Chapter 5
Leaving the four boxes I’d brought with me in the trunk of my car, I exited my vehicle and strode toward the main entrance to the gym.
The faint smell of freshly cut grass wafted through the air as I approached.
I believed a side stairwell would lead me to the apartments upstairs, but first, I needed to find Lance so he could show me around.
The conversation with my dad and sister had gone better than expected.
They were happy for me to gain a bit of my independence back, but they were also sad to see me go.
I reassured them I was only going to be a short fifteen-minute ride away and that they could stop by whenever they wanted.
My only requirement was that they give me a heads-up because I had no idea what my schedule was going to look like, at least in the beginning.
Lance mentioned that Jackson stuck to a strict routine most of the time, but things could change, and I had to be willing to adapt if they did.
“Sophie. I wasn’t expecting you until six.” Lance walked toward me, the smile on his face genuine but seemingly a bit forced.
“I can come back if it isn’t a good time.” I glanced at the clock on the far wall, not realizing I’d arrived over an hour early.
“Don’t be silly,” he said, his smile wavering ever so slightly as he motioned for me to follow.
The sounds of clanking weights and muffled conversations filled the space as we treaded across the room.
He handed me a key. “This is for the apartment you’ll be staying in.
I’m not sure if I mentioned it the other day, but it comes furnished with a queen-sized bed, a small kitchen table with two chairs, and a sofa as well, which has some mileage on it but is still in good shape.
The bed is made up, but you might want to consider either washing the sheets and blanket or replacing them with your own. ”
“I brought some stuff with me, so I’m fine.”
He led me through the room where I’d encountered a naked Jackson only two days prior and out a back door to the side of the building where a steep wooden staircase was located.
Climbing the steps, I trailed my fingers along the weathered wood of the railing, careful not to get a splinter.
At the top was a narrow landing with two doors positioned side by side, separated only by a few feet.
When he initially told me Jackson occupied the other apartment, I didn’t realize he’d be so close.
Stepping over the threshold, I brushed past him to take in what would be my new home for the foreseeable future. I was greeted by a cozy and inviting space. The warm hues on the walls and the soft lighting created a soothing atmosphere, easing some of my growing anxiety.
“It’s not much, but it’s clean and everything works. If by chance you need help with something, you can either knock on Jackson’s door or give me a call if he’s not around.” He handed me his business card with his cell number.
“He won’t mind?” I asked, stealing a glance at the kitchen.
There were several builder-grade cabinets, a sink, and enough counterspace for me to put a toaster and a coffee maker.
There was also an area to prepare a meal.
A full-sized refrigerator was housed in the corner, the faded white giving away the age of the appliance.
To the right of the kitchen was a small table and chairs, as Lance mentioned, and several feet from that was a full-sized, light gray couch, the slight sag of the cushions oddly inviting.
A small television was mounted on the opposite wall.
“He won’t mind.”
After taking a quick peek at the bedroom and bathroom, I rejoined Lance near the front door.
“Thanks again for giving me a chance. I really appreciate it. I won’t let you down.”
His once-steady gaze now darted around the room, his earlier grin vanishing as a crease etched deeply between his brows.
“Speaking of,” he said, inhaling several times before opening his mouth again. “Jackson refused to hire you.”
“What?” My voice rose in surprise, the quickening of my heart pounding in my ears. “I don’t understand. Why show me this apartment if I didn’t get the job?”
“Because I still want you to work here.”
“Doing what?”
“I need someone to oversee the day-to-day dealings with the gym. Things like bookkeeping, laundry, cleaning, etc.”
“Oh.” Disappointment swirled through me at the sudden change in job.
“You’ll still receive the same pay. My hope is that once Jackson gets used to you being around, I can convince him to allow you to transition over to the role I wanted to hire you for initially.”
“Oh,” I repeated, a flutter of hope blooming in my chest at the possibility. While I was grateful to still be hired, overseeing the gym didn’t excite me as much as being able to put my schooling to good use after all these years. “Can I ask why he didn’t want me to work with him directly?”
“He’s just being stubborn. Plain and simple.” Lance opened the door to leave. “Be in the gym tomorrow at nine. I’ll go over a list of your duties.”
“Okay. See you then.”
After he left, I wandered around my new apartment, my chest expanding on a brief inhale of gratitude.
I was thankful to still have a job. I had no idea how Jackson would react to seeing me in the gym tomorrow, however.
Would he be okay with me running the day-to-day duties?
Would he ever concede and hire me for the job I came here for?
I didn’t know the fighter, only having had one encounter with him, a run-in that was less than desirable.
I had no idea if he regretted the way he treated me, misunderstanding or not, and there was no way I would ever ask.
From the small amount of information Lance told me about him, Jackson didn’t seem like an approachable man.
Perhaps after someone got to know him, he warmed up, but something deep in my gut told me the persona I encountered embodied his true essence.
Perhaps running the gym was a blessing in disguise.