by Teresa Hill
I’m sure my expression at this point is pretty puzzled, but not because I’m not comprehending what he is saying, but because I’m still trying to figure out if he was flirting with me, it’s been a while since someone has, it’s taking me a minute to process the situation. Still a little bewildered, I regained my focus.
“Ok, well sounds interesting, but I haven’t stepped foot in a gym since I was in high school, to say I am out of shape would be a gross misrepresentation of the fact that I am severely out of shape. I am tired just walking across campus. It would be rather comical in any type of MMA program to teach me whatever you were saying. Thanks but I don’t think I am the girl for you.”
Transitioning to refocus on the break I was about to take. “What makes you think you would be comical?” He said, breaking my concentration again. Taking a deep breath in, I slowly raise my head and look to my left while still holding my cue in position to break. “Because I don’t work out, it would take two minutes for me to be done, that’s why.” I ended as I once again refocused on the break. Pulling back on the cue I release with a loud CRACK! as the balls scatter.
“Well then we need to get you in shape first,” he said with a slight upturned grin on his face as I glanced at him over the top of my rested cue stick.
“Um, no thanks.”
“Why? You afraid of a little hard work?”
Did this guy just ask me if I was afraid of hard work? Seriously? I knew the definition and feeling of hard work well before most kids knew how to tie their shoes.
“No smart ass, I am certainly not afraid of hard work. What exactly do you consider hard work?” Curious to his response I set my cue on the table and rested my right hip against the table rail crossing my arms over my chest waiting for his response. Hmmm don’t remember that fat roll being there… maybe I should go to the gym.
“Hard work is an effort, sweat, tears all for results. So you up for it?”
“You didn’t answer my question. What IS hard work to you?”
“Ok, I get it. I’m talking Cardio, weights, core training. Getting your body to its top condition, you know hard work.” His head tilted to the right and a big grin broke out across his face as he looked at me. Ok seriously, is he flirting or not? This is bugging me. Since when can I not tell? Oh yeah, since always!
“Eh that’s nothing, I could do it, just don’t want to, other things are more important I guess.”
“Tell you what, why don’t you meet me at the gym for a short workout and we can go from there?” He was smiling from ear to ear.
“Oh yeah, and why would I meet you up there? I could hire a trainer or something like that.”
Reaching his hand out for me to shake it, I did. “Well then you’re in luck, I’m a trainer and you just became my project. Name is Sterling Scott and it is a pleasure to meet you.” Ok that HAS to be him flirting right? Ugh this is so exhausting.
“Well Sterling Scott, Reece Miller and I accept your project but you don’t know what you have just taken on.”
Eyes gleaming. “Oh I’m looking forward to finding out.”
OK, that HAD to be flirting. Right?
Chapter 6
Who am I kidding? This was a really, really bad idea. It was his eyes, yep! That’s my story and I’m convinced. They had me under a spell or something. No way in my right mind would I agree to put on spandex and smash my twins in a sports bra, let alone work out in a gym where people can see me and say God knows what about me. Good lord what I have done?
Standing in front of the full length mirror that stood propped up against the wall in my bedroom, I take note of myself. Swiveling from side to side eyeing myself in the mirror, I proceed to do what every woman in front of a mirror does. Lifting my shirt up to show my stomach I suck in, turn to the right, view, turn to the left, view and then let out a breath and see what it really looks like. Pinching here, poking there, I now think this gym idea is way past due. When did I get fat?
Pulling out the scale from my closet, I placed it on the dark walnut wood scraped floor of my bedroom. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I have stepped on a scale, I take a deep breath and lift my right foot and step on. Ugh, I don’t want to see. My hands rush to cover my face and eyes. My fingers spread apart from over my eyes and I bravely glance down at the number staring back at me. WHAT THE FUCK! When did, how in the world, why didn’t I notice? I mean sure I bought a size, or two up on jeans but damn!
I don’t know if I can say the current feeling is disbelief, anger, shame, embarrassment or questioning. What I do know is that I feel less and less like I want to go to the gym and instead want to crawl into bed and never eat again. Great, just another thing I need to fix about me. With a feeling of dejection, I step off the scale and looked at myself again in the mirror. I don’t feel fat. I never thought I looked fat. Sure I’m not a skinny girl, never have been, but I never saw myself as fat. I am trying to calculate how much weight I have gained, but I’m having a hard time remembering the last time I looked at my weight.
I’ve been in school for five years now, I guess the freshman fifteen of course hit me and because life hates me it decided to double. It is shocking to me how I never noticed. I guess when someone tells you “you carry your weight well” that is an indication that there is “extra” weight.
Turning around I start to pull these thigh and ass hugging spandex off just as I hear my cell phone chime.
Sterling S: Meet you at the front of the gym in 15min
Me: Ummmmm not gonna make it
Sterling S: Why?
Me: cuz
Sterling S: WHY?
Me: why do you care? Just leave it alone
Sterling S: No Reece, you said you were gonna do this so get your ass up here
Me: I don’t want to
Sterling S: What happened?
Me: Please drop it
Sterling S: Reece, i’ll drop it if you meet me for ONE workout
Contemplating how to answer and if I wanted to answer I stand there phone in hand biting on my thumb nail. I know I agreed to this…
Me: FINE, i’ll be there in 15min
Sterling S: good see u in a bit
Throwing my phone on my bed, I stood there arms crossed over my chest, a little irritated that I gave in so quickly. Realizing that I just need to suck it up and get it over with, I grab the awful spandex workout Capris and squeeze back into them. Walking through my apartment, I grab a hair tie sitting on the table, a water from the fridge and my purse.
I step outside of my little apartment into the bright and blistering Texas sun. Thank God for air conditioning, it’s hot as hell out here. Taking the stairs quickly I hit the bottom landing and head to my car.
As I walk to my car, I remember when I first bought it. When dad died, he made sure to list in his will that $40,000 be given to me solely for buying a new car when I went to college. He didn’t want me to drive a used car because he wouldn’t be there to work on it. My mom couldn’t believe that I had that much money to use for a car, she actually was really upset about it. I have never been a materialistic person. I had been driving my dad’s old Honda Accord when I got my license at 16. I drove that car until the maintenance started to become expensive and that’s when I did what dad wanted. I went out and bought a brand new Nissan 370Z. Pretty black on black and a killer sound system. I’ve had it for four years now and it still looks brand new. It is the only thing I own.
Opening the door and sliding in, I breathe in the smell of the leather to remind me of dad. Not because he smelled like leather but more because it was him that made this car possible. Just another thing to keep me connected with him. Windows down, sunroof up, and music playing loudly, I back out and head toward the gym.
Minutes later I pull into a spot toward the back of the parking lot in clear view of the door. Well let’s get this over with. Grabbing my stuff I head toward the front doors. The minute I step inside the smell of rubber and cleaning solution fill my nose. Walking up to the coun
ter I am greeted by a dark haired girl that seemed to be bouncing with energy. Great little miss happy at the front desk.
“Hi, can I help you?”
“Um, I’m supposed to meet Sterling here?” I said with question, what if he didn’t really work here.
“Oh sure, you must be Reece, my name is Candice,” she said with hand outstretched.
“Hi,” I say with a slight smile and shook her hand.
“I just need you to fill out a short liability waiver before you guys get started.”
“Yeah sure, wouldn’t want to put liability on anyone,” I said with a chuckle. Companies are so quick to say not my fault don’t sue me now a days.
I sign the form and give her a copy of my ID. Walking around the counter she gestures for me to follow.
“I just wanted to show you around a little, answer any questions you might have then you and Sterling can get started. So Reece, do you normally work out?”
Obviously she is not looking at me or is too polite to say what she really thinks.
“Um yeah no. Haven’t been in a gym since freshman year. Not even sure how he got me to agree to this to be honest.”
Chuckling, she says, “Yeah, he has a way with girls doesn’t surprise me you agreed.”
“What does that mean? What way with girls?”
“Oh you know, he’s hot, girls seem to do whatever he wants them to. Think that’s why the owner put him in charge of recruitment for the new MMA Program.”
I’m feeling a little uncomfortable. I guess the idea that he was flirting with me was a little silly. I know better. Guys want one thing and when they find out I don’t give that away freely they hit the door as quickly as they came through it.
Stopping with hands on my hips. “Can I ask you how you knew my name was Reece?”
Candice turned around with a big smile on her face said, “He told me to watch out for you because you were special.” She quickly turned back around to continue the tour talking a mile a minute. This girl has got to be on something I can barely keep up.
Standing in the middle of the gym, I am watching her walking and talking to herself as I try and dissect what she just said. I’m special? What does that mean? Special as in I matter more than someone else or special as in Special Ed?
It was at this point that Candice must have noticed I wasn’t behind her. Being lost in my thoughts I didn’t notice her bop right up in front of my face.
“You ok Reece? You look like you are lost or something.”
I’m sure the look on my face was complete confusion. “Yeah, I am just um trying to figure some things out, you threw me off with your answer. I’m good, where were we?”
“I was just about to show you the sauna but here comes Sterling so I’ll let him finish.”
My body tenses, and I stand straight as a board when she says he was coming. His hand rested on my shoulder and I jump a little. “Oh sorry Reece didn’t mean to startle you,” he said as he left his hand on my shoulder but walked around to face me. “Oh sorry, didn’t expect you that’s all.” Shrugging a bit till his hand got the message and left my shoulder. His touch lingered behind.
He looks at me for a minute unsure of what to say. I can tell he is contemplating his next move. Letting out a short breath he shook his head ever so slightly and continued, “Ok well let’s get this show on the road, what do you say?”
“Please, I’m ready to go home already and all I have seen is the entrance and a few studios.”
“You really don’t want to be here do you? I mean I know you aren’t excited to workout but you really don’t want to be here with me, right now.” His look was serious, as if I am offending him.
“Look Sterling, I said I would do this, you managed to get me here. Can we please just get this done?”
His hands went to his hips as he shifted most of his weight to his left leg. “Yep, let’s get going, maybe I can still convince you that the gym, and maybe myself, are not bad.”
Don’t hold your breath on that one big guy. I know what you’re about.
I nod and give a curt smile.
“Ok well, let’s start with Cardio and work our way out from there. I would like to give you a feel for what it’s like to work full body in one session.” His tone was seductive and his eyes went a little dreamy on me.
Walking onto the floor is overwhelming. I scan my surroundings and see guys are lifting large amounts of weights, grunting, and standing around flexing. I feel like I am intruding on their male bonding time. It doesn’t take long to notice I am the only female on the floor. I note the looks being sent my way which makes me very uncomfortable.
Heading toward the back of the gym through a set of double doors, we enter what could only be dubbed the cardio room. Rows of treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical, row machines and stair climbers fill the room. There are a few people in there but not many. We head toward the treadmills.
“Ok, so let’s start you out on the treadmill. We will do a ten minute warm up then get into the grunt of the cardio.”
Hmmmm grunt? What the hell am I going to be grunting about. It’s walking… how hard can that be?
I soon learn never to question how hard walking can be. Sterling has discovered that even though I don’t work out I have a pretty low heart rate which he stated means he has to push me harder to get my heart rate up. Why he needs it up, I don’t ask. At this point, I am afraid to ask him anything in fear that it will cause him to want to punish me more. Seriously, this is punishment. He’s got to be pissed about my comment and that’s why he’s trying to kill me.
“Ok Reece, warm up is over, let’s take you on a little jog,” he said as his hand went to increase my speed. Slapping his hand away from the controls he looks at me confused. “I told you Sterling, the only time I run is when I am being chased. Unless you plan on getting behind me on this treadmill to chase me, don’t you dare touch that button.”
You know when you say something and then quickly wish you hadn’t? Well this was one of those moments for me. His face scrunched a bit but then quickly changed to contemplation and he broke out the biggest smile I have seen. Before I could react he jumps behind me and is reaching for the increase speed button on the treadmill. Is he serious right now? He is close, way too close to my body. Reaching around my shoulder to the controls has put his head right next to my neck and almost resting on my shoulder. I breathe in and quickly wish I hadn’t. He smells of the ocean; clean, crisp, fresh. DAMMIT!
His hand slid past my arm that was holding on to the heart rate control. It was a slow reach, well at least in my head it was, but at this moment time could have been standing still for all I know. A few pushes and suddenly my feet are starting to move a lot faster. A few more clicks and in order to keep up with the belt I break out into a slow jog. Apparently his version of jog and mine are different because he keeps pushing the up button. Picking up speed now I am running, and to fit exactly what I said, he is chasing me, ok well sort of.
“Sterling, get off the treadmill you’re making me nervous.”
“Nope you said you had to be chased, so this Reece, is me chasing you.” Um, did he mean figuratively or literally? His hands rested lightly on the stability arms of the treadmill. The pace of the run was not affecting him one bit, I on the other hand feel like I am about to die.
“Please Sterling, this is freaking me out. I feel like I am about to crash into you.” I increase my speed to try and push myself a little further ahead on the treadmill, but it feels as though my efforts are not working as I can feel his chest lightly graze my back. The small touch made me uncomfortable, why won’t he just get off?
“Trust me Reece, even if you fall into me, I am here to catch you.”
I remain quiet and do the best I can to keep up with the movement of the belt, but my effort is futile. One wrong step and I lost my footing on the belt and fly into Sterling. His right arm wraps quickly around my waist and hoists me up while he’s still running. He reaches out with his le
ft hand and grabs the emergency cord which brings the belt to an instant stop. He releases me and steps off the belt.
“I told you I would catch you.”
At this point, I am beyond pissed. Why is it that people continue to make me uncomfortable even when I ask them to stop? Why doesn’t anyone listen to me? That whole incident could have been a lot worse and he doesn’t seem to realize I didn’t like it.
Without a word, I about-face, step off the treadmill and head toward the double doors. This session is over.
“Reece, where are you going?”
I don’t feel I need to say a word. As a matter of fact if I attempt to say something to him it will come out really nasty. Although at this point I don’t give a flying fuck if I say something he won’t like and with that I stop and turn to face him.
“You’re an arrogant asshole who has zero regard to how someone feels. I fucking told you to get off the god damn machine! You wouldn’t fucking listen and I did exactly what I didn’t want to do. I don’t need you to fucking save me ok. I don’t NEED you to do a damn thing except leave me alone!”
I attempt to turn when he touched my shoulder, not forcefully but just enough so I knew he wanted me to stop.
“Reece, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you nor did I mean to make you uncomfortable. If I had known that you were going to get so upset I would have…”
“That’s the point Sterling! You didn’t LISTEN to me, no one ever fucking listens to me. What I want or feel doesn’t mean a thing to you or anyone else. Do yourself a favor and just leave me the fuck alone, you’re better off.”
“What the hell Reece, what do you mean I’m better off?” His desperate plea hits me like a ton of bricks.
Without warning a tear falls. Then another and another, just single droplets. I haven’t cried in years. I don’t even realize I am until I notice his expression change. I reach up and feel the forging wetness on my cheek. I stare at my hand almost in disbelief. Why the fuck am I crying??
He starts to move closer to me but I put my hand up to where his chest would stop.