There was a low hum of discontent from the people in the gym as they went back to what they were doing. Before Max could figure out what was going on, the man gripped him by the arm to approach the desk.
The first receptionist had scurried away to be replaced with a giant man labeled manager as Max was dragged along. "Uhh, sir? Umm I don't..."
"Relax Max. It's me."
Max wasn't reassured. At all. The man had to barely be five feet tall, but he was pulling Max along as an afterthought.
"Long time no see, Ire." The manager greeted with a small nod as he eyed Max up and down. The manager looked about Jakes age, in fact… if he didn't know better, he thought they might be related. Bandana, blue eyes, dark hair… tanned skin. Most of the gym goers looked like they could be related to Jake and Jack…
Max stilled… Ire… as in… his red sin doll Ire?!
"Jack invited Max, figured I'd make sure no one took a bite out of him until he showed up." Ire stated sliding a membership card across the counter as he coolly eyed the lingering men.
Max gulped… his mind spinning… what the actual fuck was going on?! If he didn't know better, he thought one of the guys off to the side had actually growled at them!
"Did he now? A shame… Jack isn't here yet." The manager didn't even look at the card.
Ire gave a snarky grin, "Yeah a real shame. Of course, if you wanna try asking us to leave, I'm all about giving lessons."
"Jason! Sign them in." An older voice barked.
Max looked upstairs to see a man, maybe mid-forties, grey goatee, piercing blue eyes glaring at them. Max watched as the manager, Jason apparently, grudgingly accepted the membership card. The man kept watch as he circled to the stairs to join them at the counter.
"Ire, haven't seen you in a while. Do we have a… problem?" The older man asked, gaze barely flickering over Max.
Ire grinned as he wrapped an arm around Max's shoulders. "No problems. As long as no one has a problem with my guy Max, how are the ankle biters and the wife Nathan?"
Nathan stared down several of the gym goers who were still glaring. After they all returned to whatever they were doing he looked at Ire, "All grown with a few ankle biters of their own. Bets is also good. I sent Jack a text, he'll be here soon." With that said, he glanced over Max one last time with a deep inhale, then went back upstairs.
Max wasn't sure if he should be surprised Ire had a human form… but seriously… couldn't they have given him a warning.
Ire grabbed Max by his arm again, "Let's put your bag in the locker room."
Max stumbled along, trying to ignore the side eyes they were getting. "Uh, yeah."
"I'll explain later Max. For now just follow me." Ire whispered as he glared around the room.
Max found himself in what was probably the nicest locker room he'd ever seen… three rows of lockers, benches, towels in each corner. He could see the steam from showers, noticed a sauna… dang… membership might break his bank…
"Pick any locker, you can leave everything behind, no one is stupid enough to steal around here. But take the key just in case. You are new here." Ire explained nodding to the lockers.
Max nodded as he put his bag in a ground locker before seeing his keys… Ire's red doll was indeed missing. Max locked his keys in the locker, took the key that came with locker. It was attached to ball bead chain. It was just long enough to be worn as a necklace… or double wrapped to fit on his wrist.
Before Max could make sure they were alone the doors slammed open. Jake and Jack came charging in, chests heaving as the glared daggers at ire. "Uhh… guys?"
"He's with us." Jake snarled getting right up in Ire's face. Of course, because Ire was so much shorter, Jake was towering over him… but… Ire just grinned as he raised a brow.
Max was going to say something to deescalate the situation, but Jake and Jack grabbed him by his forearms, then carried him out. All he heard was Ire's chuckle as Jake kicked the swinging doors open.
Jake and Jack settled Max on a bench, checking him over repeatedly. Mas was so alarmed he didn't protest.
"Did he hurt you?" Jack demanded looking Max in the eye.
Max shook his head, "No, uh… I'm fine…" Max glanced between Jake and Jack who shared a look… "Uhh, is he… not welcome… here?" He asked uncertainly. Truth be told, if Jason had told him Jack wasn't here, Max would have probably just gone home. Not out of spite or anything. Just because everyone staring had been so nerve wracking.
Jack closed his eyes, bowing his head in relief. "Sorry we're late. We'll make sure they know you're welcome."
Max noticed neither had answered his question… he'd definitely have to ask Ire when he got home. "Uh, it's okay… um, are you guys okay?" They looked like they'd run here…
"Yeah, let's sign in." Jake said nodding to the counter where Jason had raised a brow.
Max stood up only to realize one of his shoes had untied itself. Freaking great. With a flush he bent down to tie his shoes as Jake went over to the counter.
"Well well well, is this him?"
Max looked up to see a girl walking up to them. Walking… may not have been the best word. There was a confident, almost prowling gait… Max wasn't even sure what word to use. He did recognize her though. Rusty, from Auntie Mellie's picture.
Rusty was wearing dark blue leggings with a matching sports bra, she was wearing a wind breaker, but it wasn't zipped up. Max noticed that her head band once again had animal ears attached, and a fluffy brown tail was revealed with every step. Max tried to not stare… she was pretty… in a tom boy, I'll kick your teeth in if you ogle me sort of way.
"Uh… hi…" Max was ready to kick his own teeth in… at least then he'd have an excuse for how inept he felt looking up at her.
Rusty grinned wolfishly as she circled Max. "Auntie was right, you are pretty. I'm Roxanne, but everyone calls me Rusty, Max right?" She greeted coming to a stand in front of Max.
Max wiped his hand on his sweats before taking hers, "Uh, yeah, um.. you're… pretty too." Max cringed so hard he was sure if he ever had children… they would still flush from the second hand embarrassment. Gods above please, let a hole just swallow him now.
Rusty burst out laughing as she pulled Max up to stand. Then she measured herself against him, "Hmm, I like it. We're about the same height." Without warning she tugged him into a short hug before Jack pulled him back.
"Rusty!" Jack growled making sure Max was steady.
Rusty rolled her eyes, "Relax Jack, I'm not going to bite him." Then she winked playfully, "Well, not unless you ask really nicely."