HANDLE WITH CARE (The Ludzecky Sisters Book 5) (10 page)

“Why didn’t you ever tell anyone?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did I get hurt in the dream?”

She nodded. “You were in a car with him. Or somebody dressed in football gear. I just don’t want to see you with a jock.”

“He’s so much more than that.”

“When did all this
happen anyway?”

Sofia was basically a private person. She didn’t like talking about deep inner feelings. Besides, she didn’t know exactly what she felt about Max today. Last night had been sudden, like he’d said.

She managed to calm Lizzie down with a vague description of her timeline with Max. Her sister apologized for what she’d said and left without further incident. Sofia glanced at
the clock. She’d see Max again today, when she went to teach yoga to his football players. Smiling, she got up and went into her bedroom to choose something to wear.

They both had a full day. Max taught right up to his lunch break, and Sofia had classes, one right after another until the afternoon. Still, every hour they texted.

Max started:
Hey, pretty lady, just want to say last night was great. Sorry about the a.m., though. Elizabeita calm down?

Last night was only great? You wouldn’t let me call it nice.

How about Sexy! Sinful? Scintillating (had to look that one up on my phone).

That’s better. Lizzie’s fine. I hate how people dote on me!

I’ll remember that. I’d like to do a lot of things to you so I’ll control that urge.

Class is coming in. Gotta go. I’m all hot and bothered now.

Makes my day, doll.

Male chauvinist! I’ll text later.

Halfway through the morning, Sofia texted
him again:
Been thinking about you while trying to teach. Savasana was a bust. I kept replaying last night in my head.

Me, too. I lost track of the score in a basketball game. The kids are teasing me about being out of it. Can’t help it. You’re a lot prettier than they are.

And Elizabeita was wrong. You ARE that cute.

My ego thanks you.

It’s welcome.

Max had
told the team to gather in the classroom they used to learn plays and go over game films. He leaned against the desk in the front. “All right, listen up.”

Thirty guys stopped talking and faced him. He’d pulled rank and spread the word to the whole team that they were meeting after school.

“We have a visitor today,” he said as easily as he could when he was still picturing her naked and
under him. She’s from Serenity Yoga and her name is Ms. Ludzecky. I want you to be perfect gentlemen and treat her well.”

“`Course, Coach.” This from Brad.

Kirk chuckled. “She gonna wear those tight yoga pants and shirts to class?”

Some guys were just too stupid. But Max was the adult here. “I’m sure you didn’t intend to demean women with that remark, Kirk, so I’ll let it go this time.
But if I hear another…”

The kid didn’t exactly slink back in his chair, but close.

Sofia appeared in the doorway. Max’s throat closed up at the first sight of her since the sex. It took him a few seconds to say, “And here she is.”

Thirty pairs of young male eyes turned to the door in the back. She’d dressed in looser pants than he’d ever seen her in, had her hair not only braided but
tied up, too. Still, to him, she was a ray of sunshine in the room.

Thank God no one whistled.

She walked toward him brusque and businesslike. When she got close, she smiled at him, then turned to the team. “Hi, guys, I’m Sofia Ludzecky. Coach Walker invited me here to work with you on some moves that’ll help you play football better. In case you don’t think I can help,
I have a little oral quiz for you. I’ve asked Coach to set it up on his computer, so let’s get started. You can either call out or raise your hands.”

Sofia took the clicker for his computer and called up her presentation on the screen. “How many of you think these are important? Quick, elusive moves on the field?”

All but one raised their hands.

“How about the ability to twist and
torque to catch a less-than-perfect pass?”

This time, all of them.

“Knowing how to land without injuring back or wrist?”

Unanimous.

“Is it important to be able to turn on a dime? To stop fast and change direction?”

Everyone, again.

A big guy in the back raised his hand. “I got a question.”

“Yes,” she said sweetly. “What’s your name?”

“Guys call me Jakes.”

“Go
ahead.”

“What’s
elusive
mean? I didn’t raise my hand `cause I don’t know.”

“Unable to be caught,” Sofia explained.

Someone else yelled out, “Like that girl you’re after, Jakey boy.”

Ice broken. Kids show they’re comfortable. Check!

“Now,” Sofia said sweetly. “Here’s the rest of the story. In order to be better at all the things that you’ve just said are important, I have five
poses which can help you do just that.”

Some sideways glances. Most kids nodded.

She continued, “Coach and I agree your muscles need stretching and strengthening in ways that lifting weights doesn’t accomplish. Guys, I’m only asking for a chance to prove I’m right.”

Luke had told her,
Just be honest with them. Most kids are good. They’ll rise to the occasion.

Another kid raised
his hand. “Hi, I’m Brad. We promised Coach we’d give it a try.”

“Thanks. But I’d rather you did this willingly. So let me explain first and show you examples of the poses.” She clicked on the computer presentation again.

“For quick, elusive moves on the field you need to stretch your hamstrings properly. The yoga pose I’ll show you is Opposite Arm, Opposite Leg
.”
A posing yogi came on-screen.

“To be able to twist and torque to catch a less-than-perfect pass you need to stretch your quadriceps. Here’s a Lunge Twist that will help.”

A kid called out, “Hey, yeah. I pulled that muscle last year and missed four games.”

“Knowing how to land without injuring back or wrists can be facilitated by increasing the rotation of the back, ab crunches and strengthening the wrist joint,
which needs to be strong in the event of an airborne catch. Plank Pose, Knee on Elbow will accomplish this.

“And for all you quarterbacks and running backs, being able to turn on a dime is very important to prevent a catch or make one. Chest Down Shoulder Stretch pose is good for that.

“Finally, to make a running stop and to change direction you have to stretch groin muscles. Here’s Frog
Pose.”

Some mumbles. She’d bet they could see they’d have problems with this one, as Max had. Most males did.

“And as Coach told you, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Ray Lewis and other athletes practice yoga every day.”

Absolute quiet in the room. She glanced at Max. He nodded in encouragement. So she waited.

Finally, Brad spoke up. “I’m game. And as co-captain of the team, I
hope the rest of you are, too.”

Others agreed.

“Why not?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll give it a shot.”

After everyone had his say, or didn’t voice objection, she smiled at them. “Great.”

For the first time, Max stepped up. “I’m proud of you guys. She knows what she’s talking about. Go ahead and change and meet us in the weight room.”

He’d cared about her last night,
more than before, after the physical closeness they shared. But today, as she stood in front of the kids that he loved, in the school he’d dedicated his adult life to, he thought he was probably losing his heart to her.

After the guys piled out, she turned to him. “That went well, don’t you think?”

“Uh-huh. You were magic with them. How come?”

“Kids are like anybody else. You treat
them well, don’t condescend and listen. Works all the time for me when I have younger people in class.” She shook her head. “But it wasn’t all me. Those boys have been trained to respect women.”

“Is that a compliment? For the guy who uses sexist terminology? And un-PC statements like namby-pamby?”

“I’m finding out the real Max Walker is buried under all that bravado. But I’m coming to
know him.”

“You like him?”

“I do.”

Crossing the space between them, he stopped a discreet distance away. “I wanna kiss you so bad.”

“Hmm. I was thinking the same thing.”

“Last night was the best, Sof.”

“For me, too. It’s been a long time since I felt so much. Strong emotion has always scared me in the past.”

“And now?”

“There was no stopping it.”

“Did you want
to?”

“No.”

They smiled at each other.

“Let’s go face the troops together.”

“Fine by me.”

He headed out the door with her. But stopped before they got in the gym. “Tell me I can see you tonight.”

“I’m done with classes at the studio. Usually, I teach the four o’clock class. But I assigned it to someone else.”

“Good girl.”

“That’s not what you said last night.”

“You’re killin’ me, babe.”

“Doin’ my best, Coach.”

After stretching with the team, and doing a few breathing exercises, Sofia left the first session at that and decided to go see Gus while she waited for Max to finish their weight training. She had to break it off with the kind vice principal because the relationship wasn’t fair anymore. She knew where her heart was guiding her, despite what she and Max had decided
about seeing other people. When she reached his office, she almost bumped into Lauren Talbot coming out. The women wore a beautiful dark pink suit with a pretty ruffled blouse.

Lauren said, “Ah, the dancer.”

“The yoga teacher.”

“I was referring to how you and Max stunned the kids at the underclassmen dance.”

“We got carried away, I guess.”

“I’m headed over to see him now.”

“He’s with the team.”

“He usually is, this time of day. He always takes a break for me.”

Sofia felt the ugly claws of jealousy sharpen inside her. She pushed away the negative feelings.

“Is that Sofia out there?” Gus called from inside.

“Yes. Good to see you again, Lauren.”

“Was it?”

Ignoring the snide remark, Sofia entered the office. Gus got up from behind his desk
and crossed to her. “What a pleasant surprise. Sit.” He motioned to a small conference table. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to the football team about yoga.”

“Seriously?” A mischievous grin. “How did that go?”

“Really well. Max prepared them to cooperate, I think.”

“Yeah, he would.”

“Gus, do you have a few minutes to talk?”

“Yes. Sure.” He got up and closed
the door.

“I—” His intercom buzzed and the secretary’s voice came over the device. “Gus, you have a call.”

“Can you take a message?”

“I can try. But it’s Alice. She’s making a fuss about talking to you.”

“I can step out,” Sofia offered.

Into the phone, he said, “I’ll take the call.” To her, “Stay. This will be short.” His face was already flushed when she obviously came on
the line. “Alice, what is it?” A pause. “Alice…stop crying.” Another pause. “Listen, I said no—”

Sofia stood and pointed to the door. She stepped outside and closed it. Taking out her phone, she checked her messages and found one from Magdalena.

I haven’t seen you alone in forever. Want to go to lunch a day when you’re free?

Sofia thought of Lauren Talbot’s suit. Not her style, but…

Would love to. Can we make it a day when you can go shopping with me?

Of course. I’ll take an afternoon off.

The door opened. Gus was frowning, his face was ruddy. “Come back in.”

They sat again.

She said, “You seem upset.”

“Remember when I told you I was just getting out of a long relationship?”

Gus was devastated. He’d been going out with her for a year and thought
they were headed toward marriage.

“Uh-huh. Was that her?”

“Yes, for the last month, she’s been calling me.” He shrugged. “Trying to get back together. As if cheating was something a guy could forget.”

“I don’t know about a guy, but my brother-in-law cheated on my sister, and they got back together, remarried, and she’s pregnant.”

“A real happily ever after, huh?”

“You know,
I think it will be.”

“You’re sweet to be telling me that when we’re sort of seeing each other.”

“Not so sweet. I came here to talk to you about something and that call from Alice makes it easier.”

Gus studied her. “It’s about Max Walker, right?”

“How did you know?”

“There’s electricity between you two when you’re in the same room.”

“Seriously?”

He laughed. “Seriously.
I thought maybe I was going to lose out to him.”

“Yes, it’s Max.” She nodded to the phone. “In any case, I don’t think you’re ready for someone else, Gus. The woman you love is waiting for you if you have a big enough heart to forgive her.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Lauren didn’t sit when Max took her into the Phys Ed office. She’d shown up at the weight room, and he
left his assistant coach in charge of the boys. Most of the gym teachers had left for the day, but still, he locked the door.

“What’s that for?” she asked, flirting with him.

“I need to talk to you.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

Instead of sitting, he hitched a hip on his desk. “I like you, Lauren. You’re beautiful and interesting. But we won’t be dating any longer. I’m sorry if
I indicated our relationship could go places.”

“You more than
indicated
that.”

“I did. I know. But things have changed for me.”

She watched him with those dark eyes. “The yoga teacher?”

“Sofia, yes.” Hell, he sounded nervous. “We got involved somehow.”