Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
I stroll to the entrance of McGee’s before heaving the metal door open. I thought there would be a receptionist or at least a greeter to verify memberships, but instead, no one bothers me and I walk straight in. Maybe everyone already knows everyone, which makes my presence stand out even more.
Ugh. Well, at least I didn’t have to bullshit my way in, which is a plus. I wander further into the large room, trying to pretend I belong. It pretty much looks the same as any working gym. It’s a warehouse-like space with high ceilings and corrugated walls, as well as a concrete floor. Before me is an area populated with a ton of exercise equipment, and then behind that are a few boxing rings with athletes dancing about in padded gear.
My eyes scan the area, and sure enough, Talon is lifting weights in front of a mirror by the side. Ooh, goody! Lucky me because there’s a bank of elliptical machines next to him, and I scurry over to snag one. Hopefully, he doesn’t notice my mad dash to claim a machine, although you can never be sure seeing that I’m an enormous green blob at the moment.
Quickly, I hop onto a strategically positioned elliptical and then lean my phone against the console with the camera facing the handsome man. Can Talon tell what I’m doing? Probably not. These iPhones are so flat as to almost be invisible, and he seems pretty into his workout anyways.
Sure enough, the chiseled athlete grunts with each rep he does. I’m close enough to see the sweat dripping from his forehead and the muscles straining in his arms. God, this guy is hot and these pictures are going to be fantastic. Suddenly, a voice intrudes.
“Do you need help?”
I jump and whip my head around while snatching my phone off the console. A guy who looks to be about twenty wearing a tank top and tight shorts looks at me expectantly, his curly hair caught in a sweat band.
“Sorry, what?”
“I was asking if you need help using the elliptical. You’re new right? I’ve never seen you around before, and there are a lot of controls on these machines.”
I smile wanly. “I’ve got it, thanks.”
“Are you sure?” The young boy leans up against the elliptical next to mine and nods importantly. “These things can be kind of complicated. I’m happy to help you figure it out. I’m Barry, by the way. I work here.”
I stare at him.
“Um thanks, Barry, but I’ve got it.”
I glance back at Talon, who’s still doing reps with an animal-like intensity. Damn. I can’t very well take pictures of him while this guy is talking to me.
“Really, it wouldn’t be any trouble, Miss,” the curly-haired boy continues. He starts to reach towards the controls but I literally push his arm away.
“Seriously, please go away before I call security. Don’t touch my machine while I’m on it.”
Barry jumps back in surprise and to my horror, looks like he’s about to cry. “Sorry! I was just trying to help.”
I give him a few seconds to collect himself before sighing.
“No, it’s okay. Just please don’t touch my machine while I’m on it. I’ll come find you before I leave today, how about that? Would that work?”
He nods tearily as I give him my best reassuring smile. Then, the young boy wanders away to find his next unsuspecting victim. Meanwhile, I roll my eyes and start pedaling before adjusting my phone back into position. Perfect. I’m back in action. Talon’s squarely in the camera’s sights, and I’m going to capture some great stills of him pumping iron.
But after a few minutes, he finishes his set and pauses for a drink of water. Click click! My shutter continues to whir. People love these “Stars are Just Like Us” photos and I snap a few more as he towels off, leans down, and picks up his weights again. He’s really gorgeous with bronzed skin and piercing blue eyes, and I snap a few more shots while he continues to lift. But then he sets down the weights before taking another swig of water and strolling off to the men’s locker room.
I stare after him. Oh shit, was that it? Is he done with his workout already? That can’t be possible. The MMA fighter’s only been at it for fifteen minutes! Don’t professional athletes usually train for hours on end?
I stop my elliptical and give myself a second to catch my breath. What do I do? I can’t go back to my editor with just these shots because it’s not enough. Quickly, I look around. The gym is pretty empty right now, and even more important, no one’s lurking around the men’s locker room.
Come to think of it, the doors to the men’s and women’s locker rooms are right next to each other, so it would be easy to make a mistake and “accidentally” walk into the wrong one. Would I consider it?