Breaking the chains that bind

A date at the gym

Elise waited, still in earshot until she heard Ryan confirm to Max that Sarah had text him back and was going to meet him there. Then she shot upstairs, grabbed her gym bag, trainers and changed so quickly she was almost out of breath before the workout. She managed to catch Ryan on the drive before he left, too late to change his plans and no Max about to intervene.

'Changed my mind, thought I would join you at the gym' She said airly in response to his raised eyebrow.

'Oh,' said Ryan, 'Okay, hang on just going to cancel my plans'

''Why?' Elise said sharply, deliberately manipulating Ryan (which wasn't too difficult, unlike John and Alex, Ryan was never going to come up with a master plan, he was a follower rather than a leader) 'Embarrassed of your little sister? Can't bring me to meet your friends?'

'No, of course not, it's just' Ryan began to try and squirm his excuses out.

'Really, then why can't I meet them?' Elise was relentless, she could tell he was wavering. 'Don't worry I won't tell her about the others and I won't mention her to the family. As far as they know it was a work out just you and me...'

'Okay, okay, just don't mention it to Alex, okay? He thought she was trouble and I kind of like trouble, okay?'

'Sure, no problem' Elise said, letting Ryan off the hook. She knew damn well why Alex didn't want Ryan seeing Sarah and she knew it had nothing to do with Sarah being trouble.

They walked in silence for a bit, Ryan obviously trying to work out how to handle the situation. Elise didn't mind, she quite liked the time to strategise. She wanted to suss out why Alex had tried to keep her away from Sarah, was she genuinely a threat, or was he paranoid and pushing away the one potential friend she had?

The gym was quite close by so they were there before they knew up, the crisp sleek one way mirrored walls giving them a good view of their contrast. Elise, petite, her auburn curls explosive with fair skin, piercing green eyes and an expression of pure determination. Ryan, a hulk of muscle, but with soft puppy dog eyes that looked sleepy and harmless, surfer floppy dark hair with a rich coffee coloured tan.

'Elise!' An orange sss with ice white hair bounced out of the gym. Sarah was the type of woman most other women instantly felt threatened by, toned muscular with a body to die for, but manicured nails, fake lashes and overall barbie on steroid appearance. She looked intimidating, the type to walk all over other women, but actually Sarah was bubbly and enthusiastic, St Bernard wrapped up in a doberman's body. She picked Elise up in a hug easily, then punched Ryan playfully. 'You didn't say we had company,'

'I honestly didn't know Elise was joining' said Ryan truthfully, neglecting to mention he would have cancelled with Sarah had he known. However Ryan was great at deception and neither girl picked up on any discomfort he felt. The three of them went in and were soon laughing and joking, Ryan taking care to monitor and be in the middle of the girls if possible.

Elise enjoyed herself, but was unable to ask any questions with Ryan hovering so close. Sarah brought out Ryan's playful side so although he was on alert he was soon joking, winding his sister up and flirting with Sarah. Although he would never admit it he was drawn to Sarah, much more than the other women he saw. There was something about her that eluded him, she didn't fawn over him or cut him any slack, he got the feeling she could dominate him if she wanted and she was lots of fun in bedroom. Normally if Alex had told him to cut ties he would have walked away with no second look, but no matter how many women he slept with he was always drawn back to Sarah. She challenged him, and wouldn't let him get away with anything.

'Phew,' Sarah exclaimed 'Okay I'm off for a to the little girl's room and I want a nice ice cold cucumber water please. How about you Elise, want Ryan to get you anything?'

'So I'm your waiter tonight?' Ryan pretended to be offended.

'Oh you are definitely my server today and I have a ton of tasks for you, you will definitely be on all fours by the night fall' Sarah's eyes sparkled but hinted clearly Ryan had better get her the water she requested...

'Okay, you want anything, Elise?' Ryan asked, mock bowing to the girls.

'A drink would be good,' Elise said, honestly a little puffed after trying to keep up with Sarah's pace on the rowing machine. 'I'm going to come with you to the bathroom, splash some cold water on me to cool down.'

'What?' Ryan protested, instantly alarmed the girls would be alone, it was different in the main gym where it was busy enough that he was confident they couldn't talk opening, 'Why not wait and have a cold shower when you get back?'

'Oh Ryan, what's the matter? Afraid that if your sister is alone with me I will switch sides, bat for the other team?' Sarah taunted him, but there was an edge to her tone, challenging him to defy her again. Elise found it fascinating as Ryan was usually in control with any woman he dated, but Sarah he just seemed to struggle to say no to.

'No of course not.'Ryan said, instantly aware there was no excuse he could provide that wouldn't give away why he didn't want them alone. He hoped this wasn't going to bite him later, but was aware he had to roll with it now. Making the girls suspicious would only raise more uncomfortable questions.

He hurried off, thinking the quicker he got the water the less time the girls were alone. The girls wandered towards the bathroom laughing at Ryan rushing off. However as soon as the bathroom door closed the mood turned, Sarah pinned Elise apparently playfully, but there was an edge in her eyes that didn't look like she was playing. Elise wondered if perhaps Alex was right and Sarah wasn't the potential friend she thought.

'God do they ever give you two minutes alone? What are you their prisoner? Don't you even want to be free?' Sarah asked.

'Whoah' Elise stuttered, taken off guard as she had expected to be the one asking the questions 'What's your problem?'

Sarah released her, sighing. 'It's just so frustrating seeing them keep you like a pet all locked away. Here' She passed Elise a small mobile. 'Hide that, my number is already programmed. At least this way you can communicate with me, just keep it secret and don't let your brothers see. Come on, Ryan is likely to burst in if we are more than a second or two.' She burst out, bubbly mask in overdrive and Elise heard 'Aw, did you miss me? And you brought me my water, now whose a good boy then?'

Elise splashed water on her face, taking a moment to try and think through what just happened. Did she trust Sarah more or less now, Sarah was clearly acting around Ryan. Why? What was she after? What did she know? Was she a friend or foe?