Summer Sweat (Spruce Texas)

“The Strong Fitness Zone,” says Hoyt, reading the neon sign glowing over the huge doors. “So much bigger than I imagined it’d be. I heard they have a bunch of dance studios in there, too.”

“Of course. Jimmy’s whole thing is dancing.” I turn to him. “So this is what you wanted to do? Go check out Jimmy and Bobby’s new giant fitness complex?”

He shrugs. “We missed the grand opening last weekend. Let’s go! I heard they have trampolines.” He hops out of the truck and starts making his way before I can sputter, “Trampolines??”

Inside, it’s ten times bigger than it looks on the outside. The left side of the enormous complex is filled with rows of brand new workout machines, all of them apparently color-coordinated by types and muscle groups, with a whole section for treadmills and bikes. A colorful, soft-floored track outlines the entire complex where people can jog. Straight ahead is a nutrition center that appears to serve smoothies, protein shakes, and power bars. Off to the right, there’s a whole gymnasium full of trampolines, padded areas for gymnastics, and a big pit with foam blocks and a rope over it. Along the back, I can see big rooms behind glass walls that are probably used as dance studios, places to do yoga, organized classes, stretches, maybe host birthday parties … I have no idea.

The entire place is so damned big and overwhelming, I’m sure I still haven’t seen the half of it.

“You could fit the whole population of Spruce in here tenfold. They sure they needed all this space?” I ask, staggered.

“Hey, now, no need to go exaggerating. Everything is free all opening week, from what I heard,” he points out. “Except for the ‘Get Strong!’ smoothie bar and class enrollments, of course. Hey, should we get a membership? They’re offering discounts. Shoot, I wish this was around just a year ago. I’d have worked out here instead of the old crummy school gym. Phew, I could’ve gotten a job here, had they been hiring when I was lookin’. Or were they and I didn’t notice? Oh, they got a climbing wall!” Hoyt takes off.

Before I can go after him, I catch sight of Tanner Strong at the large semicircle of a front desk. Of course he’d be here to support his brother’s big opening. “Hey, Tanner!” I call out.

He spins around. “Harry, my man!” Then he rushes right up to me and gives me the biggest, bone-squeezing hug. He matches me in size and muscle, though I can tell he’s put on a few comfort pounds around the middle. His short hair is haphazardly parted in an attempt to tame it, so mirroring his younger brother Jimmy in both style and messiness, and his eyes beam with happiness. He’s in a pair of shorts and a tank, which suggest he might be here to try out the facility in addition to supporting his younger brother.

“Where are Billy and the kids?” I ask him when we part. “Billy mentioned he wasn’t at the Shoppe tonight. I’m guessing he’s—?”

“Here,” Tanner confirms, “and he told me what you’d called him about.” He leans in. “Hoyt’s sister’s birthday party? Wow. I was hoping you two would get along, and I gave you a hard time about not giving him a chance, but hell, I didn’t expect you guys to become best friends.”

He has no fucking idea. “Well …”

“That’s just like you, though, steppin’ in to help wherever you can. Does your heart know any limits? I told you. I said it. You got a big heart, and look at how you glow when you use it!”

“It’s just the decent thing to do. I didn’t think much of it.”

“There you go, bein’ your modest self.” He slaps me right on the shoulder and gives me another half-hug. “So I take it Nowak’s proving himself out there? Got him in a diaper yet to suckle your big daddy titties?” He cracks himself up. “Sorry, sorry! Fuck, it’s still funny as hell. Can’t let you live that one down, bud!”

“Yeah, actually you can,” I say, giving him side eye.

“Look, I have to assume everything’s going great. The boy’s still there after all, right?”

“He’s doing just fine.” I look around. Speaking of, I lost track of him. “I’m happy with the work he’s putting in.”

Among other things he’s … putting in.

Stop it.

“I’m glad to hear it,” says Tanner. “Hey, have you seen Jimmy yet? He’s struttin’ around like the peacock who’s already made a million bucks. That guy … I sure hope we did enough to promote this place, though. I want it to succeed, but damn it, you just never know. Business ventures are always risky.”

“And this is a … mighty big venture,” I agree, glancing around.

“Only time will tell. Bobby seems more worried and sensible, always minding where the money goes. And besides—Oh, hey, are you being run ragged by my uncle or something?” he asks, cutting himself off. “You haven’t been by the ranch since Christmas. Billy said he wants to have you and the guys over for dinner sometime soon. Maybe a Fourth of July thing? We’re inviting the Kings over, too, since their girl is off spending the summer on the beach.”