????I sat up, exhaling deeply so Arlo understood how annoyed with him I was. “Fine.”
Arlo flashed his pearly whites one last time before taking off. “I owe you one,” he called back to me while he ran out of the gym to grab his things from the office and get on his way. ????
“What? You owe me a steak and lobster dinner? How sweet of you.” I laughed as I caught Arlo glaring at me through the office window, his lips pressed together and shaking his head.
???
Damnit Arlo. I probably had enough time to shower after all, but it wasn’t much later that I heard the front door open and saw a cute little tattooed woman with pink hair walking up to the front desk. I looked around at the guys who were there. Some were practicing footwork while others worked on guarding. The gym was filled with grunts and groans, and my heart felt full.
“Keep up the good work boys.” I trotted out of the gym in hopes this tour wouldn’t take long and she was ready to commit. ??
“You must be Valerie. I’m Kaden. I help Arlo run this place,” I introduced myself, holding my hand out for her to shake it.
She accepted my hand. Her grip was stronger than I had expected but her skin was the softest I had ever felt. “It’s Val. Nice to meet you,” she replied. Her smile was beautiful and felt genuine. ????
“Sorry, Val.” I paused. “So, you’re looking to get into MMA?” I smiled, a genuine expression some said even softened the hard lines of my jaw. “Are you ready to get a feel for the place and the people without having to get punched in the face first?”
Her laugh was contagious as it echoed behind me. Isabella never laughed at my stupid jokes.
I led the way deeper into the gym. Val followed, her movements relaxed and confident. She was comfortable here. “This is the cardio section,” I said, gesturing to a line of treadmills and stationary bikes. “And over here,” I continued, leading her past the sparring ring, “is where the magic happens. We’ve got classes for all levels, from absolute beginners to guys who’ve been doing this their whole lives. We’re a family here. We push each other, but we also look out for each other.” I stopped in the middle of the mat, my gaze sweeping over the focused athletes.
“It’s a lot of work, but I’ve seen it change people’s lives for the better. Physically and mentally.” I turned back to her. “Do you have any questions?”????
“I’m banking on it.” Val seemed to contemplate for a moment while looking around. “I have one question, though.”
????“Shoot.”
“Do you have openings for training?” ????I gestured to head up front so we could look at the schedule. As soon as I opened the calendar I scanned over the availability. “It looks like Arlo has a couple of openings left, his next one is…”
Val quickly cut me off. “I meant withyou.”
She caught me off guard. The way she enunciated her words sent shivers down my spine was a good indicator I should probably be the last person she ever worked with.Careful, Kaden.Ignoring my intuition, and knowing full well I was booked solid, still I checked my calendar. “I’m sorry.”
Her expression sank. “Oh, well, is there a wait list or something?” She sure was persistent. “You see, I moved all the way out here because I knew I had to work with you.” I shook my head, surprised at her response. She turned and started to walk toward the door. “Thanks anyway.”
She moved out here to work with me?Why?“So, what’s your story, Valerie St. Clair? I’m sorry, Val,” I quickly corrected myself. “What’s yourwhy?”??
Val stopped dead in her tracks and turned back to look in my direction. “My why?” she asked with a hint of sass in her voice. “What? Do you want me to stand here and beg you to train with me? Tell you I’ve had this dream since I was a kid and now you’re my only hope?”
A low chuckle escaped me. “As touching as that sounds, how about the truth?” The command in my tone hit its mark and a soft pink stain blossomed over her cheekbones. Shaken, she cleared her throat and busied herself by walking back to the front desk.
“I saw you on TV,” she said, her voice a bit tighter now. “During the open mat day. I was actually there... at the gym I was training at.”
I could tell there was more to her story but I wasn’t going to pry, not yet. There was an eagerness in her voice, a desperation leaving me wanting to help. Arlo was going to kick my ass if I didn’t have a good enough reason for making an exception to my schedule. ??“So you saw me on TV, thought I was handsome and talented and had to work with me?”
Val blurted out a quick ????“Yes.” Before stumbling back over her words. “I mean wait no, no.”
She was really cute when flustered. “Did you have a reason for leaving the gym you were at in Arizona?”
Val didn’t sugarcoat it. “My relationship ended, my trainer was a creep, and when I saw you on the screen…” She trailed off, then took a breath. “I don’t know how to explain it. There was just something about you that felt safe.”
I scrolled through my calendar one last time before settling on a solution. Why I was willing to make an exception for a complete stranger who had just walked in here and announced she’d moved all the way from Arizona to train with me was beyond me, but something about her just wouldn’t let me say no. I wouldn’t stop until I figured it out.
“Tell you what,” I said, “I can train you on Wednesday evenings at 8 o’clock. But since it’s outside my usual hours, I’ll have to charge an extra fifty dollars.”
Val stuck her hand out without hesitation. “You’ve got a deal.”
Fifteen