Page 2 of Sweet as Sugar

I never wanted to go to college. This gym and running it is what I want. I’ve been working with everyone to learn this business inside and out. Bishop has a lot on his plate with all our other gyms and the new franchises springing up all over the place. I want to be in charge of this one when he’s ready.

I took a lot of business classes in school and did an online course in business studies with the local college. With my work here, I easily graduated with honors and took over the day to day running of the gym and kept teaching and doing private training.

And waited. And I’ve kept waiting this whole time. Because I can’t do anything else.

I would wait forever for the only woman I’ve ever loved to come back to me. But if she doesn’t….you better fucking believe I’ll find her because no matter what, Chloe is mine.

CHAPTER 2

Chloe

My heart pounds in my chest and I can’t breathe when the car pulls up outside the gym. My parents wanted me to meet them at the house but I just couldn’t wait until tonight. It’s been so long.

Of course, that’s my own fault. I’ve stayed away on purpose. That last day here with Samson weighs on my mind. It’s been an integral part of me for years. Every decision that I’ve made for the last two years has been about this moment.

I step out of the cab. The rest of my things are being shipped. I packed them up at my parents’ direction and they had them picked up. I’m home for good although they don’t know for sure that I’m staying.

My parents would never force me to give up a dream if I want to leave. But my dream has always been to be here at the gym and working with the people that I’ve loved my whole life.

Even my best friend, Samson.

My heart leaps into my throat and a yearning settles in my soul. Just like it has been for the whole entire time I haven’t seen him. I close my eyes and breathe deeply. Centering myself and trying to keep from running up to that door and ripping it opento leap into everyone’s arms and finally admit what I’ve been missing.

Home. It’s always been my home. It will always be my home. Ever since Finn told my mom to come here and they fell in love, he’s been my dad. My real dad is a complete waste and I don’t have a damn thing to do with the man.

I tried. Lord, did I try. I wanted so much to have a relationship with the man. To be able to say, “Hey, this is my dad.”

Most of the time he’s gone and when he is home, he just wanders around the house, so dang drunk that he has no idea that I’m even there. He’s a mess and he’s no good for anybody. Not even himself. Ever since his second wife left him for another man he can’t seem to get over it. I’ve tried to have some sympathy for him but since he did the same thing to my mom, it’s a little hard to be that sympathetic to the man.

My mom met my stepdad when he came to talk to her about my uncle who died in the army. From all that I’ve heard he was a wonderful man and I wish that I had gotten to meet him. Or maybe I did and I just don’t remember because I was too young. But I wish I did.

From the first minute he met my mom, Finn was in love. That’s all he’s ever told me. She was already married and his heart was broken but he didn’t try to win her over. Just told her that if she needed anything, just call.

And one day she did. That’s how our little family started. Then there’s Samson’s family. Jaxon and Ruby adopted one of their kids because Ruby was attacked when she was younger and couldn’t have kids. Samson was not adopted. Ruby wanted to try a surrogate to give Jaxon a child of his own blood.

Honestly, I don’t think that Jaxon gave a shit. He just wanted whatever Ruby wanted. And he wanted a family with her. He’s always wanted a family but there’s no way on god’s green earthhe would give up his Ruby for anything. Even if it meant not having kids.

The rest of the guys have similar stories. All of the original owners of Tremaine’s Gym are sickeningly in love. All of their children have them as a guidebook to what love looks like. I’ve just never found it for myself.

How could I? I’ve been in love with Samson from the time I was old enough to realize what a guy was.

Which is why I ran when he kissed me and told me that he loved me when we were at his birthday party when he turned eighteen.

Everyone was having fun. The party was loud and boisterous like always. The thumping bass of the music had Bishop and his wife be-bopping like crazy. She’s always been so full of fun and her blond curls bounced around her head as she tossed it, laughing. Stryker, dark and brooding was actually laughing at his wife who has always been quiet and reserved most of the time.

Not right now though. She sparkled for her husband. She’d been working on her next book and it was already a bestseller before it even came out.

Jaxon and Ruby were so proud of both of their kids. Belle was gorgeous and funny. She was only a few years younger than me and she was in college as well. She was home for the special occasion, her brother’s birthday.

It was just so much fun! But Samson was off brooding in a corner and I felt his eyes on me, burning into me like a brand.

I turned and walked out of the room at the gym. It was closed for the party and one of the rooms where Adley taught classes had been transformed into a party space with chairs and food and disco lights that she used for her class swirling around, shadows and light alternately transforming all the familiar faces, somehow making it all seem alien yet familiar.

I found my way to one of the rooms that was closed and step inside, needing a break from so much light and noise. I’ve never been a fan of so many people like Adley is. She lights up a room. I prefer numbers and more peaceful endeavors.

That’s why I decided on accounting as my degree. I intended to come home and help with the books. Tremaine’s Gym has expanded into twenty cities nationwide and is so successful due to its love of all people and just helping them get healthy. Big or small, doesn’t matter. All kinds came to our gyms to find a family of sorts, to push them to a healthier, happier life.

But this is the flagship space and it’s so much more. Mostly thanks to the incredible family vibe from the original men of Tremaine’s. I leaned into a wall and sighed, my body vibrating with tension and exhausted beyond belief.

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