Weekdays are slow at the gym. Other than a few retirees and one young mother working with Mercy on losing her baby weight, it’s just Andy, Jim, Mercy, and me hanging around, working on our fitness for most of the day.
I keep my distance from Mercy when we’re working. Andy did threaten to fire me if I didn’t stay away from her, and I respect his position as my boss. Still, we’re pretty addicted to touching each other when we pass in the halls, and I can’t resist
grabbing her slim hips and stealing a kiss whenever we’re alone.
We’re in just such a clutch when Jim rounds the corner, catching us in a deep embrace, tongues entwined.
“Hey, Mercy. Sorry, dudes.” We break apart, and she rubs her cute little nose against mine as he continues. “I was just thinking we should work on a new hold I can attack you with. You know. Something you can teach the girls to escape from?”
He gives me a mild glare, and I can’t help a laugh. It’s hilarious to have Jim reprimand us.
“Sure!” Mercy says, pulling away from me and following him to the front of the gym. I go behind the juice bar where I can pretend not to watch as I fix myself a protein shake.
Andy wanders out to where I’m standing behind the bar. “Fix one of those for me,” he says casually, and I nod. “Starting tomorrow, why don’t you do two to nine weekdays? It’s when we’re busiest.”
“Sounds good,” I say, silently hoping it doesn’t mean I’ll miss Mercy.
“Let’s see,” she says, positioning her small, tight body in front of Jim’s larger, much softer one on the mats out front. “We’ve pretty much covered attacks from the front, from behind…”
“How about I come at you from the side?”
Her pretty brow clenches over her beautiful blue eyes. “It has to be something that could happen in real life.”
“I know!” Jim is practically bouncing in place. “You know how sometimes people you least expect will try to attack you out of the blue. Like the ole switcheroo?”
“I don’t think that’s the ole switcheroo,” she notes slowly. “Still, you bring up a great point. We need to talk to them about date rape.”
“Aw, that kind of bums me out, dude.”
“What does?”
“Date rape.” Jim looks down at the mat. “Dates are supposed to be fun.”
She nods. “You’re right. It’s a sucky topic.”
“So what should I do?”
“What if you pretend to be my friend and then make a pass at me.”
“Is that all?”
“No, when I say ‘Stop, I’m not interested,’ you don’t take no for an answer. You keep pushing me for more. Think you can do that?”
He does a little shrug. “I guess.”
Andy and I are quiet, shakes in hand as we watch the scenario unfold out front. Mercy smiles up at Jim, light in her pretty eyes and sunshine on her face. Everything changes when Jim starts to play his role. He puts his hands on her upper arms, and when she tries to push them off, he grips her tighter, holding her against her will.
I don’t expect the ball of fury that explodes my stomach as I watch my beautiful Mercy refuse our simple co-worker. My head knows he’s playing a role. It’s their job, and what’s more, she’s a shifter. Mercy could rip Jim’s head off. Still, when he shakes her and pulls her against him, my insides revolt.
“I said NO!” Mercy says with more force.
“Well, I’m sorry, dude.” Jim’s voice is raised. “I’m not taking no for an answer this time.”
His delivery is stilted, but the sight of him grabbing her body causes something inside me to snap. I’m over the juice bar and headed out front before I can register what I’m doing.
“Dude!” I barely hear Jim’s cry before I have him by the neck, up against the wall. “Dude…” He chokes.
With my shifter strength, I have him off the floor, and I’m crushing his esophagus.