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  The gym’s grown so much. At times I think these meetings need to be held in a different venue, or I’ll have to build an extension to the gym.

  Each supervisor is supposed to have their own meetings with their teams to make sure everything’s ticking nicely. I went to a management course when the gym started growing and learned the importance of being a good leader. Keeping your staff happy was clause number one. I’ve visited many gyms and heard from clients that they can’t believe my staff is still the same.

  We’ve had the same guys since the beginning; it’s more or less a case of new ones joining as we expand.

  “Not in the mood; so not in the mood,” Steve shouts as he enters and starts mumbling something to himself as he sits down. I’m not the only one he irritates because no one’s listening to him. If it weren’t for him being so good at his job I would have gotten rid of him a long time ago. His parents should have named him Arrogance, not Steve. The guy always has to brag about how many women he’s had sex with and he’ll go into detail about whether it was anal, oral, or standard. Like anyone needs or wants to know! There is definitely no one here who wants to know where the stupid prick is sticking his dick.

  He irritates me. Tina notices my aggravation and whispers, “Jealous again?”

  I sniff. “If only there was something to be jealous about....”

  She laughs as she brings more chairs into the room. Fuck, there are eight of them sitting there, all looking at my face.

  For some reason Steve is still annoying the fuck out of me. Normally, I can brush the guy off, but today he’s really rubbing me the wrong way.

  I mean sure, the guy could be considered good-looking. His dark hair sort of reminds me of Rob Lowe, and women say the same thing. They would say anything to get a piece of his dick. He wears the tightest pants I’ve ever seen on a trainer. Everyone could guess why; it’s that obvious. From what I can tell he doesn’t even have much to brag about. I told him not to wear them in class, so he does it while he’s walking round the gym.

  That’s not what really bothers me. No, my problem is the way he speaks to everyone, including me. He’s fucking rude! Women may find that shit attractive, but I’m not trying to fuck him, so I don’t. If it wasn’t for Tina and the women going on about his unique technique I would have kicked his ass to the curb a long time ago. It probably means they’re fucking him.

  I need to be cold and fire his ass, because the moment you give a prick like him an inch they end up taking a whole fucking mile. I’ve seen it done a thousand times with the men at work and friends who are in a relationship. My issue with him is that he wants to be the center of attention, like when he came into my office just now. It’s not his fucking meeting and he didn’t even say hello. Sometimes, I have to bring him down a peg and remind him. It isn’t his fucking gym or his “pick up girls” studio. It’s work and he needs to take it seriously.

  Everyone is staring at me, reminding me I’m supposed to be leading the fucking meeting, not letting this asshole get under my skin.

  I clear my throat to start, but Tina cuts in.

  “Right, so the agenda today is the same as each week: the main issues with their status to date, new issues, and any other issues.”

  Everyone’s quiet as Tina starts the meeting. I look at all eight faces and start to drift off, remembering when it used to be only three faces in this meeting: Tina, Carl, and I.

  She continues talking. There’s one thing that’s been bugging me and we need to resolve it as a matter of urgency. We need a change. I wait for everyone to get things off their chest: guest complaints, staff problems, and gym repairs. When everyone is finished talking, I start. “I need a new contracting company because lately every time I turn around there’s something leaking or broken after it’s supposedly been repaired.”

  Fernando took over his dad’s company after he’d retired and I’ve used the same company for the last three years. I’m thinking as much as I hate to do it I may need to get rid of them and use someone else. I love consistency, but he isn’t keeping the company’s reputation spotless like his dad had. The work is there, he just clearly isn’t doing it.

  As much as I love to be loyal, I need to think about my business. I continue my thought even though it isn’t necessary. I make the ultimate decision regardless of what they think, but I try to be open to opinion. “I can’t have people using the gym while it smells like piss because he hasn’t fixed a leak or a broken pipe. People pay a lot of money for their membership to train in a top-end facility, not a sewer.”

  “I agree,” Tina responds.

  “I’m going to find a new contractor for the repairs,” I say as I note it down so I can touch base with her later.

  “Good,” Steve shouts. Does he think I’m fucking deaf or stupid? Where in that statement did I ask for his opinion? When I say I’m changing companies, it’s end of one topic and on to the next.

  Tina clears her throat, probably because she knows I’m about to lose my cool. “Our last topic: around the room with any open issues or questions.”

  I look around my office and realize this means we’ll be starting with Steve; it should have been with me.

  “I’m thinking of a new program.”

  Getting a fucking attitude?

  “Does everyone remember the TV series, The Biggest Loser?”

  Everyone nods; that series was a classic. Shame they axed it. Tell overweight guys they’re going to stay in a house, and then tell them you’ll give them two hundred and fifty grand if they lose the most weight. Some great challenges came up on that series. It was great, but I wish they’d done a follow-up so we knew if they kept the weight off or not.

  The prick continues....

  “Well, I’m thinking the Omega Biggest Loser!”

  He stands up with his hands in the air. Is he fucking mad? Do I look like I’m giving out two hundred and fifty grand?

  “So, I don’t have to pay you ever again and that’ll be the prize money,” I blurt out. I couldn’t help myself. He walked straight into that one. Dumbass.

  Again, Tina shakes her head. What’s up with her and defending this jerk?

  “No, I’m thinking we charge them a low entry fee and then we give them a diet based on their individual weight; an incentive to lose weight, but train them for free. The winner gets a free twelve-month membership. Then, the person with the most significant change gets a prize. Obviously, not two hundred and fifty grand, but maybe something else.”

  Everyone’s nodding, including Tina. Make it stop; stop me from doing what I’m about to do. “That’s a fucking brilliant idea,” I say, as I whack him on the back.

  Okay, I did it a bit too hard but, shit, the guy irritates me with his brilliant idea which has everyone going crazy. The meeting comes to an end with everyone buzzing about the Omega Biggest Loser Plan. Steve decides to head up the team and everyone’s game.

  Everyone congratulates him on his fantastic idea and I watch him leave, wondering if his fat head would fit through the door. After they all leave and I arrange my office the way it looks normally, Tina blurts out, “Good, they’ve all gone. We can talk.”

  I slump back in my chair. I don’t like the sound of those words...not one little bit. Even worse, I hate the look on her face as she quietly closes the door.

  Chapter Three

  I start to open my mouth. Fuck, I’m so nervous. “What’s up?” Why does she look like death paid her a visit as she sits in the chair? I remember she was quiet in the meeting. I need to get my mind off Mia because, for once, I’m the one who’s not paying attention.

  “So, I haven’t been feeling too great since you left.”

  I shrug. She’s feeling a bit run down; so, that’s normal. I take a closer look at her as she slumps down further into the chair. She’s lost a bit of weight and her hair, which is always tied back, but today she has left it down. It looks limp and lifeless as it hangs on her breast.

  “I went to the doctor and they said I ne
ed a few tests run.”

  Now, she’s really got my attention. I don’t like where this conversation is heading. I move to sit next to her. Talk of doctors isn’t usually a good thing. I don’t like her feeling and looking like this, especially talking to me across the desk.

  A tear runs down her cheek as she shakes her head, like I’m not getting the big hint to the puzzle that is right in front of me.

  “Every woman feels run down or crappy, especially around that time of the month. Don’t get yourself hyped up. It’s probably nothing.”

  “But lately it’s more than that. It runs on for weeks at a time, I lose focus, and I get these shooting pains, especially in the –”

  She looks down, and at first I think she’s looking at her hair. “They found a lump...”

  Then, it dawns on me. I know exactly where this fucking conversation is going and I feel angry.

  Breast fucking cancer!

  No way. Not my Tina; not the girl who’s practically my baby sister. Not now, not ever. I can’t even say the words without feeling sick. Breast cancer.

  Shit.

  I hold her tight and ask, “When’s the test?”

  My body’s shaking along with hers. She’s crying hysterically while I hold her. Not only is she scared, but I’m fucking petrified.

  “Tomorrow,” she whimpers as I continue to hold her. There’s a knock on the door. I ignore it. I know who’s knocking and, for a minute, I think she’s the one that should fucking have cancer.

  She can never take a fucking hint. Tina collects herself and so do I. After all, it hasn’t been confirmed as cancer. She has a lump and they just want to make sure that it’s not cancerous. Also, it could be other things, which are not fatal. I don’t want to get excited, but I need to know what I’m up against, so the sooner the worthless bitch on the other side stops thumping my fucking door and gets out of here, the sooner I can get on the internet and figure this shit out.

  “What?” My tone is full of aggravation.

  I make my way to the door and yank it open as Tina slips out of the room.

  “Is that any way to greet your mom,” she asks as she brushes past me and walks into my office, acting as if she owns the place. Shit, I must be hard of hearing, because did she say greet and mom in the same sentence?

  The gym and the BNY program has left me with enough money in my bank account to live a comfortable lifestyle. I have a nice monthly salary. Nothing like what I was brought up in. Don’t get me wrong, there was always food on the table, but I doubt Pops could afford the brand new convertible I’ve got parked in the garage. We certainly never went on exotic holidays, yet I can afford to go on a couple each year. I love traveling and exploring new cultures and especially different types of ladies.

  My penthouse’s up in Lakeview. No one knows where it is because they think my official home is in the apartment above the gym. I give it out to Mom for whenever she’s in town, which isn’t often. I may not forgive her, but I won’t leave her on the streets either.

  She comes and goes as she pleases, looking for the next idiot to take care of her. Mom believes that her and Pop´s relationship failed, cause of Pop´s. But I know the truth: they’re both to blame since neither made an effort to make their marriage work.

  Mom’s lazy. Whenever she stays in the apartment above the gym, it looks like a fucking pigsty. I wonder if she’s left the apartment. She arrived over two weeks ago and I have not heard from her since. Everyone had been shocked she’d left Pops, because she wants to do fuck all. I think it was more the humiliation of him fucking everyone but her that drove her to leave. Fuck, who cares? No one thought she had it in her to up and leave. The only reason she never took me was because it would’ve been too much work. One thing about Mom and work: they don’t belong in the same sentence.

  I take a deep breath and shut the door. I walk behind my desk. The further she is from me the better. I’ve had a shock to my fucking system and I really don’t feel like dealing with her. I need to get it together and check some things out. I don’t have the time or energy to waste on her.

  “What is it this time?”

  “Son,” she says as she tries to break a smile. I must be fucking hard of hearing, because this tired woman, who looks like she’s been in a train wreck, has never, ever, called me that. I didn’t even think she was aware that I was her son. I assumed she thought I was a bank or a hotel. That’s the way she treats me anyway.

  “I’m in the middle of a situation,” I bark out in a clipped tone. As if she didn’t even hear me, she takes out a cigarette and lights it, puffing away in my office. I run a gym not a smoking center. She needs to leave.

  “Apartment is free. Stay there. How much do you need? I’ll take care of it in the morning.”

  “Ten thousand.” She comes over and gives me a kiss as if trying to sway me from thinking she’s using me. She’s the worst con artist in the history of them. I only give her money to keep her out of my way.

  She takes her worn-out dress, which I can only assume was once black, and her bag, in the same condition, before she hurriedly makes her way out. I could ask her why she needs so much, but I just don’t give a shit. She caught me on a bad day, and there aren’t many of those. I’m too distracted to care. She can have the cash...this time. The next time she asks for any amount over the cost of a burger and fries, I’ll tell her to fuck off. Knowing her, it won’t be very long.

  Now, it’s time to look on the Internet. I want to know anything and everything about what’s happening with Tina. There has to be some sure symptoms for breast cancer she doesn’t have, confirming it’s just a scare, then we’ll have a great big fucking party to celebrate it was nothing. This I never expected from Tina. She’s always so strong, appearing ten foot tall and bulletproof. I never pray but instead of booting up my computer, I find myself taking a minute with my hands together and my head held down, praying at my desk.

  Chapter Four

  I'm sitting in my Jeep scared for the first time in my life. I couldn't concentrate all day yesterday. I’m not good at pretending; never had to be, until now. I had to keep a brave face on all day. Steve’s been recruiting everyone into his Omega Biggest Loser program. Thank goodness he had the sense to keep me out of it.

  I've been ready to take Tina to the hospital for the mammogram since six this morning. I didn’t even look or think about the time. I’ve been sitting in the Jeep hoping the fresh air calms my nerves before I got sick.

  Upon arrival she took one look at me, kissed me on the forehead, and took my hand. I’ve been wondering if we’ll still be like we are, family, in a few months’ time. Shit, cancer? I just can’t wrap my head around it. Why doesn’t this shit happen to people like my parents? Why the good people?

  “Ready,” she whispers as she takes my hand. I’m fucked up inside. I don’t trust many people, but once I do it’s for life. Tina is my only family; the only one I claim, anyway. I just can’t get the whole ordeal out of my head and I feel like a selfish pig. Shit, she’s the one who’s possibly sick and I’m acting like I’m arranging her funeral already.

  “So, you’re helping Steve on the Biggest Loser campaign?”

  Great icebreaker. My anxiety is starting to show. Talking about the prick will draw my emotions elsewhere, away from what today’s about.

  “You should get to know him. He’s not that bad. His ideas are quite good. I figured out why you don’t like him, just so you know.”

  She turns down the radio. I didn’t even realize it was playing until I saw her hand moving on the buttons. She looks so beautiful today. She’s wearing a long, light blue summer dress. Her hair is tied back, with a small curl bouncing around her eyes. All this shit has me feeling sentimental and mushy. I don’t fucking like it at all. I need to know everything is fine so I can get back to the Alex I do best.

  “Why are you dressed up?”

  I look like shit from lack of sleep. Only when I saw her all dolled up did I realize I was wearing the same sw
eats from yesterday. I didn’t even change. Shit, I don’t even remember if I ate. I felt bad that I was at camp and she was going through this alone.

  “To make me feel better. If I don’t have hope I might as well give up.”

  I nod, then I realize she is right. We need hope. We need to be optimistic.

  “So, why do I hate Steve?”

  Okay, so curiosity got the better of me.

  “It’s like looking in the fucking mirror.”

  I glance at her for a second and I see her with her hand over her mouth, trying to contain her laughter. The same thing she’d done since we were kids. In this moment I know she is okay. I now have a spark of hope.

  Good, because I’m due at the camp tomorrow, and the way I’m feeling right now I want to cancel the whole program and just spend time with her. I don’t want her out of my sight. I can’t lose her; not now, not ever.

  Chapter Five

  As we arrive at General Hospital, I feel sick. Maybe the couple of shots I had last night to knock me out where playing havoc with my stomach since I hardly ate. What a joke! I was supposed to be here to give Tina moral support, yet I was the one who was falling apart.

  “You okay?” she whispers as I park the car.

  I take a few deep breaths and look into her eyes and say, “Sure.”

  What else could I say?

  The confident, arrogant jerk had jumped out of the car and been replaced by a wimp. I shake my head at the thought of not being able to give Tina the moral support she needs. She’s going through this crazy shit right now. The thoughts going through my head need to be put aside. Now.

  “If you promise to pass all the tests then I will start taking it easy on Steve.”

  She laughs at my statement, “You can’t help it, Alex. That’s why I love you.” She gives me a hug and I release my seatbelt and squeeze her tightly.