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“Anything of interest on the security footage?” I ask my crew when I return to the restaurant, finding them huddled behind a computer monitor.
“Come see, boss,” one of my soldiers says.
I walk behind the desk, and the soldier hits play. It feels like I’ve been sucker punched in the balls as I watch Katerina deal a game of blackjack in the basement of Ace’s Wild.
“That woman is?—”
“I know who she is.” I thought I knew who she is; turns out I was the one being hustled all along.
Kat
I arrive at Ace’s Wild and park behind Taylor. “I’m only doing this for the mimosas,” I warn my friend when I join her.
“That’s the spirit,” she says in a chipper tone.
“I’ll need to stop by Russell’s office and get a new key card,” I tell her. “I lost mine.” Not exactly lost, but “borrowed” by my cousin. I do wonder what happened with that, but I know better than to ask Darius anything concerning family business.
“You’ll need another card anyway. The gym’s under new management; I had to get a new card,” she tells me.
“Oh, what happened to Russell?” I wonder.
“Word is he tore his ACL, and he’s out of commission for the foreseeable future.”
“Maybe working out isn’t so good for you,” I tell her with narrowed eyes.
“No backing out now; we’re already here.” She nudges me with her elbow. “Come on, and I promise bottomless mimosas after.”
“You know I’ll take that bottomless mimosas thing as a challenge,” I tease.
We stop at the front office, where a different man gets me set up with a new key card, and then we stash our bags in the locker room. I follow Taylor to the weight area. “Is there a trainer, or do we do our own thing?” I wonder.
“I could help you lovely ladies.” A familiar-sounding voice has me turning around to find the cute bartender from the poker party.
“Kat, you’ve met Gavin.” Taylor introduces us.
“Unofficially,” I say.
“Kat, still waiting to make it official.” He winks.
I snort a laugh. “You’re still a shameless flirt.”
“Guilty as charged.” He smiles unrepentant, putting in earbuds and getting to work loading a barbell.
“They’re still looking for a trainer to replace Russell, so just do your own thing,” Taylor answers my question.
My own thing is walking on a treadmill at a leisurely pace that doesn’t make me want to throw up.
“You didn’t even break a sweat,” Taylor comments when she finishes her workout.
“Hey, you told me to do my own thing, so I did! Ready for brunch?”
“Yes, but I need a shower first, seeing as I actually worked out.”
“Bully for you.” I follow Taylor to the locker room, grabbing my bag. “I’ll meet you outside.” I don’t need a shower, seeing as I actually didn’t work out.
I exit the locker room and do a double take when I spot Dominic going to town on a punching bag.
Not wanting to deal with my ex’s drama, I practically sprint out the door. Reaching my car, I’m huffing and puffing; guess I should actually work out next time.
