“Let’s start at the beginning,” she says, tears beginning to well once more. “I’m so sorry I got you guys fired from Fast Theory. You guys are the most amazing personal trainers with huge clienteles, and I totally screwed it up.”
One lone tear slips down her cheek, which Chris thumbs it away, his blue eyes intense.
“Again baby, it wasn’t your fault at all. We still have no idea what ‘unbecoming conduct’ means, and fuck Fast Theory. I couldn’t care less. But again, back to you. Where were you, and what does this have to do with our jobs?”
She inhales again with tears streaming down her cheeks while looking down at her clasped hands.
“The truth is that I went out dancing.”
“Dancing?” I echo. “Dressed like this?”
Patty shakes her head miserably, still unable to meet our eyes.
“Yes, because I was dancing at a different kind of club. At the Krazy Kat, to be exact.”
Suddenly, it all makes sense and my jaw drops. The Krazy Kat is a strip club a few towns over, and sure enough, Patty reaches into the pockets of her trench coat then, her hands emerging with wads of money. There are tens, twenties, and even hundreds clasped between her fingers.
“I went to the Krazy Kat to perform,” she says between sobbing hiccups, “And I made this tonight.”
“But why?” I demand, my blue eyes burning. “What could possess you to do that?”
Patty swipes at another stray tear. “I want to help pay our rent, what else?” she cries. “You lost your jobs and we have no income coming in! So we’re poor and I wanted to contribute. All I do is spend money, and I’m sick of being a burden.”
Chris and I are frozen with astonishment, staring at each other over our woman’s head. But then we spring into action.
“Oh, love,” I murmur as my buddy and I press kisses to our sweet, giving girl. “You didn’t have to. This is way beyond what you needed to do because we have plenty of money, Patty. Didn’t we tell you that?”
My friend presses his lips to her temple.
“It wasn’t necessary, silly girl,” he whispers gently but firmly. “Like Chase said, we have tons of money saved, and you didn’t need to go out and dance for dollars.”
“Yes, but the money you have saved is to start your new business!” Patty cries. “I was making you spend down your nest egg, when it’s supposed to go to a new venture!”
I shush her again.
“Yes, but that’s the best part, Pat. Chris and I have already started our new business, and it’s doing amazing.
That makes our woman jerk back, her chocolate eyes surprised.
“Wait, what?” she asks, looking between our massive forms. “What do you mean?”
I grin at her. “We’ve been taking steps to open our own gym, Patty, and it finally happened. Just today in fact. We signed a lease and filed the papers. You’re now looking at the new owners of C&C Fitness.”
Our woman’s eyes go wide as she stares at us with shock.
“Oh my God,” Patty whispers.
Chris nods.
“Not only that, but business is already booming,” he adds with a sly smile.
“But how?” Patty whispers, one hand going to cover her mouth. “I thought you only signed a lease today.”
I nod. “Yes, but we’ve been doing outreach for a couple weeks now, and it turns out that all of our clients from Fast Theory are interested in coming with us. So we already have a built-in customer base.”
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
Chris smiles. “Yep. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Fast Theory ends up shutting their doors because honestly, without me and this asshole?” he grins, nodding at me. “They don’t have much of a business anymore.”
Patty’s absolutely stunned. “Oh my God,” she whispers again. “I had no idea.”
I merely nod and pull her close, nuzzling into those sweet brown curls.
“You silly girl,” I say. “You were always our top priority, and as much as we appreciate your sacrifice, there was never any need to worry. Chris and I got this.”
She looks at the two of us in total astonishment. “But that’s… that’s amazing. I was so worried I messed everything up, but the entire time, you guys were planning this.” She starts crying again, but this time they’re tears of joy. “I love you both so much,” she stammers between hiccups. “I’m so sorry I went on stage because it wasn’t just any dance, as you’ve probably guessed,” she says in a rush. “I showed those men everything, and that’s why I was paid so well.”
“Shhh,” I murmur while pressing a kiss to her hand. “It’s fine, and you were only doing what you needed to do.”
“Besides,” adds Chris with a sly smile. “I’m kind of glad other men got to see what you have. They don’t get to touch, and I bet a lot of those assholes are jealous that we’re the ones who get to enjoy your beautiful body, Patty.”