okay going solo next time you hit the bar? I’m thinking about trying something new.
While I waited for his response, I grabbed my laptop and pulled up my work emails. Getting settled in and comfortable, I smiled when I had eight new emails. A few clients weren’t able to meet with me as much as they’d like in person so they checked in every few days to discuss their progress. I had some high-powered CEOs who I’d been recently training, and with them, came their friends. Business was amazing, but the problem with them was that they were always traveling to some foreign country.
I made it a goal of mine to give them tips and strategies of how to eat right while on the road, and how to utilize their hotel gym for workouts. The money was still rolling in, and they were still making progress.
Just as I was about to head to bed, I finally got a text back from Tyler.
Tyler: You’ve got the best timing, bro. Remember Polly?
Me: Polly Pocket? That was what, six years ago?
Tyler had a one-night stand with this little fun-sized chick that was barely pushing a hundred pounds. He bragged about her flexibility and the benefits of her size, including how easy it was to fuck her standing up, without the wall for support. He was pissed when she told him that she was only in town for the night since she was a flight attendant on a layover.
Tyler: Guess who is now flying to Chicago every week for the next three months with layovers on Wednesdays and Saturdays?
Me: Polly Pocket? Good for you. Sounds like we’re both trying something new. Good luck, bro.
Tyler: She’s a kinky freak. We’re perfect for each other.
That settled that. Tyler wouldn’t even miss me. There was still no fucking way I’d fit in with the people at a coffee shop. At least Cylas was a teacher. He had that softer side that worked for him. Me? I was just a gym rat who had lost the girl he wanted.
Walking into my room after finishing my emails, I felt more confident in my plan and was actually excited to venture out into the unknown tomorrow. I could be sweet and affectionate when I wanted to be. I just needed to find someone deserving of my time. I looked around my room and shook my head.
There wasn’t anything on the walls except my flat screen TV. Even my bed screamed masculinity. The four-poster bed had a black leather headboard and deep graphite sheets strewn haphazardly from when I had woken up this morning. Only two pillows were on the bed, the others in a pile in the corner. I couldn’t remember the last time it had been made.
After turning off the lights, I slid into bed with my phone and started going through my contacts. Starting with the As, I began deleting any girl’s number who had been part of my conquest to fuck Payton out of my system. I hadn’t called them again and most of them were easily forgettable. I laughed at how many Tiffanys I had in my phone. Tiffany Bar, Tiffany D, Tiffany Gym, Tiffany Hilton, Tiffany Portland. Each time I deleted a girl’s number, I felt a little lighter and more confident about what tomorrow would bring.
As I fell asleep, I thought about how, no matter what, I’d make the next week one to remember.
MONDAY MORNING CAME AROUND and I quickly realized one thing. Coffee shops weren’t my thing. I’d sat there, drinking overpriced coffee for an hour, and watched people walk in, order their coffee, and leave. There was only one girl sitting down, enjoying her coffee, but she had a wedding ring on. Everyone was so focused on their phone or laptop that there was barely any interaction at all.
This was Cylas’ good plan?
I wasn’t cut out for this. People were on autopilot in here. Shaking my head, I finally tossed my coffee cup away and made my way down the street, keeping track of time so I didn’t miss my next training session.
As I walked outside, I welcomed the crisp fall air. The summer had been torture, but today was the first day I could feel the seasons