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    Crunch Time
    Crunch Time
    Crunch Time
    Ebook113 pages1 hour

    Crunch Time

    By Andrew Grey

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    A Work Out Story

    When George Higgins agrees to help a soon-to-be-former professional football player rehearse for a guest appearance on a talk show, he doesn’t expect anything to come of it. To his surprise, Darren White shows up on time and actually makes an effort to learn from George. But Darren has definite problems; he can barely read and sounds awful when he speaks. Luckily, George is a teacher and Darren’s motivated. It’s crunch time: the first rehearsal for Talking Sports is looming, and Darren and George will have to work together if they want Darren’s guest appearance—and their budding relationship—to turn into a full-time gig.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDreamspinner Press
    Release dateMar 16, 2011
    ISBN9781615818280
    Crunch Time
    Author

    Andrew Grey

    Andrew Grey is the author of more than one hundred works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Email: andrewgrey@comcast.net Website: www.andrewgreybooks.com

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      Book preview

      Crunch Time - Andrew Grey

      Chapter 1

      HURRYING across the parking lot, George pulled open the doors to the health club, rushing inside, breathing heavily. Continuing his near-frenzied pace, he found his drawer, labeled Higgins, near the wall behind the salesmen’s desks. He dropped his bag and winter coat inside. Finally breathing a sigh of relief, he walked to the front desk. You were nearly late, Tiffany said with a slight giggle. Do you know you walk funny when you rush?

      George almost retorted with something equally insensitive, but figured it wasn’t wise to alienate one of his fellow employees on his first day. Yes, I’m aware that my hip doesn’t work quite right, thank you. It’s been that way since birth, he replied calmly and evenly, keeping the smile off his face as her embarrassment became evident. Don’t worry about it, George added with a smile to diffuse the situation. Are you going to show me what to do?

      She shook her head, long blonde hair waving around behind her. George couldn’t stop himself from thinking that if she shook her head much harder, that hair could be lethal. Joshua said he’d be right back. She turned to check in one of the members, scanning his card through the computer while George took a breather. He hated being late. And here he was, late on his first day, but he’d had an unexpected meeting after school and hadn’t gotten out at his usual time.

      George. A deep voice from behind him caught his attention. I’m Joshua—Josh. Harvey asked me to show you around the desk. Josh directed him to the computer systems. You need to check in each member by scanning their card. The computer has a picture of each person, so all you need to do is make sure they aren’t using someone else’s card. Tiff, you can head out if you want. Josh smiled at the blonde, and she returned his smile before walking back through the club, while Josh’s eyes bounced with every step she took, before returning his attention to George. The lost and found is in this drawer. He pulled it out, displaying a pile of clothes, weight belts, water bottles, weight gloves, and other items.

      The door opened and five guys walked in together. Hey, George, Dan, one of the members, said as he handed George his card. When did you start working here?

      Beep, the scanner pinged as the system accepted the card. Today’s my first day, he answered as he smiled, handing back the card. He scanned Gene’s card as well, and Ivan’s and Maddoc’s. The last guy in the group was Lonnie, and he didn’t bother with a card; he simply walked around the desk toward the locker room. Lonnie! George called out, inadvertently using the voice he used with his fourth-graders. Then he softened his voice. I need your card. Lonnie walked back, handing George a single key with the scan card on it. Thank you. George scanned it and handed it back.

      You’re welcome, ya birdgazer, Lonnie chided as he continued on his way.

      Hey, Lon! George called back. Lonnie stopped midstride. You need to have something to gaze at first, he added, rolling his eyes.

      Lonnie sputtered something, but it was completed drowned out by Dan and the guys hooting as they continued toward the locker room.

      I see you know Lonnie, Josh said with a distasteful look on his face. The man’s just crude.

      He’s been my financial adviser for a few years. He’s talked like that for as long as I’ve known him. Giving it back to him seems to be the best thing I’ve found to shut him up. George turned his attention to the door as other members filed in. Greeting each one, he scanned their cards and thanked them. Josh finished showing him around and then left him with instructions to call if he had any questions. George assured Josh he would and went to work. Half an hour later, he got a request from a member to update a credit card, and Josh showed him how to use the payment portions of the system. It wasn’t hard, and soon George found himself exploring the system between scanning in members.

      George. He looked up to find Lonnie standing at the counter. Why are you working here?

      George moved closer to Lonnie, not wanting to spread his business through the gym, I need some extra money. George shrugged. That teachers’ strike wiped out a lot of my ready savings.

      Oh. Lonnie became quiet, which George knew usually meant he was cooking up some clever witticism. Instead, he said, I’ll call you tonight.

      Sure, George answered, smiling. As Lonnie left the club, George went back to work.

      Finishing his short shift, George clocked out. Retrieving his bag, he ate the small snack he’d packed before heading to the locker room to change for his own workout before leaving the health club.

      On his way home, he bought a sandwich, and after carrying in his things, George sat at his kitchen table, grading papers as he ate, until the phone interrupted his concentration.

      Hello. Shit. He should have looked at the display before answering.

      Hey, cockhopper. It’s Lonnie. Am I interrupting an all-you-can-eat dick buffet?

      George looked around the neat kitchen, the house so quiet he could hear the refrigerator kick on. Yeah right, Lon. You’re interrupting a four-gy.

      Yeah, your dick and four fingers. Lonnie laughed at his own joke, and George said nothing because it was too true for words. Say, I got something to ask you, but this has to stay between us. Lonnie sounded very serious, which was highly unusual. The only time George had ever seen the man serious was when money was involved—usually his own. You can’t tell anybody or I’ll lose a client.

      What’s so important? George had a bad feeling about this.

      I have a client who needs help. Lonnie sighed, and George heard shuffling.

      Where are you? George picked up his sandwich in one hand, taking a small bite before setting it down again.

      In bed. Cory’s about ready to polish my love hammer and she’s getting impatient. George chose that moment to try to swallow and nearly choked as he started coughing. Can you come to my office tomorrow afternoon?

      I can be there at four. Thankfully he didn’t have to work at the club.

      Good. More rustling and a groan before the phone went dead. George looked at it for a few minutes, wondering what the hell was up before setting it aside. Whatever it was, he’d find out tomorrow, but right now he had work to do.

      THE final school bell rang and the kids rushed out of the room and into the halls, voices raised in excitement. Already the kids were excited about Christmas vacation. As the sound died in the halls, George straightened the room before gathering his things and heading toward the exit. He knew he was leaving a little early, but the pile of papers under his arm was a visual testament to the work he had yet to do.

      Hurrying to his car, he stopped himself from rushing. Yes, he hated to be late, but he hated falling on the ice even more, and besides, his hip ached to beat the band anyway. Starting the car, George pulled out of the lot, driving toward Lonnie’s office, pleading with the heater in his old car to start working. Of course, it started blowing warm air just as he pulled into the parking lot. Getting out, George pulled his coat tighter around him, walking stiffly into the quiet office where the receptionist directed him to Lonnie’s desk.

      Lonnie motioned him into a chair while he talked on the phone, obviously trying to soothe a client, skittish because the market had dropped. Chris, you’re an investor, not a trader, remember. The stocks you’re in are solid. Do you want to sell your IBM and Coca-Cola? Lonnie rolled his eyes. I didn’t think so. Look, the market is tough right now, but you’re holding your own and doing better than most. Lonnie sounded so patient as he soothed the person on the phone, ending with an invitation to dinner in the next few weeks, before hanging up.

      Thanks for coming, George. Lonnie shook his hand before peering out through the glass walls around his desk. Hey, Anne. Is Darren here?

      No, I haven’t seen him. The middle-aged woman sitting just outside

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