Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
She wrinkled her nose but didn’t complain. Perspiration covered her whole body and she moved over to the weighing scales and stepped on. Nibbling her lip, Jase took note and jotted it down in his book.
“Is that good?”
“You’ve lost three pounds,” Jase said.
“So that is not good.”
Jase frowned and looked up from his clipboard. “Why wouldn’t that be good?”
“It’s only three pounds. Shouldn’t I show a dramatic weight loss to start?” Wasn’t that what he said? With her changing every element of her life, she should start losing weight fast and then plateau. Not start out sucking at this.
Why am I surprised? Losing weight has never come easy to me. I am so fat and ugly. Everyone tells me all the time.
“Aria, everyone’s fitness journey is different. Weight loss and weight gain are pesky little devils. You don’t want to lose weight too fast, because in my experience, it’s so easy to put it back on. My plan is about a lifestyle change, which in turn will benefit you. I’m writing these down as you have goals, but for me, I don’t like to become obsessed with numbers.”
“Is that your long-winded way of telling me to stop worrying?”
Jase chuckled. “I guess it is. Look, Aria, I don’t believe in forcing people to come to the gym, which I know is crazy, but I want my place to be a fun experience. Not to battle some desire to please other people. Working out, fitness, this is all a personal goal. If you’re happy with who you are, then we can stop this, unless this is what you want.”
Before she got a chance to answer, Jase was summoned to a problem.
There were mirrors all around the gym. She hated her reflection. Over the years she had fought hard not to look at herself. She had so many people in her life telling her she didn’t match up to what they wanted. She didn’t fit their model, and it was easier to not see what they saw.
Aria lifted her head and looked at her reflection. She refused to wear tight-fitting clothes. Why enhance what people told her was gross? She was more interested in hiding every single part of herself, not encouraging people to look. The leggings she wore were large, as was her shirt. It was too big so it fell a little off her shoulder.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”
Aria turned to see Sean, Lidia’s ex, heading toward her.
Great. Just who she needed to see.
“You’re not supposed to be in here,” Aria said.
“No? This is a place for people who want to look their best. This is not a place for people like you.”
Aria stared at Sean. He hadn’t liked her from the moment they met. She tilted her head to the side and stared at him.
“What do you want?” Aria asked.
“Me, I want nothing, but I’m sick and tired of seeing you. This place is not for fat people. Fucking ugly people. You make me sick.” The disgust on his face was real.
Aria stared at him and it was almost funny. Actually, it was really funny. He reminded her so much of her mother.
“Wow,” Aria said. “I didn’t realize I could be so repulsive by just being here.”
“Why don’t you just fucking leave?” Sean asked. “I can’t believe Lidia picked that over me.” He held his hand out and pointed up and down.
“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?”
Aria gasped and spun around to see Grant heading toward them. He’d changed into a pair of shorts and a polo shirt with the gym’s logo. His heavily inked arms were on display and the shirt looked a little too tight on him, but he looked incredible.
He stepped in front of her, reached out, and moved her behind him. He was protecting her. Aria was surprised.
“What the fuck is this?” Sean asked. “Fatty’s little army.” He laughed to himself.
Grant took a step toward him. She saw that he was a little taller than Sean and scary as well. The smile was soon wiped from Sean’s lips.
“Go on, say it again,” Grant said. “I dare you.”
“Dude, you can do so much—”
Sean never got to finish. Grant landed the first blow and Aria gasped, taken aback by the sheer force of it.
“Do you think it’s funny to call her names, you little dickhead fucker!” Grant threw a punch to his gut, then another. “Go ahead, say it again. Say that shit. Come on. Do it.”
Sean didn’t get the chance to say another word. He did try to fight back, but he was no match for Grant, who showed absolutely no mercy. Just as Sean fell to the floor, Jase rushed into the room.
“What the hell are you thinking?”
Jase stepped between the two men, but Aria knew Grant was done. If he wasn’t, there would be no stopping him.