4 - Can't Get You Out Of My Head

~Juliet’s Point of View~

~One Week Later~

“This is literally the worst idea I’ve ever had. Bunch of bull,” I fussed, as I struggled to move on the elliptical.

“You said you wanted to exercise,” Jakob said, laughing.

He was a freak about fitness, Jada was indifferent and me … I didn’t do sweat. They had a small gym in their mini mansion of a house and I rarely went in.

Since we were all always together, and especially since Jada got pregnant we just decided it was best to beef up the guest/pool house than to have me live on my own. I paid the electric and water bills but that was all they would let me contribute. It was still a chunk of change in a house this size and with having a pool, but in Charlotte I’d probably drop $1,700 a month for a decent one bedroom apartment.

Why bother having my own place when I basically live at the restaurant?

I half lived in their house most of the time too, I even passed out on their couch sometimes. Even though we all bicker, we do enjoy each other’s company. Jakob is just like the brother I always would have wanted; he gave me shit when I needed to hear it but he was there unconditionally. 

A few days ago I decided to stop being a full on glutton and at least try to move a bit more outside of work. I should have just started sneaking in here and doing what I wanted on my own, Jakob was going to drive me until I broke. Maybe I need a trainer that wasn’t him … oooh there’s an idea. I might be okay with someone yelling at me if they were eye candy I could actually oogle. Jakob is damn good looking, don't get me wrong … but no.

“What’s that gym near the shop? Power Factory,” I asked.

“Why pay a gym membership when we have this? When you have me? Now quit your bitching and move onto the bike, it’s not as bad but it’ll keep your heart rate up,” he said, throwing a small towel at me.

I grumbled and did as he said, anything to end the torture that made my legs feel like jello. I’m not trying to be a twig or anything, but spending the night with Jude made me realize how much I missed being with someone and if I’m even remotely going to consider dating again I gotta get it together.

Maybe twenty pounds … and just so I’m not out of breath running up the stairs. I’m not going to eat like a rabbit though, I just can’t give up my sweets. And the bread, oh my orgasmic carbs!

Later that day I made my way to the shop, that’s what we called Cross Roads. It had started as a pizza shop/bakery and essentially it still was for the most part. I grinned as I passed easily forty people waiting to get in, but knew I’d have to help out in the kitchen since Jakob took the night off. Jude’s band made good on their promise to mention us and now we had a line out the door at all hours of the day. This week I’d had to hire three more people.

We were an hour into the dinner rush and I was sweating like a pig, constantly taking little breaks to hit the walk in cooler just so I didn’t fully dissolve into a puddle. We also kept a lot of bakery goods in there as overflow for the cooler out front. I was licking the icing off a cupcake when one of our line cooks, Patrick stumbled in.

“You got a chocolate one,” he asked, flicking his pretty blue eyes at the cart next to me.

“Oh you know I do,” I said, handing one to my partner in crime.

When I say I don’t have friends, that’s probably a lie. I fucking love my staff, but I don’t hang with them outside of work. Patrick has been with us about three years and he eats like a dump truck all while being probably 140 lbs. The kid takes the word "buffet" seriously, I once watched him eat like ten plates. I hated him for it but I loved his company. He grabbed a milk out of the crate and handed it to me.

“You know anything about that gym down the block? I think I might get a trainer, get my ass in shape a bit,” I said, licking more icing.

“Aww shit Jules! You don’t need to lose weight, you just need a man who appreciates you,” he said, wagging his eyebrows. He just got engaged a few months ago, so I knew he was harmless. But flattery is always appreciated.

“I don’t need to be a skinny bitch but I just wanna feel better you know,” I said, making a face at the cupcake.

He nodded and scarfed down his treat. 

“Yeah I hear ya. I might look skinny but that doesn’t mean I’m in shape,” he said, his mouth full. 

I laughed.

“So have I missed anything lately? I haven’t been up front much, any gossip? The newbies working out okay.” I asked.

I could count on Patrick to give me the goods, tell me all the dirt.

“You know actually some guy has called a couple of times looking for Jada. I don’t know what his deal is. Said she delivered food to him the night she had the baby, but that can’t be right,” he said.

I froze but my eyes moved to my hand, which suddenly wasn’t holding the cupcake.

Shit! I hate wasted treats!

“You okay? I’ll get it,” he said, pulling a rag out of his back pocket.

“Did he … leave a name,” I asked, hushed as if someone could possibly hear us..

“Nah, he won’t, it’s weird. Says she left something he needs to get back to her, but I keep telling him to just bring it by,” he said, wiping up the floor.

Jude. He’s calling. Won’t leave a name for obvious reasons. But why call?? To what, return my panties?? Did he keep them?? Oh hell.

I cleared my throat and tried to put my boss lady hat back on. 

“If he calls again, will you transfer him to me if I’m here? If I’m not get his number,” I said.

“Oh shit, was it you? Ohhh that makes sense then. You know, he asked for Miss Cook the first time he called, I didn’t know who the hell that was, nobody ever calls you that Jules,” he said, winking.

I waved him off as he left the cooler and I slumped against a stack of milk crates. 

Jude keeps calling asking for me. Sort of. Kind of happens when you don’t even bother to ask for someone’s name, he doesn’t even know who he’s looking for. Was he thinking about me?

I stumbled back to work completely lost in thought, confused but also … curious. Tomorrow, I was definitely going to see about that damn trainer. Not that I thought I’d ever be face to face with the god himself again, but some poor bastard out there has to be decent enough and able to put up with me!

If ever there was a time to get it together, the time is now. I rolled that around in my head as I stood outside of Power Factory. I can’t get my hopes up about seeing Jude again, but I can’t have that level of confidence that I had with him again unless I know I feel my best. 

Twenty pounds, I’m gonna make this shit happen!! Then I am going to book a date for every night of the week, or most nights … until I find someone worth a second date. Maybe even a good friends with benefits situation would be just the ticket to get my confidence where it needs to be.

I took a deep breath, went inside and signed up for a trainer. I specified that I wanted a male one since I felt a female would only add to my insecurities. I now had a date with Dante tomorrow at 9am. Ugh. 

Another bonus to owning your own business is setting your hours. Jada is an early bird so she loves getting up at dawn and baking. Jakob and I are more night owls, rarely getting up before 10. But he’s a dad now so his schedule will be fucked regardless.

Before I knew it I was back at the gym and come hell or highwater this was happening.

“Juliet,” I heard, as I jumped off the bench.

If it wouldn’t be too humiliating I’d give a low whistle right now… Holy … shit balls! I fixed my posture and extended my hand while trying to keep my tongue in my mouth. Before me stood a perfectly sculpted god, well over six feet tall, with big ass arms like the Rock but a face like Matt Damon. Handsome, but even with that body he didn’t look like he’d be arrogant. 

He had dirty blonde hair cut short to his head and chocolate brown eyes. His chin was square with a perfect dimple. Yeah, he could be a model I thought, staring at his big arms since he was wearing a sleeveless t-shirt. Meanwhile I had on a tee that read, “I do try to be nice but everyone is stupid.” True words.

“I’m Dante, pleasure to meet you. Why don’t you tell me what brought you here,” he said, waving for me to sit back down. I cleared my throat and got serious.

“Well Dante I don’t fuck around, I’m a straight shooter. So the honest truth? I want to have the confidence to go up to any guy I want to and make some bad decisions,” I said, nodding approvingly.

He burst out laughing.

“Well that’s … refreshingly honest. So weight loss,” he asked.

I kind of eyed myself, I was wearing mesh shorts and a baggy t-shirt which I felt covered my wiggly things nicely. But he’s a trainer so he’s probably got laser eyes to know what’s under here. I immediately regretted not wearing a sports bra, my jugs were going to be crying later.

“Not a lot, I like being bigger. I don’t wanna be a twig like my size two sister. But I don’t want to be a fatty that can’t make it around the mall either. I just wanna feel better ya know,” I said, punching his shoulder, playfully.

“I got you, no worries. I can show you how to get there, and then how to maintain it once you get where you want to be. How’s the diet, what have you eaten so far today,” he asked.

I made a face. Welp! I said I was going to be honest. I tapped my fingers across my mouth.

“A giant bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and a chocolate glazed donut. Did I mention I own Cross Roads? Kinda impossible to resist sweets,” I said, putting my hands on my hips.

“Oh yeah? I eat there all the time. Salads mostly of course,” he winked.

Ah huh. Only salads I’m so sure! Who is kidding who here Dante?

After what was supposed to be a light workout, but was really a brutal ass whipping from which I’d need days to recover … I mosied back to the shop, desperate to sit in the cooler. 

I really should go home and shower but the cooler is closer. 

As I walked in a delivery guy passed me, nearly knocking me over. Story of my life. I may be larger and hard to avoid but most guys don’t spare me a glance, not even to get out of my way. I’m the visible girl that is never seen. 

“Jules! Hey girl I think these are from that guy,” Nolan said, practically shouting.

It was now the big not well kept secret that someone kept calling for me. Apparently the entire staff had been gossiping. I was the last to know and that … ticked me right off.

I waddled to the counter to see a massive box of long stemmed red and white roses. I quickly lifted the lid and smelled one … hmmm. My mom tends a massive garden and I definitely appreciate the smells.

“Here’s the card,” Nolan said, winking. 

“I’m not reading it in front of you,” I said, making a face and shaking my head.

I quickly gathered the box and continued my swaying saunter back to my office. I dropped the box on the chaos of my desk and flicked open the card’s envelope while falling into my chair.

“Miss Cook, I absolutely cannot stop thinking about you. I keep trying to call but I get the runaround, maybe this will work. I’m sorry I wasn’t there Sunday morning, I’m sorry about the money, it was a dumb fucking thing to do. I need to talk to you, see you … whatever I can get. Call me, J.” And there was his number.