Cheating on Myself by Erin Downing Read Free Book Online Page A

aerobics.
    “I’m new to this,” I said, and realized everyone was looking at me. I was standing off by myself, and realized they were all huddled together in a circle. I felt as out-of-place as I always did at Erik’s office holiday party.
    “I’ll take things slowly so you don’t fall behind,” Jean said. “I lead the class from up here on the pool deck so you can see what you’re supposed to be doing with your legs under the water.”
    Before we’d even finished our warm-up, a tall, stately woman (who reminded me of Bea Arthur from Golden Girls ) lunged over to me in the pool. She didn’t say anything at first, but kept smiling at me, as though she had a secret. I smiled back, but tried to keep my focus on Jean. After all, I wasn’t there to make friends—I was there for a workout. “Jonathan is thirty-four,” Bea Arthur said suddenly, as we all did high-knee kicks.
    “Excuse me?” I said, pretty sure I’d heard her correctly.
    “Jonathan. My Jonathan, he’s thirty-four. Heather told me you were interested in him. He’s a musician.”
    This must be Barbara , I thought. Nothing could be less appealing than a musician. “I’m actually just getting out of a relationship—”
    Barbara cut me off. “That’s what I hear. Jonathan doesn’t mind.”
    I wonder if Jonathan knows his grandma is pimping him out at Water X Power? I thought, my eyes widening. “I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s just not a good time. I really appreciate it, though.”
    Barbara huffed and scooted back toward the circle of women on the other side of the shallow end. I was left alone, feeling like a real jackass. I hadn’t realized water aerobics came with so many strings attached. As much as I’d enjoyed talking with Heather before class had started, I realized I would need to keep my distance from these women if I was going to have any hope of making it through class without a bunch of elderly enemies. I could hear them griping and sniping over in their little circle, and Jean reminded them to focus on their workout. Barbara lifted an eyebrow in Jean’s general direction and went right back to talking.
    The lone gentleman in the class waited for me as we all followed Jean’s command to cross-country ski through the water to the deep end, riding atop water-noodles to help keep us afloat.
    “You need to hold your own with these girls,” he said, looking over his shoulder at the gaggle of women striding slowly through the water behind us. “They’ll boss you around until you can’t think straight, if you let them. Believe me.” He grinned, and as he did, his fleshy chin dipped under the water.
    “Thanks for the tip. I’m Stella, by the way.”
    “That’s a pretty name. I’m Jim.” He held out his hand to shake, but that sent him under again so he pulled it back. “They just like to feel useful,” he said when he’d surfaced. “You’re fresh meat. I was the new guy a few months ago, and you can imagine what I went through. It was like they were all sharks, and I was the only fish.” He chuckled—at his water metaphor, I guessed. “At least I don’t have to listen to them in the locker room. If I were you, I’d take off a little early so you can shower and get the heck out of here before the real gossip starts.” He kicked desperately under the surface to stay above water.
    I decided to take Jim’s advice, so just as we started the cool down I made an excuse about a morning meeting and headed for the locker room. I hadn’t exactly worked up a sweat, so I wasn’t feeling too bad about missing the stretching part of social hour. Heather gave me a look as I left, and the other women surveyed me suspiciously. It hadn’t been a great start to my new exercise routine, but I wasn’t going to be scared away by a bunch of angry old ladies.
    “I’ll see you next week,” I said, and waved to show them they couldn’t intimidate me. But I wasn’t entirely sure that was true.
     
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    “I like this