had been a good therapy for me the last few years. I was an athlete growing up, but that had quickly faded once I reached college and started having kids. Dwelling on those memories did no one any good though, it was time to move forward, which is why I had come to spend some time with Rebecca. The future for me held so much mystery where it had once been so clear even a few short months ago. Life will throw some of its worst curves your way and leave you to pick up the pieces. I’ve been so thankful to those around me and the great friendship they offered at my lowest point. She reached out to me and extended the invitation to come get away for a while and try to clear my head about my next moves.

I felt a presence around me and found a figure out of the corner of my eye. Music needed to be always blasting in my ears while working out so there was no way I would have heard him enter. Tate walked to the corner of the gym with boxing gloves in his hands and his eyes on the punching bag ahead of him. Racking the weights in my hands, I walked towards him and stood behind the bag as he put on his gloves. He was also wearing earbuds, but I figured he could read crappy sign language. I waved my hands around indicating that I could hold the bag for him while he punched it.

Tate rolled his eyes and annoyed said, “I can hear what you’re saying.”

My inclination to spank the boy came back, but instead I let my easy-going personality stand out and smiled at him. “I was only trying to offer my help kiddo, you’re welcome to politely decline if it’s not welcomed and I can get back to my workout.”

His nostrils flared and he half shouted, “I’m not a kid!”

Laugher did win out this time as I looked him in the eye and took a couple of steps towards him. His chest was heaving with fury at my nickname for him and my reaction to his statement, but I couldn’t care less.

“Look, I’m 32, and you are a ripe age of 18 going to college this year. I’ve been in your shoes and still have extra time in my life, so to me? Yes, you’re a kid as far as I’m concerned. Just how it is. Do you have a problem with that?”

Words seemed to escape him as he stared me down, or maybe he was just trying to annoy me and not say anything. Either option didn’t bug me as I walked back towards the weights and gave his chest a couple of taps as I passed. Soft thuds could be heard behind me as I headed towards the dumbbell rack to finish off the work I had started.

Over the next half hour, I could feel Tate’s stare burning a hole in my back. My giggles couldn’t be held back; I knew it was getting under his skin, but to me it was hilarious while he found me infuriating. Wanting to push it a little farther, I thought of ideas to fuel the fire when it was time to leave the gym. With my last set done, I walked toward the door but turned around to the mirror behind the dumbbell rack. Tate met my gaze in the mirror as I smirked at him with a wink and a salute as I flung the exit door open. A loud growl sounded inside the gym and the rattle of chains followed my steps down the hall. I collapsed against the wall in laughter picturing his childish barbarian reaction. This was going to be a fun stay.