Free Cole by Autumn Gunn Page B

pleasure.  And I can’t wait.  To see you.  I mean to see.”
     
    Freudian slip.  It’s on now.

 
    Chapter 12
     
    Jax, Jasmine and I arrived at the gym 30 minutes early.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  There were already over 15 cars in the gravel parking lot in front and on the sides of the gym.  Jerry Harper was standing by the front door next to a woman.
     
    I almost jumped out of the Jeep before it came to a stop.  I approached the front door and the doors of the parked cars opened and adults and parents made their way to the entrance.
     
    “Hello Mr. Callahan,” Jerry said as he extended his hand.
     
    “Hello, Jerry.  Good to see you again.”  I shook Jerry’s hand and then turned my eyes to the woman on his right.
     
    “Cole Callahan.”  I offered my hand, which she readily accepted.  She had a firm hand shake.  One with hope.  Her eyes were optimistic.  Wide.  Bright.
     
    “Kate Koval.  I’m Jerry’s mom.  He hasn’t stopped talking about you since he got home.  Good to meet you.”
     
    “The pleasure’s all mine, Kate.  Let me open this door so you and Jerry can see the gym.”
     
    “Sounds great.”
     
    I opened the door and when I turned around I could see a line had already formed.  Kate and Jerry stepped inside, but there were more people.  A lot more.  Kids and their parents approached the door and introduced themselves.  The kids seemed really excited which made me even more excited.  The parents were really behind their kids in this community.  I loved seeing this.  It made me proud.  Proud to be a part of something already great.  Now I had to contribute.  I wanted to contribute.  I wanted to belong.  I was losing that feeling of belonging with all the time away from my SEAL team.  I didn’t expect this to replace it, but I sure hoped it could help.
     
    After the last of the parents and their kids stepped inside I prepared to follow suit.  Just then I heard a voice from behind.
     
    “Got room for one more?”  I could recognize that voice from anywhere.
     
    “You made it.”
     
    “You didn’t think I was going to miss it did you?  Or even worse show up late.”
     
    We both smiled.  Carissa was dressed in yoga pants and an Under Armour women’s t-shirt.  It was one of those synthetic materials great for staying dry during grueling activities.  A great choice.  Not only for the function, but also for the fit.  Her clothes were snug.  Not tight.  Showing off her curves while still leaving plenty to the imagination.  My imagination was running wild.  It took all my energy to maintain total eye contact.
     
    “Looks like you’re ready to go.”
     
    “I am.  I’m ready to put in work.  Just like you were saying.”
     
    “Great, because there is plenty of work to be done inside.  Let’s go in there and get started.”
     
    “Let’s.”
     
    I put my hand on the small of Carissa’s back as she crossed the threshold.  I didn’t even think about it.  It was natural for me and her reaction, or actually her lack of, made it seem natural for her as well.  It reminded me of when we danced at the wedding.  My hand on her lower back as we danced.  Moving together in rhythm.  Tonight we’d be doing a different kind of dance.  One that requires just as much agility, but in a much different kind of way.  This was a whole new ball game, and it takes two to tango.
     
    There were so many people I wanted to quickly address the entire crowd.  I walked to the middle of the room.
     
    “Hello everyone.  Please remove your shoes and take a seat in a circle around me.  You can leave your shoes just outside the mat or by the door.”
     
    After a minute or two everyone was seated and focused on the words I was about to speak.
     
    “First of all.  Thank you to everyone for coming.  Your show of support this evening is outstanding.  My goal is to provide that same level outstanding training for everyone here who wishes to