Rock Bottom (Dawson Family 6)

“Oh, he’s nice.” I grab scrubs to put on. “Just not into dating. My last boyfriend strung me along for months only to say he didn’t want anything serious. I don’t want to waste my time like that.” I shrug and try to brush everything off. “But for now, I really want to focus on myself and finally get my shit together. I’ve been thinking about going back to school to get my master’s, and I’d love to get in better shape. Maybe I’ll join a gym. Then I’ll worry about dating after I’ve been here for more than a month.”

“Good plan there.”

We change and walk out of the locker room, getting report and then starting our shift. Today goes smoother than yesterday, and I’m so looking forward to having the next three days off. I’m sleeping in tomorrow and then driving to Chicago to have dinner with Mom, Dad, and Sam.

Wanting to stay true to my word, I go home, change, and then drive to the only gym in Eastwood after work. I get nervous working out in front of people, and my heart is racing as I walk up to the counter.

But then I’m all signed up, and the super-fit girl behind the counter shows me around, telling me not to hesitate if I need help with anything, which makes me feel a whole lot better. She’s a personal trainer, and she’s so encouraging and passionate about working out I’m tempted to sign up right here and now.

“What do you want to do today?” she asks.

“I was thinking of starting with cardio,” I say with a shrug.

“That’s a great place to start. We have an indoor track as well as the machines. I’ll walk you over. The elliptical is popular with people just starting out. It’s lower impact and doesn’t feel as discouraging as when you start out wanting to run a mile.”

“That makes sense. Yeah, I’ll do that.”

She takes me over and gives me a quick rundown on how to work the machine, which is pretty self-explanatory anyway. Then I put on my wireless earbuds and set up my phone, watching The Vampire Diaries while I work up a good sweat.

Half an hour later, I’m exhausted, and my legs feel like noodles. Wiping sweat from my brow, I get off the machine, wipe it down, and head to the track to walk a few laps as a cooldown.

I almost doesn’t see him, but he catches my eye at the last second, right before I go into the hallway that takes me to the track in the second level of the gym. He looks good in the athletic shorts and tank top—very good. His hair is pushed back in that sexy-messy way again, and even though I’ve seen him naked, I’m taken aback by how fit he is.

And then Dean sets the weights down and flashes that signature cocky smirk at some girl standing by a bench. She’s wearing booty shorts and a sports bra and immediately makes me want to skip dinner. I don’t think I’ll ever be that thin.

He goes around her, helping her get the right stance before lifting weights. His hand lands on her lower back and she returns that cocky smile with a sexy grin, and a sick feeling bubbles up in my stomach.

“Doesn’t matter,” I mumble, wiping more sweat from my face. We had one incredible night together, and that’s all it was and all it ever will be.

“Rory!” someone calls, and I internally wince. My face is beet red, and I know I stink. But hey—so do a lot of other people here. I’ve just made it up the stairs and am emerging onto the track. I turn and see Quinn walking next to a gorgeous blonde woman. Quinn is red-faced as well, with her hair up in a messy bun on the top of her head.

“Hey,” I say, taking one of my earbuds out of my ears. “How are you?”

“Dying,” Quinn says and looks at her phone. “I’m doing thirty second sprints and am supposed to be running for thirty and walking for thirty, but I’m struggling today.”

“It’s kind of dry in here,” I offer, looking up at the heat vents. “It makes it hard to breathe.”

“Yeah, maybe that’s it.” Quinn picks a lock of hair off her neck and wraps it around her bun. “This is Scarlet, my sister-in-law. And Scar, this is Rory.”

“Hi,” I say, still a little out of breath.

Quinn’s phone buzzes in her hand and she throws her head back. “Dammit. I swear the walk seconds go by faster than the run seconds.”

“You’re wasting time,” Scarlet points out, laughing. “Go run while I continue to walk at a leisurely pace.”

“It would be rude to run away from Rory,” Quinn tries, and we all laugh. “I need an extra thirty seconds. Then I’ll run double.”