Training for Love « Chase Elliott »

« First Sight »

Chase's POV

My feet hit the treadmill as fast as it would take me. My body was screaming at me for going too hard so early this morning. I needed this. I needed the burn and the discipline. Most importantly, I needed to forget about her.

So that's why I volunteered to work on my day off here at Infinity Fitness Center. I've been volunteering for every shift that needed to be covered, and for any extra training sessions that have been double booked. I even found myself in the spa section welcoming in clients and assisting anyone that needed the extra help.

Anything to get over the girl who decided to rip my heart out and serve it on a silver platter.

"Chase, your 9 o'clock is here." I slowed down to where I was just jogging and looked over at the receptionist with a question on my brow.

"I don't have anyone scheduled for today." I said as dejectedly as I could.

"Yeah, well, it's on your calendar. She's in the waiting room filling out paperwork." Justice didn't even let me rebuttal and left me where I was now slowing down to a walk.

I hit the stop button, taking a long swig from my water bottle and toweling off the sweaty mess that I was. I didn't even bother changing or freshening up and went straight to the computer to check out who my client was for today. I already feel sorry for them because the mood I was in was sour and I had a feeling it was going to take all I had to keep it in check.

Quickly, I grabbed my clipboard and reviewed the paperwork the client filled out. Should be easy, it was your typical weight loss and weight training. I should be able to get her up and running within an hour and then I'm free to roam around the place to sulk and do whatever I wanted.

"Gabriella?" I walked out to the sitting area and was met with giant doe eyes that looked very uncertain that she should be here. Which judging by her appearance, I can understand why. She wasn't your typical run of the mill gym junky, nor was she your average size women. Her curvy body was hiding beneath baggy gym clothes that no doubt made her bigger than she seemed to be. I couldn't help but think this was a lost cause. 90% of those who tend to lean towards the high end of the scale never come back after their first training session.

"Hi, I'm Chase and I'll be your trainer today." I said without gritting my teeth. I rolled my eyes inwardly when she just started at me. She did have a lovely heart shaped face with hazel eyes and blonde hair, but that was about it. Everything else was... not for me.

"Um," she stood up looking around me, "thought I was scheduled with Ryan?" I chuckled, of course she signed up with Blaney. He's known for taking it easy and his time with newbies, and more often than naught, he's known for a more hands on experience, if you know what I mean.

I on the other hand, am nothing like that. I am ruthless and I don't play any games. You come to the gym for one of two reasons, to get fit as fuck, or to possibly meet someone who has the same goals and passion as you in the workout field. I couldn't help but wonder the real reason why Gabriella was here. She definitely didn't belong.

"Ryan had something come up last minute. So you're stuck with me for the next," I peeked at her training package. Holy shit. "12 weeks."

"Um, yeah, this was a mistake, I specifically asked for Ryan." I narrowed my eyes at her, mad that she would chose Ryan over myself. Couldn't she see that I was just as qualified as my counter partner? She started to grab her bag that laid at her feet and I was appalled that she would even consider leaving because I wasn't Ryan fucking Blaney. What did he have that I didn't?

"I'll just, um, reschedule with him at a later time. Sorry for taking up your time." Gabriella hooked the duffel bag over her shoulder and started to walk past me. Ya know what? Go. I don't fucking need this. I knew she was a lost cause the moment I saw her.

I turned on my heel and started to walk back towards the front desk, not even saying a word as she rushed past me.

Justice glared at me when I threw her the clipboard. "Why are you not in your training session?"

I shrugged, "she wanted Blaney."

"Um, no. I don't care if she wants fucking Captain America to train her, she paid up front and you know the policy. No refunds and no rescheduling. You better get your ass after her to come back. She obviously signed up for a reason, Chase. You could seriously change her life." I glared at Justice because I know she's right and I fucking hate it.

My mood just went to sour to full on pissed off.

"Fine." I said, gritting my teeth.

I ran out the front door and was unlucky enough to see Gabriella standing by her car looking down at her phone. I really hope she was gone and I could go back to sulking. I knew going out last night at the same hangout spot as my ex was a bad idea and did I do anything to stop myself? Nope.

"Um, Gabriella?" I caught her attention and she gave me those same doey eyes as before, just this time, I saw how beautiful they are. The sun lit them up; a dark shade of green with brown and yellows and little black specks colored her iris. 

 I never seen anything like it before.

I coughed, recovering from staring for a moment too long. "Look, I know Ryan isn't here to train with you today, but since you already paid for the initial training and for the package, why don't we just go over the basics today and then schedule you with Ryan for later on this week." I said, hoping she would still say no so I don't have to act like I care today.

She bit her lip, looking anywhere but at me and that surprisingly annoyed me. I was so used to women of all ages and sizes looking at me like they couldn't wait to ravish me. Gabriella however, did not.

"I suppose," she finally said, meeting my eye and there, ever so slightly that I almost missed it, she gave me that look I was so used to getting. When it annoyed me before that she didn't look at me that way, now it just made me uneasy. Now she was blushing like she was thinking that maybe I ran after her for another reason. 

Not a chance in hell.

"Perfect. Have Justice show you your new locker and I'll meet you outside of my office to go over your workout plan and we'll get started." I plastered a fake smile on my face and turned and power walked back into the gym.

If she thinks I'm going to be anything like Blaney, then she was in for a rude awakening.  

~*~

A/N:  I'm really excited to start posting chapters for my new Chase fic!  He's a little... much, isn't he?  But I love him so much and I hope you guys will join me on this journey of Chase and Gabby finding each other when they most need it.