AllFreeNovel
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We both watch Peter walk to the lockers, swinging his towel over his shoulder. As soon as he disappears behind the doors, Matt turns to me. “You’ll always get clients who will want to give up on themself. Don’t ever let them do that. Get it?”
I bob my head up and down. Honestly, Matt is so big, it’s kinda terrifying. I think there’s even a vein in his finger. I can totally see him doing curls with his index finger. Maybe even finger deadlifts. He’s that shredded.
“At the beginning, you need to be the one to believe in them. They came to the gym today. That’s the goal you need them to achieve. That’s already pretty hard for most. Once they get here, you need to make it worth it to them. Sometimes you have to play therapist to their fitness needs. That’s what makes a great personal trainer.”
“And what makes a terrible trainer?” I find myself asking, mostly out of curiosity.
Matt tilts his head at me, looking thoughtful before saying, “Letting them walk out that door. Allowing them to give up on themselves. Never let them do that.”
Shortly after, another client comes, this time an elderly woman who walks slowly toward him, her gaze fastened to the floor. It’s interesting that Matt chooses to work with these people rather than others who have advanced fitness skills. As I watch him, I think it’s because he enjoys seeing people overcome their fears, and I begin wondering if that’s something I can do. It’s definitely something I want to try.
After the second hour of shadowing Matt, I’m permitted to leave. I’m supposed to write down everything I learned from the session, so I do that on the bus ride home, giving myself a headache. As soon as I enter the house, I hear shouting, rummaging, and running back and forth.
Rachel storms down the steps, her gaze landing on me as she makes the bottom of the staircase. “I can’t go,” she announces.
“Yes, she can!” Alex shouts.
I plop my bag on the ground and kick the door closed, not hiding my confusion at all. “Okay,” I say slowly. “What’s going on?”
“What’s going on?” Rachel shouts, her hands going to her hips as she watches Alex run down the stairs. “I’ll tell you what’s going on! Maria is coughing.”
Alex rolls his eyes. “She’s not coughing.”
“Yes, she is! You saw it!” Rachel stabs a finger in Alex’s direction. “Don’t lie! You saw it and you heard it! She’s sick. I can’t go.”
Alex sighs and turns to me, looking very perturbed. “She had a cough. One little cough after I burped her. I checked her temperature and she is totally fine.”
Rachel shakes her head. “How do you know? What if we leave and something happens?” Without waiting for either me or Alex to answer, she turns her attention up the staircase and shouts, “Hunter! Did she cough again?”
Next thing I know, Hunter is also walking down the stairs, cradling Maria to him, who mirrors my confusion. “No,” Hunter says with a long sigh. “She hasn’t coughed, cried, or vomited, and her temperature is still fine. Although she did have a very big poop—which I had to clean up, I might add.”
“How was her poop?”
I stifle my gag. Hunter grimaces while Alex wrinkles his nose.
“It was normal,” Hunter mutters.
“See,” Alex says while stepping toward Rachel and wrapping his arms around her. “Everything will be fine. Lucas will be home soon and then we can say our goodbyes.”
Rachel’s frown deepens and her eyes land on me. It’s like she’s begging me to get her out of this romantic cottage trip. There’s no way I am. I’ve been looking forward to this for the past week and a half. Besides, she could definitely use the break.
“Well, now that that’s settled, I’m going to start packing,” I say while heading toward the stairs.
“You’re not packed yet?” Alex asks, his tone laced with irritation.
“Between working, being a father, and my courses, no, Alex, I’m not.” I take Maria from Hunter’s hands and kiss her forehead. “If you’re really in a hurry, I can go just like this. My underwear will probably be a bit stinky since this is the third time I’ve worn them this week. But it’s up to you.”
Alex’s frown deepens and I watch his shoulders slump. “Fine,” he says grudgingly. “You have fifteen minutes.”
“Don’t we have to wait for Lucas to come home first before we leave?” I ask.
What has crawled up his ass and died? I just got home and now I’m dealing with him and Rachel arguing. Maybe he’s worried the longer we stay here the more likely we won’t be leaving.
“And Lucas will be home in about fifteen to twenty minutes,” Alex rushes out.
“Okay,” I say while handing Maria back to Hunter. “I will be quick. When have I ever taken an hour to pack?”
Alex nods. “Fair point.” He directs a shrewd gaze at Rachel before asking, “Are you packed?”
