The kick aroused her from a dull sleep. She opened her eyes and was staring at loin-clothed crotch. She couldn’t even tell who the crotch belonged to, because the wall of chest muscle hid the face. The voice told her to get the hell up. For a moment, she panicked. Her heart began to pound, awakening her out of her stupor.

The low one’s come back!

But then the voice was familiar in a positive way.

Mack.

The voice belonged to Mack.

She relaxed.

Back in control.

It was Mack.

Eric was better, but Mack was okay.

“Are you just going to lie around and gather dust like a rug? If you’re a rug, maybe I should take you out and beat you.”

The floor was cold and hard. His intimidation was working. She was feeling appropriately hostile. Lifting heavy weights required the rush, and nothing gave you the rush like hostility. “Shut up!”

“So are you ready to work or what?”

“I’m ready.”

He held out his hand. She took it, and he hoisted her to her feet. He threw a bundle at her.

“Put some clothes on.”

She nodded and dressed quickly.

“How much time do you have?” Mack asked.

“Two hours.”

“Two hours? Tandy, we can’t do anything in two hours.”

“Well, that’s all the time I have, Mack. Take it or leave it. Help me with my weight belt.”

“You should get a better-quality belt.” Mack slipped the leather straps through the metal loops and pulled tightly, enjoying the sound of her curses. “After two years of pumping, you’re no virgin, you know. You want to make progress, you need the right gear.”

“I’m a little tight on cash at the moment.”

“Hey, are you serious about building or what?”

“Of course I’m serious.”

“Then find the cash, Tandy. If you’re gonna do, do it right.”

“It’s too tight, Mack!”

Again Mack pulled on the straps.

“There! Now it’s too tight.”

“You are such a sadist!”

“Fuck you! What’s this two hours crap? Are you committed, or are you playing games? We don’t have time for games.”

“I told you I’m committed.”

“That’s what you say, but that’s not how you act,” Mack snarled. “Two hours…”

“How about the pecs? We could do the pecs in two hours, Mack.”

“Yeah, we could probably do the pecs,” Mack said. “Be better if we had three hours.”

“I have to work. I’m pulling the graveyard shift.” She attempted a deep breath, but the belt was too tight. All she could do was exhale short little puffs. “I’m going to need something, Mack.”

“What? Like some B-six?”

“Something stronger.”

Mack paused. “It can be arranged.”

“You’re a doll—”

“Hey, I don’t want to ever hear that kind of shit before a session!”

“Okay, you’d be a doll if you weren’t such a dumb jerk!”

“Much better!”