006

MIA

I couldn’t stop hearing it.

That soft, breathy moan kept playing in my head long after I left the gym. Even while I cooked dinner, even while Ryan talked about some meeting, the sound sat right behind my ears. By the time we got into bed I felt restless and warm in a way I hadn’t felt in months.

Ryan was already scrolling on his phone. I shifted closer, rested my hand on his chest, and slid it slowly downward.

He didn’t look up. “What are you doing?”

“I just… I missed you,” I said quietly.

He finally glanced at me, then at my body under the thin tank top. His mouth twisted.

“Not tonight, Mia. I’m tired. And honestly, looking at that stomach doesn’t exactly put me in the mood.”

The words landed like a slap. I pulled my hand back.

He rolled onto his side, facing away from me. “Go to sleep.”

I stared at the ceiling for a long time, the moan still echoing, mixed now with his cruel voice. Sleep came late and shallow.

The next afternoon Ryan dropped me at the gym the same way he always did—quick, distracted, already on a call. I walked inside with my bag clutched tight. My shoulders felt tight. Every time I blinked I saw Jake’s calm face and heard that quiet offer again: You’re allowed to look.

Jake was waiting near the private room. He gave me a short nod.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.”

We went in. He locked the door out of habit and started the session the way he always did—light warm-up, then rows. At first everything felt normal. His instructions were short and clear.

“Again.”

But after the third set his hands started correcting me more. When I leaned too far forward he stepped behind me and placed both palms on my waist, guiding me back.

“Right here,” he said, voice low. “Feel the difference?”

I nodded, but my skin felt too warm under his hands. He kept them there a second longer than necessary before letting go.

Later, during squats, he stood close again. One hand settled on the middle of my back, the other lightly on my hip to keep me from tipping.

“Chest up. That’s it.”

I tried to focus on the movement, but every place he touched stayed hot. I forced my face to stay blank. I didn’t want him to notice how nervous I suddenly felt.

We moved to the mat for core work. I was halfway through a set of controlled sit-ups when a knock sounded on the door.

Sophie’s bright voice came through. “Jake? Can you come here for a second? I need your help with the pull-up bar.”

Jake looked at me. “Give me a minute.”

He opened the door. From where I sat I could see the hallway mirror clearly. Sophie stood there in a tight sports bra and tiny shorts, smiling up at him. Her stomach was flat. Her waist looked small enough for his hands to wrap around easily.

“The bar feels loose,” she said. “Can you check?”

Jake stepped out. He didn’t close the door all the way. I watched through the gap and the mirror as he tested the bar, then turned to Sophie.

“Want me to spot you?”

She nodded and reached up. Jake’s hands settled on her waist—firm, sure—and he lifted her like she weighed nothing. Sophie pulled her chin over the bar easily while he held her steady, his fingers spanning her narrow sides. They both laughed when she dropped back down.

“See? Light as air,” he said, still smiling.

Sophie grinned and gave his arm a playful push. “Only because you’re strong.”

I looked down at my own body. Soft stomach, full hips, thick thighs that still felt heavy even after weeks of training. The difference sat in my chest like a stone. Jake could lift her without effort. The same hands that had just been on my waist had moved her like she was nothing.

I stayed on the mat, pretending to stretch, until Jake came back inside and closed the door.

He clapped his hands once, back to business. “All right. Two more sets.”

I nodded and got into position, but my mind stayed out in the hallway. Every time his hands returned to correct me I felt the comparison sharper. His touch was the same, but now I couldn’t stop thinking how different my body must feel under those same palms.

When the session ended I packed my bag faster than usual.

Jake watched me for a second. “You okay today? You seem quiet.”

“I’m fine,” I said. The words came out flat. “Just tired.”

I walked out past the main floor. Sophie was still near the pull-up bar, talking to another girl. She looked effortless. I kept my eyes on the exit and didn’t look back.

Outside, Ryan’s car was already waiting. I slid into the passenger seat without a word. He didn’t ask how it went. He just pulled into traffic and started talking about dinner plans with some clients.

I stared out the window, the image of Jake’s hands on Sophie’s small waist stuck behind my eyes, and the soft moan from yesterday mixed with Ryan’s voice from last night until I couldn’t tell which one hurt more.