Page 79 of Bend
“What is it?”
“Well, Monica had me come in today for a few clients.”
Dawn bit her bottom lip. “Andrew, Ashley, and Teri.”
I turned my neck, my whole body tensing up, my fingers curling up to a fist. “Those are my clients.” They both nodded, and Aaron turned pale. “Is she here?”
Dawn shook her head. “She’s off today.”
“Then she just caught a break, didn’t she?”
Aaron leaned forward. “Jared, I swear I didn’t have anything to do with it.”
I held my hand out to him, and he slipped his in mine for a shake. “You’re good, man. Calm down.”
“If he’d been Shone…” Dawn trailed off.
I nodded. “That’s a different story.” I reached out for the week’s schedule. It was all marked up, many spots with my name crossed off. The following day was the boxing class, and I tapped my finger over the event.
“Dawn, I hired you, and you’ve been a great employee. That being said, I have to ask you where your allegiance lies.”
She wasted no time responding. “Monica talks down to me like I’m a fucking incompetent toddler. She’s always telling me I need to lose weight because I represent the gym.”
Aaron’s eyes snapped to her figure, and he slowly looked up and down the length of her body. Kid had it bad for her.
I stared at her and shook my head. Dawn was petite, five-two and maybe weighed 110 pounds soaking wet. She was healthy and looked good. Her brown hair and brown eyes added to the girl-next-door look she had going on. Many of our female clients saw her and wanted to look like her. They didn’t want to be like Monica.
I let out a strained breath. “Don’t lose a damn pound. You look great, and it’s obvious Monica and I no longer see eye to eye on what this gym represents.” She smiled at me and played with the zipper on her hoodie. I turned to Aaron next. “How about you?”
“I know I’m still a newbie and all, but you took me under your wing. I’ve seen the underhanded shit she’s done to you.” He held out his fist. “I’m all yours.”
I bumped his offered fist and nodded. “Okay, good.” I looked back down at that damn boxing class. “Do you have the list of people signed up for the Thursday class?”
Dawn nodded. “Yeah. There are six people, and most of them are new members.”
“Call them all up and tell them it’s been cancelled for Thursday and moved to tonight.” I looked to Aaron. “You up to teach a class?”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You’ve been taking my class and helping me for months. Plus, I’ve been watching you with your clients. Time for the next level. Besides, it’s a small class—you’ll do great.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll be able to help out if you need me, and we can talk this afternoon if you need any tips.” I looked back to the schedule. Dex would be in later, along with Alexa. She’d had more than one blowout with Monica in the past, so I knew she would be on my side. By some luck, Monica’s followers were all off for the afternoon as most of their clients were in the morning.
“We’ll be good today, but not a word can be said to Candice, Jordan, Mike, or Stacie.” They both nodded. I looked up at the clock above their heads. It was almost noon, and Andrew wouldn’t be in for about an hour. “I’ve got to do some things in the office.”
I flipped the schedule around and pushed it toward Dawn before walking around the desk.
“Boss?” Dawn stopped me, and I turned back to her. “I know it’s been rough for you lately, and I’m pretty sure you’ve been thinking about your future here. If you leave, will you take me with you? I like working for you, but I’d have to quit if you left and Monica took complete control.”
Her words gave me a pick-me-up, and I smiled at her. “Deal.”
“Me, too!”
I rolled my eyes as Aaron raised his hand. “Back to work.”
I closed the office door behind me and collapsed into my chair. It felt great to have the support of my employees, and Dawn’s admission along with the support of some of my other employees had me thinking more and more about opening a place on my own.
