Page 48 of Work It Out
“A risk I’m willing to take,” Jake said drily, but he wasn’t fool enough to believe this was really over.
“All right.” Shawn fixed his tie, rebuttoned his vest, and smoothed his hair. Just like that, the worried almost-friend was gone and the shark returned. “Let’s meet this trainer of yours. I’d like to hear his brilliant plan, maybe grab a few mid-workout pics for before-and-afters. Then I’m catching the next plane out of Deliverance.” He coughed. “I don’t think my lungs know what to do with air that isn’t 30 percent pollution.”
Jake chuckled. “You’d be surprised how fast you get used to it.”
“No.” Shawn shoved a finger in Jake’s direction. “No getting used to it. I won’t be here long enough for that, and neither will you. You’re looking great already.”
Yep, that lasted all of ten seconds. “I’ve been here six days, man. It’s not plastic surgery.” At the light that sparked in Shawn’s eyes, Jake laughed. “Don’t even think about it. No surgery for me. I’m doing this my way or not at all.” Actually, he’d probably be doing this Rayah’s way. After the mess his world had made of her life and her business today, she deserved the truth now more than ever. And he would give it to her—as soon as he could get rid of Shawn and get Vicky settled in the cabin. He’d just have to pray she didn’t let Blaine hog-tie him with his innards and ship him back to L.A.
With a shiver, Jake crossed himself and led Shawn out of the conference room in search of Pierce.
Chapter Sixteen
Five years ago
From: [email protected]
You ungrateful bitch. Did you really think you could cut me out of the settlement? I want my half and I want it now.
-Dad
Rayah hadn’t had a week this rough in seven years, and she’d happily go another seven before the next one.
In a surprisingly short time, she led the group out of her office, after persuading Vicky to stay at the cabin for as long as she wanted. Jean had balked, but Rayah was firm in her stance. Okay, so she told the old woman to butt out or get out. Which made Quin smile and drag a huffing and stuttering Jean out with an “I told you so” for her and a wink for Rayah.
That handled, Rayah offered to take Vicky to the cabin so she could settle in.
“If it’s all right, I’d rather hang around until Jake gets done.” She fidgeted, rubbing her hands over her arms.
Rayah nodded, understanding that feeling of being ready to crawl out of her skin so well it made her throat tight. She might be stressed out—a valid emotion—but she’d signed up for this when she built a business that catered to the rich and needy. Vicky’s world had been torn apart through no fault of her own.
Pierce had reserved one of the small-group classrooms that morning. Unfortunately, the closer they came, the less time passed between Vicky’s pitiful sniffles.
Rayah paused outside the classroom and smiled at Vicky. “Tits up, sister. Shawn seems like a weasel. Never let weasels see you cry.”
Just as she’d hoped, Vicky laughed, watery but real. “You have no idea. He got Jake his first big break, and he’s good at his job, but…”
“But you don’t trust him,” Rayah finished.
She looked at the closed glass door, then leaned in close. “A while back, Jake had a bad breakup.”
Something that was absolutely not jealousy soured her stomach. “Yvonne?”
She nodded. “Somehow, a couple of horrible rumors started about what broke them up, like six hours after it happened. And the pics attached to the story…” She shrugged. “I could never prove it, but I think it was Shawn. Jake was looking at being phased out of the show, and Shawn doesn’t have any other big-name clients. I wouldn’t have put anything past him if he thought it’d save Jake’s career.”
They watched the guys through the glass for a moment. Mirrors lined the front wall and neatly stacked mats and racks of light weights lined another. The rest of the space was all pale, gleaming hardwood and untapped potential. The lights were cranked to the brightest setting, showcasing the set of lackluster burpees Jake was gasping his way through. Pierce sat beside him on a large wooden polymetric box, counting out reps and shouting encouragement, while Shawn filmed the debacle on his phone.
Pierce shouted, “Nine,” and Jake hit the floor again, falling into a sort of push-up, but he was either playing it up for a more dramatic before video or he was approaching his breaking point. He hit the part of the exercise where he was supposed to pop to his feet and stumbled, barely keeping his balance. Shawn filmed on, but rubbed a hand over his mouth. That move wasn’t from worry, though. He was hiding a smirk.
“See what I mean?” Vicky whispered.
Oh, she saw it. And she wanted him out of her gym pronto. Rayah opened the door quietly, trying not to disturb them.
“Rayah!” a voice called from the hallway.
Shawn whipped his head around to scowl at her, but didn’t move his camera off Jake.
