Free Winning Love by Abby Niles

the aforementioned body part twitching in response. Trying to dislodge the alarming image to rid his body of its even more alarming reaction, he shook his head violently. That didn’t work. Fuck. He needed something more physical. He drove a fist into a bag, sending it spinning into the air. That helped—some.
    In his peripheral vision, Gayle propped up on her elbows, head tilted at an angle, studying him intently. As though she was seeing more than he wanted her to see. It was unnerving.
    “I’m not going to ask,” she said softly. “If or when you want to talk about it is up to you, but I’m a good listener, Mac…if you ever need an ear.”
    The use of his name and not the endearment she’d tagged him with had him shooting a glance at her. Sincerity was etched clearly on her face. She’d seen he’d freaked out and instead of some crazy innuendo, she’d offered him a friend.
    There was more to Gayle Matthews than a shocking mouth and a good time.
    “Lance hasn’t told you about me?” he asked quietly.
    “I make it a point not to pry.” She pushed to her feet. “I figure when a person is ready to share their darkest secrets, they will. All I know from Lance is you’re his friend and you fight. The rest needs to come from you. And when you’re ready, I’m willing to listen.” She looked down at her body, then started for the door. “I don’t know about you, but I stink. I need a shower.”
    Wow. Not only had she backed off, but she was giving him space and letting him save face. Lance was right. She was awesome.
    “Hey, Gayle?”
    She peered over her shoulder, brow arched.
    “Thanks. Not many people would do what you just did.”
    A soft smile curved her lips. “Nothing to thank. I’m very familiar with the look you get on your face. I don’t know what circumstances put yours there, but even crazy Gayle knows when to back off.”
    She was familiar with the look? How?
    As she started for the door again, he couldn’t stop himself from calling her name once more.
    Why couldn’t he just let her leave?
    And then he realized he didn’t want her to go.
    He ran his hands through his hair, unsure how to deal with the sudden insight.
    He did need space, but he also needed to know he’d see her again. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
    She turned, and again her gaze felt like it was seeing deep into his soul. “I have a race.”
    Disappointment hit him. A telling emotion of how Gayle affected him, how much he liked being around her.
    “Want to come?” Gayle added.
    Did he? He studied the woman before him. Her gaze soft. Patient. Kind. “Don’t you need to pre-register for those things?”
    “I happen to be good friends with the coordinator. I think I can pull a few strings.”
    He wanted to snatch the offer she gave him without thought. That dangerous reaction pushed him to say, “Let me get back to you on that, okay?
    He needed to think things through first.
    “Sounds good. I’ll see you later, Mac.”
    He actually missed her endearment for him and hoped he hadn’t scared her away from using it. Once the door closed behind her, he sat down on a workout bench, braced his elbows on his knees, and hung his head. It’d been a very long time since he’d actually craved being around someone. He preferred to be alone. Alone meant no one depended on him. That was safe. No risk of failing someone else. He didn’t want to invite that back into his life. He’d done it once with tragic consequences.
    A creak came from the barn door. “I just saw Gayle— Hey, man, you okay?”
    Mac jumped to his feet, rubbing his forehead as he stared at the ground, trying to act like he was searching for something. He didn’t need Lance all up in his business. “Yeah. Fine. I had a jump rope. I can’t find it.”
    “It’s right there, dude.” He turned his head toward his friend. Lance was pointing just a few feet behind him with a classic look of what-the-fuck? on his face. Great. Now Lance thought he was