he was barely out of journo school. Of course, that had to work to his advantage; people were more likely to give fresh-faced kids interviews.
“Okay.” Mitchell let out a breath. “What interviews did you want? If it’s about the gym, I’m assuming I’m not the only person you want to talk to.”
“Well, I thought I could get in touch with Hugh and Luke. I’d like to know how Luke’s career is doing, what his plans are for the future. Your uncle didn’t like giving interviews, and he didn’t really let Luke do it either. And Hugh’s career could benefit. I think we could boost business for you and have a great local interest piece. You never know what will get syndicated.”
Mitchell did admire Derek’s enthusiasm, but the subtle focus on Luke’s career had him nervous. He was positive Hugh would snort derisively at the idea of needing a newspaper article to get more work. “Call me tomorrow and I’ll figure out a time to sit down, thanks.”
“Are you sure you couldn’t talk to me today? The sooner we can sit down and talk, the sooner I can get this story in print. It’ll be a win-win,” the kid pushed a little more. He pushed his glasses up his nose, digging in his pocket for a voice recorder. “We could do it anytime.”
“You have questions ready?” Mitchell raised his brows.
“Of course.”
“I don’t think I’m equipped to answer them yet,” Mitchell told Derek. It wasn’t untrue—he had a lot of paperwork to get through first, after all. “I only took over the gym properly a couple days ago. I’m sure you heard about me coming into town.”
Derek nodded. “Right. We could go over the basics now and sit down to arrange the rest soon… Tomorrow?”
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Mitchell clarified to make damn sure he wasn’t just going to drop by. “You have a card?” When Derek handed it over, he nodded. “I have a few things I have to get done today. We’ll talk then.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you soon,” Derek promised with a quick wave, striding to his car.
Mitchell shook his head as he walked over to his car. Something still seemed off, but when he mentally reviewed the conversation, nothing stood out. It could have just been his paranoia, especially given what happened last night.
He tried to relax. This was pretty normal for tiny little Beatrice, after all. Those who didn’t live here for the cheaper housing prices were often tightly-knit groups of friends and family. People who grew up here often wound up moving back to raise their family.
Mitchell would never want to raise his kids here. Not that he should be thinking of having kids yet.
There was so much interest in the gym given the size of the town. Was Luke really that big a name? He’d Googled him a few times in the last few years, yeah, but he hadn’t seen any major profile pieces on him.
Ah. Maybe that was what Derek was after.
He’d have to discuss this once he got back. For now, he liked the idea of there being so much interest in Toby’s gym in the community. It gave him hope that it could be a centerpiece for the town after all.
14
Luke
N o matter what Hugh challenged him with, Luke could respond on autopilot. That was both the benefit and disadvantage of living at the gym. He’d tried just about every weird exercise Hugh asked of him. It was rare for Hugh to pull something out of his ass and surprise him.
In turn, that allowed his mind to wander. He hadn’t seen Mitchell since last night’s… slip in self-control on both of their parts. He was a little worried that he was out and about after the heated confrontation with the Millers, but he trusted Mitchell to look after himself.
Mitchell had probably been right that Luke stormed into situations and turned them violent. Luke was still positive he’d done the right thing this time, though.
He landed another kick or two on the pads strapped to Hugh’s arms, pretending they were Bobby’s stupid face.
“What are you gonna do if
“Okay.” Mitchell let out a breath. “What interviews did you want? If it’s about the gym, I’m assuming I’m not the only person you want to talk to.”
“Well, I thought I could get in touch with Hugh and Luke. I’d like to know how Luke’s career is doing, what his plans are for the future. Your uncle didn’t like giving interviews, and he didn’t really let Luke do it either. And Hugh’s career could benefit. I think we could boost business for you and have a great local interest piece. You never know what will get syndicated.”
Mitchell did admire Derek’s enthusiasm, but the subtle focus on Luke’s career had him nervous. He was positive Hugh would snort derisively at the idea of needing a newspaper article to get more work. “Call me tomorrow and I’ll figure out a time to sit down, thanks.”
“Are you sure you couldn’t talk to me today? The sooner we can sit down and talk, the sooner I can get this story in print. It’ll be a win-win,” the kid pushed a little more. He pushed his glasses up his nose, digging in his pocket for a voice recorder. “We could do it anytime.”
“You have questions ready?” Mitchell raised his brows.
“Of course.”
“I don’t think I’m equipped to answer them yet,” Mitchell told Derek. It wasn’t untrue—he had a lot of paperwork to get through first, after all. “I only took over the gym properly a couple days ago. I’m sure you heard about me coming into town.”
Derek nodded. “Right. We could go over the basics now and sit down to arrange the rest soon… Tomorrow?”
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Mitchell clarified to make damn sure he wasn’t just going to drop by. “You have a card?” When Derek handed it over, he nodded. “I have a few things I have to get done today. We’ll talk then.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you soon,” Derek promised with a quick wave, striding to his car.
Mitchell shook his head as he walked over to his car. Something still seemed off, but when he mentally reviewed the conversation, nothing stood out. It could have just been his paranoia, especially given what happened last night.
He tried to relax. This was pretty normal for tiny little Beatrice, after all. Those who didn’t live here for the cheaper housing prices were often tightly-knit groups of friends and family. People who grew up here often wound up moving back to raise their family.
Mitchell would never want to raise his kids here. Not that he should be thinking of having kids yet.
There was so much interest in the gym given the size of the town. Was Luke really that big a name? He’d Googled him a few times in the last few years, yeah, but he hadn’t seen any major profile pieces on him.
Ah. Maybe that was what Derek was after.
He’d have to discuss this once he got back. For now, he liked the idea of there being so much interest in Toby’s gym in the community. It gave him hope that it could be a centerpiece for the town after all.
14
Luke
N o matter what Hugh challenged him with, Luke could respond on autopilot. That was both the benefit and disadvantage of living at the gym. He’d tried just about every weird exercise Hugh asked of him. It was rare for Hugh to pull something out of his ass and surprise him.
In turn, that allowed his mind to wander. He hadn’t seen Mitchell since last night’s… slip in self-control on both of their parts. He was a little worried that he was out and about after the heated confrontation with the Millers, but he trusted Mitchell to look after himself.
Mitchell had probably been right that Luke stormed into situations and turned them violent. Luke was still positive he’d done the right thing this time, though.
He landed another kick or two on the pads strapped to Hugh’s arms, pretending they were Bobby’s stupid face.
“What are you gonna do if
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