Free Next Time by Robin Alexander

“We’ll talk tomorrow.”
    “Good night.”
    Payton stuffed the phone in her pocket and began to run. She felt like she was running away from her stupidity. She was jogging away from Ryann and a situation she had no control over. She was limping to a telephone pole because she couldn’t breathe.
    “First order of business tomorrow,” Payton panted out. “I’m joining a gym. I’m gonna get my life in order. Tonight…I’m calling a cab.”

Chapter 7

    “So you had basically given up?” Olivia asked Payton.
    “I felt like I was losing my mind. I know it sounds crazy, but in my heart and soul, I felt like Ryann was the one I’d been searching for. Jana and my own common sense were hard to refute. All I had was a feeling. Then there was Ryann’s situation. Regardless of the outcome, it all seemed so hopeless. So I decided to jam my life with so much activity that I couldn’t think about any of it anymore.”
    Olivia set her gaze on Ryann. “Did Leigh come clean?”
    “No, she didn’t, and neither did I,” Ryann admitted with a sigh.
    *******
    ******
    ***
    “Do you have any goals in mind, Ms. Foret?”
    Payton stared at the trainer who looked like she was twelve years old. “You mean…for what?”
    The woman smiled and scrubbed her hands together. “Is weight loss your primary focus, or do you want strength and endurance?”
    “Can I have all three?”
    “Yes, you can. Let’s start off on the treadmill and get you warmed up for a workout.” Payton stared at her trainer, watching the muscle in her arms move beneath her skin as she waved at someone who walked in. Her body had been sculpted by hours of exercise, and her breasts were done with a surgeon’s knife. They were huge and looked as though they’d take flight if not held down by her bra. The All Day Fitness logo was stretched to the point the lettering had begun to crack.
    “What’s your name again?” Payton asked. “I apologize for being forgetful. I don’t normally get up this early, and my brain hasn’t booted up yet.”
    “Susan,” she said as she began doing a few leg stretches that Payton mimicked and feared that she’d be in traction if the process went on any longer. Susan stepped up on one of the treadmills and pointed to the one beside her. “You stand on the outer rails and punch in the settings first. After the belt starts to move, you step on. We’re going to start with fat burn, it really gets the blood pumping.”
    Payton watched as Susan pressed the tabs on the screen and set her weight, level of difficulty, and speed. Before long, they were both moving at a brisk pace. Payton was breathing heavy before her first minute was up. Susan didn’t sound winded at all as she explained the workings of the gym.
    “We’re open twenty-four hours a day. You’ll use your keycard to come inside, but the rules are strict about opening the door for anyone else. If they don’t have an active card, they shouldn’t be in here. Most people wear earbuds and listen to music while they work out. The code is if the buds are in, then don’t disturb them, they’re focused on the work. Follow me so far?”
    Payton wanted to say no. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand what Susan was saying; she just didn’t want to go any farther on the treadmill. “I got it,” she panted out.
    “When you come in, start with cardio. It warms the muscle and gets your heart rate up, which kick-starts your metabolism. You can do that on the treadmills, elliptical machines, and the bikes for twenty minutes. Then you’ll be ready to work with me on the muscle-building.”
    Sweat began to trickle down Payton’s spine. Her legs felt as though they’d already burst into flames. She was afraid to look down at them. She grabbed the water bottle that sat in the cup holder and drank greedily.
    “Is that yours? I thought I saw you put a bottle in your locker.”
    Payton had just swallowed the last gulp when what Susan said registered, and she began to