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I woke up late but walked downstairs feeling refreshed and re-energized.

Part of my mind knew my plan was preposterous and could backfire, but I was plucking up the courage to do it anyway.

Aunt Ruth and Thomas were sitting in the kitchen eating toast and drinking coffee.

"Morning Malcolm," Aunt Ruth said. "You look perkier today."

"I certainly feel so," I replied. My mind was still a little groggy, but the excitement of the plan was pushing away all the other emotions I had felt yesterday.

"Your mother called, she's popping by tomorrow for lunch at one."

"Oh nice," I replied as I retrieved some cereal from my space in the kitchen cupboard.

I hadn't seen my mother since I had started and she no doubt wanted to catch up on all the gossip first hand rather than hear it from Aunt Ruth.

"Yes, that shall be nice a thing to look forward to tomorrow, won't it Thomas?"

"Yes mum," Thomas mumbled through his toast.

I poured my cereal and retrieved the milk from the fridge.

"Thomas and I are also off to the garden centre to get a new trellis to put outside," Aunt Ruth continued (Thomas' _huff _told me he was less than enthusiastic). "You wouldn't mind helping me to put it up sometime next week? If you're busy with uni though don't worry, I'll recruit Thomas."

"That should be fine," I replied, pouring milk onto my cereal. "Which garden centre are you going to?"

"The one over by Upton Harcourt."

That passes campus.

_ _"If I help you put up the trellis, may you give me a lift to campus so I can get my car?" I offered.

"Yes, that's a deal," Auth Ruth replied.

I pumped my first and started eating my cereal. In my mind, I was still formulating my plan. Thomas was talking about something to do with his job, but I was mostly oblivious and kept mulling my idea over in my head.

"What are your plans for today?"

I looked up and realised Aunt Ruth was talking to me.

"I might go to the gym," I replied.

"To the campus gym?"

"Yes," I replied, which was a lie.

In reality, I knew which gym I was going to, but I didn't want to name it in case Aunt Ruth asked more questions.

"Well, shall we all get ready once we're done eating?" Aunt Ruth suggested.

We all finished our breakfast at the same time and I rushed upstairs to brush my fangs before heading to my bedroom to retrieve what I would need. I noticed the message from Adam was still sitting there unanswered.

With some trepidation I decided to open it, expecting to see a long message from the jaguar.

Instead, there was just one lowly word; Hey.

_ _After all the emotional turmoil of yesterday it seemed like such a boring and banal way of talking to someone.

"Hey indeed," I huffed sarcastically as I put my phone back in my pocket.

Oh well, out with the old, in with the new - or so I hope.

_ _My gym bag was stuffed inside the wardrobe and I pulled it out. It had collected some dust on the top which I brushed away with my paw. I then turned to retrieve my shorts, spare underwear and my gym shirt. Well, I actually had two gym shirts to choose from; an older one I'd had at high school, or a blue tank top I hadn't worn yet. I was worried that I wasn't muscular enough to pull off a tank top.

Fuck it, what's it people who join gyms say? New Year, new me.

_ _I knew it wasn't the New Year yet, but I wanted to be bolder, so I stuffed the tank top into the gym bag with my pair of swimming trunks. I wasn't sure if towels would be provided, so I placed one on top of my clothes.

_ _I raced down the stairs to find Thomas and Aunt Ruth standing by the front door.

"Ready to go?" Aunt Ruth asked.

I nodded and slung my gym bag over my shoulder as we left the house.

Aunt Ruth unlocked her car before pausing to chat to a neighbour over the hedge.

"Shotgun!" Thomas called as he climbed into the front seat.

I climbed into the back of the car and set my gym bag beside me. Aunt Ruth climbed in and began talking to Thomas. Although I had sometimes felt isolated at Aunt Ruth's house, I felt relieved that she wasn't my own mother and asking too many questions about my planned gym trip. If my mum was driving the car that would be a different story.

What if she asks questions tomorrow?

I decided I'd cross that bridge when I came to it.

The traffic through town was busy with it being a Saturday and I silently willed it to get a move on.

"Shall I just drop you off by the campus entrance?" Aunt Ruth asked as we neared the other side of town.

"Yes, please," I replied as I saw the entrance to campus growing closer.

Aunt Ruth pulled over at the side of the road and I hopped out with my gym bag.

"Thanks!" I called as Aunt Ruth's Volvo pulled off.

I turned and hurried through the carpark. My Fiat was sitting on its own amongst a sea of empty spaces. I glanced around, hoping to see Lachlan's Audi parked nearby, but the campus was practically deserted.

I unlocked my car, threw my gym bag in the back and climbed into the driver's seat. The clock on my dashboard stated it was 10.15. I had just under an hour to get there. Part of my mind was still telling me that this was a crazy idea.

But Lachlan had been very precise with the details of when he went to the gym.

I had no idea if the fox had been implying something to me, but the more I thought about it, he could have easily just said he went to the gym _a few times a week, _or words to that effect, rather than giving the exact days, times and location.

Even if it led to nothing, I had at least motivated myself into a new fitness regime.

The Cygnet Sports Centre was located just off the outskirts of Beldover in the countryside. It was a very fancy gym and a country club that I would not have thought of joining on a student budget unless Lachlan had mentioned it. Aunt Ruth had paid me to help around the house and the garden and I had a bit of money saved from temping in an office job I'd taken after I had recovered from the car crash. The Cygnet Centre had an introductory scheme, which allowed you to join for a week at a discounted price. It meant I couldn't do any classes they offered, but that didn't bother me. Lachlan had only mentioned working out and swimming.

The drive to the Cygnet Centre took me around town (which was just as well as I wanted to avoid the traffic) and out into the country. The place was down a tree-lined drive that led back from the main road. The main building was a modern complex at the end of the drive. I parked my car close to the entrance and glanced around, looking out for Lachlan's car. Although the carpark here was busier than the one on campus, there was still no sign of it.

My phone told me I was fifteen minutes early, but I decided to walk up to the main entrance and get started. The email from the Cygnet Club told me I had to pick up an electronic key at the desk to access the gym and pool, so I strode confidently into the marble covered reception area and up to a vixen sitting behind a reception desk.

"Good morning sir," she said.

"Morning, my name is Malcolm Ritchie, I've signed up for a week's trial session and I've come to collect my key," I explained.

"One moment please," the vixen replied, tapping at her computer. "Ah yes, I have you. With the trial key you can use the gym, pool and spa area, but you cannot currently access any fitness or swimming sessions until upgrading to full membership. Complimentary towels for the pool and spa can be found at the entrance to the pool."

"I understand."

"Here is your key, and this is an electronic fob. The number will match up to a locker for you to keep your belongings in. Remember to bring it back here once you are done so we don't have to chase you across the carpark," the vixen chuckled. "Have a good day sir," she added, handing over a fob.

I smiled and took it before following the signs for the gym. I wasn't sure of Lachlan would work out or swim first, but I decided to take a punt on the gym.

The locker room was fancier than the changing room on campus, with soft padded benches, flowers, ambient music playing over a PA system and black and white photos of sports legends on the walls. Still, the scent of the flowers and aftershave didn't quite mask the scent of damp fur and musk (not always a bad thing in some circumstances).

The place was empty, but I began stripping off to change into my gym clothes. I had put on a pair of sexy underwear (my black Andrew Christian briefs) just in case Lachlan happened to walk into the locker room.

Part of my mind still thought my plan was madness, but I kept willing myself on. I pulled my shorts and tank top on. It hung off my skinny frame and didn't hug my body like Lachlan's had, but I knew I had to work out to fit it properly - that will be my motivation!

I stuffed my bag into the locker and secured it with the fob. I then realised I hadn't brought any water with me, which was a silly and basic thing to forget. I sighed and made my way in the direction of where the gym was signposted.

The gym was in a large room. It contained all the usual equipment; weights, treadmills and rowing machines. One wall consisted of floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the pool. There were four other people in the gym; a female puma on a rowing machine, a pair of wolves lifting weights and a husky performing stretches by a mirror.

No sign of Lachlan though.

I had never devised a workout routine before, but I stretched out near the husky for a minute (surreptitiously copying the moves he did) before heading over to one of the treadmills by a window that overlooked the pool.

I played around with the settings until I had a reasonably fast speed and began jogging. The pool below was occupied by a few people swimming laps, but the blurriness of the water combined with the fact some of them were swimming slightly under the surface made it hard to work out who or what species they were.

As I watched closer, I could see one of the figures swimming had the unmistakable orange fur of a vulpine. The figure swam to the side of the pool and climbed out.

It was Lachlan.

I forgot I was supposed to be running and almost fell off the treadmill. Instead, I slowed the speed right down and continued watching.

The fox hauled himself gracefully out of the water and removed a pair of swimming goggles from his eyes. I could now appreciate just how athletic his body was without a shirt on; his chest were indeed perfect, like an ancient Greek statue to borrow a cliché description. My eyes continued down his body and I felt my heart skip a beat as I noticed he was wearing a pair of black speedos. Even from a distance, I could see that they fitted him perfectly, emphasising his muscular rump and the contour of his sheath. But the sight of him in his swimwear wasn't at all sordid or trashy looking. It added to his regal demeanour as he walked confidently along and picked up a white towel from a rail on the wall.

I hopped off the treadmill and continued to watch him as he walked along and noticed something that surprised me. Lachlan had a couple of tattoos inked into his fur; one was what looked like a Celtic cross on the lower part of his stomach that sat just above the waistband of his speedos. The other looked like scripture of some kind that was written down the right side of his torso.

Tattoos were something I hadn't found attractive before and Lachlan didn't strike me as the sort of person who would have them, however they also suited him somehow. I remembered that someone had told me it wasn't uncommon for people in the military to have tattoos.

Lachlan's amber eyes glanced upwards as if he could sense me watching him. I instinctively backed away, not wanting to seem like a creep.

"You okay son, haven't injured yourself have you?"

I turned to see one of the wolves fixing me a curious expression.

"I'm fine, thanks," I replied, putting on a smile.

The wolf nodded and turned back to his friend. I glanced back through the glass and saw Lachlan was now walking in the direction of the locker room. His damp swimwear emphasised the outline of his butt which flexed slightly as he walked.

I could feel a rush of adrenaline in my stomach and I forced myself to remain calm, but I wasn't sure what to do now I had achieved my plan.

Do I go downstairs and say hi, or has this been a mistake all along?

Lachlan could have just been making conversation with me, but then again our conversations did seem to border on being flirtatious. He had also driven me home and given me the precise times he was at the gym.

I reached over to turn the treadmill's speed completely off and made my way back to the gym's entrance.

As much as I wanted to see Lachlan, catching him getting changed in the locker room could be a step too far.

For now.

I walked back out to the reception area as slowly as I could and hung by the entrance to the locker room for a second before walking in.

Lachlan was standing a few lockers down from mine. He had removed his speedo and was standing on his towel. I watched as the fox eased a pair of jeans up his hind-paws before he turned to face me. Up close his body looked even more impressive and I could see the tattoos more clearly. The script was a phrase in Latin.

"Hello Malcolm," he said.

His tone of voice didn't at all sound surprised to see me and his muzzle broke into a warm smile.

"Hello Lachlan," I replied nervously.

"I'll put my shirt on and then we can grab a drink," Lachlan said casually, reaching into his locker to pull out a black polo shirt. "I usually go to the sauna after the pool, but that can wait."

I was shocked at how relaxed and direct he was being. Even if Lachlan had wanted me to find him at the gym, I was still expecting a hint of surprise.

Lachlan placed his towel and swimsuit in his locker before turning back to me.

"Shall we?" he said, gesturing to the entrance.

"Um, sure," I replied, still feeling baffled.

I walked beside Lachlan as we left the locker room. He paused to stuff his towel into a chute before we continued. There was a café and bar on the other side of the lobby and we sat at a table that overlooked the pool on one side and an outdoor golf green on the other.

"What would you like?" Lachlan asked, handing me a menu.

I was lost for words.

"Um, is there a law against this?" I asked.

"A law?"

"I mean, us meeting like this?"

"A law against us going to the same public gym and having a drink together?" Lachlan chuckled.

"Are you playing with me?" I asked, splaying my ears and feeling unsure inside.

Lachlan's chuckle was immediately replaced by a look of concern.

"No, not at all, please don't believe that was my intention," he said. "I hope I've not alarmed or upset you?"

I could tell Lachlan's tone was sincere.

"No, but I thought you'd given me the precise days and times of when you come here for a reason."

"You could see it as a reason or just idle conversation, depending on how you interpret it," Lachlan replied as the smile returned to his muzzle and those cute fur dimples appeared. "I'm glad you interpreted it as the first option. Oh, I hope you managed to get your car back with no problems? I was concerned that you wouldn't be able to pick it up."

"My auntie gave me a lift to campus," I explained. "Do other staff members come here?" I asked, suddenly feeling anxious.

"No," Lachlan chuckled. "They either go on campus or don't go at all. I originally came here to avoid running into students, oh how ironic and mistaken that was."

I opened my mouth to reply but a Labrador waitress walked over.

"What would you two gentlemen like?" she asked.

I quickly studied the menu.

"Could I get an orange juice?" I asked, pointing to the first thing I could see.

"I'll get one too," Lachlan added.

The waitress nodded and walked off.

"How much did it cost for you to join?" Lachlan asked.

"I did a trial period," I explained. "It wasn't cheap, but it wasn't as bad as full membership."

I was surprised to see Lachlan's ears splay slightly and a look of guilt spread across his face.

"Oh, I guess in a moment of madness I forgot that this place isn't exactly cheap," he sighed. "I should help you cover the cost."

"It's fine, I figured I needed to start a fitness regime anyway," I shrugged, before slapping a paw against my forehead. "I meant to bring your hoodie along to give back to you."

"It seems there were two things we didn't think about," Lachlan laughed. "Don't worry about hoodie, if it keeps you warm keep it for as long as you like."

"If you're sure?" I replied as the waitress came back with our orange juices.

"Thank you, please add it to my tab for when I settle up at the front desk," he said to the Labrador before turning back to me. "Anyway, I'm indeed sure. I hope it keeps you warm and happy. Now, I was going to the sauna and spa area after we've had our drinks. Care to join me?"

"Of course," I smiled. "It'd be a wasted opportunity not to."

Lachlan replied with one of his signature smiles.

"We'd better go and get changed once we've finished our drinks," he said. "And I'll show you what there is around here."