Thread: You Again? (rpfiend_123 & AnnaBeth Belle)

As he took a break in his set, staring at the small puddle that the sweat from his hair was making as it dripped. The 70s rock music he was blaring in his headphones drowned out the din of the gym - men grunting, women breathing heavy, metal clanking, treadmills whirring. He was getting his second win and reflecting on the day ahead of him. He smiled to himself. He really liked how things went with Brooke this morning, and thought about where it would lead - not anywhere wrong, but somewhere that continued the fun, relaxed attitudes they'd had for the last couple days - and he wouldn't hate it if she'd be comfortable enough to keep her attire around the house. In a way, he felt good that he'd have her all to himself most of the summer just them - able to get closer.. as close as he would allow. He realized he'd been contemplating too long and should get back to his sets.. and the view. He glanced up to resume his view of that tight teen again and saw... a guy? He felt his neck immediately tighten. His smile twisted downward into a grimace. His stomach did a small sick turn. And he had an idea why. He watched them as they talked, and as the overly tall buffoon smiled and glanced over her in places he shouldn't. The music in his ears drowned out the conversation they were having. He saw her step off the machine and walk over to him. He straightened up, bowed his chest out, and prepared to act his most alpha-male as she walked over and.... past him? He watched in disbelief as she walked by without so much as a glance and over to the machines. He stopped for a moment, glancing back down at the puddle on the floor and let out a breathy laugh. What the hell.. he mouthed silently. Not because he was upset, although he was showing the symptoms but because of how jealous he felt right at the moment. 'She's 16!' he thought to himself. 'So what if she talks to some guy at the gym.. What did you think was going to happen between you two?' He stood up, stretched his arms back and did a few 'hugger' stretches. His arms swinging wide and then across, smacking himself on the back. He proceeded with the rest of the workout, glancing around the gym every now and then to make sure he could still see Brooke. He watched as they did a few sets of some workouts together. 'She's just making a new friend.' He though. Then he saw him put her hands on her. 'He's just showing her some good form.' He reasoned. Each excuse felt terrible to him. Hollow and insincere. Soon his workout was over and the two were STILL talking. He yanked out his headphones in a frustrated manner, and walked over to them, his eyes wide and his brows raised. Hey Brooke. he said shortly, and looked up and down the guy she'd been talking to. Mike was tall, but not quite that tall. There was no way this guy was in high school definitely not a freshman or sophomore in college at that. He reached out a thick hand and his forearm rippled as the man grabbed it in response in a strong handshake. Hey, I'm Mike. And you are? He asked, squeezing the mans hand with an equally firm grip. I'm Tony. How do you know Brooke? He asked, obviously responding with the same bravado that Mike had walked up with - like two apes squaring off for dominance of the pack. A part of him wondered if he was acting so protective because he knew this guy was too old, and he was just doing what any surrogate father would.. but deep down he knew it was more visceral than that - he hated to admit to himself how far he'd fallen in just a couple days. Warding off guys at the gym? Like he had some sort of dibs? At the very least, he still felt he had the moral high ground to prevent a relationship between an underage girl and someone obviously much older than her. 'Hypocrite.' The vice principal voice in his head piped up again. Oh, I'm a vice principal at her school. he smiled widely. You know, East High? He felt a twinge of smug satisfaction as he watched Tony's expression change. Oh, high.. high school? His throat caught a bit. Yeah, she and my daughter are Sophomores. They'll be Juniors next year. he put an arm across her shoulders and gave it a squeeze - although it was definitely more possessive than affectionate. Well. uhh, good sets, Brooke. he held out two fists, bumping her's before nodding to Mike. It was nice meeting you, sir. he walked briskly away. Mike looked down at Brooke, his arms crossed his chest, rippling a bit. Ready to go? he asked. He felt proud of what he'd done, but something in his gut told him he'd overstepped. He never had to do anything like that with Sam being a father figure to someone as attractive and flirty as Brooke was uncharted territory.