Chapter 3 — Meet the Rival

Tess

Tess stood at the edge of the group workout area, arms crossed tightly over her chest like they might shield her from the sea of energy buzzing around her. People stretched, chatted, and laughed with an ease she couldn’t comprehend. It was like a high-energy cocktail party with the added torture of lunges.

The mirrored walls reflected a blur of toned limbs and confident smiles. Tess caught sight of herself and immediately regretted it. Her face was already flushed, her “Support Your Local Nap Club” tee sticking awkwardly to her back. Fabulous. She looked like she’d wandered into the wrong movie set—an indie dramedy accidentally colliding with a high-stakes sports docuseries.

"Alright, everyone!" a booming voice cut through the chatter. Tess turned, her stomach tightening. A tall, blond man strode into the center with the swagger of someone who’d just bench-pressed a small car. His neon yellow tank top clung to his chiseled frame like it was being paid for the privilege, and his blindingly white smile could have powered the gym’s fluorescent lights.

Zane Collins. Of course. Tess had heard enough whispers about him to piece together the picture: gym royalty, part trainer, part walking motivational poster—if the poster were smug and slightly condescending. And, apparently, part-time beacon of unnecessary confidence.

“Today’s group challenge is all about pushing limits and leaving excuses at the door,” Zane announced, spinning a resistance band like it was a trophy.

Tess muttered under her breath, “Fantastic. I’ve wandered into the temple of Gym Zeus.”

Her attempt at humor barely cut through her rising anxiety. The room’s energy seemed to double as Zane’s presence filled it. He scanned the group like a hawk surveying its prey—and then his gaze landed on her. Tess stiffened. His smile didn’t falter, but it sharpened just enough to make her feel like a spotlight had been trained on her.

“Let’s pair up!” Zane clapped his hands, the sound far too loud for comfort. “Find someone to keep you accountable. No slacking!”

Panic bubbled in Tess’s chest as people paired off around her with practiced ease. She shifted her weight, pretending to adjust her shoelaces, and considered making a dash for the water fountain. Maybe if she looked busy enough, no one would notice she had no idea what she was doing.

“Tess.” A calm, steady voice broke through her thoughts. She turned to see Aiden weaving through the crowd toward her. The corners of his eyes crinkled slightly as he smiled. “You want to pair up with me?”

Relief hit her so hard she almost sighed out loud. “Do I have a choice?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not really.” His grin widened. “I figured my sparkling personality would be impossible to resist.”

A laugh escaped her before she could stop it. Somehow, Aiden always managed to defuse the gnawing tension in her chest. As he led her toward the back of the group, she let herself breathe a little easier.

“Okay,” Zane called, snapping everyone’s attention back to him. He pulled a resistance band taut between his hands, his biceps flexing as if to demonstrate their superiority. “We’re starting with partner drills. One partner holds the band steady while the other works on controlled squats. Teamwork is key. Got it?”

Tess’s stomach twisted, her grip tightening on the hem of her shirt. Zane’s gaze swept toward her again, lingering just a fraction too long. Her internal monologue immediately kicked into overdrive. He’s clocked me as the weakest link. Great. Just great.

“Tess,” Aiden said softly, holding out a resistance band. “Want to try first?”

Her instinct was to say no, to let herself fade into the background. But Aiden’s expression was calm, encouraging. She swallowed and nodded, gripping the band.

“Take your time,” he said, positioning himself in front of her to anchor the other end. “It’s not a race.”

Tess inhaled deeply, focusing on her posture. Feet shoulder-width apart, chest up. She bent her knees, lowering herself into a squat. Immediately, her thighs screamed in protest. She gritted her teeth, her eyes darting over Aiden’s shoulder to avoid the mirrors.

“You’re doing great,” Aiden said, his voice low and steady. “Shift your weight into your heels.”

For one fleeting second, she thought she might actually survive this. And then—

“Careful now,” Zane’s voice cut through the air. Tess flinched, her balance faltering. Zane sauntered over, arms crossed, his smile all sharp edges. “We don’t need any accidents slowing the group down.”

Her cheeks burned as the resistance band snapped back slightly. Aiden steadied her with a quick, firm touch, his expression neutral but his jaw visibly tightening.

“Everyone’s progress is different,” Aiden said, his tone measured but leaving no room for argument. “She’s doing great.”

Zane raised an eyebrow, his grin never wavering. “Just trying to help.”

“Thanks,” Tess blurted, her voice tight with forced cheer. “But I think I’ve got this. Don’t worry, Gym Zeus—I’ll try not to tarnish your divine reputation.”

Zane’s grin faltered for the briefest of moments, his eyes narrowing just slightly. Tess’s heart pounded as she turned back to Aiden, gripping the band like it was a lifeline. “Ready?”

“Whenever you are,” Aiden said, a flicker of pride in his smile.

This time, she blocked out the noise. The clinking weights, the chatter, even Zane’s looming figure faded into the background. She focused on Aiden’s voice, steady and sure, guiding her through each movement.

Her thighs burned with every squat, her breaths coming in shaky bursts. By the time they finished, her legs felt like jelly, but a small surge of triumph bloomed in her chest. She’d done it. Imperfectly, sure, but she’d done it.

“Nice work,” Aiden said, giving her a subtle thumbs-up. “You’re stronger than you think.”

Tess rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched upward. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

His laugh was warm, genuine, and it made the knot in her stomach loosen just a little more.

As the session wrapped up, Zane had already shifted his attention to a group of gym-goers who seemed far more aligned with his aesthetic. Tess watched him walk away, her irritation still simmering.

“Don’t let him get to you,” Aiden said, as if reading her thoughts. “Zane’s all about the show. He doesn’t understand that real progress isn’t always visible.”

Tess nodded, her gaze dropping to her Momentum Tracker Bracelet. The words “Progress, not perfection” glowed softly on the screen, a reminder of why she was here in the first place.

“Thanks,” she said quietly. “For… everything.”

“Anytime.” Aiden’s smile softened, and his eyes flicked toward her earrings. “By the way, I like those. The little olive faces? Quirky. Very you.”

Tess blinked, startled. She reached up, touching one of the dangling Laughing Olive Earrings. “Oh. Uh, thanks. My brother got them for me.”

“They suit you,” Aiden said simply, his tone sincere.

Tess wasn’t sure how to respond, so she settled for a small smile. As they walked toward the entrance, the hum of the gym felt a little less overwhelming.

For the first time, as she stepped into the crisp evening air, she felt something unexpected: hope. The gym still felt like another planet, but maybe—just maybe—she could carve out a space for herself.

And the fact that someone noticed her earrings? Well, that was just a bonus.