Fat & Fine (Big & Beautiful Book 5)

by Mary E Thompson

  “Good. Well, this is the cardio room. We keep all the equipment up to date and have someone come in every week to make sure things are running well. If you notice any problems with one of the machines just let anyone know and we’ll make sure it gets on the schedule.”

  “Okay,” I said, not really sure what else I could say.

  “If there’s an empty machine you’re welcome to jump on. If not, we ask that you use the board. When people are waiting we also ask that you’re only on a machine for thirty minutes. If the place is dead, like now, you can stay on as long as you’d like.”

  I looked around the crowded room and wondered what busy looked like if that was dead. There were people on three quarters of the machines. So much for not scaring too many off.

  “The next room is the weight room,” Brady said as he walked away. “We have free weights, kettlebells, medicine balls, and weight machines. The trainers’ offices are in here, and they can help you with whatever you need. If you’re not sure how to use a machine or want some help with a certain area, just ask.”

  “Are you a trainer?” I asked, hoping I wouldn’t end up with him training me. He was a little too intense for me. Like he never had any fun. Although he was nice to look at.

  “No, I’m not,” he said without explaining. “We don’t want people getting hurt so the trainers are paid staff, not here to get extra pay for what they already do. Usually there are two trainers available for sessions and one who will work the floor. If no sessions are booked, the others will be on the floor, too. We always have three here so there’s no reason to get hurt.”

  “I won’t,” I shook my head, feeling like a child being chastised for playing around.

  Brady looked at me again. His intense stare made me want to fidget, but I stood my ground. He leaned into me, almost like he was going to kiss me, then someone slammed weights together. Brady backed up so fast I thought I’d imagined his movement.

  Hell, maybe I did.

  Brady blinked once, then twice, and turned away from me. He walked to the third room. “In here we do aerobics classes. The schedule is posted every month and you can take home a copy plus we keep it updated on the website. We try to keep a variety of classes so sometimes we’ll drop a class that isn’t as popular and pick up a new class. You should be able to find just about anything at some point during the month.”

  I nodded and looked over the schedule posted on the wall. Spinning, yoga, pilates, zumba, kick-boxing… yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. Getting my fat ass to the gym was going to be painful enough. Showing my uncoordinated skills in a room full of other people was something akin to torture in my book.

  “Thanks,” I mumbled, not willing to tell him it wouldn’t happen.

  “Can I ask you something?” he blurted out.

  I looked up and found him studying me. He was close, too close. At that distance I could see the hints of green in his eyes and smell the cool, fresh scent that seemed to seep out of him. More scars were visible, not only on his face, but on his arms and one down his leg. His nose kicked to the side like it’d been broken more than once too.

  All that, combined with the way he towered over my 5’9” body by six or seven inches, I should have been running from him. For some unknown reason I couldn’t though. It was like he had me under some sort of spell. I couldn’t turn from him and I didn’t want to. I wanted to know what he wanted.

  I finally nodded and Brady sucked in a breath. He turned away, like all of a sudden he didn’t want to ask. I saw the struggle on his face and wondered what could be so bad.

  Closing his eyes he shook his head then said, “Why did you want to join Dave’s Gym? We ask everyone.”

  I knew that wasn’t what he wanted to ask me, but I didn’t push it. After that day I knew I’d likely never see him again. Even if I did join I’d make sure I didn’t work with Brady. And I definitely wasn’t going to be alone with him again.

  He stirred up way too much that I was trying to run from. He was too good-looking for my own good and I wasn’t getting involved with another jerk who would ditch me as soon as someone thinner came along.

  “I just figured it’s about time I get in shape. My friend is a member and likes it here.”

  Brady nodded as though my answer was perfectly acceptable. Only I knew it wasn’t really the truth, but I’d never share the truth with him. I’d rather announce it at one of the weddings I had coming up than tell Mr. Perfect the real reason I wanted to join a gym.

  “Is there anything I can answer for you?” he asked, his attitude changing as though he flipped a switch. He was still cold and distant, but he seemed eager to get away from me also.

  “No, thanks,” I mumbled.

  Brady focused on me for a few seconds then reached out and clasped my hand in his. Sparks flew from our joined hands through me, but I forced myself not to react. There was no way in hell a guy that looked like him would be attracted to a woman like me. It didn’t matter how many sparks flew, they were figments of my imagination.

  Brady’s eyes met mine and something that looked dangerously close to desire flashed across them. I pulled my hand from his to break the connection and thanked him for his time, then walked back over to where Jennie was sitting at the desk.

  “How was the tour?”

  I glanced back to where Brady was, but he disappeared. “Um, it was fine. I guess. I mean… who was he?”

  “Brady?” Jennie asked as though I could be talking about any number of men.

  “Yeah, Brady. He said he’s not a trainer. He’s a bit intense.”

  Jennie laughed softly. “Yeah, Brady’s intense, but he’s great. And no, he’s not a trainer. He owns this place.”

  Shock dropped my jaw to my chest, and I had to force it back into place. “Owns it? How?”

  Jennie shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s always owned it since I worked here.”

  I glanced behind me to make sure Brady wasn’t there and leaned over the edge of the desk. “Can I ask you a question? I need you to tell me the truth.”

  Jennie cocked her head to the side and looked up at me. “Yeah, sure.”

  “How in the world is a man who’s so frightening able to hold on to employees?”

  Jennie laughed, a loud, gut-busting laugh. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and she struggled to catch her breath. “Oh, that was funny. Brady is intense, yes, but he’s not frightening. He’s great to work for. He really cares about the people he employs and he loves his clients. The turnover here is almost non-existent.”

  I pondered her words and wanted to believe she was lying, but something about her told me she wouldn’t. She adored Brady. He chafed the hell out of me, but not her, and apparently not anyone else.

  “Why were you scared when he said he’d give me a tour?”

  “Scared? No. Shocked is more like it. Brady is big on everyone doing their job and no one stepping over the borders. He likes order. For him to show you around was more of a surprise than anything. I’ve never seen him show a new client around.”

  “Never?” I asked, wondering why in the world he’d take time out for me.

  “Never. He usually hides in his office most of the day. I guess he had some free time. Every once in a while he gets out here and associates with the rest of us, but he’s always pretty quiet. Most people think he’s a client because he doesn’t usually take an active role that people see. He’s really in touch with what’s going on though. Best boss I’ve ever had.”

  Judging Jennie’s age she hadn’t had many bosses. She was easily five years younger than me, putting her around 24. Still, if she thought Brady was okay then there wasn’t a reason for me to worry.

  “So what did you think of the place?” she asked, drawing me from my mental assessment.

  “Oh, it looks good. Basic, but I don’t want fancy. What do I need to do to start my two weeks?”

  “Great. Well, you’ll get a temporary pass that will expire two weeks from today. After that you’ll
have to decide if you want to stay or not. I’d suggest trying out a little of everything in that time. You know, talk with a few trainers, take a few classes. See if we have what you like.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll think about it,” I told her, knowing I’d never step foot in the aerobics room. I smiled as Jennie took a picture for my pass and waited for it to print. She pointed out the locker room and suggested bringing a lock if I wanted to lock up my stuff next time, then waved as I walked away.

  As someone who’d never really done any exercise, I had no idea what to do. I didn’t want to get hurt, but I needed to make changes. Fast. Checking the time I decided to start with some cardio and go from there.

  Thirty minutes later I peeled myself off the exercise bike I’d been using. I wiped it down then trudged to the locker room. The water was hot, which I was grateful for, and helped relieve some of the ache already settling into my muscles. I knew I’d overdone it, but no pain, no gain, right?

  Or in my case, no pain, no loss.

  Either way, I was going to lose weight if it killed me. And I was going to make Cade regret the day he dumped me.

  Except as I showered and dressed then drove to work it wasn’t Cade I couldn’t stop thinking about. It was the stoney faced, heavily built, hazel-eyed hottie who owned my new gym.

  And I couldn’t stop from wondering what he’d look like if the cloud of intensity following him dissipated.

  Or if I’d be able to resist.

  Four

  The next day I could barely walk. My legs burned when I tried to crawl out of bed and my stomach protested everything. I half wondered if I was coming down with the flu, but I knew it was just my exercise program. If I was going to be able to walk after going to the gym I needed to break down and talk to one of the trainers about the best way to lose weight. I also knew I needed to start learning something about eating healthier, not that I was looking forward to that either.

  I had a couple of easy days with work, mostly editing shots, so I could work from home without having to go into my studio, although I didn’t really like doing that. When Addi moved out I made her old bedroom into a home office. I never did photo shoots at home, but I could do my editing and contact clients from there. One day I’d have a studio at my home, but for now I was okay separating my work from my home life.

  Once I finished my work for the day I headed out to the bookstore. I had a wedding over the weekend, but it wasn’t one of the brides who demanded my attendance at her rehearsal dinner, so I had my Friday night free. And absolutely no plans. I figured picking up a new book, or a few, was as good of a plan as anything.

  READ was a small bookstore close to my studio. I’d passed by it plenty of times but never actually went in. I knew the bigger bookstores would have a better selection, but as a small business owner I always supported small, local businesses when I could.

  The smell of fresh books mixed with coffee met me at the door. Shelves and shelves of books filled the space. It was bigger than it looked from the outside and was well organized. “Welcome to READ, can I help you?” drifted over the books.

  A woman came around the last shelf with a large grin on her face. She looked so friendly that I was immediately put at ease. Going into a bookstore and asking a skinny person for a book about eating healthy was like asking them for a cookie recommendation… useless. Most likely they had never been on a diet in their lives and wouldn’t know the first thing about a good one, same with cookies.

  But this woman… she was someone I could relate to. With her wide set hips and and fleshy body I could tell she had more rolls than a bakery. I loved her on sight.

  “Hi, yes. I need help. I’m looking for a book about weight loss. Or dieting. Something like that.”

  Her chocolate brown eyes appraised me and she cocked an eyebrow at me. “Seriously? Why?”

  I huffed a breath, and shook my head. The anxiety and anger I’d felt toward Cade came back to me in a rush. I knew I shouldn’t unload on this poor unsuspecting stranger, but she got to me. Only someone as big as me, or bigger like she was, could understand the utter humiliation of being dumped the way I was.

  So I told her. “I was dumped because I’m fat. I want him to regret it so I joined a gym. I figured I should try to eat healthier too instead of just exercising.”

  “What an asshole!” she exclaimed. “Oops, sorry. I’m not supposed to swear at customers. I’m Riley, by the way.” I shook her hand and introduced myself. “Well, Sam, I think the guy who dumped you is a fool but I’ll help you. Mostly I just think men suck. It’s problematic though because I love men.”

  I laughed and nodded, knowing exactly what she meant.

  “The bad thing is it’s the hot ones that are the worst. It’s like they think because we’re plump that they can treat us anyway they want and we’ll be okay with it, simply because no one else would bother. It sucks.”

  “Yep,” I agreed. “That’s what I’m going through. But I’m determined to make him eat his words. No one’s going to get away with the things he said to me. He’s going to regret it.”

  Riley rubbed her hands together and grinned an evil grin. “Let’s get started then. Our health section is back here. My boss said something about the people who want to be healthy aren’t going to have a problem walking to the back of the store for it.”

  I laughed, enjoying talking to Riley. She would fit into our group well. Maybe I should invite her to our next girls’ night.

  “Okay, here we go. Now you’ve got your restrictive books where you give up carbs or sugar or everything except vegetables. I have a feeling you’re going to need a more balanced meal plan, something that let you eat whatever you want once in a while. I’d recommend this one or this one.”

  Riley handed me two books. Both sounded reasonable from the description on the back and could potentially help me. “Both?” I asked, wondering what she thought.

  “Both works. They have slightly different philosophies so incorporating them together could help you faster. Then you’ll be able to torture your asshole ex even earlier.”

  I laughed when Riley clapped her hand over her mouth for swearing again. “It’s fine. Besides I agree. He is an asshole. The sooner I can show him what he missed out on the better.”

  “Awesome. Let’s get you rung up.”

  Riley led me back to the front of the store and scanned the books. I handed over my credit card. “Samantha Reed? Are you the photographer?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, my studio isn’t far from here.”

  “Really? My best friend’s boss used you for her website photos.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s her name?”

  “The boss is Beth, I don’t know her last name, but my friend is Carrie Taylor.”

  “Oh, I remember Carrie. We only spoke on the phone to set things up, but she was great. Sorry to say this, but why is someone so sweet working for that bitch?”

  Riley laughed loudly like it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. “Carrie calls her Beth the Bitch. That’s why I don’t know her last name. It’s really funny that you picked up on that, too. I keep telling Carrie to find a new job, but she hasn’t had any luck.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “That sucks. Hopefully she can find something soon. Thanks for the help today.”

  “Good luck, Sam.”

  I waved to Riley and headed out, feeling better already about my mission.

  ~*~

  The wedding went well that weekend, but I avoided the gym like the plague. I read through the books I’d picked up from Riley and was less than enamored with the idea of giving up junk food. There was no way I’d give up Charlie’s cupcakes, but I could cut back on the rest.

  Maybe.

  I kicked myself for not inviting Riley, and Carrie, to girls’ night. I’d have to find some reason to go back into READ so I could ask her if she wanted to join us. Without seeming weird or creepy about it. I just knew they’d fit into our group, and we could always use more friends.

 
; I decided to brave the gym again on Monday, with a trip to the trainers first. I went in mid-morning thinking it would be even quieter. When I’d been leaving the first time the place was nearly deserted and I figured that would be the best time for me to go.

  When I pulled in I remembered Brady saying the trainers took on scheduled clients and wondered if I should have called ahead. Even with one on the floor they might be busy and not able to really help me.

  Jennie was at the front desk again and waved as I went through the gate. I waved back then headed straight to the weight room to find a trainer.

  Two well built men were on opposite ends of the room, each talking intently with a client. Damn, I thought, there was only one left. In the back of the room was what looked like a small office so I headed there, hoping to find the last trainer.

  Inside a man was sitting at the computer. I cleared my throat and he looked up. His smile was beautiful with perfect white teeth and soft pink lips. His jaw was rough and sexy and his eyes were a soft brown that reminded me of a puppy.

  I was a sucker for dogs.

  “Can I help you?” he asked in a deep voice.

  “Yeah, I hope so. This is my second trip here and I was hoping to get some help with a plan, I guess. Maybe some tips.”

  He grinned as he stood. “Of course. We’re here to help out so you can ask any of us if I’m not here next time. I’m Greg, by the way.”

  He extended his hand and I shook it. No sparks, but a warm, friendly grip. “Sam. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too. So, first question is what are you trying to accomplish being here?”

  I stared at him, trying to figure out if he was joking. It was obvious, right? “Um, what do you mean?”

  “Well, some people come to increase strength, some are here to increase flexibility, some want to lose weight and improve their overall health. The way you work out should match your goals, otherwise why do it.”

  I nodded. It made sense, at least I thought it did. “I need to lose weight and improve my overall health. I want to be skinny.” I didn’t need to add that I wanted my ex to regret the day he dumped me, but I’m fairly certain he picked up on that need.