Half to Death Read Online Free Page B

want.” She looked down at the papers in her lap again. “I’ll also write up an exercise plan that will target the areas you want to work. If you’re unfamiliar with any of the machines, I or any of the trainers will be happy to demonstrate for you.”
    Miranda and I nodded our agreement.
    “Set some goals for yourselves. I can help with that or you can do it on your own, but I think it’s easier if you have something to work toward.” She looked at Miranda then. “As I’ve told Sloan, my client list is full, but I can do some rearranging if you need extra help. I can also suggest other trainers who have openings if you want to go that route.”
    “We’ll work from the plan you come up with,” I said before Miranda could speak. “If we don’t see results, we might consider enlisting the help of a trainer.” I looked at Miranda, and she gave me a thumbs-up.
    “Great.” Jade stood, and Miranda and I followed suit. She shook Miranda’s hand but withdrew when she turned to me. “I remember, germaphobe.” She tucked her hand behind her back and shot me her half smile.
    I nodded. “Thanks for taking the time, Jade.”
    Miranda and I walked down the hall together, holding all comment until we were outside. The ride home wasn’t that long, but I’d had to pee before the meeting with Jade, and I decided I couldn’t wait. “Gotta visit the potty,” I said to Miranda. I turned on one heel and slammed into Jade. We fell against the wall, and her arms went around my waist to steady me. The contact was surprising and brief, but it didn’t stop the flashes that entered my mind or the wash of feeling that encompassed me.
    I stepped back on shaky legs. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were behind me.”
    “That’s okay.” Jade pushed off the wall. “Are you all right?” she asked as she looked me over.
    “I’m fine, sorry again.” I half ran to the bathroom. In the privacy of the stall, I hovered over the toilet seat. In that case, I really was a germaphobe. Through Jade’s eyes, I saw the road before me. I didn’t recognize it, and I was fairly certain she didn’t, either. Though brief, the image really didn’t reveal anything, but the feelings that came with it made me uncomfortable. She didn’t want to be there. Fear and revulsion coalesced into painful resignation. None of it made sense to me, but I did know one thing—Jade was unhappy.
    *******
    “So what did you see when you bumped into her?” Miranda asked when I joined her in the parking lot.
    “Just a quick glimpse of her riding in someone’s car. She didn’t seem happy about it.”
    “Probably one of those dates you have—a lot. She was with someone she didn’t like and was trying to get out of it.”
    “Probably,” I said with a nod.
    Normally, our way of saying good night was a fist bump. In the habit, Miranda raised her fist, then awkwardly tucked her hand behind her back. “I’m trying to get used to this. My mind has been going ninety miles an hour since you told me.” She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her gym pants. “It won’t always be so awkward. We’ll work through this…like we’ve always worked through things.”
    I wanted to hug her. Perhaps another byproduct of my experience, I craved to give and receive affection, and now ironically, I couldn’t. “Thanks.” I opened the door to my car and smiled back at her. “Give Marty a kiss for me, will ya?”
    Miranda looked at me oddly for a second before saying, “Will do.”
     

 
    Chapter 3
    A few days later, Jade produced a diet and workout plan for Miranda and me. Dutifully, I went to the grocery store that night after the gym and purchased the foods on the list. I was pleasantly surprised to note it didn’t include wing of bat or eye of newt as I had anticipated. Most were meats and veggies I already liked but was too lazy to take the time to cook. That had to change. I’d known it for a while.
    It was late when I got home, so I had turkey on