18. Alex
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
alex
As usual, I’m the first one at the gym, showing up a full twenty minutes before everyone else.
I believe if you’re not at least fifteen minutes early, you’re late.
The rest of the guys in the band have differing opinions.
Zac is probably the closest to me when it comes to punctuality, arriving a few minutes early, no matter the situation.
Shane likes to stroll in right on the dot, and Jimmy…
Well, he’s Jimmy. It’s often a miracle if he shows up somewhat close to the designated time.
I glance around the empty gym, grateful for access to the insane amount of equipment and the private time Jake arranged for us.
He’s one of the few artists who understands the value of keeping the team in top physical shape, which is why he goes above and beyond by providing more than a standard membership and instead has a standing buyout of one of the nicest gyms in the city for us to use every day for ninety minutes.
It also helps that we’re the first ones to use the space, allowing me to start my reps before the rest of the guys stroll in.
After stretching my neck, I head over to the treadmill, planning to get in a quick run when the gym door slams shut. My head snaps in that direction, assuming one of the guys is in a bad mood and hoping it’s not going to fuck up my morning.
Then I see her.
All of the air disappears from my lungs as my throat becomes bone dry.
How does Chelsi look gorgeous this early in the morning?
Not a stitch of makeup on her face, tousled curly hair that my fingers itch to thread themselves through, and skintight yoga pants and a workout bra, showing off her toned stomach.
It’s not fair to look this goddamn hot at 6 a.m.
My cock begins to harden, which is going to make it extremely obvious in a couple of minutes how I feel about her. Need to calm down. Can’t be sporting a boner while I’m working out. These athletic shorts hide absolutely nothing.
Her face lights up when she sees me near the treadmill. “Oh, thank God you’re here. I was worried I was in the wrong place.”
She strolls over to me as I remain unable to move my feet or take my eyes off her.
Fuck. Need to think of things that don’t turn me on.
Margaret Thatcher naked on a cold day.
Colonoscopies.
Combat wounds.
Fucking Jimmy.
Goddammit…it’s not working.
“Are you going to say good morning, or am I going to get the silent treatment?” she asks, standing in front of me with her hands on her hips. Her eyes appear to move up and down my body, almost like she’s checking me out. It’s probably just my imagination and wishful thinking.
Shit. She was talking to me. Say some words. Any words.
“What are you doing here?”
She chuckles and shakes her head. “That’s one way to greet a lady. No wonder you’re single.” She taps her index fingers on her lush, pouty lips. “Unless guys are more your speed. You definitely give off top energy.”
Say something. Use your words.
“Being on top isn’t my preference.”
“Oh. More of a bottom, then.” She cocks her head, waiting for my response with a smirk.
“Wait… No. This is coming out all wrong.” I drag a hand down my face, wishing I could wipe away my embarrassment and the idiotic things coming out of my mouth. “I’m only interested in women.”
“So, you’re more of a Jimmy?”
“What? No! Where did you get that idea?”
She playfully hits my arm. “I’m just messing with you, Alex. You’re the furthest thing from a player.”
I let out a breath, relieved she’s no longer comparing me to fucking Jimmy.
“Back to your earlier question, Jake suggested I come here to work out. Apparently, there’s something wrong with his home gym.
I’m not really sure what’s going on with it.
He rambled for like ten minutes about remodeling and how it would take months.
Honestly, I stopped listening and nodded until he was done. ”
I swallow hard, clenching my fists against the sides of my legs. “So…you’re going to be working out with us every day.”
She shrugs. “Pretty much. I’m trying to pick myself up out of the pit of despair and focus on crafting my new life. I have no clue what that is, but I do know I need to get back to exercising.” She pauses and glances around the room again. “Are you the only one who works out in the mornings?”
“No. The band usually shows up at some point, but they—”
“Speak of the devil,” Chelsi says, grinning widely as Shane walks into the gym and immediately heads in our direction.
“What do we have here?” Shane asks, blatantly checking Chelsi out. “Didn’t know I’d have the pleasure of working out with a goddess, or I would’ve spent more time getting ready.”
She chuckles, shaking her head. “Completely unnecessary. Pretend I’m not even here. I don’t want to disrupt whatever vibe you all have every morning.”
“Your mere presence has leveled up this joint. Any chance you need a workout buddy today?” Shane raises his eyebrows as he stares directly at her.
She glances briefly in my direction for a minute before looking back at Shane. “Sure, I guess. I usually like to stretch before doing anything else.”
A wicked grin grows on Shane’s face. “I’m basically an expert at stretching. Why don’t we head over the mats and do it together?”
My jaw tightens, putting immense pressure on my teeth that will result in some unplanned dental work if I don’t relax.
I watch as Shane leads Chelsi over to the mats, his hand on the small of her back, almost like it belongs there. Like she wants it there. Like she might want him.
Fuck. I knew this could happen. She’s going to be chased by him and Jimmy all summer long. I’m going to have to watch every interaction. A never-ending torture I have to endure while I grin and bear it. Pretending to be completely unaffected while another man woos the woman of my dreams.
The only woman I’ve felt anything for in almost two decades.
After popping in my earbuds, I force myself onto the treadmill and immediately increase the incline and speed.
I can’t spend the next hour or more watching them.
It’ll unravel me. Instead, I have to focus on something else—anything else.
Block out the sound of her sweet laughter.
The images of Shane’s hands touching her.
The way she responds to everything he says.
She’s not mine. I don’t have the right to feel jealous.
During the next ninety minutes, I avoid glancing in her direction as much as possible. Intentionally choosing equipment far away from her, Shane, and Jimmy, because, of course, he made a beeline for her as soon as he walked into the gym.
At the end of my workout, I sit on a bench in the corner, downing a bottle of water as I drip with sweat. I might’ve pushed myself significantly harder than normal, wanting to feel something other than this longing for her.
“Hey,” Chelsi says softly, taking a seat right next to me. So close our thighs are almost touching.
“Have a nice workout?” I ask, turning my head to look at her even though I know I shouldn’t.
She flashes me a smile, pure joy overtaking her entire face. “Yeah. It’s fun having a buddy to work out with. In Chicago, I usually went to the gym alone.”
I nod, not sure how to respond to her basically telling me she loved getting sweaty with Shane…and fucking Jimmy.
How long will it be until she’s working up a sweat in one of their beds?
I groan, pulling on the back of my neck, unable to control my reaction to the thought of Chelsi being intimate with anyone that’s not me.
“Are you okay?” she asks, concern written across her face.
Her hand touches my thigh, sending a jolt of desire straight to my cock, making me almost instantly hard.
“Totally fine,” I lie, trying to keep my surging emotions in check.
“Okay. Well…let me know if you’re ever interested in working out together. Shane mentioned you have a pretty stellar routine for building muscle. That’s an area I’d like to focus on.” She moves her hand from my leg, then stands and gazes into my eyes. “I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”
“Looking forward to it,” I reply, unable to help myself as a small grin splits my face.
She smiles back at me before walking out the door, leaving me sitting by myself with a hard cock as the other guys screw around on the opposite side of the gym.
My heart and libido are racing, wanting to believe her request of “working out together” means something more than merely swapping training tips. That she might actually want to spend time with me. Get to know me.
What do I do if she does?
I’ve spent the last twenty years hellbent on living a specific type of life to honor promises I made in the past. And for the first time, I regret every single one of them.