Free Bouncing by Jaime Maddox

class when Alex was still in high school, playing basketball for Sal. Even then her back had bothered her, and they’d developed a friendship based on mutual sweat and pain and a desire to make it through the class. For Alex, a conditioned athlete, it was difficult. Sue—who was fifty pounds overweight and terribly out of shape—was incredibly limber and able to do amazing things, but only for short periods of time. They worked together, encouraging each other, and both came out feeling better and stronger both physically and spiritually. They’d been friends since.
    Sue pretended to look over Alex’s shoulder. “Is it safe to accept these?” she asked with a smile. “I don’t want Miss Berlin knocking my lights out.”
    Alex shook her head. Apparently, everyone knew about Anke’s jealousy. “She’s back in Germany. I think it’s safe.”
    “Well, in that case, I’ll take them. They’re beautiful.”
    Sue called the dog and they made their way into the house.
    “Do I hear Alex?” Sal called from the other room, and Sue led her in the direction of Sal’s voice.
    Sal was cleaning up the kitchen and wiped her hands before hugging Alex. “Let’s have a seat,” Sal suggested, and they moved to the living room. They caught up and shared the photo book from their cruise, and Alex chuckled as she thought of the photos from their previous trip the year before. “Not a single baby elephant this time. How disappointing.”
    “I can still make you run laps,” Sal said with a menacing glare. “Or worse yet, tell Britain the truth about you.”
    Unconcerned, Alex glanced at her watch. “Speaking of Brit, what time will she be here? I’m having my annual farewell drink with the girls tonight.”
    “So you can’t stay?” Sue asked, disappointment written on her face.
    Alex would stay for dinner, of course. How long she stayed depended on Britain. If she was totally boring, Alex would skip out. If not, she might stay a little later. But either way, she was meeting Tam and Kim at the Frogg Pond, and making that announcement now gave her the freedom to leave later.
    “I’d never skip one of your dinners. I’m just saying I need to leave early.”
    Sal eyed her suspiciously, and Alex worried her mentor knew her real motives. She seemed to weigh her response, then let it drop.
    “So how are you feeling?” Sue seemed to inspect her from head to toe.
    “I’m good. Great, really. How about you?”
    Sal laughed at the way Alex had expertly redirected the conversation. “I’m great, too.”
    “No chest pains or anything?”
    “Not a one.”
    “Excellent.”
    “You must be happy to see Miss Berlin leave. You still have a week of summer to enjoy.”
    Alex leaned back into the soft leather of the chair and breathed deeply, studying the ceiling. “It’s funny, about Anke. She was actually a good playmate. I kind of liked having her around.”
    “But you didn’t ask her to stay?” Sal asked.
    “No. I didn’t really want her to. I couldn’t have a relationship with her, you know? We’re too different, and we’d argue all the time. But it was nice to have…someone. To talk to. To hang out with.”
    “Someone?”
    “Yes.”
    “Alex, you may be growing up right before our eyes,” Sue said.
    “It’s about time,” Sal replied.
    “No arguments from me,” Alex said. In fact, for the first time in her life she agreed. Maybe it was time for a real partner instead of just a sexual one.
    “How about a little sun?” Sal asked. “I think it may have cooled off enough to enjoy the patio.”
    Alex went to fill the ice bucket with drinks. She’d just reached the patio door when the dog began the frantic barking that heralded the appearance of a visitor. Alex looked up to see a lovely blonde approaching. Her hair was pulled back, and she waved as she made her way down the path, her hips swaying seductively with each step of her long, toned, tanned legs.
    Maybe I will hang out for a while, Alex