"Thought did cross my mind," I say, keeping my tone light despite the growing feeling of dread building behind my sternum.
"I need a favor."
"Oh?"
How stupid of me to think he'd be that boringly predictable.
"You know I have an older brother? Jarvis."
"I do," I say then try to remember if I've ever met him. Oh, God, I hope I wasn't wasted and that's why I can't remember if I have.
"He's, um…been through some stuff. But he's better now. He got qualified as a personal trainer and has started working with staff at your company on their fitness."
"That's great."
The wellness program is how Robbie met Dunlop. Robbie made quite the first impression from what I've heard from Bremmer and Clayton.
"It is, but…"
I take the bait. "But, what?"
Robbie slurps the last of the water through the straw then turns to me, eyes all wide and commanding, and I can see why he's got Dunlop completely under his thumb. "Well, he's great at what he does. But he's also new, so he's lacking a bit in confidence. I was hoping you'd be open to training with him, maybe encourage him a little? Just enough for him to get on his feet."
He folds his hands neatly in his lap, waiting for me to answer.
I'm taking my time because this wasn't what I was expecting at all.
But, I could stand to lose a few pounds, and if it means helping Robbie's brother out, what could be the harm?
2
Jarvis
"Holy fucking shit." I crane my neck, squint against the sun, and only barely make out the top of the residential skyscraper. My destination for today. "It's huge."
I step into the air-conditioned lobby and approach the front desk. "Hi. Jarvis Small. I'm here to see Anson Palmer."
The middle-aged attendant eyes me up and down, and a shiver of self-consciousness rolls through me. I've lost over a hundred pounds, but I stillfeelfat whenever people pay close attention to me.
Weight has always been an issue in my family. Growing up, Robbie and I were bullied mercilessly at school because of our mom. She had a number of health issues that resulted in her being overweight. She was closing in on 500 pounds when she passed away.
I've always struggled with my weight, too. I've come to accept that I'll always be beefy, even though I've got my act together and am healthy today. Taking Robbie's advice and becoming a personal trainer has done wonders for my self-esteem. I'll neverhave abs or a trim waist like so many other guys, and I'm finally okay with that. One big lesson being a PT has taught me is that healthy bodies come in various shapes and sizes.
I love working with people, helping them to achieve their fitness goals. When Robbie told me Anson hasn't been doing well and is too self-conscious to train in public, I jumped at the chance to offer some private one-on-one sessions.
The Palmers have been so good to us—Dunlop built an aged care facility so Gramps had somewhere to live, for crying out loud—so it's the least I can do.
My brother and I are different in a lot of ways, but one quality we share is we love a challenge. And I am determined to help Anson get back in shape, even though Robbie warned me he might be hesitant at first.
The attendant lets me through, and I ride the elevator all the way to the top floor. When the doors ping open, I step out into the fancy marble-floored hallway and ring the doorbell.
A few seconds later, the door swings open, and holy fucking meatballs, the man who answers isa god. I'm not talking old man in a white robe. I mean of the bronzed Greek variety. Anson's face is long, angular with a jawline so sharp it looks lethal. His dark eyes only add to the intensity, but the effect is tempered by the disarray of his hair, a cute dip in his chin, and the solid mound of his full lips.
He stands in the doorway wearing a fitted black dress shirt, sleeves rolled to his forearms, tucked neatly into dark, fitted jeans, the denim clinging in all the right places. Not exactly workout attire, sure, but what the hell was Robbie talking about? This guy isn't out of shapeat all.
"Hi, I'm Jarvis Small. You must be Anson?"
His brown eyes briefly drop to the two insulated food bags I'm carrying. "That's right. Come on in, Jarvis."