Chapter Seven
Some afternoons seemed louder than they should.
Music rolled through Langston Iron while barbells hit rubber flooring in uneven rhythm. Trainers moved from client to client, the smoothie bar stayed busy, and conversations bounced between workout plans and weekend schedules.
Raw finished spotting a longtime member on the bench press before offering a quick nod.
"Looking stronger."
The member grinned.
"I had a good coach."
Raw laughed.
"You had a coach who refused to let you skip leg day."
As he turned toward the front desk, a man he'd never seen before stepped into his path. Early thirties. Athletic build. Business casual. He looked around the gym before settling on Raw.
"You Raw?"
"Depends."
The man smiled.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"What can I help you with?"
"I'm thinking about joining."
"You're in the right place."
The man extended his hand.
"Eric."
Raw shook it.
"What brings you here, Eric?"
"I've heard this is the gym if you're serious."
"Who told you that?"
"A realtor."
Raw raised an eyebrow.
"They said if I wanted somebody who actually paid attention, I should ask for Raw."
Raw smiled.
"I'll have to thank them."
Eric glanced around the facility.
"So...you taking new clients?"
"I've got room for a few."
"Good."
"What's your goal?"
Eric looked down at himself.
"I spend too much time behind a desk."
Raw nodded.
"We can fix that."
They spent the next several minutes walking the floor. Raw explained the equipment, training options, and membership levels without ever sounding like he was trying to make a sale.
By the time they returned to the front desk, Eric had already made up his mind.
"I'll sign up."
Raw handed him the paperwork.
"Welcome to Langston Iron."
As Eric finished his membership forms, another familiar face walked through the front entrance.
Malik Langston. There was no announcement. No entourage. But the atmosphere shifted almost immediately. Employees straightened instinctively. Conversations became just a little more professional. Malik greeted the front desk team by name before making his way toward Raw.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"You usually are."
Malik smiled.
"I'll try not to make a habit of it."
He glanced toward Eric, who was finishing his paperwork.
"New member?"
"Just joined."
Malik watched as Raw answered one final question before Eric headed toward the locker rooms.
"You make that look easy."
"What?"
"Getting people comfortable."
Raw shrugged.
"They're already uncomfortable walking into a gym for the first time."
"And you fix that."
"I try."
Malik looked across the weight floor.
Members waved as they passed.
One stopped Raw long enough to thank him for helping with a shoulder injury.
Another asked if Saturday morning's conditioning class was still on.
Raw answered each question without hesitation.
Malik quietly observed the interactions.
"You know," he finally said, "most people think influence comes from having the loudest voice."
Raw leaned against a machine.
"You disagree?"
"I think influence comes from people looking for you before they look for anyone else."
Raw laughed.
"I just work here."
Malik smiled.
"That's what makes it interesting."
Before Raw could respond, Malik checked his watch.
"I've got another meeting."
"So you really were just stopping by?"
"I was."
Malik started toward the exit before pausing.
"I'll see you Saturday."
Raw frowned.
"Brian's event."
"I said I wouldn't miss it."
Then he was gone.
The rest of the afternoon disappeared into appointments, assessments, and conversations with members.
Just before closing, Raw was wiping down equipment when his phone buzzed.
Kevin.
He answered immediately.
"Everything alright?"
There was a brief pause.
"You busy?"
"Finishing up."
Kevin exhaled.
"We lost two executives today."
Raw straightened.
"Resign?"
"No."
"Fired?"
"I honestly don't know."
Raw walked toward the quieter hallway near the offices.
"That's not normal."
"No."
Kevin's voice dropped.
"Something's changing."
"You think it has anything to do with everything Malik's been asking me?"
Another pause.
"I don't know."
"But if I were you..."
Kevin stopped himself.
"If you were me?"
"I'd pay attention."
The line went quiet.
"I've got to go," Kevin said.
"We'll talk soon."
The call ended.
Raw slipped the phone into his pocket and looked back across the gym floor.
Members laughed.
Weights clanged.
Music played through the speakers.
Everything looked exactly the same.
For the first time all week, he wasn't convinced it was.