Ch 28: Houseguest Headache

Gina lay on the couch, her leg elevated with a pillow. Scratches sprinkled her face and half her nails had broken off. We walked into the living room, and I turned toward Luke, looking for an explanation.
“Gina needs some help. They just released her from the hospital, and she can’t stay alone, so I offered to help her here,” he explained. She waved to me, from her supine position, her slender fingers wiggling back and forth.
“Sure,” I said, not knowing how to best respond.
“Do you need anything?” Luke asked Gina, a concerned look on his face.
“Maybe some more juice?” she tried to reach for a cup on the coffee table, the straw sticking out from its rim.
“No problem,” said Luke, walking around to the table and heading to the kitchen to get a refill.
“How are you feeling?” I asked now that I was left alone with Gina.
“Oh, a little bruised. I’m just hoping these scratches don’t leave permanent scars. I have a consultation with a plastic surgeon next week. He does noses too if you’re interested.”
I wasn’t sure how to take that comment, but I just nodded in return.
“Is someone going to come to give you physical therapy?” I asked, remembering my dad and how hard it was to get the help he needed.
“Yeah, after the swelling goes down a little. Can you hand me my phone?” She didn’t seem interested in continuing the conversation. I leaned over and grabbed her phone from the coffee table and handed it to Gina. Luke returned with the juice.
“Anything else?” he asked, looking eager to please.
Gina smiled back. “You’re the best, Luke. Thank you so much.”
“Well, Stella and I are going to head back to do our workout. Text me if you need anything. I’ll keep my phone on.”
Gina looked over at me, a sly smile on her face. “Actually, Luke, I don’t want to be alone. Can you take me with you. I’d love to watch you sweat.”
“Absolutely,” Luke said as he scooped her up in his arms. “Is this OK?” he asked, carrying her down the hall. I followed behind, annoyed we’d have an audience. “Stella, there’s an office chair in that room over there. Can you wheel it in here?”
I found the chair, wheeled it in, and Luke set Gina down carefully in the seat. I grabbed a workout step to prop up her feet. Now that Gina was comfortably situated, Luke and I started with a warm-up. Gina sat in the chair, surfing on her phone, barely glancing at us.
After my talk with Daniel, I had been looking forward to some time alone with Luke, even if it was while we were sweating. Actually, getting all hot and heavy would have been preferred. Having Gina in the gym put a damper on things for sure.
I suggested doing a HIIT, high intensity interval workout, in order to work more on Luke’s strength and endurance. We started jumping and squatting, along with brief periods of rest. Just when we were about to start our 3rd round, out of breath and drenched in sweat, Gina spoke up.
“I’m cold. Can you get me a blanket?” she asked.
“Sure, thing. No problem,” Luke said and dashed out of the gym. Left alone with Gina again and not sure what to say, I retied my sneakers, took a drink of my water, and basically tried to avoid making contact.
Luke returned and handed Gina the blanket as we continued our next interval. When we finished, Luke and I grabbed our water, our heart rates racing. “Keep walking,” I said between sips. “We need to bring our heart rate down slowly.” As we circled around the room, Gina sweetly smiled at Luke.
Once we cooled down, I suggested some stretches. Luke and I sat on the floor reaching for our toes and stretching our legs. “How’s the hamstring?” I asked.
“It’s a little tight, but otherwise OK,” he said.
“Let me help you stretch it,” I said, standing up to help Luke pull his leg toward him a little further as he lay on his back.
I can only guess that during our stretching routine, Gina felt particularly jealous, eyeing us from her perch.
“I should stretch too. The doctor said,” Gina said as she stood up on one leg and attempted to make a move towards us.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said, a little too late. Gina tried to take a step and crumpled to the floor. I’ll never know if her pain was sincere or if it was all an act, but Luke sprang into motion like the action hero he portrayed in the movies. He scooped Gina up in his arms and carried her back to the couch. He got her some ice and refilled her juice. He even asked me to take a look at her leg.
“I’m not a doctor, you know,” I said.
“But you were almost a physical therapist.” I shrugged, hoping he wouldn’t reveal any more details about my past in front of Gina.
“That’s OK. I’m fine. You’re taking such good care of me,” Gina said rubbing her hand along his cheek as he leaned over to fluff the pillow behind her back.
“Well, I think it’s time I go,” I said. Luke walked me to the door. I wanted an explanation. I wanted a reason for why Gina was there. But most of all, I wanted Luke.
“I’m sorry, Stella. I need to make sure she’s alright,” he said looking back at the couch, worried.
“Yeah, I understand,” I said, even though I really didn’t. “You’re close.” And I walked out before he could see the tears welling in my eyes.
***
I found Daniel at one of his favorite bars near his apartment. Apparently, he wasn’t answering his texts because the battery on his phone was barely holding a charge anymore. When I entered he was macking on another new girl, a quirky brunette with glasses, a new look for Daniel. I slid next to him in the booth and ordered a beer. I wanted to forget the scene in Luke’s gym. Not only was it hard to watch Luke rescue Gina, he couldn’t even provide an explanation.
When the girl Daniel was interested in went to the bathroom, I took a swig of my beer and said, “ What about Sadie?”
“Oh we were never exclusive.”
“Too bad. She kind of grew on me,” I said and took another gulp of beer.
“Actually, she ditched me,” Daniel admitted. “For some guy with a Tesla.” I nodded. Figures.
“Well, I may be in the same boat. I just got back from Luke’s and guess who was there?”
“Who?”
“Gina. Looks like she’ll be living there for awhile. Ugh.” I put my head down on the table.
“Well what did Luke say?”
“Nothing. He said nothing.” I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, Stella,” I imitated Luke with his deep voice. “That’s it.” I ordered another beer and started gulping down the drink. “Can you please train him? At least for our next scheduled meeting? I can’t face him anymore right now.” I shook my head, a pained expression on my face.
“I’ll make you a deal.”
“No deals.” I cut him off. “No more competitions. This is serious. I’m calling in another favor. Please.” I looked across the table at him, trying my best to look needy and pathetic so he’d cave.
“OK, I’ll give it a try, but I’m sure he’s going to want you back. I don’t know. For some reason, he must think he owes Gina.”
I finished the second bottle, starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. I looked around. “Looks like your date didn’t come back,” I said.
Daniel nodded, having accepted that fact minutes ago. “And I bought her two expensive martinis. Why am I such a sucker?” I laughed.
“Maybe we both are,” I said.