The Gym
Page 1
It was a beautiful fall evening in Athens Georgia. Anna was in the gym working out after her shift as an Athens police officer, like she usually does, but this night was different. After this night the rest of her life would change more than she could have ever imagined at that moment.
In he walked. A massive muscular man. He had caramel brown skin, short raven black hair, green eyes and his arms were covered in tattoos. She couldn't help it. She had to go say something to him.
Anna wiped the sweat from her brow with a towel, her massive biceps bulging with the effort. She watched as the man approached the bench press next to hers. His sheer size commanded her attention. She picked her protein shake up, stood up, and walked purposefully over to him, her heavy footsteps echoing in the nearly empty gym.
Page 2
"Impressive physique," she said, her voice low and controlled, but with a hint of curiosity. "You don't see guys with your build around here often. I'm Anna." She extended a hand, her grip strong and confident.
The man looked up at Anna and flashed what could only be described as the perfect smile. His teeth perfectly white, his eyes seemed to light up the very room they were in. “I'm Conrad.” He said, as his massive muscular hand firmly grasped hers. As he stood there he seemed to tower over her. “You've got quite the physique yourself.” His deep voice vibrating the air around her.
Anna's eyes flickered with a spark of surprise as his hand completely engulfed hers, but she didn't flinch. Instead, she met his gaze squarely, a small, genuine smile playing on her lips. She appreciated the compliment, seeing it as a genuine observation from someone who knows what they're talking about.
"Thanks, Conrad," she replied, her voice calm and steady. "I've been at it for years. It's become a lifestyle more than a hobby. The police force keeps me in peak condition, but the gym…” She trailed off.
“What about the gym?” He asked as he started lifting the largest dumbbells on the rack, his movements smooth, as if he didn't even feel the massive weight in his massive hand. His muscles rippled in the evening light shining through the window.
Anna watched with professional admiration as he lifted the massive dumbbells with seemingly effortless grace. Her eyes followed the movement of his muscles, appreciating both the strength and the control on display.
"The gym is where I disconnect from everything else," she explained, her voice carrying that same calm authority. "When I'm under a barbell or lifting a heavy weight, there's no room for thoughts about the job, or the world. It's just me, the iron, and the burn. It's meditative, in its own way. You seem to understand that feeling.”
“You said you are a police officer?” Conrad asked. “I believe it with a body like that.” He said as he checked her out, and that perfect smile returned to his face. “I'm sure I would need to disconnect after work too, if I were a cop. Thank you for your service, by the way.” He said as he started doing squats. The bar bending from the amount of weight, yet he lifted it with ease. “Have you ever had to kill anyone?” He asked bluntly.
Anna's expression softened almost imperceptibly at the words "thank you for your service." It's a respect that she didn't get often, and it registered with her. She crossed her arms, the movement causing her own impressive biceps to flex, and watched him perform the squats. The bar does indeed bend, but his form is perfect, his control absolute.
"It's part of the job, but it's not something I talk about in the gym, you know?" she said, her tone measured.
