All That Matters

by E. L. Todd

  I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say to that. If I said the wrong thing Skye might think I have the hotts for her—which I didn’t. And I definitely wouldn’t tell her that the woman made a pass at me a few weeks ago. Skye’s ego would be squashed. “Eat right and exercise. It’s a simple formula.”

  “Well, I didn’t eat anything today so I’m on the right track.”

  My temper immediately flared. “You haven’t been eating?”

  “That’s the whole purpose of a diet, right? To restrict your calories?”

  “The purpose of cutting is to cut back your calories while getting all the macronutrients you still need to be healthy. Not eating is worse than eating a dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme.”

  “How so?”

  “When you don’t eat your RMR goes down, so you burn less calories every day. So you’re just starving yourself for no reason.”

  “RMR?” she asked. “What’s that?”

  I’d have to teach her a lot of things. “Resting Metabolic Rate.”

  “So…I should eat Krispy Kreme?”

  Of course that was the message she took home. “No. When we get home I’ll make a meal plan for you.”

  “A meal plan?” she asked. “Now I’m turning into one of those fitness geeks.”

  “Hey, you said you wanted to look like one. You have to do what they do.”

  She rolled her head back and sighed. “Trinity doesn’t do anything and she’s perfect. What’s that about?”

  “She doesn’t eat.” Anytime we went out and did anything Trinity never ordered anything. And when she did, it was a salad. I knew she didn’t do it on purpose. She simply didn’t have an appetite for whatever reason. “Don’t compare yourself to her. She’s genetically different than you are. She has a much slimmer build. More importantly, she doesn’t have any muscle. You don’t want to look like that.”

  “Uh…yes I do.”

  “Well, I don’t want you to look like that. I like curves on a woman. Always have and always will.”

  “And you aren’t just saying that to make me feel better?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Absolutely.” I wouldn’t have been in love with her since my dick got hard if that weren’t true. “Now give me six lifts.”

  She eyed the weight plates on the bar. “There’s seventy pounds on there…”

  “I know.”

  “There’s no way I can lift seventy pounds.”

  “Yes, you can. You only need to do six reps. Just focus and you’ll get it done. Whatever you do, don’t lift with your back.”

  She positioned herself then grabbed the bar. “It’s really heavy…I can tell.”

  “Just focus. You can do it.”

  Skye tensed before she slowly pulled the bar up. When she reached her waist she returned it to the ground, her arms shaking. “Oh my god. I did it.” The surprise was written all over her face. “Did you see that?”

  I smiled. “I did. You’re one badass chick.”

  “Let’s see if I can do five more.”

  “Good idea.”

  ***

  I stood in the lobby with my bag over my shoulder. I’d showered and changed, and now I was ready to go home and see my son. Skye was still in the locker room getting ready.

  Since I was waiting I texted Slade. Anything new about the rock star gig?

  He responded immediately, like always. Nah. I’m supposed to meet the other producers next week.

  Bringing Trinity with you?

  I don’t know. Probably not. She’ll be bored.

  I highly doubt that.

  Unless it has something to do with fashion or my big dick, she doesn’t care.

  The shit that came out of Slade’s mouth just got worse and worse.

  “Hey, Cayson. How was your workout?”

  I looked up and saw Melissa, one of the regulars. She was usually around when I was. Anytime she was in the gym she was hitting the weights. She was five foot nine and extremely lean. I assumed she must be a model or something. “I didn’t get much of one. I was training my wife.”

  She didn’t hide the surprise in her eyes. Shock as well as disappointment was in the look. “That was your wife?”

  “Yeah.” Why else would I be attached to her at the hip?

  “Oh…” A disgusted look was still on her face. “Okay.”

  I didn’t know what that meant but I didn’t bother asking. “When she’s done in the locker room we’ll be heading home. My son is waiting.”

  “Oh, she just had a baby?” she asked. “Now it makes sense…”

  I didn’t like what that implied.

  “For a second I was confused. I wasn’t sure why a guy like you would be with a girl like her.”

  Instantaneously, my anger soared. “Excuse me?”

  “Well, you know what I mean,” she said in a breezy fashion. “You’re so fit and strong, and she’s…you know.”

  I shoved my phone into my pocket and stared her down with malcontent. It was difficult for me to tell a woman off because it wasn’t in my nature, but this bitch really pissed me off.

  Melissa glanced at the clock. “Well, I gotta run. I’ll see you around.” She walked back into the gym, her ponytail shaking from left to right as she walked.

  Fucking bitch.

  The sound of footsteps and a distant sniff came from my left. When I turned I caught a glimpse of Skye moving back into the bathroom. The last thing I saw was the end of her ponytail and the back of her shoe.

  ***

  The ride home was spent in silence. Skye looked out the window and didn’t make conversation with me. The radio was off, and the only sound we heard was from the engine.

  I reached for her hand and felt its lifeless form underneath my touch. “Baby, don’t listen to her. She’s just trying to cause drama. You know how girls are.”

  She kept staring out the window.

  “Skye.”

  She wouldn’t look at me.

  “Please don’t tell me you care about what she said.”

  Her voice escaped her throat as a whisper. “But I do. And she’s right.”

  “No, she’s not.”

  “I’m a huge blob and you’re nothing but muscle.”

  “Well, I didn’t just have a baby. Keep that in mind.”

  “Lots of women have babies and they don’t gain a bunch of weight.”

  “Because they’re superficial and stupid,” I snapped. “That cunt was just trying to get under your skin. Don’t let her.”

  “She didn’t know I was listening.”

  “Well, she was trying to get under my skin and it didn’t work whatsoever.”

  “I miss being skinny…”

  I brought her knuckles to my lips and kissed them. “Skye, you’re perfect just the way you are. Stop caring about your image. All that matters is what I think. And I’m telling you right now, I love the way you look.”

  She pulled her hand away and looked out the window.

  I knew she was too upset to see reason right now, so I let the conversation die. I would try again in a few hours. Perhaps some dinner and quality time with Cedric would put her in a better mood.

  ***

  I opened the door to see Slade on the other side. “Hey, man. What brings you here?”

  “I’m not here to see you.” He had a present in his hand. “I’m here to see War Chief.” He walked around me and entered the house like he owned the place.

  “And that means you can’t say hi to me?” I followed him into the living room where Cedric lay in his playpen.

  “I just wanted to make it clear I’m not here to hang out. I’m on godfather duty right now.”

  Skye came out of the kitchen with a glass of water. “Hi.” There was so much sadness in her voice that even Slade noticed it.

  “Damn, what’s wrong?” Slade blurted.

  “What?” Skye asked. “Nothing.”

  “You look like someone just died.”

  Skye set the glass down
and returned to the kitchen without saying another word.

  Slade turned to me, his eyebrow raised. “Is there something I should know?”

  I glanced at the kitchen to make sure Skye couldn’t hear me. “She’s gained some weight and she’s depressed about it. Some girl made a comment at the gym…she’s really worked up over it.”

  “Oh…” Slade nodded. “Gotcha. Women are weird about things like that.”

  “I wish she would calm down. I think she’s perfect but she doesn’t believe me.”

  “Trinity did the same thing to me,” Slade said. “She was worried I wouldn’t be attracted to her anymore after the baby comes. Seriously, how is that even possible?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t get it either.”

  Slade held up the bag. “Got something for War Chief. I saw it at the store and I had to get it for him.”

  “Cool,” I said. “What is it?”

  Slade placed the gift in the playpen so Cedric could see what was happening. He pulled the tissue paper out then lifted up a pair of Air Jordan’s. “Aren’t these the sickest shoes ever?”

  “Aren’t those, like, three hundred bucks?”

  “Yeah. But Cedric is gonna look so fly.” Slade put the shoes on his feet then marveled at his work. “See? He looks hella sick.”

  “But he’s going to grow out of them in five minutes.” Sounded like a waste of money.

  “Whatever,” Slade said. “We’ll just buy another pair when he does.”

  I rolled my eyes. “That wasn’t the point I was trying to make.”

  Slade fist-pounded Cedric. “Dude, you look so cool.” He pulled out his phone and handed it to me. “Can you take a picture of us?”

  “Sure.” I held the phone and snapped a shot. Then I returned it to him.

  Slade looked at the picture. “Awesome.” He turned to the kitchen. “Skye, check out the new kicks your son just got.”

  Skye came out of the kitchen, and her face looked red like she’d just been crying. “Slade, I need a favor.”

  “Yeah, sure,” he said. “Anything.”

  “Can you train me to lose weight?”

  “Me?” he asked, dumbfounded.

  “I thought I was training you?” I was a little hurt I got bumped so quickly.

  “I’d rather have Slade.” She didn’t make eye contact with me.

  “I’m not a trainer,” Slade said.

  “But I can’t train with Cayson. Everyone looks at us like he married an alien. I’m sick of it.”

  I tried not to roll my eyes. She was taking this way too seriously.

  “Uh…” Slade looked to me for guidance. “I’m pretty busy with work, my wife, and becoming a rock star.”

  “Oh…” Skye nodded. “I understand.”

  Slade’s face fell in sadness, like he felt bad disappointing her. “Of course I’ll do it. But the training will be intense. When I tell you to do something you better do it.”

  Her eyes lit up. “I will. I promise.”

  “That means getting up at six in the morning and restricting your diet,” Slade said.

  “I’m fine with that.”

  Slade turned to me. “Is that cool?”

  I thought it was totally unnecessary but Skye could have whatever she wanted. I was tired of seeing her look so depressed all the time. “Sure. Just don’t push her too hard.”

  “I won’t,” Slade said. “Maybe War Chief can help too.”

  Skye moved into his waist and hugged him. “Thank you, Slade.”

  He stood there awkwardly like he wasn’t sure what to do. Finally, he patted her on the back. “Sure…”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Slade

  The alarm went off at 6 a.m.

  And I wanted to kill myself.

  I was definitely a night person. I liked to stay up late and sleep in the next day. My shop didn’t open until 9 because there was no way in hell I could get up earlier than 8:30 a. m.

  Trinity groaned from beside me. “Turn that thing off.”

  I slammed my hand on the button then sat up, my eyes still closed. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and tried to wake up.

  “Babe, come back to bed.” She grabbed my waist and pulled me back to her.

  “I can’t. I need to get going.”

  “No…” She pulled me against her again. “Stay with me. You keep me warm.”

  It was so hard to resist her. When she was clingy with me it was the sexiest thing ever. I never liked needy girls, but when Trinity did it I loved it. Probably because she hardly ever did it. “I’ll cuddle with you when I get home from work.”

  She sighed loudly. “Why are you getting up this early anyway?”

  “I’m training Skye.” She must have forgotten.

  “She’s rich. She can just hire someone.”

  “I think she wants someone she actually knows.” I grabbed a t-shirt and pulled it on.

  Trinity grabbed my hand and pulled me back. “How about a quickie?”

  Her hair was scattered across the pillow and she had a lazy look in her eyes. Her lips were plump and kissable. It was impossible for me to say no, especially since my morning wood was throbbing. “Okay.”

  ***

  “You’re half an hour late.” Skye stood at the front door in her workout clothes. She was definitely heavier in the stomach and the thighs, and the baggy clothes couldn’t hide it.

  “Sorry.” I walked inside then tightened my shoelaces. “Are you ready for this?”

  “Are you going to be late every day?” she asked. “Because I’ll sleep in. And so will my mom.”

  “I won’t. Geez. Remember, I’m doing this for free.”

  Skye grabbed her jacket from the coat rack. “I’ll be back later, Mom. Thanks for watching him.”

  “Of course.” Scarlet lay on the couch with Cedric lying on top of her chest.

  “Is Cayson here?”

  “Still asleep.”

  “That sounds nice…”

  “Hey, you were the one who picked 6:30 a. m.”

  “Because I don’t want to come here after work when I have a wife at home,” I snapped.

  “Are we doing this or what?” she asked. “Or are we going to argue all day?”

  “You’re right. Let’s get this over with.” I headed to the back door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “The beach.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “Because we’re running on the sand.”

  “But that’s not a flat surface.”

  I wanted to smack her upside the head. “I know. That’s the whole point, nimrod.”

  “I’m not a nimrod,” she argued. “What’s an nimrod anyway?”

  “Uh…I don’t know.” I shrugged. “But it doesn’t sound good.”

  ***

  “How’d the training go with Skye?” Trinity sat beside me on the couch. A blanket was pulled over her thighs, and a magazine was in her lap.

  I sat beside her with my arm over the back of the chair. “It was alright. A lot of arguing.”

  “I can picture that.”

  “She worked her ass off though. I expected her to complain but she didn’t.”

  “Good for her.”

  “She kept saying she wished she looked like you.”

  “Awe…” She closed the magazine and tossed it on the coffee table. “That was sweet of her.”

  “And I said no one can ever look that sexy. It’s just not possible.”

  She smiled slightly, her cheeks a little red.

  “I’m meeting the other producers tomorrow. I’m going to play a few songs.”

  “Yeah?” she asked. “Can I come?”

  “Do you want to?” I was hoping she would but I didn’t want to push her into it. She heard me play a million times. I’m sure it got old after a while.

  “Of course I would. I’m your biggest groupie, remember?”

  “My hottest groupie.” I kissed her shoulder.

  “Anyone else going to b
e there?”

  “I’ll probably ask my dad to come.”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  “We’re meeting at eleven. Can you leave work?”

  “I can do whatever I want.” She hooked her arm around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder.

  “Good. It’d mean a lot if you were there.”

  “I’ll always be there, Slade. You know that.”

  I did.

  ***

  After I met the other producers and had chitchat they asked me to play for them. I was never nervous to play in front of people, but right now I was terrified. My hands were shaking and I tried to hide it as much as possible.

  I opened my guitar case on the other side of the room and took my time assembling everything.

  Dad hunched down beside me, his head close to mine. “Don’t be nervous, Son.”

  If he knew did everyone else? “Am I making it that obvious?”

  “No. I just know you better than everyone else.”

  I kept my eyes glued on the guitar as I tested the strings.

  “Pretend it’s just Trinity and I.”

  “If I blow this I could lose everything.”

  “You aren’t going to blow it. Trust me.”

  I felt the neck of the guitar, where Trinity’s name was written.

  “To us, you already are a rock star. Remember that.”

  “I know, Dad.”

  He patted my shoulder. “Now show them what you’re made of.”

  “Thanks.” I stood up and pulled the strap over my shoulder.

  Trinity joined us when the conversation was over. She cupped my face and gave me a quick kiss. “You’ll do great. I’m still your groupie no matter what happens.”

  “I know.” I hugged her longer than necessary but holding her made me feel better.

  Her lips moved to my ear. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” I kissed her forehead then headed into the studio room. The four guys stood in the sound room, talking quietly to each other as they waited for me to play. There was a stool, a stand, and a microphone.

  Don pressed the button to the intercom. “Ready whenever you are.”

  I nodded then gave them a thumbs up sign.

  Then I started to play.

  ***

  The producers went into another room and talked things over. I was in the lounge with Trinity and Dad. Now that the hard part was over I relaxed. I did my best, and if they didn’t like my music there was nothing else I could have done to be better.