Moonlit Wishes

Book II, Part XXVIII

They drove to the gym in relative silence, neither one of them wanting to venture into engaging into a full conversation with one another even though there were so many things they needed to discuss. Sami thought it was best to keep it light this morning and then she wanted to keep quiet about the spin class they were about to take. She was afraid if EJ asked too many questions about it she would feel bad and tell him he didn't need to take the class with her this morning; then again maybe he needed to see what kind of workout she took several times a week. No doubt she and Chris would have a good laugh about it later because EJ had been so smug about the class without ever taking it.

Yes, it would do EJ good to get a big dose of reality, especially such a strenuous one this early in the morning. She had to suppress the devilish smile that threatened to cross her features while they were riding with one another in EJ's car. One she hadn't ridden in with him in such a very long time, it almost seemed like a lifetime ago since they had even been close enough to even want to be in the same vehicle together.

EJ almost attempted to begin a conversation with Samantha a few times on the relatively short drive to the gym, but each time he began he stopped himself before he uttered a word to her. It was different being around her now; he really didn't know how to act or what to say to her. He knew one thing though, he didn't know if he liked this new phase between them, it wasn't like they were friends again, much less anything else, but really if they were still sworn enemies they wouldn't be cohabiting the same house together much less going somewhere together, would they?

He didn't like being in a state of limbo, but damn it this woman seemed to be the master of keeping his life that way no matter what situation they were in, whether they were fighting or attempting to get along with one another. He frowned wishing he had the upper hand with her because he was a man who wanted to be in control of his emotions and had been that kind of man, that was until he had met Samantha Gene Brady and then somehow control along with most of his rational emotions had fled the scene from the moment their eyes lit upon each other.

So lost in his latest musings of her that he almost failed to turn into the driveway to the gym until Samantha gently nudged him, "EJ you are about to go past the gym."

He shook his head, and cruised into the parking lot finding a spot to park not wanting to get to close to the building where most of the cars were parked. He tried to baby his car, especially since it had been woefully neglected in his absence from Salem. He didn't want anyone to place a ding upon her and yes it was a her, she was a fine driving machine, not as fine as the racecar he used to drive, but she was a very close second in his heart.

"Still afraid someone is going to hit your car?" Sami asked with an arch of her brow knowing perfectly well why EJ was parking in the far corner of the lot.

It was uncanny how she could almost read his mind, almost being the operative word though. EJ just gave her an almost scornful look, but he couldn't fault her for knowing some of his peculiarities of his personality, after all she was the mother of his children, even though most times he didn't think that counted for much from her perspective at least.

"A man can never be too careful," EJ said as he switched the key into the ignition to the off mode and pulled it out not bothering to look her way as he said the words.

"You never used to be careful with much of anything," Sami replied softly thinking of the times they had tried to tear each other apart with their harsh spoken words.

EJ knew this wasn't the time or place to begin this type of conversation, only adding this before he exited the car, "I did until it seemed pointless, but I know better now."

He didn't offer to open up her car door, just stood outside waiting for her to join him. Sami thought sadly as she reached for the door handle from the inside for herself that it was one of the many simple small things she had taken for granted from EJ when he used to do things for her so generously. She guessed those days were long gone, EJ's time of gallantry he had shown to her was just one of the many casualties their long waged war.

She put on a smile she certainly didn't feel and went to his side, forcing her to act as if they were just acquaintances agreeing to take a class together. She hefted her gym bag to her shoulder and suggested they enter the building; she pointed the way to the appointed classroom from which the ultra loud music was already spilling out into the hallway.

EJ followed Samantha into the room, noticing the lights were already turned off and most people were already situated on various bikes that lined the room in a circular fashion in two separate rows. One lone bike was in the center of the room up front facing the other bikes with a rather intimidating man hunched down on his bike pedaling furiously to his own rhythm while most of the class was in varying states of what seemed like preparation for this class.

The man barely glanced up for a brief moment acknowledging Sami with a nod before asking her if she could help the new person set up his bike which EJ assumed meant him. Sami told him she would get it ready which EJ thought to himself was kind of weird, but he let her lead him, while she quietly told him to stand beside the bike which he of course towered over by his height.

"Stand up straight and scoot over close to the bike seat," Sami ordered and if she hadn't of looked so serious EJ would have probably began laughing, but he did as he was told all the while very aware of how close she was standing by him as she turned the knob on the back of the seat and pulled it up to where his hip bone was which was pretty far from where it had been before he came to stand beside the bike. "Stand still for a minute," she urged and he complied still thinking this was quite strange as finally she synched it into place, motioning for him to get on the bike.

She then cranked the knob on the handlebars up for him, stating he wouldn't need them as far down as they were located now especially for his first class, when she was satisfied that she had his feet locked into what he thought were rather ridiculous harnesses for each foot then she went straightly to her bike right beside him and quickly did the same things for the bike she was going to ride.

EJ thought the entire scenario rather bizarre especially when the man up front finally spoke or rather barked out orders to the class, telling them to get ready since this wasn't yoga or anything of the sort like it and for a brief moment EJ thought he had this in the bag, that was until a few minutes later when he was already sweating profusely and from what he now dubbed the drill sergeant in front yelled were they are ready for class to begin now that the warm-up was over.

EJ cast a worried glance in Samantha's direction immediately noticing her smirk before she averted her eyes away from him and back up front to said drill sergeant who began shouting out different commands for each song, yelling for them to get with it and pedal, sometimes telling them to turn up the tension on the bike or to release it and EJ thought he would topple over when the crazed individual told them all to hover which apparently meant to ease up and ride without your bottom touching said seat which was becoming with each passing moment more unbearable to ride.

When the instructor aka crazy man announced they had reached the fifteen minute mark and only had forty-five more minutes to go he thought he might faint from the strain on his muscles thus far, surely the man was wrong, maybe he meant they only had fifteen minutes left to go in this class, but when he looked to the wall where the clock was situated he knew with fleeting hope he had to suffer through, no way would he give up trying to keep up with Samantha and these other deranged individuals who acted like they were enjoying this class.

One time he almost threw up, but luckily he kept it down, telling himself he was tougher than that and took small sips of his dwindling water in the water bottle Samantha had supplied him along with a towel before class telling him he would need it before it was all over. Most times the sweat dripped down in his eyes before he could wipe it away, the sting of the sweat making his eyes water more than they already were by the exertion of the class itself upon his body.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity of misery, the man barking orders announced they were hitting the cool down portion of the class, although EJ doubted he would be cooled down anytime soon. Then they had to do stretches on the bike and EJ almost hit the floor when it was time to get off said bike which he thought should have been named a torture devise. He tried to control his rapid breathing not wanting Samantha to see how hard the class had been for him, but she would have to be blind and deaf too not to notice it, nevertheless he wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of thinking she was right especially after he had scoffed earlier thinking this class would be an easy one.

Apparently he didn't have to say anything to her to make her smile which bordered on becoming an all out giggle, but she pressed her lips together trying to keep any sound from escaping when most of the rest of what Chris had most appropriately dubbed as spin bitches leaving the room thanking Keith for a great class before the exited the door of the classroom.

Sami looked over to EJ ready to say something when EJ gave her a death stare before uttering, "Not a word Samantha."

She took her towel and flicked it in his direction intentionally hitting him on the rear before she headed for the exit herself smiling that devious smile of hers when she was full of herself for doing something and only whistled lightly instead, a tune he couldn't quite place, but he was sure it was something smug to match the devilment that sparked in her eyes.

If he hadn't of felt like falling down he would have flicked her back, but at the moment he didn't think he had the energy to hit his intended mark of her quickly disappearing figure proudly sashaying down the hallway away from him. He only had one thought at that particular moment was that he would get her back for this somehow, just not right now, but he would when or if he got his strength back.

Damn that class was hell. He would never disparage any class at the gym ever again, that much he was sure of as he tried to catch up with that woman who seemed to be almost skipping her way back to his car. Oh he'd get her back for sure now when she doubled over in laughter by the time he reached the car too.

Somehow Samantha had managed to get the best of him without even trying, next time he would make sure the odds were in his favor. No way was Samantha getting the best of him without some kind of retaliation, he'd just have to bide his time and strike when the time was right.

God he hoped the time would be soon because she laughed all the way home…