Weights & Whips

Chapter 5

As I locked eyes with Leo it felt like all the air got sucked out of the room. I went from pure bliss to anxiety taking over. I didn't let it show, as we strolled towards our friends Axel gave my arm a little squeeze, kissed my forehead and said he would return with a drink soon. To be honest I didn't need another drink, all that whiskey went to my head. I smirked at the memory, the taste still lingering on my tongue. As I joined my friends Sandra pulled me into a tight hug, "Remember what I said girl, friends and nothing more" she whispered "Try telling Leo that, he looks like he wants to eat me alive" I responded as I glanced at him. There was a storm of emotions passing over his face, jealousy, possessiveness, hurt, anger, not one glint of a smile. I took a deep breathe and greeted them all "Hey strangers, what's the gossip?" I said cheerily "To be honest everyone is talking about us" Leo said just as Axel joined the group. My eyes flitted from Axel to Leo and back. "Us? Who's us?" Axel asked, seems like Axel missed the memo, this is awkward. Leo proceeded to fill in every detail, even some I was missing! He explained how we met, how we spent the night talking and drinking. How we were sharing a taxi home until I made a move on him, kissing his neck, talking dirty in his ear, asking for more. That's when he decided to take me home. It was my fault we were in this position. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't regret it, I knew it couldn't go any further but I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. As he spoke I stared at my feet, occasionally glancing up to look at Axel and Harry. I hadn't promised anyone anything serious, I stated from the beginning I only wanted casual, but here I was, feeling like I betrayed everyone.

I avoided The Captain for the rest of the night, I had made it clear that he was just my coach and friend, but he didn't accept that, every time I passed him he was talking about me, saying I sparked something in him he hadn't felt in a long time. Its clear to me I am attracted to him, but I can't get involved, I need time and exploration, so that's what I'm going to do.

Before I left for the night I got everyone's numbers so we could keep in touch. The next few days in work were lively, there was events on locally that brought in lots of new customers making my days busy. After work I went to the gym as planned, it may be awkward with Leo, but I had a goal and he wasn't going to stop me, nobody was.

It's hard to explain how I came to strongwoman, I believe it was because I was so weak and powerless during my marriage to Tom that spurred me on. Mentally, physically and emotionally I was weak. I couldn't bring myself to stand up to him, not even when he was beating me. I would just crumble into a sobbing wreck, taking his punches an kicks knowing I had no way of fighting back. After breaking my arm I went to physio, to regain the strength. I started on small weights and movements and soon I was able to curl a Dumbell. From that moment I vowed to never be so weak again, to never let a man hurt me again. I got a gym membership and started lifting weights, I even took some self defence classes. The more muscle I build, the more powerful I felt and it added some curves too. My previous scrawny legs and arms were now meaty, my shoulders plump, my backside so round it jiggled as I walked. I was happy in my new body, my new body made me feel safe again.

Saturday morning soon came around and it was time for my coaching session with Leo, as I made my way through the gym I spotted several faces I knew, unfortunately they didn't know me, I was surrounded by athletes who inspired me, record holders, title holders, everyone within 20 miles that I admired was in the room. I should have been warming up but instead I was just watching them all in awe. Keiron McAlister was deadlifting 360kg, Ronnie 'the rooster' Reynolds was pressing a 160kg log with his signature split jerk movement, Zoe Jenkins was my favourite to watch though, she was my idol, Zoe held the UKS Strongest Woman title and the World Atlas Stone Record, watching her practice atlas stones, even across the room was mesmerising, her technique was perfect and she was the sweetest girl too.

"I didn't bring you on my team to watch you sit on your backside, GET UP, GET TO WORK" Leo's voice boomed from behind me. I slowly turned around, raised an eyebrow at him and smirked as I said "That is not how you talk to me Leo, I don't care if your a giant, or if you are 'The Captain'... I won't tolerate it." Leo grumbled "Alright, I get it, I've had a bad day let's just move on" as he strolled away walking straight past me to Zoe. I was planning on staying here until he apologised, but the possibility of meeting Zoe was too tempting. "Newbies with you today, I want a Atlas stones masterclass, show her the ropes, and get her kitted up, I'll be back in 30 minutes to see what she's learnt" Leo states then he strolls away.

"Hey, I'm Zoe, I saw your training videos when coach was considering bringing you on the team, I think you may be my biggest competition this year! OK, kit is over there, grip top, stone sleeves, Tacky are on the right. Get kitted up we start in 5 minutes" she blurted out excitedly. Was she exited to meet me? Does she not know she's my idol? "Wow, hi, yes that's me. Sorry, I just wanted to say you are my idol! I'll get kitted up, I'm ready to get to work!" I said as I started grabbing my kit.

Zoe talked me through her Atlas stones technique, shown me in slow motion then set me on a stone i was certain was too big for me. I screamed with joy as I loaded the stone! 95kg loaded as my first ever stone! Zoe jumped with joy and pulled out a different stone for me to try. 10 minutes later I was readying myself to lift a 155kg stone to the platform as Zoe slaps me on the back "Big man's back to watch, show him what you are made of" she whispered. I peaked around and sure enough, Leo was stood watching arms crossed, while Zoe joined his side to film it.

I got in position and wrapped my arms around the smooth concrete ball, Tacky welding my arm to it as I squeeze it as hard as I physically could before pulling it up onto my knees and repositioning my hands and forearms, I took as much air as possible into my lungs, braced and slowly rose up to my full height, the atlas stone crushing my breasts as it reached the edge of the platform. "YES YES ALMOST THEIR, COME ON NOW, FINAL DRIVE, GET. IT. UP" I heard being screamed behind me, the screaming and cheering gave me the drive to push it over the edge and onto the platform. The room erupted with cheers, clapping and praise as I turned to face them. Every single person in the room had come to watch me lift, the first show of my real strength and talent. I was overjoyed, I started sniffling and crying slow happy tears as all the athletes came to congratulate me. Last up was Leo and Zoe, "You were right Coach, Sab is every bit as special as you said, she's going to take my titles one day very soon." Zoe said proudly.

Leo didn't congratulate me with words, he hugged me, picked me up and spun me around while grinning. As he lowered me to the ground he kept his eyes locked to mine. I waited, expecting him to move or say something, but Leo just stared at me, for what felt like forever. I could feel the chemistry, the air between us was electric. After a few moments I pushed him away, packed my kit and waved goodbye, I needed to be away from him, I couldn't think clearly when he was so close to me. Not ideal considering in 2 weeks time myself, Leo and every other member of the team were competing in a county wide competition. The men and women who place 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this competition qualify for UKS Strongest. It was the first big step on my way to worlds. I couldn't be distracted now.