A SPOT AT A WEDDING
At first, Jason only saw the gym as a last resort. The weekend warrior never played sports in any organized fashion so he never had a season to prepare for. He had a job where he was on his feet all day, so the prospect of heading to a place to run on a treadmill was not something he was interested in. He was about six feet tall with an average build topped with a clean cut face and dirty blonde hair. His ice blue eyes and laid back personality was enough for him to land a wife so he felt he had zero need to tone anything up. However while those features helped him find a wife, they did not help him keep one.
His wife explained to him she just was not in love anymore and wanted to change. All she wanted was a clean break, but that did not stop her from taking most of the contents of their small townhome. Heartbroken, Jason only asked her to leave him enough to get by with and for a speedy divorce so he could attempt to rebuild his life.
It was hard for Jason to cope at first. He tried numerous vices to try to numb his pain. He went to strip clubs until he realized she was spending all the money he needed for the mortgage on lap dances. He was always a beer drinker, but it turned into a fresh case of cheap swill beer arriving at the house every few days. His lowest point was when he went on the hunt for any kind of pill he could find that would make him forget about his life. His path of self destruction led him to rock bottom. Once there, he took a long look of what his life had become and decided to do something about it. While he was growing out his hair and beard, he wanted to clean up everything else about himself. He found a 24-hour gym near his house and decided to join. Out of all the addictions he could find, he felt this one could at least be beneficial.
He started just running on treadmills but that turned to more weight training. He would go all hours of the day and night, but made sure to still go six days a week. On one of his late night workouts, his eye caught of the trainers behind the front counter reading textbook. It was on the subject he majored in at college so he decided to strike up a conversation. He had seen the employee a lot there, mostly at nights. They always smiled and exchanged pleasantries but never introduced themselves to each other. This seemed like the perfect time.
"I'm Jason by the way."
"Christie, it's nice to meet you. I see you a lot when I work Graveyard like this. Not a lot of people come in so you looked familiar."
"It's all good. Yeah I kind of like the peace and quiet of nights. Do you like working late?"
"I kind of take shifts whenever I can find them and these are always open. As you can see, I made the decision to go back to school."
"What lead to that decision?"
"A divorce."
"Oh! That's what led to me going to the gym. I'm shocked I haven't seen you at the 'Divorced Before 30' Club meetings."
Christie laughed and the two continued talking for a few more minutes before Jason left. Christie was about five feet tall with dark brown hair he always had in a braided ponytail. While she was short but very muscular and powerful. She had a very small chest but was toned everywhere; a fact you could tell when she would walk around the gym in her leggings. Facially, Jason swore she must have been a fitness model at some point in her life since she was absolutely stunning. It seemed that his gym obsession just earned him a new perk with a budding acquaintanceship with the beautiful Christie.
They always caught up anytime they saw each other, eventually finally exchanging phone numbers for the occasional text or two. She even began helping Jason weight train as his once average body was finally starting to tone after months of work.
One night, Christie could tell something was off with Jason. He was always focused on his workout, but on this night it seemed he was on a completely different planet. When she saw he was at a stopping point, she finally tapped him on the shoulder and asked what was on his mind.
"It's a bit of a long story."
"I've got time."
"Ok well, my friend who I basically grew up with is getting married at the shore this weekend. The guy she is marrying is pretty well off so it's going to be this big thing at some four-star hotel."
"That doesn't seem too bad."
"Yeah well I had to RSVP a year ago...when I was married."
"Oh."
"Yeah so aside from all the weird feelings that is bringing up, I'm basically on the hook for a two person room and a plate for someone who isn't going to be there. Money wise it sucks, mentally it sucks, and emotionally, it kind of sucks too."
Christie could tell Jason was really upset about the situation he was in. She had grown to really like him and feel for his situation. So she decided to help.
"When do you leave?"
"Saturday morning. Drive down, check in, attempt to look presentable, then drive back the next morning."
"So it's just one night?"
"Yup."
"I'll go with you."
"What?"
"Yeah, why not. I can maybe help you look presentable, I can cover the costs of the second person for you, and maybe then you can enjoy yourself a little."
"I mean...that would be amazing but, like, it's only one bed and I don't want you to feel weird or anything."
"Oh Jason, we're both adults. Think of this just a friend helping out another friend. We are friends right?"
"Yes, I like to think so."
"Then perfect. You can pick me up on your way to the shore. Just one condition."
"Which is?"
"Get a haircut."
That Saturday, Jason realized he was much more nervous about going to the wedding with Christie than he thought. He was not sure if it was because the memories of his ex were corrupting his mind or if he was anxious about ruining his friendship with Christie. Either way, he made sure to give himself a pep talk because finally shaving off his beard, packing his bag, and driving over to get Christie.
He had texted her that he was on his way, so she was already outside her apartment with her bag in hand. Her hair was not in her trademark braided ponytail but instead was styled down to show off the blonde streaks Jason never noticed were all through her hair. When he pulled up and waved, she pulled her sunglasses down to get a better look at her now clean cut gym buddy. Seeing her out of her gym element made Jason realize that Christie was one of the most gorgeous women he had ever laid eyes on.
"Well you clean up nicely!" said a joyful Christie.
"Ha-ha thanks. Here, let me come out and get your bag."
"No I've got it. You got the Venmo from me right?"
"Yes I did. Again, thank you. You really don't need to do any of this. But I do appreciate it."
"It's my pleasure! Now let's get this show on the road!"
On the drive down, Jason filled Christie in on her friend and some of the people she would be seeing at the wedding. Jason only knew a few people to begin with aside from the Bride, so having Christie with him was going to be a huge plus. They both talked like they had been friends for years as their growing chemistry was silencing any negative voices in Jason's head.
