AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Winn takes her mother’s hand and pulls her through. “It’s crazy out there!”
“It’s a great turn out.” I hug her, then Aunt Jackie. “Where’s Kingy?”
“I’m right here,” John, Winn’s other half says, startling me.
“Oh.” I outright cackle as my eyes travel his very interesting fitness wear. “Nice shorts. A wee small, no?”
Winn huffs. “I told him to pack his workout clothes because we’d be on the floor, but he didn’t believe me. This is all they had at the gift shop. Although I don’t really mind the butt peepshow.”
“Keep in mind the entire world will be tuning into this,” I tell him, waggling my brows.
He frowns, his gray eyes piercing, making me laugh harder. “I’ll wait outside.”
“I was kidding!” I yell after him. “No I wasn’t. I really think this is big.”
“Of course it is,” Aunt Jackie says. “Everyone at home is dying to know what’s going to happen with Dean and Cat. Are they getting together? Will they make it past the challenge, is this all a publicity stunt?” It’s like she’s reading it straight out of a newspaper.
“What?”
“Mom’s a big fan and she’s got everyone in New York hooked,” Winn says. “Come on, Mom. Let’s go sit by Liz.”
At nine fifty-five, I go to take my place on the floor and stretch. Dehydrated and tight muscles spasm all over my body as I bend and flex. Maybe I should get a few more drinks of that good red stuff, I think, but it’s too late.
Dean stands beside me, his face serious as he greets me. I recognize that look. He’s removed himself and his emotions from this. In me he sees nothing more than a competitor. There is no more kitty cat, only Catherine Eberhardt, challenger extraordinaire.
The clock strikes ten, and Julie stands at the front. Everyone quiets down, ready to listen, ready to watch one dream come true, and another be crushed.
“Thank you to all who have made it out today, and those at home watching. As everyone here knows, this is the day when the winner of the Keys to Key West challenge will be determined. Here, I have the key to the new location.” She lifts the metal object up for all to see, ordinary, but so powerful. Dean and I follow it as though it’s the golden egg. I guess in a way it is.
She continues. “Dean Cooper and Catherine Eberhardt have come far in one of the most challenging fitness competitions in the world. They are both winners. But there can only be one franchisee in Key West.” Julie looks around the room, then to us. “I wish you both the best of luck. Do your best. Push yourself beyond your limits.”
Tony brings a large board and sets it on the display easel. The judges give the okay, and we are shown what the workout will consist of today. It’s a burpee burnout, meant to do exactly that. Burn you the fuck out.
25 hurdle jumps.
25 half burpees.
50 jump ropes.
25 half burpees with a ski jump.
2 lap run outside.
25 full burpees.
Then we do it all over again. The challenger with the most repetitions within the twenty-minute window wins.
Twenty minutes. That’s all my body needs to give me. After that it can do whatever it wants. Pass out, die, whatever.
“Challengers at the ready,” Tony calls out, putting a whistle to his lips.
My stomach roils and I swallow down the vomit. Shit.
I turn to Dean. He’s completely focused on Tony. He looks so determined it scares me a little.
Then, the whistle blows and we are off.
