Chapter 3
Chelsea
At least suffering in the gym day after day during college had provided me with a better understanding of how a fitness center operated.
The plus side was that I had a location to dance away from the studio located behind the community theater, which was locked half the time.
By being a gym employee, I could lose myself in my music and just dance, the perfect form of exercise.
I’d get off shift or even early in the morning before and enjoy an hour or so alone.
Well used leotards.
Wild music depending on my mood.
Mirrors so I could critique the hell out of my performance, which I always did.
I laughed as I passed by the dance studios heading to my office. I’d even thought about applying to teach a few classes. Maybe if I could build my confidence.
When I was a young, impressionable child, my mother had insisted I feed my body as well as my mind, which was why I’d started taking ballet and tap classes at five or six.
There were also piano lessons, and drama club when I’d gotten older.
Let alone the academic classes I was required to ace.
I’d known her methodology. She was the kind of woman who expected perfection, not unlike the pressure my father placed on my brother.
There were certain protocols required by girls in the upper echelon of society.
Become the perfect bride to be to attract the correct influential man. She’d nabbed a rich guy and both my parents expected no less. The only problem was I wasn’t perfectly perfect and had no interest in getting married. Ever.
She’d given up her career as a singer to be with my father.
In my mind, she was living vicariously through me and my career, likely a huge disappointment at this point.
However, wouldn’t she be proud I exercised my vocal muscles the night before?
Who knew. Maybe I helped draw in a future husband so I wouldn’t need to work by the time I was twenty-three.
Then I could mirror her life. Charity events and luncheons. I laughed at the thought.
My conversation with Samantha rolled into my mind along with the very naughty story. I’d had a little fire burning in my belly overnight. And in my pussy, the wicked words sparking a fantasy, and the face on the hunk lurking in my delicious dreams?
The mystery man with dimples.
However, that’s where he’d stay, a solid fantasy in my mind that I could pull out, much like my vibrator whenever I needed a little sexy fix.
Another solid point in learning to love my body by enjoying going to the gym was how doing so had provided stamina for the long hours spent dealing with gym rats.
Now I was just being a brat. I called tour guests the silly name because the clients of Champion Fitness all believed themselves to be winners.
Most drove up in their fancy Mercedes or souped-up sports cars, SUVs that cost more than two full years of college tuition, or in some cases, they had drivers who waited for them patiently outside.
Never allowed to come inside whether it was raining, snowing, or the wind was blowing in excess of sixty miles per hour.
The women wore perfectly matched spandex, the men sporting their Breitling Chronomat 18k watches. All while trying to break a sweat.
Yes, I was stereotyping a teensy tiny bit and certainly not everyone had been born with silver spoons in their mouths. However, a solid fifty percent of the clients were exactly as described.
But they paid their membership fees like everyone else and expected full scale concierge service. That’s where I came in.
Not because I was low man on the totem pole, but because somehow, I’d managed to land an assistant manager position.
I’d merely applied to work the front desk, but the owner had noticed a spark in me that deserved to be nurtured.
The position did entail more money, but also more hours and being up close and personal with the clients.
Thankfully, on Sunday mornings the world was quiet for a couple of hours, no doubt because all the rich people were nursing their hangovers. I envisioned bloody marys and ice packs all around.
With the paperwork out of the way, I was free to make sure the bathrooms and locker rooms were spic and span and smelling like whatever air freshener had been purchased. I adored walking the building. With the facility having over fifty thousand square feet, I managed to get in my steps.
Tennies on.
Earbuds in.
Playlist on.
Volume up.
Something else I’d learned to do was to carry a duffle with me.
Not with tools or even towels. Bottles of water.
Why? Because while there were a few who brought their own liquids to hydrate with, others were not inclined to head to one of three break rooms. My trick of carrying refreshments had been the reason two guests had signed on the bottom line for an extended membership.
Locked and loaded with twenty bottles. I headed out of my office, hitting play at the same time. I moved through the main floor, picking up trash along the way. There were always a few regulars, some pretty cool guys that arrived early to avoid the crowds. And the throngs of pretty people.
I’d heard that more than a few times.
In moving from room to room, I was appreciative of the bright sun coming in through the massive windows.
My step was already quicker than before as I headed down the stairs to the second floor.
With three floors in all, several specialized rooms and a full aquatic center, Champion provided equipment for just about anyone.
A Coldplay song had just started when I walked into the smaller weight room, the area usually sequestered by the men. Why I wasn’t certain other than there were plenty of mirrors for them so they could check out their physiques both before and after their workout.
“Hey, Chelsea. Have time to spot me?” His deep voice was easily heard over the music.
The big, buff blond was cute. I’d have to give him that. Muscles for miles and always wearing the shortest shorts made for a man.
Hmmm… Now my mind was driven to the game the night before. I’d bet a few of the puck bunnies shopped for their Daisy Dukes at the same store as this dude.
“Now, Phil. You wouldn’t want to put your very life into my hands, would you?
” I gave him what he needed to finish his workout by standing over him while he was prepared to lift an ungodly number of weights.
I’d seen him do it a few dozen times before, so I wasn’t worried I’d be calling 9-1-1 by the end of my shift, but geezie weezie, he was pushing it.
His grin when he peered up at me was practically evil, certainly with wicked intent in mind. “I enjoy taking risks, Chelsea, but I will admit I’d prefer to place something else in your able hands.”
One hand on hip, which was cocked to the side. Tilt of head. Pursed, puffy lips. Sad eyes. “Now, Phil. You wouldn’t be trying to flirt with me. Right? You know that’s against the rules.”
My rules, not the club’s.
“You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“I’ll give you an A for effort. Do you need any water?”
“I’m good.”
Yes, he was, but he wouldn’t hear those words from these lips.
I moved through the weight room, grabbing a couple of empty water bottles. Why couldn’t people deal with their own trash?
My step was peppier than normal, a surprise since I’d had a terrible night’s sleep. As I passed Sam the Man Baxter, I threw up my arm for a high five. Our little game, but the older man appreciated it.
“How are the orchids?” I asked after passing him, tugging one earbud slightly free while spinning around and walking backward. Since the death of his wife, the daily trips to the gym, the grocery store, his two tabby cats, and his orchids were his entire world.
His face lit up like a Christmas tree. “I purchased another one that I named Chelsea. The petals are the color of your eyes. Simply stunning.”
His admittance caught me by surprise. I stopped moving, a real smile fading into my usual frown. “That’s really sweet of you, Sam. I’ve never had anyone name any flower after me.”
“I’ll bring a picture next time.”
“Please do. Enjoy your day.” I tossed him a bottle of water, which was something else to bring a shine to his day just like he’d done with mine. People could be very nice.
I moved to another room, noticing Kim was busy on the treadmill. After the injury she’d experienced, I was shocked at how nimble she was.
She noticed my approach, slowing her steps and grabbing a towel tossed over the grab bar. “Because of you, I’m running a 5k this upcoming weekend.”
“Me?” I pointed to my chest. “What did I do?” I was no exercise specialist, but I’d tossed out a few suggestions here and there.
“You suggested moving from the bike to the treadmill weeks ago. Remember? It’s made all the difference in the world.”
Wow, this was turning out to be a much better day than I’d thought. Especially since my mother had left a message about possibly getting together.
“You’re going to win,” I told her. “My prediction.”
“I doubt that, but I’ll call it a win if I cross the finish line.”
By the time I made it to the first break room or as the boss had labeled the small kitchens with neon lights, the Nourishment Facility, I was in a much better mood than before.
Fortunately, there was no one inside, but the juice machines were humming in anticipation of a busy day.
Even with the incredible condo Samantha’s uncle had gifted her, these kitchens were to die for.
Maybe the facility could double as a wedding venue.
I grabbed a towel, wiping the counter until I was happy with the results. Even if there’d been nothing to wipe. My friends used to call me anal. I preferred organized and clean. Another reason I could never live with a guy.
My mind returned to the naughty story from the night before. Perhaps I shouldn’t have read the entire chapter before bed. When I had managed to fall asleep, I’d experienced my share of wicked dreams that could easily scorch the pages of her romance.