Page 3 of Mr. Green

“Just wondering what the cold shoulder is all about.”

“Uh-huh. Why do you call her Sunshine?”

“Messing with her.”

“Right.” She exaggerates the word. “You’re out of luck for now, bud.”

Although the thought of Grant asking about me is making my heart rate increase and stomach twist, I’m thinking he’s just asking since I won’t talk to him. Ican’ttalk to him. He’s trouble and I need to remember that. Plus, he’s way out of my league.

I don’t want to listen to this anymore. I head to the front desk. It’s the only safe place to be until they leave. While I’m standing around waiting, I notice a new poster.

Jason and Scarlett thought a cool way to get our members motivated was to offer marathons and contests. This one is some sort of run through the town. There’s a perfect-looking girl on the poster, smiling in a sports bra and tight shorts. She looks confident, poised, and beautiful.

The first thought that comes to my head is,I used to be like her.

I play that statement over and over in my mind. Tears are on the verge of overflowing onto my cheeks for the second time today. It’s not that I want my body to look like hers. I’ve always been on the curvier side and I’m okay with that. What I’ve lost is my confidence and acceptance of who I am. I’ve always felt beautiful in my skin. Now I can’t stand looking into the mirror. I don’t feel likeme.

Footsteps sound behind me. I blink a few times to keep the tears at bay. Then I turn around.

“Hey, babe! Thought I’d find you up here,” Jason greets, leaning in for a hug.

His black hair is trimmed close to his head and his muscles are practically popping out everywhere in his gym polo. Jason calls everyone babe. We’ve known each other since high school, before he announced he was gay.

“You interested in joining the marathon?” He nods towards the poster. “I can train you. We can mix weights with running distance and you’d be fit to race in no time.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I reply, surprised I didn’t flat out say no.

“Think about it! You know I’m here if you need me, girl.” He puts his arm over my shoulder.

I take a deep breath and nod. “Thanks, Jay. Let’s get started.”

We head to an exercise room to start filming so I can get some headway on this program I’m creating for the gym. My part in this operation is to design an app and make sure the books are done.

I should focus on the task at hand, but the poster floods my thoughts with possibilities. For the first time in a while, I have hope.

Chapter 3

Lana

Ican’t stop thinking about doing that marathon. I even asked Scarlett for a pamphlet for a “friend.” She gave it to me with a knowing smile. I’m sure she saw right through my lie, but she didn’t push me.

According to the pamphlet, it’s a half marathon through the town and along the Hood River. The view alone would be stunning, but I’ve never run that far. A little more than thirteen miles seems like a lot. It might be just the challenge I’ve been looking for to get out of this rut.

I stare up at the ceiling while lying on my bed, wondering if I’ll actually be able to run that far or whether I’ll fall on my face. Jason did say he could train me. Maybe having a goal will get me motivated to do something other than wanting to sleep and cry all the time.

I’ve always had a fuller figure. I’m not going into this thinking I’ll end up looking like Scarlett—a thin, rectangle shape who’s fit and toned. It’s about me finding something that’ll help me move forward and feel good about myself again. I have to get to a place where I appreciate my body and it shows.

I roll out of bed to sort through the workout clothing options in my dresser. A cropped top ends up in between my fingers. I stare down at the fabric thinking about aday I went to do a workout with Ryan.

“Lana, you ready?” Ryan shouts from the living room.

I walk out of the bedroom wearing a sports bra, crop top thing with the tight leggings that are popular with the kids these days. It’s not something I’d usually wear, but Paige helped me pick it out when we were shopping. I’ve got an hourglass figure with some weight in my thighs and butt, but I think I look good.

“Ready!” I reach for my water bottle.

“What are you wearing, Lana?” Ryan’s mouth is wide open staring at me in disbelief.

I shrug. “What? I thought it was cute.”