Chapter 3
Scarlett
After grabbing something quick for lunch, I end up at the gym a bit earlier than planned.
Prestige Fitness Club and Spa has good bones, but is like everything else—it hasn’t changed.
Unlike the upkeep elsewhere in town, the owners have been letting our gym fall into disarray.
The only reason it’s hanging in there is because it’s the only gym around with a spa, complete with a steam room and sauna.
I stomp through the front door where dark green paint and an old maple desk too big for the front space accost me. My stance is uneven on the stained Berber carpets, irritating me further.
An associate at the front desk greets me with her pad of paper to check in clients. I raise my hand in a haste, walking towards the locker rooms to get changed into more comfortable clothes. My eyes roll as I pass fixed weight stations and ancient cardio equipment.
There are so many problems to resolve in here and every one of those things is catching my eye right now.
I dress with a series of humphs and then head out to do some weights.
A weight workout wasn’t in my plan, but I need to do something active.
Since I still have a while before my first client, leg workout it is .
Although I teach classes and train here, it feels like there’s more we could offer.
I’m teaching a class at three in the afternoon today instead of six in the evening when people are off work.
It doesn’t make sense. The people who do come in are usually older and retired.
We’re missing a whole group who could benefit from coming here after school or work.
The owners are sweet people, but they’re headed towards a foreclosure on the building since the memberships are down. I hope they can find a solution to make the gym a place where people want to come.
I have a lot of solutions I’m hoping they’ll consider. One in particular my friends and I have presented. Lana should have the details today.
I pick a machine targeting quads and start pumping. The breathing in and out as my body moves helps clear my head. I’m about to do my third set on the leg press, when someone taps my shoulder.
“Scarlett?” Paige gives a small wave in front of Lana.
“You were deep in thought there,” Lana pushes up her glasses and then adjusts her messy bun.
I start smiling. “Hi! Yeah.” I look around. “Sorry I didn’t see you guys.”
Lana and Paige have been my best friends since kindergarten. They’re more like sisters to me.
Paige nods her head at the machine, her short, blonde hair bobs. “You happened upon some free time I see.” She puts a hand on her hip, looking like a model in designer workout gear.
“It’s been an interesting morning,” I huff. “I almost got hit by some Lance Armstrong wannabe. He tried to run me over with his bike.” I stand and move on to the next machine .
“What?” Lana’s eyebrows shoot up. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I fell on my ass. Not much to catch me there,” I shrug, “but I’m fine.” I look around to see if anyone is listening in. There’s two older gentleman with headphones, focusing on the cycle machine and free weights. “It was embarrassing though. The guy was hot. Well, until he opened his mouth.”
“Wait, what?” Paige points her finger at me. “You were actually attracted to him? I haven’t heard you talk about someone like that in a loooooooonnng time! You usually just friend zone every guy you meet.”
“I know, I know. Not my usual type either. Muscles and a preppy sort of style with an alpha attitude. Douchebag central.”
The girls giggle.
“It was weird. One moment there’s nature, the next, a whoosh of red is coming at me.
” I swish my hand from one side to the other to add effect.
“He wasn’t nice about it either. Came over to me with a face as red as his T-shirt and then blamed me for his terrible bike riding.
You guys know that trail—the one that takes you up the mountain by the creek.
It’s for mountain biking and trekking.” They nod their heads while I mumble, “Idiot.”
“Maybe he meant to bump into you.” Lana shrugs.
“What?” Paige and I look at each other with furrowed brows.
“He liked you so much, he couldn’t avoid you,” she states, looking at us like we’re missing the memo.
“Come on, Lana! The guy acted like an ape on crack,” Paige defends.
“Exactly! Thank you, Paige!” I high-five Paige. “Then guess what happened?”
“You kissed him?” Paige nudges me, moving her eyebrows up and down.
“No.” I shake my head and wonder if Paige has a working brain. “Why would I kiss the ape on crack?”
“Because he was hot and you wanted angry sex.”
“No,” I deadpan. “I went to the bookstore and there he was again. Acting all sweet and polite to the clerk. I was this close,” I almost pinch my index finger and thumb together, “to decking him with a book. Anyway, a client canceled and I got interrupted browsing the romance section, so now I’m here early. I can’t get away from the guy.”
“Weird. At least there were no casualties,” Paige says.
“If I ever see him again, he’s going to turn into a casualty,” I mumble.
“Tell me if you need help burying the body,” Paige offers.
“You’re my first call!” I smile.
“Obviously. I am the best.” Paige puts her hand over her heart. “We still on for drinks tonight?”
“We better be! I can’t handle anything else on my schedule getting messed up,” I say. Lana nods.
“Lana, don’t get too excited,” Paige teases, then turns to me. “If you’ve already seen Mr. Red twice, maybe he’ll show up at the club. Wouldn’t that be crazy?”
“Mr. Red?” I question.
“Yeah.” Paige nods with wide eyes. “You know, because you said he was angry looking and had a red shirt.”
“That would be just my luck. If he shows up at the club, then we know he’s a stalker,” I say with a laugh.
“In other news, the gym will be ours thirty days from now,” Lana tells us.
“Yes! Why didn’t you lead with that?” I give her shoulder a light slap.
Lana shrugs .
Lana, Paige, and I have been working to take ownership of the gym for a couple of months now.
The current owners have a debt they can’t pay off, so all we needed to do was come up with fifty grand apiece.
We’ve each taken out a loan and have an agreement with the owners to get the gym back to a profitable place.
They want to keep it in the hands of locals and as part of the town.
Now the owners can retire and have fun. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
Paige will oversee the spa, and Lana will be balancing the books along with making an app.
She knows how to code and will be taking us into this century with her skills.
I’ll be in charge of day-to-day management, like overseeing the trainers, booking appointments, and scheduling classes.
We’re going to ask Jason to be our sales superstar; he can sell anything and look good doing it. It’s a role he has deserved for years.
“I’m so excited we already had plans to go out tonight. We can really celebrate now!” I say.
“Yes, thank goodness. If there was no plan, the world would surely end,” Paige says with a sarcastic tone. She hates plans.
“Shut up!” I give her a playful shove. “There’s nothing wrong with a plan.”
“Right.” Paige blinks. “Anyway, I need to do this workout before my next appointment. See you later, Scar!”
I continue my leg workout while the girls depart to work on arms. A smile sneaks up on my face.
The girls always know how to make the day better.
News about the gym takeover, relaxing at yoga class and drinks later is something to look forward to.
Today is finally looking promising as long as Mr. Red keeps his distance.