I relax. “No problem. Would you like this back?” I hold out the iPad.
“Great, thanks.” She looks down. “Okay, Alyssa, what we’ll do is text you to find out your availability and then we can get you started on your first session. The first session is free, you can take a look around the gym and the introductory offer only starts once you’re happy to proceed.”
I smile. “Perfect. Look forward to hearing from you.”
I grab my bag, wave goodbye and open the door. The cold wind clears my head and blows my hair back. I’m slightly dazed by my encounter with Cole. And, as confused as I feel, I want to see him again.
Even if it’s a massive cliché to have a crush on a huge, muscular gym guy, I want more.
ChapterTwo
COLE
The tall, curvy brunette walks out of the gym, past the window. The glass is frosted so she can’t see me looking out.
I’m good at my job but, as my brothers often remind me, my people skills need some work. I have a tendency just to say what I think. Mom used to say I didn’t suffer fools gladly, so I guess that’s it.
But that girl - Alyssa - had a weird effect on me. Her glossy dark hair, deep blue eyes and golden-brown skin in combination with her sexy curves were the perfect combination. Just my type. But there was something more; the tone of her voice, the way she moved and her sweet smile. I feel like I’m having my first high school crush all over again.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate a good-looking woman, but when I’m in work mode that gets dampened down. Appreciating a beautiful client is firmly against my personal code of ethics. And I’m the one who drew up the list of guidelines for our new gym, with top of the list being no blurred boundaries with clients. It’s too much drama and we need to establish a good reputation here in town.
My brothers and I are used to attracting attention wherever we go. When we walk down the street together Juni says it’s like the Langstones parting the waves as people step aside to let us pass. My Mom used to call us the Pack, like the Wolf Pack.
Her and Dad have been gone for two years now. It doesn’t make sense in the present day any more than it did when we got the call to tell us that they died. Hit on the road coming back from a friend’s birthday party, killed instantly by a truck driver who was texting on his cell phone. That simmering anger I feel on a regular basis rises up from the pit of my stomach. That bastard. He escaped with barely a scratch and some hot-ass lawyer got him a second degree manslaughter charge which gets him out in a couple of years.
I rest my fist against the cold glass. This town feels strange to me in contrast to the Arizona heat I’m used to. I can’t relax. But my brother Aron is convinced that Darlinton the right fit for us. His best friend Kade moved out here and he’s always talking about how the town is growing fast. Aron came to stay with Kade after our parents died and spotted the lack of a gym. He’s the one that came up with the idea of us all combining our skills and using our inheritance to open Langstones. Aron oversees our business development, Ivar leads the charm offensive and I’m in charge of training.
Juni walks back in and peers at my fist. “Cole, get your hand away from the glass. It’s more fragile than it looks.”
I sigh and look down at her. “Okay. Did you sort out that client?”
“Yes, I’ve sent her an email. You’ll be training her.” She grabs a towel and wipes off the glass window where my fist has left a smudge of condensation.
“Change it, Juni. Let Ivar take her sessions - I’m too booked up right now while Aron is still part-time.” I walk over to the laptop in the corner.
“Are you sure?” Juni’s voice is quizzical.
“Completely. I’m going to set up the weights bench.” My voice is a little rough, but I don’t want to talk right now. For some reason that short encounter with Alyssa has left me on edge.
“Okay, Mr Grumpy.” Juni walks out to the reception area, humming what sounds like that Monty Python song about looking on the bright side of life.
I know I’m in a funk and neatly stacking up the weights isn’t getting me out of it. I’m a fish out of water in this weird place, which probably isn’t that weird at all, it’s just a contrast to the blazing heat and wide open spaces I’m used to.
My stomach growls, as if in agreement. Grabbing my coat from the rack, I head out the back door of the gym. Some fresh air and a sandwich will help. I walk a couple of blocks over to the town supermarket, which looks nearly empty from the outside. There are only a few cars in the parking lot, illuminated by the bright white light from the inside. That’s fine with me - I don’t want to make small talk with anyone. It seems like the new gym has got everyone talking. Ivar loves being a local celebrity, but it’s not my bag.
Once I’m inside I browse the aisles, taking my time. The food here is fancier than my local back in Arizona. I guess Kade’s right about the whole place being on the up. I try to choose between six different types of my normal brand of potato chips, then give up and just grab the nearest one.
As I spin round to find the sandwiches, I knock into a shopping cart which scoots off, almost as if it has a mind of its own, and crashes into a display of stacked up cans.
The tall, dark-haired woman who was holding onto it looks up at me in surprise.
It’s Alyssa.
I stare back at her for a second. There’s a weird electrical charge in the air. Maybe a storm is coming.
I swallow. “I’ll get your cart.”
I walk over and grab her cart, grabbing the rolling cans and putting them back on the shelf. She joins me and helps to replace the cans on the shelf. Our fingers brush as we both reach for the same can and I get that same electric feeling as she gazes into my eyes.
