Page 21 of Nightmare For Hire
I wake up before my alarm goes off. That hasn’t happened in months. Since before Mick. Usually, I wake at least half a dozen times because of nightmares, but not today. Despite how great I feel, I yawn and stretch.
I have to laugh at the thought that I’m usually plagued by nightmares and now, I’m dating a Nightmare. Well, one date. But hopefully one of many.
Despite seeing Mick twice, I feel like I really have moved on. I don’t know if it’s because of his treatment of me or what, but I don’t feel bad about what I said to him. And I certainly don’t miss him. Sure, he has big sexy arms, broad shoulders, and a big chest. He could absolutely bench press me if he wanted.
But he’s an ass and always has been. As for him saying Nox isn’t my type… well, Mick doesn’t know my type. And honestly, I don’t either. I want to think my type is kindness. Sure, themerman is gorgeous on the outside, but his insides are as gross and dirty as a smoker’s house. I should have broken up with him long before he ended things via text. But I was afraid of being alone.
My therapist and I have worked through a lot of trauma over the years, but my reactions to Mick tell me there’s still more work to be done. I wish I hadn’t frozen. I wish a lot of things, but try to stay realistic. The past is the past and I can’t let it continue to shape and define the current me.
I wrap my hair into a bun on top of my head and throw on gym clothes. There’s time to get a workout in before heading to the hospital, and I intend to take advantage of it. Working out helps get me out of my head and I really need to calm down before handling the precious bundles tonight. I still haven’t checked out the twenty-four-hour gym close by and figured now is as good a time as any.
It’s a quick jog down a couple of streets to get to Talley’s Gym. When I moved to Rivenfield I drove around the entire town to see everything it had to offer, and of the two gyms, this one looked the most welcoming. It still does. The sign lettering is bright pink and there’s a bouquet of what appears to be fresh sunflowers in the front window.
The sound of weights fills my ears as I walk through the door. There’s a buzz in another room that I guess announces my arrival because someone peeks around a corner behind the reception desk.
They’re tall with long lean muscles. There’s a sheen to their dark brown skin. Locs are piled high on their head. Just a hot pink sports bra and bright blue leggings grace their body.
“Hi! I’m Talley. She/her, please and thank you. What can I do for you?” Her eyes dart to my throat, then back to my eyes. It’s such a quick motion I almost don’t catch it.
“Cyrus, he/him please. Thank you. I’d like to sign up for a membership.” I give her a grin as I look around. It’s a mix of monsters and humans at the machines and free weights. There’s plenty to offer by way of equipment and I can’t wait to get started.
“Perfect.” She claps her hands. We talk price and she gets my account created in the system. “You can come and go as you please. Just use your key to get in after hours. Make sure you leave the place as you left it, or better.”
“Thank you.” My stomach turns all of a sudden. “Can I ask if another member has joined or not? I have a weird situation that I’m a little ashamed of.” My shoulders drop.
“What is it?” Worry fills Talley’s eyes.
“My ex moved to Rivenfield a couple of days ago. I know he’ll need a gym. I’m hoping he goes to the other one because I really like the vibe of this one and don’t want him mucking it all up.”
She turns back to the computer and starts typing. “What’s his name? And whatever information you can tell me. I’ll put a block on him.”
“You’d do that?” I duck my head and whisper, “You don’t even know me. What if I’m lying?”
“Are you?” She cocks a brow.
“No. I’m a little afraid of him to tell you the truth, but I can’t live my life in fear.”
“Is he the one that gave you—” She waves at my throat.
My eyes go wide as my fingers fly to my throat. No wonder she checked me out when she first saw me. I was so caught up in getting here I hadn’t looked in the mirror. “Is it bad? I kinda passed out when I got home.”
“Uhm…” She rummages around in the drawer again and pulls out a small hand mirror and passes it to me.
“No. No. No.” I’m black and purple. It clearly looks like a hand wrapped around my throat.
“That’s how I knew you weren’t lying.” Her eyes soften. “I have some makeup in back that I might be able to match you with. I keep a stash of as many skin tones as possible, just in case. After you hit the showers, come find me and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you.” I drop my eyes. “I should probably buy my own. This is going to take forever to fade. It usually does. My friend showed me how to cover it up.” I just haven’t bought any makeup because I didn’t think I’d need it now.
“If that’s what you want to do. But I’m happy to share my supplies.”
I nod. “Thank you. I’ll take you up on the offer, then buy my own after work. I really appreciate it. I’d hate to show up at the hospital looking like this.”
“Anytime. If you’re part of Talley’s, you’re family.” She gives me a bright grin and I give her all the info on Mick, including a picture. “Alrighty, get your workout on, then come find me.” She waves me off.
I head to the treadmills for a quick warm up. Even though the short run here did me good, I love the way a good warm up gets my blood pumping. Love how working out gives me all the feel good endorphins. Some days, a good workout is the only thing that pulls me out of a funk. It forces me to focus on anything other than the anxiety and stress that courses through my veins.
While I pick up speed on the treadmill, I take in everyone. The most interesting is what I’m assuming is an orc. He’s hugely muscular with green skin. One side of his hair is longish in a ponytail, while he has the other side buzzed down to nothing. His tusks are visible as he does deadlifts. But it’s the tattoos that make me want to really know his life story. Which feels selfish of me since I don’t like talking about my own tattoos and keep them hidden. The orc seems comfortable with so many humans around. I’ve noticed sometimes monsters are hesitantaround humans or even monsters unlike them. But not this guy. I wonder what his story is.
