Mason_ Inked Reapers MC(2)(12)
“Now I understand how you have so much stamina,” she teased as Jasper approached a bench to lift some more weights.
“Very funny,” he smiled warmly at her. “Say, babe, can you hand me that drink?” He gestured to the plastic sports bottle resting nearby besides a towel.
“Sure,” Kait reached for it. She was wearing tight fitting jogging bottoms and a crop top and looked amazingly sexy. Jasper wished he didn’t need to work out all day. But if he wanted to have any hope of winning his next match, he needed to be in the gym as much as possible.
“Oh, it’s almost empty,” Kait noticed as she passed it over to him. “Want me to go grab you some water from the café downstairs?”
Jasper shook his head as he shoved the end of the bottle in to his mouth and drank deeply. She was right; there wasn’t much left. Gasping, he wiped a hand across his mouth.
“I don’t drink water,” he explained. “I drink this energy solution which Carl makes up for me.”
Kait tensed.
“What’s wrong with just plain old water?”
“Nothing,” Jasper shrugged, handing the now empty bottle back to her. “This just has electrolytes in and stuff.”
“So it’s a branded sports drink?”
“I don’t know,” Jasper admitted. “Carl imports it in from America or something. Apparently it’s amazing and better than any of the stuff we have on the market here. Hang on, I’ll call him and ask him to drop off some more. I won’t last much longer without it.”
As Jasper dialed, Kait discreetly raised picked up the empty sports bottle and lifted it to her nose. She sniffed long and hard, but couldn’t detect any scent. The liquid inside appeared to be water, but why would Carl say it was something else if that was the case? Certain that Jasper wasn’t looking, Kait squeezed out the very last drop onto her tongue. It was definitely water. How could he not realize that?
Chapter 87
Thirty minutes later, Carl strode into the gym cradling two sports bottles in his arms like two new born babies. He looked comically out of place in his shirt and trousers against all the lycra-clad bodies.
“Here you go, champ,” he passed the bottles to Jasper who ceased lifting weights to accept them.
“Thanks.”
“What exactly is in those?” Kait inquired, trying to sound interested rather than accusatory.
“In these?” Carl looked slightly alarmed by her question. “A sports solution.”
“Like a tonic?”
“Yeah.” Carl shoved his now empty hands into his pockets.
“What makes it better than say, water?”
“It contains vital nutrients and electrolytes.”
“Really?” Kait’s eyes widened. “That’s impressive considering it tastes like water.”
“It has a neutral taste,” Jasper injected in to the conversation. “That way it’s easier to drink in large quantities.”
“Huh.”
“How goes the training?” Carl spoke directly to Jasper, but Kait wasn’t done with him yet.
“What’s the brand called?”
“Sorry?” He turned in annoyance, frowning, to face her.
“The brand,” Kait repeated. “That makes the sports drink.”
“You wouldn’t know them,” Carl waved a dismissive hand at her.
“Try me.”
“That’s it!” Jasper stood up with an exasperated sigh. “All this talk about drinks is making me need to pee.”
He headed off in the direction of the bathroom, leaving Kait alone with Carl.
“You ask a lot of questions,” he told her flatly.
“I’m inquisitive.”
“So it would seem.”
“Mind if I try some of your miracle sports drink?” Kait gestured to the plastic bottles.
“Look,” Carl narrowed his gaze on her, his nostrils flaring. “I’m not entirely sure what your angle is, but all I care about is getting Jasper to win his next fight. He risks losing everything if he can’t claim back his title.”
“I know that.”
“So maybe stop giving me the third degree over a damn drink and actually support him, since that’s apparently what you’re here to do.”
Kait could feel her cheeks burning. She’d only ever been supportive of Jasper, hadn’t she?
“Hey,” Jasper smiled as he strode back towards them. “What did I miss?”
Chapter 88
That night, Jasper slept deeply. The moment his head hit the pillow, it was lights out. Kait sat up beside him, her iPad in her hands. Something was bothering her about her encounter with Carl at the gym. The guy was creepy for sure, but there was something else. With swift moves of her fingertips she entered Carl’s full name – Carl Santino.