The Forgotten Alphas

Chapter 1

I ran my hands along the knurling of the barbell positioned below me, feeling for my preferred grip location. I was going for my new personal record. I actually thought I was getting close to the office record, but I didn’t check since I didn’t want the added pressure. There were a few others in the gym that had stopped what they were doing to watch me to see if I would make my lift. Carla, my usual workout buddy, stood behind me to check my form. I found my hand position and grasped the bar taking in a deep breath before standing up from my squatted position. The barbell was heavy, extremely heavy. I felt my knees quiver as I nearly reached a locked position. My legs began to weaken and I knew I was not going to make it. I dropped the bar and fell back into a squared position. I was so close.

“That was closer than your last try.” Carla said from behind me. “I bet you’ll have it in another week or so.”

She was right. The last time I attempted this weight I was barely able to stand half way up. It was better but still not good enough.

“I know, but I should be able to finish that by now.” I sighed as I stood up to rack my weights before grabbing my water and heading towards the floor mat. I let my body collapse, needing a minute to rest before finishing my workout.

Carla laid down beside me. “You’re way too tense. What’s going on with you?”

“I wish I knew. Whatever it is, I can't shake it. Being here in the gym used to help, but I’m not sure that it does anymore.”

“Maybe you just need a break. You’re always so focused. Need I remind you I’ve been asking you for weeks to come hang out with me and my friends.”

Carla had been trying to get me to spend time with her outside of work for a while now. From what I’d heard about her friends they seemed nice. I’d already met one of them, her name was Jules. She worked in a different department than us but would join us every so often in the gym. I opened my eyes to look at Carla and caught her staring at me with a huge smile on her face.

“Pleeaassee Liv” she continued, “I know you’ll have fun and I really think it will help you. Tonight we’re going to a super nice club on Sunset. Jules has a connection there so we’ll be able to get in.”

Carla’s smile had transformed into a pouty lip. I looked away and up towards the ceiling. Maybe she was right. Clubs were never really my scene, but I needed to find some way to relieve all the tension that had been building inside me.

“Fine.” I said to her, “but you’re going to have to lend me something to wear. I doubt I have anything fancy enough for whatever place we’re going to.”

Carla jumped up and shrieked causing everyone in the gym to look our way. “Finally! This is going to be so much fun!” She grabbed my arm and pulled me up off the mat. “Let’s hurry and finish. I need to get home to pick out our outfits.”

I shook my head as she ran ahead of me to the leg press. What have I gotten myself into?

After our workout I went home to shower and grab something to eat before heading to Carla’s. She lived fairly close to me so I was able to walk to her apartment. I cut through a small park on my way there. Being outside and around trees used to help me relax which was part of why I picked an apartment so close to a park, but it hasn’t helped me lately. I heard a ding in my purse and reached for my phone. It was a text message from a guy I met at Quantico.

Adam: It’s been a while. How’s LA treating you?

I slowed my walking pace as I tried to decide how to respond. Adam and I spent a lot of time together during training. We never really labeled ourselves as anything since neither of us knew where we would end up once we graduated. I hung onto the hope that he would be placed with me, but he was sent to Dallas. It was only a three hour flight, but we both knew we would be too busy to keep up with any kind of distance relationship at this point in our lives. I did miss him though. He was the first man that I had ever felt an actual connection with.

Alivia: I love it here so far. The people have been great. How is Dallas?

Adam: It would be better if you were here, but I’m making due.

I couldn’t hold back a smile as my cheeks reddened.

Alivia: Stop it, you're making me flush. If you miss me so much why haven’t I heard from you since we moved?

Adam: I thought it would be better if we quit talking for a while, but now I’m not so sure. I miss you.

Alivia: I miss you too.

Adam: What would you think about me coming to LA one weekend soon?

I took in a sharp breath. I wanted to see Adam, I really did, but I knew that it would be complicated.

Alivia: I would love to see you, but do you think that’s a good idea?

Adam: Maybe not, but I don’t really care. We can figure it out. Letting you go was a mistake.

My heart fluttered in my chest as I kept rereading his words. Maybe he was right, we could give this a try and see what happened. We could eventually request to be at the same location, even though it may take years to be approved.

Alivia: How soon can you come?

Adam: I’ve already cleared my schedule for the weekend after next. I wanted to surprise you, but I was worried you might end up busy.

Alivia: And you know I hate surprises.

Adam: Yes and that too.

Allvia: I can’t wait.

I put my phone in my purse and picked my pace back up. Carla would kill me if I was late, but I was too happy to really care. I made it to her apartment right on time and she pulled me through her door as soon as it opened.

“I was so worried you would skip out of me!” She continued to pull me through her living room and into her bedroom where three outfits were laid out on her bed. “Try all these on then we’ll pick one.”

The outfits were gorgeous, but definitely not my usual style. I turned to her and asked, “What are you wearing?”

Carla walked into her closet and came out with a short red backless dress. “I didn’t want to scare you away, so I tried to keep your options a bit more modest.”

I looked at the three outfits on the bed. She considered these modest? The first option was black leather shorts that didn’t look long enough to cover anything paired with a gold beaded long sleeve crop top. The second was a dark green bodycon dress and the third was a black two piece dress with a sheer lace overlay.

“I’m not so sure about the shorts, but I’ll give the other two a try.”

“Oh fine.” She flailed an arm at me. “I figured you would protest at least one of them anyway. Try the green dress first.”

I grabbed both dresses and went into her bathroom to change. The green dress was super tight. I was about the same size as Carla, but my butt and legs were more muscular from all my lifting. I was also a few inches taller than her, so I was prepared for both of these dresses to be extra short. I managed to shimmy into the dress then opened the door to let her see.

“Oh my goodness that looks perfect! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wear it again after seeing it on you!”

I turned to look in her full length mirror. Carla wasn’t wrong. The dress fit me really well, it showed off all of my curves and really popped with my red hair. I wasn’t sure that I would be comfortable in it though. “I don’t know, I’m not used to wearing anything this fitted.”

Carla frowned as she looked me up and down. “Liv you look absolutely gorgeous in that dress. The black one won’t be as showy if you’d rather wear it, but I definitely vote for this one. I guarantee you’ll turn every man's head in that club.”

“I don’t need attention to have a good time.”

“Are you sure? Whenever I’m stressed a good fling usually helps me relax.”

“I’m not looking for a fling.” I thought back to my earlier conversation with Adam. “Do you remember the guy I told you about that I had a thing with at Quantico?”

“I do.” Carla answered, immediately intrigued.

“We talked today. He's going to come visit in a few weeks.”

“Really? I thought you two decided to go your separate ways?”

“We did, but he said that he wants to see if we can make it work.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet. I’m super happy for you.” Carla jumped up and gave me a hug. “New plan then, you still wear the green dress but we send him pictures tonight to show him what he’s in for when he comes to town.”

“Carla!” I lightly slapped her arm. I stop to think and look at myself again in the mirror before a corner of my mouth curled up into a smile.”Let’s do it.”

Carla claps her hands then leads me into the bathroom to start on my hair and make up. “We are going to get him so worked up that he may end up coming to see you even sooner.”