Gordie’s face really lit up with the grin and playful nudge. Maybe she needed to reassess. She didn’t grin back at him but her jaw relaxed and her mouth softened up. His request for a return spot raise her brows in mild surprise. “How could I say no?” She said as she stood up while he started grabbing plates for his bench. Irene grabbed the remaining plates and brought them over for him while he slipped the weights onto the bar. “It’s Irene, by the way,” she said as they got everything set up for him. She hadn’t had a workout partner in a few months so it was a little refreshing to have someone to spot, even if they weren’t doing the same muscle groups.<br/><br/>Irene took her place behind the bench as he sat and laid back. She had to admit she was a little impressed he could bench what she could squat. There were a few guys she’d known that would have found some competition with Gordie. Her hands lifted, fingers not even touching the bar, as he reached up to get a grip. Her lips twitched to nearly a grin with his remark. “You don’t want me trying to curl this much just above your face. Few more busted out teeth and you’ll look more like a hockey player though.”<br/><br/>Her hands followed just below the bar as he lowered it down to his chest and back up. At first she was quiet, just letting him get on with his set. With the first set done she helped hoof more weight onto the bar for him before taking her position one more. Her hands still stayed near the bar but not touching as he pushed. “Come on now, push,” she said as he worked for five reps, her tone low and clipped. Once he got to five and put the bar up she helped add more weight. He better be able to handle that; her legs were keenly reminding her that 270 was no joke. “You better not just be trying to show off,” she grumbled before the set began.<br/><br/>It would be hard but she kind of had some faith in the guy. He wouldn’t try it if he couldn’t do it right? Still she kept her hands close but not touching. “Let’s go come on,” she barked at him as he worked the weight. “You gonna drop this weight? I’ve seen toddlers work harder! Push, fucking push!” Irene didn’t seem to notice she’d started to shout encouragement at him. If it could be called encouragement. Anger and fear were good motivators. “I’m not gonna grab this weight! You better push that shit up Marine or we’re send you back to your mama with a busted fucking face!”<br/><br/>Of course that was a lie, she wouldn’t let the bar smash his face or neck in. Assisted or not her lips managed to crack the smallest grin when the bar made it back to the rack. “Alright, there ya go. Fan-fucking-tastic,” she said and returned the playful shoulder nudge. Though it was more of a punch than a nudge. “So hockey huh? At least you’re putting those muscles to use,” she said as she snatched up her water bottle for a drink, superstitiously glancing toward the gym rat bros who just lifted for show. “Never figured Miami as a hockey hotspot but learn something new every day. Surprised a Canadian would even want to come here for an education. But I’ve got a workout to finish so…probably see you around.”<br/><br/>Irene turned to go and continue her workout but stopped. “Being so far from home I’m guessing you don’t have a car. I’m gonna hit up Target or Wal*Mart later to grab a fridge and shit, wanna tag along? Maybe find the local watering holes too. Mama’s gonna need a drink.” Brusque and abrasive as she might be she wasn’t one to let someone dangle out in the wind.