Stretch the Limits (Gym Rat Pack #2)

Chapter 1

TOBIAS STOOD IN THE middle of his gym trying his best not to check the time, again.

“What’s got you so nervous?” Garrett asked, reminding him he was there. He’d forgotten for a moment, so maybe he was more anxious than he’d thought.

“What? Nothing. I’m not nervous. Just impatient.”

Liar.

Tobias had wanted to add yoga to the class schedule at his gym for a while, but he hadn’t gotten the courage to actually bring in anyone for an interview.

Usually, he let his manager, Megan, handle all of the personnel at Gym Rat Fitness, but he was more familiar with yoga than her.

A few weeks ago, one of the guys from his gym introduced him to a yoga instructor and it felt like serendipity, like the guy just fell into Tobias’ lap.

‘You’d love to see him on your lap.’

No idea what you’re talking about.

‘Dude, you need to relax. Garrett is totally judging you.’

Urrrgh.

There was a reason everyone in his life assumed he was a stoic, anti-social grump. He was too busy arguing with his annoying brain. At the moment, he didn’t need that brain reminding him of the jolt he felt through his body when he shook hands with Chase Townsend.

Tobias hadn’t felt that kind of physical reaction to a person in years, and it threw him for a loop. If Chase was going to start working for him, he’d remain professional, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t nervous about it.

A few weeks passed between Tobias initially meeting Chase and actually scheduling the interview.

After weighing the options, Tobias decided to give him an interview in his gym with a private demo, but he needed a buffer.

Garrett was an easy choice since he was the most level-headed of Tobias’ gym friends, so they found a time when all three of them could make it.

He asked Chase to come in after the early morning class, once everyone else had left.

The last thing he needed was Cole… Actually, he didn’t even need to add more to that sentence.

Cole Durbin was another member of his daily six a.m. class, and was also a giant pain in the ass, but at least he was useful enough to introduce Tobias to Chase.

Now, Tobias and Garrett waited for Chase to arrive, and Tobias reminded himself of interview questions he liked to ask.

The benefit of having Garrett there was the free background check he’d offered to run on Chase, thanks to his job as a Cherrywood detective.

He figured they’d do the demo first, and then Garrett could leave so they could do the interview portion in private.

“Does this guy have a lot of experience?” Garrett asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.

“I think so, but I don’t know any specifics yet. I’ll ask during the interview.”

“You don’t have his resume?”

“No, I forgot to ask for it.”

Garrett’s gaze narrowed and he ran his hand through his dirty blond hair in frustration. Tobias couldn’t help but wonder if this was how he interrogated suspects.

“How’d he apply for the job?”

“I met him at that soccer tournament a few weeks ago. He’s old friends with Cole. He introduced us.”

“Damn, taking Cole’s word? I can’t believe you’d do such a thing.”

Tobias scoffed, ignoring the jibe.

His grumpiness tended to rise when Cole was in his vicinity, but thankfully Garrett didn’t push the issue. He didn’t have time to as they both turned at the loud click of the front door opening.

Tobias left Garrett in the main part of the gym and headed toward the front, where Chase stood, a bright, inviting smile on his face that highlighted his eagerness.

His coat hung over tight black leggings, a yoga mat slung across his back and a tote bag in his hand. Despite the fact they were about to exercise, his brown hair was neatly coiffed.

“Mr. Moyer, it’s good to see you,” he said as he closed the distance between them. He held out his hand, and Tobias shook it. “I’m excited for the chance to work here.”

Nothing could stop his mind from flashing the same words over and over again.

Adorable.

Off limits.

Those words would go a long way toward keeping things professional between them. Sure, Chase was his type, but Tobias doubted they’d want the same thing in the bedroom.

He cleared his throat, trying to avoid the route his mind was taking, and returned Chase’s firm handshake.

“Thanks for coming in. I’m glad we could find a time that worked. I figured we’d do the demo first with one of my gym members, and then we can sit and chat. How’s that sound?”

“Works for me. Lead the way.”

Tobias led him into the gym, where Garrett sat on a borrowed yoga mat. Garrett stood as they walked up to him. Both he and Tobias towered over Chase, but Chase didn’t seem affected in the least as he extended a hand.

“Hi, I’m Chase Townsend,” he said warmly.

“Garrett Pearson, nice to meet you.”

There wasn’t any heat in Chase’s eyes, but for some reason Tobias didn’t like them touching.

“It’s actually Detective Garrett Pearson, so if you happen to be a serial killer, you came to the wrong gym,” he joked.

Chase chuckled as he dropped Garrett’s hand.

Damn. That shouldn’t have calmed him as much as it did.

“No worries. I’ll let my getaway driver know and we’ll pick a different place next time,” he said, then winked at Garrett.

No. Those winks are for me.

‘Get yourself together, Moyer.’

Garrett laughed and headed to his mat as Chase dropped his stuff on the floor and started unbuttoning his coat.

Tobias averted his gaze and spent time straightening his own yoga mat where it lay near Garrett’s, then he remembered Chase might want music.

“You can use the computer to play something,” he said as he spun in Chase’s direction, his mouth suddenly going dry.

Chase was facing away from him as he peeled a long-sleeved shirt over his head, revealing a fitted tank that fell over his tight ass in those sinful leggings. He folded his shirt before laying it on top of his coat, his surprisingly chiseled arms on full display. The man certainly dressed the part.

Tobias managed to school his face before Chase turned to him.

“That would be great, thanks. I have a playlist I can pull up,” he said as he moved toward the computer.

Tobias made the mistake of peeking at Garrett.

The man had his lips sucked between his teeth like he was struggling to keep from laughing out loud at him.

Damn Garrett and his observational skills.

He really didn’t miss anything. It was an important skill for a homicide detective, but now Tobias was regretting asking him to be here.

However, a bigger part of him didn’t want to know how this would have gone without Garrett there.

Chase set up his own mat and then pulled yoga blocks out of a tote bag, handing one to both him and Garrett.

“You said you didn’t have yoga equipment yet besides some mats, so I figured I’d bring these along for you to use.”

Tobias couldn’t hide his wince, worried Chase was judging the gym’s current inability to hold a yoga class. Usually, he had such a good poker face, but it wasn’t working with Chase. “Thanks. Yeah, I still have to order all the yoga equipment for the gym.”

“No worries. Any injuries or difficulties you want me to know about before we get started? Or one of you can pretend to have one to see how I work with it.”

Garrett shook his head, and Tobias decided to take the opportunity to test him.

“Yeah, I have a proximal adductor injury that isn’t fully healed. Anything I can’t do with that?”

Chase gaped at Tobias for a moment and blinked before he answered. “Has a doctor cleared you for physical activity? There are a lot of moves you shouldn’t do with medial leg or groin strain.”

Chase seemed to start thinking of all the moves he’d have to modify, and Tobias realized he over-shot it. It was good to know how far his knowledge of the body extended, though.

“Sorry, I was just testing you. My groin is fine.”

Chase blew out a nervous breath. “That’s good. A hurt groin can restrict so many movements.”

“Don’t worry. Tobias’ groin is in great shape,” Garrett said teasingly.

“I bet it is,” Chase said, his eyes widening after a moment. “I mean, you look like you’re in great shape everywhere, Mr. Moyer… sir.”

‘Adorable.’

Stop thinking that.

“Please, call me Tobias.”

It was cute how nervous Chase was, but Tobias couldn’t help but wonder why he was so nervous. Was it just because it was an interview and a job was riding on this? Tobias didn’t want to think about the alternative, that he was a major hockey fan.

Oh, God. Please tell me this guy isn’t a fan.

It was one thing if Chase was nervous about the job or because he was attracted to Tobias, but hero worship was another thing. Fans were always such an unknown, unpredictable entity. Although, it had been a long time since he was approached by one.

Tobias retired from the NHL nearly three years ago, and his anxiety had improved since he left, but talking with fans still made him nervous.

The same was true for most people. But Tobias hated the idea of fans walking away disappointed.

They usually did once they realized talking to Tobias was like talking to a wall.

Chase nodded and then led them in a warm-up before taking Garrett and Tobias through a variety of yoga styles, explaining each one as he moved through them, starting with basics and then working toward more advanced moves.

It gave Tobias a solid overview of the different kinds of yoga classes he could offer.

With each move, Tobias was more and more impressed. Throughout the demo, he shared glances with Garrett, and it seemed he was equally dazzled.

By the time they finished, their shirts were soaked with sweat and Chase was glowing, likely thinking he nailed this part of his interview. To be fair, he did.

Beforehand, Garrett had agreed to text Tobias his thoughts on the lesson after he left. Tobias sure didn’t plan on discussing it in front of Chase, but it was good to have Garrett for another opinion.