Page 7 of Knottily Ever After (Crescent Lake Cozy Omegaverse #1)

Chapter Seven

Quinn

I ’d spent the first couple of hours at my gym working out, as usual. I always went to work before my shift started so I could get my routine done before anyone else showed up. I always wanted to get back home to relax as soon as my shift was over.

Plus, it’s Friday. I don’t work or work out on the weekends. It’s a rule I’ve set for myself, so I don’t go overboard again.

There was a time when all I did was work out, and I built even more muscles than I have now. I’d put all my energy into gaining physical strength because I had no other outlets.

When I met Vaughn seven years ago, I was thirty-one, and unfocused on anything other than physical fitness.

At the time, I didn’t realize why that was.

But talking to Vaughn, something clicked.

It was like we’d been friends our whole lives.

We could talk about anything, and he helped me see that all the focus and energy I exerted was because I hadn’t found my pack.

I had monogamous parents. Vaughn was brought up as an only child in a complete pack.

And, the more I learned from him, the more I knew for sure he was one of my pack brothers. And when we met young Ben a year later, everything just fell into place.

The three of us have been inseparable.

I was able to find a work-life balance I never even knew I wanted.

I changed my focus from strength and bulk to cardio health, slimmed down while maintaining a good amount of muscle mass—enough that I still feel happy with the way I look, anyway.

And my stamina is through the roof. I run and jog every day, always pushing my limits.

After six years with my two new brothers, I’d pretty much given up on us ever finding an Omega and completing our pack. But now…

Violet Marshall. She’s an anomaly. An enigma. She’s beautiful, smart, and I haven’t known her long, but I see that sharp, funny wit poke through her mostly reserved veneer. And, my gods, her scent…

I grumble and adjust my stiffening cock at the thought of her, sighing as I try to redirect my thoughts. My shorts may be loose, but they’re not going to hide the tent I’m starting to pitch.

There aren’t many patrons at the gym this afternoon, and they’re all male Alphas, all regulars. None of them usually ask for help, just flash their membership cards at me when they walk in and get to work.

We don’t have the fanciest setup at Golden Fitness, but it works. Our membership cards have a rotating color scheme so my employees know what month the memberships expire at a glance. Every year is different.

I have three employees, and they’re all great.

One of the guys is in high school, the other two are in their twenties, all of them are part-time, all of them Alphas.

It seemed that male Alphas were the only ones to ever answer my want-ads when I posted them.

I wasn’t sure why, but most of my patrons were males, too.

Movement outside the big windows at the front catches my attention, and there she is, like I’ve conjured her from thin air.

Violet.

She’s wearing black capris pants, black sneakers with those really short socks in dark green to match the form-fitting tee she has on, accentuating those lush hips and breasts.

I might start drooling if I don’t move.

My legs just carry me out of the gym of their own accord, and I find myself calling her name in greeting.

She stops short and looks at me with wide, emerald eyes. “Quinn,” she says, her tone surprised. “Were you working out in there?”

“Not anymore,” I say with a grin. “Now it’s working hours.” I gesture to the doors. “Want to come check out my place?”

Now her brows rise high. “Your place?” Then she shakes her head. “I forgot. Vaughn said you owned the gym in town.”

I place my hand on her upper back and usher her through the door, which I open for her.

She looks around at wood panel flooring, all the equipment atop the black mats, her gaze landing on the brick accent wall at the back where the treadmills are.

Her expression is a bit scrutinizing, and I feel concern well up in my chest.

“So, uh,” I force a huff of laughter, “what do you think?”

Her lips thin, but she nods. “It’s great.” Her tone isn’t convincing, and a million thoughts of why rush through my head before she turns to me and says, “How much to join?”

That gives me pause. “You want to work out here?”

She nods, a small smile playing on her lips.

“I’m glad that there’s even a gym here. I thought I was going to have to miss out on my cardio time.

” Her arms cross under her breasts, pushing them up higher, and I have to stifle a groan.

“There’s a gym in the building I live in out in L.A.

,” she says. “I used it three to four times a week.” Her gaze scans the interior again, then lands back on me.

“My job is really sedentary, so it’s important to get physical activity in whenever I can, you know? ”

I’m nodding, but ashamed to admit that I’m not really listening to what she’s saying. She wants to work out. In my gym.

I mean, it’s the only gym in Crescent Lake, but still. Even if she only came by once a week, it could be time we spend together. And I am totally here for that.

I hold my finger up to her and jog over to the desk by the front door, dig through the drawer with our membership cards, and after scrawling her name on a forest green card that will cover a year, I jog back over to her, arm and card extended.

She gives me a confused look before taking the card, her brows drawn tight. “Oh,” she says in recognition when she sees her name on the back. She looks up and asks again, “How much?”

My hands are waving in dismissal before she gets the question out. “No charge for roommates,” I tell her, which isn’t a lie. I’ve given free memberships to Vaughn and Ben every year since we’ve lived together.

“Oh, no,” she says, voice firm. “I really appreciate the sentiment, but Vaughn won’t even let me pay to stay with you guys for this month. I can’t take money from you, too.”

“Nonsense,” I sing as I wrap her hand gently in both of mine, the membership card still in her grasp.

“It’s my gift to you. Call it a ‘Welcome Gift.’ Something to make you feel more at home here in Crescent Lake without your fancy gym in L.A.

” I grin, and she presses her lips together, trying not to smile.

“Okay,” she whispers, her eyes earnest. “Thank you.” She gently withdraws her hand from mine and looks around again. “You gifting this to me should motivate me to put it to good use.” She laughs, and my chest feels warmer than ever before.

I put on my million-dollar smile and slide into her view. “I’m also a personal trainer.”

Her brow rises.

“I could… you know… show you some moves.” Smile wattage increased.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” she tells me, her hand waving in front of her face like I’d just done to her over the membership cost. “I’ll only be using the treadmill and stair-climber.”

I pump up the charm, hiking the right side of my smile a bit. “Well, form while on those machines is very important, just like stretching. You don’t want to get an injury.”

Her brow furrows, a small spark of annoyance in her eyes. “After this many years, I’ve got it covered, thanks.”

Well, that wiped the smile from my face.

This Omega is going to be a tough nut to crack.

But Quinn Knox never backs down from a challenge.