“Love you too.”
I hang up the phone and crick my neck, slowly trying to brush off this uneasy feeling. Hayley isn’t going to affect me anymore, I won’t let her under my skin. I did once but I’m way over that. She’s ruthless, she will do whatever she can to get what she wants, but I’m strong, I’m powerful, I’m a survivor.
I pull my clothes on, getting myself into work mode, and I bounce back down the stairs with a beaming smile on my face. “Okay, guys. I’m off, but you two have a good day, okay?”
They both raise a hand to me, barely acknowledging me because they are so wrapped up into one another which is sweet to see. Alex is absorbed and happy, just as I want him to be.
“Okay, well I’ll see you both at dinner time! Bye.”
The burning hot Las Vegas sun sears my skin as I step outside and I breathe it in deep. I fucking love my home, I adore living in the City of Sin. Since I run a health center I’m not exactly in the thick of it, but I like knowing it’s just there. The neon lights, the constant parties, the endless fun. I grew up in this amazing city, and I wouldn’t leave it for the world.
I slide my sun glasses onto my head and start the drive to downtown where I spend most of my days…
* * *
“Hey there, boss. How are you doing this morning?”
“I’m good thanks, Foster. You look like shit though. It’s pretty obvious you’ve done the night shift.”
“Well, if you will insist on running a twenty four hour gym...”
“I will. Some of our best customers come in at night.”
“Yeah, that’s true. And we had some fine chicks last night. You missed out.”
“Ah, I’m not too worried. We get some good looking girls in the day too. Not that I would ever mix business with pleasure.”
“Oh no, me neither.” He shoots me a wink, suggesting otherwise. I turn a blind eye to it unless it hurts my customers. My staff aren’t stupid enough to let that happen. “But for now, I’m off. I need some shut eye.”
“Of course. I’ll see you soon alright?”
The gym is empty for the moment, but I know it won’t be for long. I won’t have long to admire the business I built up from nothing. I knew I wanted to run my own company even while I was at school and I knew fitness was the only thing I could do well. Thank goodness for my charisma. It meant investors were willing to take a chance on me. Without that, I wouldn’t have my dream.
But I do have my dream, and I’ve clung onto it despite everything, which I will class as a win.
“No point in letting the equipment go to waste.” I grab the weights. “I might as well use them.”
Not everyone turns their passion into a career. I see so many people who skate by in life accepting misery as normality. That’s a part of this experience for me. I don’t just inspire people to get fit and healthy, I inspire them to better every aspect of their lives and that is why they come back over and over again.
I stare at my reflection and pump the weights, watching my muscles flex as I do. It isn’t a bad life. It could be better in some ways, but I’m sure as hell not complaining.
* * *
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26
Sneak Peak: Burning with Lust
The last time I threw myself into commitment, I got my heart burned.
I had sworn off women ever since then,
But Jodi was different.