Chapter 4: Breathing And Counting
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. House counted out the reps during his Saturday workout. There was only three people who knew about his little routine, Wilson, Stacy, and himself. His workouts seemed to increase in the last three months, up to three times a week including Saturday. During his workouts, he could concentrate on muscles growing and tightening, and focusing on breathing and counting.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and eyes as he worked his triceps, breathing in and out, counting in fives. Setting the weight down he flexed his arms and found they were fully pumped. Now onto his legs, this would hurt. Settling himself on the floor he began to stretch, managing not to overstretch his right one, even though it was getting easier and easier due to continuous workouts.
Rolling on his stomach, he lay with his head on the carpet for a few minutes before doing half push ups for his lower back muscles. They were becoming more and more defined as were the rest of them. He rolled back over and did some sit ups until his stomach began to burn. When he finally stood back up he wobbled, a little dizzy, but then sat back down on the weight bench.
He looked at the clock, four-fifteen, he'd been working out for 2 hours now and decided that was enough. Sweat was pouring off his head and his shirt was soaked as he entered the bathroom. Setting the shower steamy hot, he stepped in and steadied himself with a hand against the wall. Water cascaded over his head and body, soothing the tired muscles.
The workout was over and his misconstrued thoughts were once again plaguing him. Stacy. She loved showers. Well he loved showers, with her, but she loved bubble baths. "Typical woman," He thought. She'd even gotten him to take a bath with her. He'd complained and said all those candles were a fire hazard, not to mention laying in a tub for an hour was useless and the number one cause of pruny skin. The truth was after all the complaining he'd enjoyed it, but he never let her know that.
Picking up the soap he lathered it in his hands, washing the sweaty mess from his skin. He stopped when he came to his stomach, letting a hand pass over the now bumpy area. There was the smallest hint of a six pack coming through, that was never his aim but he had to admit it gave him a sense of accomplishment.
After finishing getting clean, he stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. When he swung the bathroom door open a gust of cold air hit his body, causing a shiver. Stupid air conditioner was turned up to high. He stood in the door way for a few minutes before limping to the his night stand and popping a Vicodin, his leg was aching from all the activities and he needed to cool off.
When he finally sat down on the couch after awhile, he was annoyed and cursing himself for forgetting to wash clothes. The only thing he had clean to wear was a pair of pants, normally he wouldn't care but it was still cold because of the air conditioner. The phone rang and he decided to let the answering machine get it.
"House, House I know your there, pick up the phone." House rolled his eyes but made no evidence of moving.
"Come on House, I'm still coming over later whether your there or not."
"Not If I beat you with my cane," House thought.
"Whatever, I'll se---"
House laughed as Wilson was cut off by the answering machine, taking a swig of his water, he flipped on the TV. General Hospital Friday was on soap net and he began to watch, eventually finding himself laying down and half asleep when the phone rang again.