Page 10 of Hello Darling
4
Evan
Ihaven’t felt the need to splash cold water on my face at a public sink since the time I met Helen Mirren at the Old Vic when I was nineteen. And here I am, at a gym in a town I’d never even heard of a week ago, trying to pull it together, all because of a local girl I’ve only actually known for a few minutes. I feel like my armor has been pierced. I can’t believe she figured out my alias so quickly. I’ve been using it for years and no one has ever talked to me about it.
Stella Starkey. What a bold name for a bold young woman. She was completely right about why I’d originally identified with that character. There’s always some shiny new starlet beaming up at me and I’ve always been drawn in. But lately, I’ve identified with Dick Diver more because on some level I’ve felt trapped by this life and persona I’ve chosen.
Whoisthis girl? She’s even prettier than that picture.
I knew I shouldn’t have chosen this gym. This is the last thing I need. And if I’m really serious about settling down—for one thing, she lives here, and for another, she’s not old enough. She’s probably not much older than twenty-five. Although, she’s still older than the last five or ten girls I’ve dated. Dear God—is that true?
But I came here early so I could get away from everything and I have to remember not to run directly into something (or someone) else so quickly.
I realize now that it was her at the beach. Her hair was different from the picture, so I didn’t recognize her in passing. The first time I saw her was from a distance, but she was tossing bits of bread into the air for some enthusiastic birds. She threw a piece to one gimpy-looking seagull on the ground, same as I would have. Then as I was jogging closer, she was strolling on the sand with her eyes closed, ostensibly swaying to music on her headphones and she looked so sweet and at peace. I wondered what she was listening to. Like a tosser, I didn’t meet her gaze as I ran past because I needed a few hours to myself. And now here she is, serving up a large helping of great American sass with a side of small town charm and a stunning naked face that I find it difficult to tear my eyes away from.
Still, the last thing I need right now is to meet a hot young woman who can somehow see through me even though she doesn’t seem to like what she sees on the surface. She doesn’t even seem to like what she hears. This might be the first girl I’ve met in America who hasn’t melted as soon as she heard my accent. She’s immune to my superpower. If that’s not a sign that I should keep my head down and my trousers on, I don’t know what is.
Oh who the fuck am I kidding? I need her to like what she sees. I need to ear-fuck her with my voice and I want her to crave it.
I take one last look at myself in the mirror—at this face that can’t seem to work its usual magic on the Port Gladstone lass…Probably for the best. I’ll revert to Plan A—monk-like existence—and let the brother show me around, then exhaust my muscles, go back to the hotel for a meal and a long sleep. I’ll feel differently about her tomorrow, I’m sure.
As with everything else in Port Gladstone so far, I’m pleasantly surprised by all that Starkey Fitness has to offer. Besides its manager, I’m referring to the sauna and steam room, pristine and tastefully-decorated environment, well cared-for state of the art exercise equipment, quality sound system, large studio for group classes, and a back room that’s fitted with mats and boxing equipment.
“I wonder if it’s possible to rent out this back room for stunt training?” I find myself saying out loud to my irrepressible guide, Billy.Because I’m not going to be spending enough time here on my own as it is, trying not to ogle your sister.
“Yeah, sure yeah. We’ll have to check the schedule because we use it for private training sessions, or maybe we can shift things around. My sister can work it out for you. You can talk to her about it, or your people can…”
“That’d be great, thanks. I’ll talk to my trainer first—he doesn’t get in until next week. Until then I’ll just be on my own here, getting back into shape.”
“You don’t look very out of shape, bro.”
“Well, I’m just coming off three months of playing a lawyer, and I wasn’t allowed to look too fit.”
“Oh yeah? So you playing some kickass guy in this movie you’re shooting here? Is it an action movie?”
“Not quite, no, it’s a thriller about a guy who accidentally witnesses a murder in England, by a really high-profile powerful politician, and goes on the run, hides out in a small town in America until the bad guys inevitably find him, but there are a few low-key action scenes. Running chases, fight choreography and the like. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Awesome—that sounds awesome! You do your own stunts?”
“Whenever possible, whatever the insurance underwriters will allow. I like a challenge.”
“Oh yeah yeah insurance, I never thought about that. Well yeah, we got the mats and three kinds of punching bags—but I’m sure your guy will have all the gear you need—we keep everything very clean and it’s real private back here. Out there we have all the conditioning equipment which you saw.”
“Yes, very impressive. I think you do have everything I need here.” I feel the need to add: “Facilities-wise.”
He gives me a look that I can’t quite read, and then says: “You just get into town?”
“Yes, just today.”
“You must have jet lag.”
“I do indeed. The plan is to get in a good workout and then get back to the hotel to eat and sleep.”
“What’s the time difference? Here and London?”
“London’s eight hours ahead.”
He nods slowly. “So you’ll probably wake up early tomorrow.”
