Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
“I only want whatever yoga classes are done in that place,” Mike reiterated, remembering what he’d read about recovering sex addicts last night. Mike didn’t want to make Rayne feel indebted to him. And this fitness center was expensive as fuck, so Mike would have to work this gift properly. “If I get a membership, can a guest use it sometimes? Most of the time.”
The manager seemed to know where Mike was going. Good. Because gullible people pissed him off. This guy had to see that Mike didn’t look or act like the type who did yoga. But he was willing to take the membership if it meant Rayne could use it and finally have a place to go practice like he’d been wanting, getting him that much closer to happiness. Once Rayne found his own joy and inner peace, that was the phase in his recovery where he could consider dating again if he desired. And Mike told himself he was going to do everything in his power to help Rayne get there because the sexy, silent man was going to be his. Period.
“I got you, pal. I’ll give you two scan cards so your guest will have their own.” He winked and slapped Mike so hard in the center of his spine that he almost hit him back to see how he liked it, but he remained professional because it seemed their new client came with a pretty decent perk.
“Cool. And if you could just give me whatever schedule and pamphlets you have for that studio, I’d appreciate it,” Mike finished as he sat beside Manny in the other hard plastic chair in front of the manager’s desk.
“I can do that. We’ll get these contracts signed fast, and then I’ll get you all set up in the system.” The manager sat down at his tidy desk—his brawn barely fitting in his office chair—and powered up his desktop computer. “And any of your staff that work the grounds here are all welcome to a full membership as well. On me.”
“Very generous of you.” Manny nodded.
Mike could feel his best friend staring at him, and when he didn’t offer up anything, he knew Manny wouldn’t let it slide.
“You interested in yoga, Big Mike?” Manny chuckled.
“Yeah. It’s been on my vision board since ninety-nine,” Mike answered in a grave tone. “Now, mind your own damn business.”
“Maybe I’ll take a class with you,” his friend smirked.
“Hey, fellas, I teach the P90X CrossFit interval class on Mondays and Wednesday nights if that’s more your speed,” the manager said with enthusiasm.
Manny and Mike exchanged irritated glares before Mike rumbled, “Buddy, we work outside in the blazing sun all day—do you really think we wanna come in here on any night and train like a damn Navy Seal?”
The manager looked as if he’d been spat on. Manny glared at Mike—shutting him the hell up—his eyes telling him to get back to business.
Mike gritted his teeth as he pulled out their standard commercial contract from the compartment inside his clipboard. He jotted down the pertinent information in the blank spaces, making sure to add the extra fees for the rush job, then presented it to Aaron for his review and signature.
Mike left the posh fitness center with a nice five-figure contract for the seven gyms and a way for him to get that much closer to Rayne. He’d planned to go home and chill after a long shower, but the anxiety building in his gut wasn’t going to settle until he gave Rayne his gift and waited with bated breath for his reaction.
Chapter Sixteen
Rayne
Rayne was sitting in the dark in front of his bedroom window, trying to summon a feeling of gratitude. He was learning through counseling that even at a person’s lowest point, there was always something to be grateful for. But damn if he wasn’t struggling to believe that sentiment right about now.
Wood had allowed Rayne to take one of the dining room chairs into his bedroom so he could meditate near the window at night with the crisp spring breeze whispering across his face. Being outside in Trent and Wood’s neighborhood was fine during the day, but not so much when dusk fell. His roommates had warned him that the freaks indeed came out at night around these parts.
Rayne was a long way from Carnegie Hills.
He’d showered and deep conditioned his hair after he finished his evening exercises. Now he was sitting there thinking if he was going to try to force himself to sleep and end this miserable day or read some of the book Edison let him borrow. Wood and Trent were in the living room, binge-watching a show they’d been obsessed with for the past few days. Rayne had been invited to join them, but he’d politely declined as he was sure there was a lot of sex in it since he’d heard the moaning when he went into the kitchen for a drink. It was too quiet in his room, and he was still debating in his mind what he was going to do when he flinched suddenly at the loud, pounding knock at the front door before it opened and slammed shut.