"Wow, you did put on some nice muscle Mark!" I could feel the appreciation in her tone even before I heard those words.
"Thanks, been hitting gym for a few months now and it finally paid off. Give me another year and let's see how much bigger will I get then," I flexed my biceps in her face and felt really good about myself.
"Well, you are not exactly my type, Mark, but I've been always attracted to muscular guys, so you might get your chance yet," she sent a shining smile my way, but I wasn't really impressed.
I wouldn't say Cathy was ugly, not by a long shot. She had really pretty face with a skin that she clearly cared about a lot. Her long wavy hair was dyed to a perfect shade of coppery red and always well maintained. Her make up was done masterfully, the lipstick had just the right shade and she painted her nails in a matching color. She was dressed stylishly and her jewels -- rings, earring and bracelet all complemented her outfit. So, what was the trouble with Cathy? It was really simple, she just let herself go a little too much and put on a lot of weight. Not in any life-threatening way, but it was just too much for my liking. Her smile looked really friendly, but that was it.
"If you want to meet a muscular guy, you might think about spending some time in a gym yourself, Cathy," I responded with a smile of my own.
"What do you mean by that?" she furrowed her brow.
"I'm just saying that working on these," I flexed my muscles again for effect, "takes a lot of time and effort. You won't meet a guy like that in a pub or a bar. Gyms are their natural habitats."
"If you say so," she frowned.
"And you may even try some of the exercises yourself, just so you know what is necessary to get those muscles you like so much. I'm just starting now but my friends have been at this for years. They look ripped, but man, a lot of work and effort went into that."
"You got friends like that?" smile crawled back to her face. "Maybe I would consider going into the gym with you if you introduce me to them."
"I didn't mean it like that!" I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, and how DID you mean it? You told me to go to a gym in a first place, so what kind of friend are you if you won't take me there with you?" she pointed finger in a very accusatory way.
I wanted to object at first, because this really wasn't the outcome I was shooting for. I rarely hung out with my coworkers outside of work and I certainly didn't want my friends to be bothered by Cathy. But at the same time if I took her with me, showed her the ropes and introduce her to couple of guys that really put a lot of work in, maybe it could show her what it takes to have a body like that. And if she tried just a little and started to exercise, this thing might genuinely improve her health and overall life. If it didn't work out, I guess she would just drop out after a few visits to a gym, so what was the worst thing that could happen?
***
"Okay, so this is Nathan, Randy, John and this is Cathy -- the girl I told you about. If you need anything and I am not here, my friends will help you with any exercise as long as you really try and won't be pain in the ass, do you understand me?" I tried to keep my tone light, but Cathy already made her first impression by being fairly late and I had to wait for her.
"Come on, Mark. Don't be a dick, everyone had to start from somewhere and it's not always easy, you should know that," big hand landed on my shoulder and I did not have to turn to see who was speaking.
Thomas was the owner of this gym and he was almost always around. It was true that my beginnings humble at best, but I worked hard to get in shape. And I was not happy that he brought my shortcomings up in front of my buddies and Cathy.
"Thank you, sir," she turned her smile at him. "I'll try to not disappoint you."
"See? She is already trying to do better."
"Well let's see how long will she last," I shrugged noncommittally. "And this giant is Thomas. You better be extra careful around him, because firstly, he owns this dump and secondly, if he tries to get you in line, you may actually die."
"What are you calling a dump?" he swung his arm, which I was able to dodge with ease. He might have been one of the biggest guys I knew, but he wasn't that fast and also, he did not want to really hit me. Probably.
It is true that calling his property a dump probably went a little too far, but on the other hand, this gym was far cry from any modern institution. Situated in a cellar space of an old apartment complex, it was hardly pleasant looking fitness facility that would be flooded by hipsters. There were only three smallish rooms in total and they were packed with equipment to a point there was hardly a space to move around when there were more than a ten people in. Thomas kept it pretty intimate in terms of customers who were able to get in within normal hours. But the core group, which was me and the rest of my guys, were able to stay even when the gym was officially closed. We got our own set of keys and could get in any time of day, which was pretty handy if you worked in shifts as some of the guys did. We paid a little more for that privilege, but being able to work out here alone was worth it even though the place did not smell of roses and you could see plaster on the walls in need of some serious repairs.
"Sorry, man. I'll try to be better. This is Cathy."
