Dawn of Eve - MJ Howson (read full novel .txt) 📗

are better than anything I can do in the gym.”

Jacob pointed to a shady grass-covered area nearby. As they walked there, he went back into his backpack and retrieved a beach towel and two small hand towels. He gave a small one to Jeff, who quickly began wiping his face. Jacob spread the beach towel flat on the ground and motioned Jeff to lay down.

Jacob began bending and flexing Jeff’s legs. The cool wind coming in from the river brought both men some much-needed relief. Passersby mostly ignored them, although every so often, someone would shoot them an odd glance.

Jeff slowly caught his breath as Jacob twisted and pulled him in different directions. Jeff smiled and said, “You should open your own gym.”

“Thanks.”

“Seriously. You’re really good.”

Jacob nodded and continued to stretch Jeff. He’d looked into opening his own gym years ago, but the costs were outrageous. So were the risks. Many one-off gyms crashed and burned, leaving the owner with a mountain of debt. Jacob appreciated the advice, but he and Jeff lived in completely different worlds.

Jeff worked on Wall Street–hedge fund manager. He and his wife owned a seven-figure apartment on the Upper West Side. Jeff had no idea that Jacob charged him double what he charged most clients.

“I can help you line up investors,” Jeff said. He groaned as Jacob pushed Jeff’s right knee up against his chin. “All you have to do is ask.”

“I appreciate it, Jeff. It’s just a bit high risk for me.”

“Well, let me know if you change your mind.”

“I will.”

Jacob applied a bit more pressure as he twisted and contorted Jeff. Another minute passed in silence before Jacob stood up. Jeff sighed, opened his eyes, and smiled. Jacob held his hand out and helped Jeff stand up. He reached into his backpack to check his phone again.

“Got another client?” Jeff asked.

“Always.”

“You’re a busy guy.”

“You have no idea.” Jacob pocketed his phone. “Same time next week?”

“I think so. I need to double-check my schedule.”

“Keep me posted.” The two men shook hands briefly. “And Jeff, don’t forget to recommend me to friends, okay?”

“Will do.” Jeff retrieved his phone from his pocket and used an app to send Jacob his payment for the session. “Enjoy your day.”

Jacob’s phone buzzed from the receipt of Jeff’s payment. As Jeff walked away, Jacob’s phone hummed with another notification. He checked to find a text message from Dawn.

I’m on my way home. U busy?

Jacob replied.

Just finished with a client. U OK?

While waiting for Dawn’s reply, Jacob rummaged through his backpack until he found a banana. He cracked the skin open and took a bite.

I’m so happy! I bought something beautiful today. Can you come by later?

Jacob was relieved to read that Dawn was happy. They’d spoken very little since last weekend’s birthday night out on the town. He wondered what she could have bought that cheered her up so much. Jacob checked his calendar app and sighed before responding.

Can’t. Clients. Will check with u later. XO.

Jacob inhaled the rest of his banana, knowing he must have disappointed her. His phone rang just as he was about to drop it into his backpack. It was his roommate. Jacob answered and said, “Sean? Everything okay?”

“Hey,” Sean replied. “Wow. You answered. You never answer.”

“You got lucky. I just finished with a client. What’s up?”

“Nothing. Um, I . . . I was just wondering if you’d want to maybe do a pizza movie night tonight. At . . . at home.”

“Oh.” Jacob lowered his phone briefly as he tried to recall if Sean had ever asked him to spend time together. This felt weird. Even Sean’s voice sounded more hesitant than usual. “I can’t. I’ve got a full night ahead of me.”

The line remained quiet for several seconds before Sean finally asked, “Is it with your old lady?”

“I told you to stop with the age crap.” Jacob felt his temper begin to rise. He tried not to raise his voice too loudly. “What’s with the attitude?”

“Sorry. I . . . I just thought it would be fun for us to hang. I had a bad day today.”

“Like I said, I’m busy. And not with Dawn, but with clients.”

“Right.” Sean’s condescending tone echoed in the earpiece. “Clients.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” People were now staring at Jacob as he yelled into the phone. He didn’t care. “Don’t be mad that I’ve got a full life, juggling multiple jobs and a girlfriend. You’re the one who stays locked in his room playing video games.”

“Sorry.”

“Why me? Don’t you have friends from work?”

“I do. But, well, never mind.”

Jacob sighed and lowered his phone. Sean now sounded like he was about to cry. Jacob didn’t have time to deal with Sean’s feelings. He had to get across town to his next client.

“Look, Sean, all I’m saying is that you need to branch out. Life goes by way too fast.” Jacob grabbed the towels from the ground and shoved them into his backpack. “Your twenties will be over before you know it. Go get online and have some fun. Find an app that–”

“You’re late with last month’s rent.”

“What?” Jacob closed his eyes as he recalled the date. “Shit.”

“You keep doing this, Jacob.” Sean’s voice had flipped from sadness to anger. “Every month I cover for you, and some months you never even pay in full. It’s not fair.”

“I’ve had a lot going on.” Jacob zipped up his bag and flung it over his shoulder. He looked around to get his bearings. He needed to catch the subway to get to his next appointment. “You know how disorganized I am. I’ll have it for you at the end of next week, okay?”

Jacob began walking over to West Street and waited for Sean to respond. After several seconds he asked, “Sean?”

“I . . . I did take your advice, Jacob.”

“Huh?”

“I started looking around online.”

“Great!” Jacob’s phone buzzed. The calendar notification showed he had fifteen minutes to get to his next appointment. “I gotta run, Sean. Use that app to