He frowns a little deeper, then nods. “Huh, I guess I forgot. Anyway, yeah, these clothes are theirs.” He’s breathing a little harder now, still keeping a slow, steady pace as he glances around the gym at the other guys lifting weights and using the machines. “I’ll fit in better next time.”
I can’t resist dragging my gaze over him again with a soft grunt.
“That outfit works just fine.”
“I’m glad you get paid to be nice to me. My self-esteem definitely needs it.” He wheezes a laugh, then pushes the buttonto slow down to a walk and leans over a little, clutching the handles tightly as he drags in heavy breaths. “Fuck, I’m so out of shape. What the hell am I even doing here?”
“People come to the gym to get into shape, not because they already are.”
He huffs another laugh. “Could’ve fooled me.”
I slow my own pace down to a walk, then stop altogether and hop off. He turns his treadmill off too but keeps a hold on the handles while he catches his breath. I fold my arms over the control panel and lean in so I can make sure he’s looking at me.
“I’ve never really been a sports guy, but I’ve always loved weightlifting and running. Do you know why?”
Percy shakes his head, looking up to meet my eyes, his face red and sweaty from the short jog.
“Why?”
“It’s just you versus you. There’s no competition here. I mean, sure, some guys make it their personal goal to lift more than anyone else or run farther, but it’s not a requirement. This right here is just a matter of doing better than you did the day before. You made it three-quarters of a mile today, maybe next time you’ll make it the full mile.”
“What if I only make it half a mile tomorrow?”
I shrug. “Then you’ll try for the mile again the next time. There aren’t any trophies in here, just a sense of satisfaction when you reach your goals.”
He holds my gaze, and I can see my words sinking in. After a few seconds, he nods.
“Yeah, okay.” A flicker of a smile spreads across his face, and a feeling of accomplishment bursts in my chest. He’s not going to give up on himself yet.
I toss him a clean towel and show him how to spray down the machines after use before leading him over to the free weights.
This is probably why I couldn’t stop thinking about him yesterday after we met. He needs a trainer, and I need to build someone up. Sure, I have plenty of other clients, but there’s something different about Percy. He’s so full of potential, and I really want to be there when he realizes it too.
“Alright, Coach, what’s next?”
Coach. I like that. And if I let my eyes wander just a little as he lies down on the bench press, that’s totally his roommate’s fault for putting him in such skimpy clothes. I’m just here to do my job.
CHAPTER FOUR
PERCY
I didn’t thinkit was possible for my body to hurt this much. I thought exercise was supposed to give you endorphins, not make you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus. I manage to keep a brave face on until the last of the students has filed out of the lecture hall, then I collapse into the nearest chair with an audible groan.
“You’re only going to feel worse tomorrow.” Juno doesn’t sound the least bit sympathetic, and I don’t bother to lift my head.
“How is that helping me?” I grumble.
The chair next to mine screeches against the tile floor and I lift my gaze just enough to see Juno sliding into it.
“Not helping, just warning.” They pat my arm, and I groan again. “I was thinking…”
“No,” I say automatically. I already know what they’re going to say. “I was thinking…”alwaysmeans that they want to get laid and want me to come with them to whatever club or barthey’ve chosen as their hunting ground for the night as moral support.
“Pleeeeease?”
“I’m dying,” I remind them.
“Counterpoint—” They lean forward and grin at me like that creepy disappearing cat inAlice in Wonderland. “—if youaredying from light exercise, do you really want to die a virgin?”
