The  Gym is  rather   large. It  take up , alot of the  area on the  ground floor   with the  Scoreboad  wall and such above it...Included are.

 1 bank of heavyduty treadmills ( 12)

 another   wall has   1 Bank of  weight machines... (12)

 a'cubby arera   about 12X12 feet has  4 weight benches  for  free  weights..  there are  4 heavy bags   and  4 speeed  bags along the  other  wall and  6  stationary bikes and ellipticals

through a  dooe  , opposiet the Gym lokcers  is a   Olympic  sized  pool, with a large  sauna   tunked  back on the  wall that  would  face the rear prking  lot.

From Locker Room

The Stadium Gym was much bigger than Lindsey expected. She actually didn't have a vision of what it would look like before but she found herself comparing it to a tiny workout room maybe only twice as big as she would find at a hotel. But after a moment of thought she realized it did have to serve a football team with 50+ members. When considering that, she thought that maybe it wasn't big enough unless the team didn't all try to use it at once. But it did have everything she needed.

Before starting her workout, Lindsey indulged a self-guided tour. The treadmills and weight machines stood out on opposite walls, but nestled in a corner was a small free weight area, and another area with heavy bags. Nearby that were the elliptical machines and stationary bicycles. Peeking through a door next to  bank of lockers, she found the pool and a sauna.

Most likely because of the time, the gym was empty. While that gave Lindsey plenty of privacy and full access to whatever equipment she wanted, she found herself missing the crowd. For a convenient workout place, though, it would be fine a couple days a week as long as she made a point to get to the public gym a couple days a week.

Another thing this gym had a lot of was room. The areas occupied by equipment were a little cramped but there huge spaces in between. It would be no problem finding a place to stretch and warm up. The only difficulty was figuring out where. After a quick consideration, she decided do all that by the heavy bags.

Apparently she picked well. In the corner by the bags were some mats and hanging next to the bag gloves were a couple jump ropes. Pulling out at mat to the open area, she started her stretches. The stretching was more about loosening up her joints and warming her muscles than actually stretching. Ever since she was a little girl she had had been extremely flexible. Full splits and torso contortions came easily, as did having an unusually wide range of motion for her arms and her legs in all directions. It was very helpful in all the dance and gymnastics classes she had taken during her childhood, and it was an absolute must when she volunteered as an assistant for one of her fellow drama student's magic act. Her friends and family were much relieved to know she wasn't really cut in half at the end of semester show.

After stretching, Lindsey went through a set of calisthenics. Some crunches, a jumping jacks, lunges with weights, followed by pushups, more crunches, jumping rope and then finishing with still more crunches and good use of the ab wheel. When she was done, her abs were telling her that she overdid it, but she had a super tones tummy and she meant to keep it. That meant going over the machines and doing suspended leg lifts and Ls in between her weight workout.

She was on her third set of Ls when she heard two men having a conversation as they entered the gym. One was a stout but shorter than average black man with close cropped graying hair. His 30-something companion was taller, over six feet, with bright blue eyes and blonde hair perfectly styled for his way too handsome features. The blonde had that tall athletes physique; strong but not too big big and so well toned that she couldn't help but stare and feel a slight flutter in her belly. She didn't recognize them, but their Patriots t-shirts gave them away as visitors. Both had towels, so they were obviously there to work out also. When they saw her, they stopped, ogling her while she finished her set, then came over.

"You don't mind if we share the gym with you, do you?" The blonde asked as he approached. "I'm Eric Alts, Wide Receivers coach for the Patriots. And this is Ralson Hick, DB coach. You look familiar, have we met?" He offered his hand.

Lindsey yanked her towel off a nearby machine and wiped her forehead and then her hands before giving them a friendly smile and accepting the hand shake from each of them. "Hi. I'm Lindsey Garret, beat reporter for the Dragons. I don't mind at all. This place is more than big enough."

On Lindsey's answer, Eric looked over at Ralston, questioning at first, but then nodding.

"Okay, yeah, Lindsey Garret." Eric's gaze went back to her. "You're the one that interviewed Calvin Stokes. And I did see you reporting at the Titans game. I don't usually pay attention to the commentary but you did stand out. You're so much more impressive in person."

"More impressive?" Lindsey raised her eyebrows. "What was so unimpressive about me on game day?"

"Please forgive his poor choice of words." Ralston interjected, "What he meant was that it's hard to really tell what someone's like on a television screen. That was some fine reporting, but a living person is better than a picture."

"Exactly!" Eric nodded. "You're no bullshit insight made me smile. you're really good at this."

"Well, thank you both." Lindsey grinned. She knew what he meant, or she at least suspected, but it was fun to tilt him of balance. "It was my first game. Actually, you're the first people to compliment me on it. So, thank you again. A girl can get a complex around here with the lack of constructive feedback."

Eric almost coughed on his laugh. "You're kidding right? Tell me you don't know how talented you are. You're insightful, courageous, and beautiful. The way you handled Stokes was incredible. Nice job on that too, by the way. Some guys are still living in the stone age. We don't need that in the NFL. You did all of us a favor."

"Wow. Thank you." Lindsey chuckled. "I certainly could get used to you hanging around."

"I would love to." He briefly looked over at Ralston again. "But I don't want to distract you from your workout." He looked around until his eyes settled on a weight machine nearby. "I'll, uh, just be over there." He tossed his head in that direction, then smiled before heading over there. Ralston stayed behind a moment.

"That boy really likes you, Lindsey." Ralston said, watching Eric get ready. "I've never seen him so taken by a woman. I think he ran off because he doesn't know how to handle it. I'm impressed." Rolling out his lower lip, he nodded emphatically with respect.

"That's so flattering, Ralston, but I'm seeing someone." Lindsey really was flattered. The guy was gorgeous and he had quite a charm about him.

"Yeah, I know." Ralston continued to nod. "You and Adam Bronk. But I don't see a ring on your finger." He grinned. "See ya around." Ralston went over an joined Eric at the weight machine.

After the two Pats coaches started their workout, Lindsey went back to her gut training. The conversation left her a little uncomfortable, not because she didn't like it, but because she did. Her cheeks were warm and butterflies were cavorting in her belly. She shouldn't have felt that way, but the butterfly's didn't care. She needed a distraction, and the fly machine was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Lindsey's workouts were designed for tone, not bulk. Light weigh with lots of reps burned the calories and strained the muscles without causing her to add bulk. Not that her body was built for bulk, but lean muscles with the right hint of definition was where she liked to be. After setting the weight appropriately she laid on the bench and gripped the handles. After a twenty count, she did thirty crunches, then went through another set. She did five sets in all, but had to pause after. She was working harder than usual, but wasn't sure what was motivating her.

"Holy shit, Lindsey. You're amazing."

Lindsey looked over to see Eric and Ralston staring. If it had been Steele she would have been annoyed. If it was Eddie, she would have been disgusted. But instead, she felt that flush in her cheeks and that tingle. She always liked attention, but she especially liked Eric's. Again the idea of being attractive to him gave her mixed feelings, but being attracted was unnerving. She looked at the clock. She had plenty of time, but she didn't want to run out of there and look like a flustered school girl. So, she played it cool.

"Thanks, I guess." She gave him a confident smile. "I don't know about amazing, but I do work hard when I get the chance. So hey, I met your beat yesterday. Lacy. She's awesome. We're going to hang out at the beach in a bit."

"That's great! Lacy's a sweetheart. You guys'll have fun."

"The boys at the beach are gonna all be walking funny."

"Ralston, come one. Show the lady a little respect." Eric held up a hand to cut him off from saying anymore. "Don't get me wrong. You're going look great in a bikini. I wish I could be there." He looked over at his partner. "But we don't have to be so crude about it."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry Lindsey. I'm just a little outspoken sometimes."

"It's fine." She giggled. "I work on a football team. I can handle worse than that."

Ralston chuckled. "I'm sure you can. you and Lacy probably have a lot in common where that goes."

"Ralston!" Eric rolled his eyes. "So, Lindsey, seriously. You really are amazing. I'd like to learn more about you. Maybe we can chat more this week? I mean, I know you have a lucky boyfriend. So, just a friendly talk. What do you say?"

"Um," Lindsey's alarms started going off. Was he really just interested in hearing about her career goals and favorite coffee? It sounded like a proposition, but he had been respectful and he acknowledged Adam. It would be rude for her to say no, but she wasn't sure she should give him more of an opportunity to get under her skin. "Maybe? I don't know. I have a full plate this week, and I'm flying up to Indianapolis for Friday night and Saturday. I can't promise anything."

"That's totally cool. I understand you're a busy lady. Here." He handed her a his card. "Send me a text if you have an opening for me to slip into. I'd be totally up for it."

Lindsey leaned forward to accept the card, noting that by not asking for her number, he was leaving it all up to her. "Um, sure. If something opens up I'll let you know." She noticed the time. If she wanted to shower, she had better get going. "But, guys, I have to run. It was nice meeting both of you." She stood, picking up her water bottle and towel. "Maybe we'll see you at practice. Take care."

Lindsey headed for the door, glancing once back over her shoulder to wave goodbye.

To Locker Room.

Ben came in to the gym, which appeared deserted. He picked an exercise bike, jumped on and started to pedal.

After about half an hour, he decided he had had enough. A quick swim and he was done for the day.

-> Townhouses via Dragons Den

From Locker Room

When Lindsey and Mindy entered the gym, Lindsey spread her hands wide as if presenting the place. "So, what do you think? It doesn't have everything, but it definitely has more than I need. Yesterday was my first time here. I used that area over there to stretch and warm up."

She waited for Mindy to make a decision before moving on to stretching.

 Mindy looked around. She  just put  her  duffle in the locker, since she was already dressed to work out.

 I'll use  the  treadmills  for a bit. These things are nicer  the Titans had... we could only use the stuff when they were on the road.

"Okay great. I'll be just over here"  Lindsey skipped over to the area by the heavy bags to stretch and warmup like she did the day before. She started with some light motion to start, swinging her arms overhead and lifting her knees high. Her first standup stretches consisted of shoulder rolls, forward chest openers, hip circles, hip openers, and standing quad stretch. Next came the side, forward and back bends, then she finished with rib circles and head rolls.

To start her seated stretches, Lindsey executed some deep toe touches. Deep meant that she folder herself forward with her face between her knees and reached well past her toes. She was an avid dancer growing up and was remarkably limber, and though she didn't dance as much, continued stretching kept her flexibility in prime form.

While in the middle of doing her side split, Lindsey noticed Eric Alts and Ralston Hick come in. Her legs were out straight to either side as she twisted to hold her ankle and pull her torso down against her thigh. Without changing position, she checked her watch. The Patriots coaches were there about the same time as the day before. From visiting Lacy the day before, she knew that the team was still at the hotel, so she wondered what brought these two over to the stadium so consistently. Maybe they were just there to work out. She gave them a brief wave.

"Wow!" Eric called out as he entered. "I wish I was that flexible. Has anyone ever told you how amazing you are?"

Lindsey smiled and shook her head. "Good morning Eric. Good morning Ralston. How are you guys doing?" Staying low, she switched to her other leg.

"Hi, Lindsey, we're doing well." Ralston nudged Eric and tossed his head at Mindy on the treadmill. He greeted her also. "Hello there, good morning."

"Now there's two of you? I've died and gone to heaven." He turned to Mindy. "Hi, I'm Eric and this is Ralston. You must be a reporter also."

Letting Mindy speak for herself, Lindsey turned in place to a front split and repeated her leg pull. She held it for ten seconds then turned 180degrees to get the other leg. When she twisted back to a side split to reach center, she huffed a chuckle when she noticed Eric marveling at her.

"I'm sorry, but that's really distracting. If Thrash was that flexible he'd still be starting on Sunday."

"If you hadn't coaxed him into running, he'd also still be starting on Sunday." She teased.

Ralston exhaled a silent 'Oooooooooo'.

"Oh, you didn't hear about that, did you Mindy? Eric here thought it would be fun to have his wide receiver, Thrash, race Adam a hundred yards before Thrash had a chance to warm up. Now he's out for a year."

"Aw, come on. It was just a bit of fun."

Ralston just raised his eyebrows and went over to the weight machines to set the weight.

 Mindy was  running, she wasn't  running a full sprint, but  she wasn't jogging either,  I didn't see it, but i heard  about it. Damn stupid move there . You have a guy who was a college  sprinter, who thought he  could make more  money catching a football, then international track...

 Those  guys are  like  guitar strings... Bronk was a football player who ran track... and if you go back to  highschool and college?, there aren't too many guys faster...

she looks over her   shoulder, sweat  starting to appear on her  forehead, in the direction on Lindsey.I did some research? North Atlantic Conference 400  and 200 champ his JR and SR year? mile champ is Sr  year, Placed  first  in every  Olympic  trial he took part in...all of those  and? he  could throw a Javelin out of the stadium. But he  didn't work on that much...

 Ralson says,then?  why all that stuff  about Lloyds Of London   suing anyone they catch  timing him in the  40?

 She Giggled.If I understand it  right? I called his old Highschool coach , who coaches with Hamilton. It was a  slap back  for  turning him down for the Olympics... Hungary, France, Barbados , England  and Russia wanted him to run as  an expatriate.... Personally, I would have jumped on BArbados! Can you imagine the hero  he would have been  over there  when he  came home  with  3 or  4 gold medals? But? that means we wouldn't have saw what he's doing now... you saw what he did to Thrash? The man  just went through practice and just finished  a 100 yard sprint, and he beat Thrash like a bad dog...and , if
 Echo Bill  and Bob  are right, Thrash jumped the  gun, and Adam waited a heart beat or two..

 then  she  runs a bit harder like  she is angry,Thrash is  probably   happy? He has a good reason not to go out  and get beaten  like  an old rug, and still collect   the check he gets  for  a guy who gets  paid to drop passes...

Lindsey raised her eyebrows at Mindy's biography of Adam's literal track record. Her surprise for both her completeness, and for the content itself. She was smart and inquisitive, both important to the success of a journalist. Lindsey also envious that she didn't think to ask those questions. She just took it for granted that Adam was fast even though she had only just heard the day before that Adam had a history in track. He never once brought it up when she had asked about his background.

"Hey, in my defense" Eric raised his hands almost defensively as he shrugged. "I didn't know any of that. If I had, I wouldn't have made that suggestion."

"Hey, Eric, get over here and spot me." Ralston was sitting on the bench press machine bench not so patiently. "Yak while we work out. Sorry ladies. He just can't help himself."

Lindsey smirked and shook her head as Eric went over to help Ralston without argument. "So, Lindsey, I hear you won't be here for the Pep-Rally. You're going to Indianapolis for the college semi-finals? Why so far out of your jurisdiction?" It was a machine, so Ralston didn't need actual spotting, but Eric helped him a little on the last few reps.

"You know, that's good question I keep asking myself." Lindsey had moved on from stretching to windmills. She spoke loudly so she could be heard even when reaching to touch her opposite toe. "Max Woodson suggested it. He plays for Auburn. Not sure why he did. I guess, for my part, I liked the opportunity to broadcast to an audience of 20 million. I almost didn't go because there was so much going on, but my boss didn't nix the idea or even try to talk me out of it, so I just followed through. But now I have Mindy going with me so we're going to have fun and get some exposure."

"Yeah, having a big audience can be enticing." He took his time getting set, glancing over to make sure Lindsey was watching.

As he took his turn, he pushed out twelve reps with far more weight than she would have guessed he could. She must have shown her surprise, as she caught his little smirk when he was done. But when he did some big rotations with his right shoulder, she realized he might have strained himself more than he was letting on.

"Easy there Davey Crocket." Lindsey had moved on to jumping rope. She spoke breathily as she spun the rope at a brisk pace. Her voice carried a combination of warning with a hint of concern. "This isn't the Alamo. Don't hurt yourself there okay?"

Ralston chuckled, not bothering to hide it.

"Ha ha, smart ass." He chuckled, accepting the jab. "I'm fine. This was from the other day when I overthrew a ball at practice." He pressed a palm to his shoulder and did few more rotations.

"That doesn't change a thing, now does it?"

"No, I guess not. So are you going to make it back for the game?"

"Oh, yeah. I'll be back Saturday night. I'll be at the game bright-eyed and bushy tailed."

Eric laughed as watched Ralston do his reps. "Oh now that I'd like to see. I just had an image of you scampering around the sidelines with wearing a big bushy tail."

Lindsey rolled her eyes. It actually was funny, but she restrained her laugh. Mostly.

 Mindy     didn't pay any attention to the Coaches.  She  stopped  a bit   to increase the elevation on the treadmill.

  I'd like to  know. why two Pats  coaches  are working  out in the Dragon's  Gym, rather then  getting  your Meeting Prep? I never see a Dragon Coach   until they leave  the meeting Rooms. Unless they are hunting  down a player.

 she  begins to run the uphill, as hard  as she was  running the  flat

Lindsey cast her eyes back at Eric and Ralston as she did her crunches. She was interested in that answer as well. She had guessed that they used the Dragons' gym because hotels had notoriously tiny workout rooms, but Mindy was right to wonder.

"Oh, you know, Mindy..." Ralston shared a glance with Eric."The hotel gym is too small and doesn't have everything. So, we come early to set up and then decided to come in here to get in a workout. The team won't get here until after nine, so we have plenty of time."

Lindsey shrugged at his answer. It sounded perfectly reasonable. As she noted earlier, they did come in at about the same time. The day before, Lindsey was further into her workout bit this morning she went and delivered gifts first, so she started later. Even if Ralston's explanation wasn't true, he wasn't going to reveal the real reason he might be trying to conceal.

The part that had her confused was how Eric was behaving. When she first met him the day before, he was perfectly charming and she left with a good impression. Of course she knew he was interested in her, but he played it very cool and even won her over as not a boorish lech. Not a high standard, to be sure, but enough so that she felt like she could socialize with him without treating him like Eddie or Jim Steele. The Eric that showed up on the field yesterday afternoon was very different. That Eric was more aggressive and childish. He made a show of taunting Adam, and even called out Lindsey as 'his girl'. She didn't like that Eric at all, but when she interviewed him and Bossel after the race, he was back to being normal. She was inclined to just believe that the antagonistic Eric was just a show of pregame competitiveness. And while Lindsey liked Lacy Owens, Lacy was keen to push Lindsey towards Eric in their conversation after only a mention. Lindsey had Lacey's number, and was almost certain that Lacy had already been in Eric's ear telling him that Lindsey was asking about him. And yet, this morning he was playing it cool and charming. It just made her think that maybe she was being too full of herself and he was really just a nice guy, despite Lacy's stories of him sleeping around with cheerleaders. Even if he was, that just made him a red-blooded male.

Eric and Ralston continued on their workout for the next thirty minutes with only making some occasional conversation with Lindsey. Eric came over once to spot Lindsey when she was lifting dumbbells. He was still being charming and even funny, but for the most part he just helped her with her sets. Ralston came over a couple times to make drive by comments about how Eric must really like her and how he'd never seen him be so coy and natural around a woman before. He was clearly selling for his friend. She was familiar with wingman tactics, but Ralston wasn't totally ineffective.

Mindy was a real runner. She had increased her speed several times eventually move at an amazing pace. When Lindsey was done with her cool down exercises, Mindy said that she was on her down ramp and would only fifteen minutes more. Lindsey used the time to do some final stretching, during which Eric came over.

"Hey can I speak to you a minute before you go." His voice was lowered but he wasn't whispering. "Do you mind if we chat once in a while? I mean just to be friends. "

"Oh," She huffed a laugh, "that may be a bigger ask than you think." She noticed that Ralston had gone over to chat up Mindy.

"Hey, I know you're with Bronk and all - the lucky guy - and I don't want to get in the middle of that so, if you don't want to risk it, I'll understand."

Lindsey sighed. "Okay fine." She regretted agreeing as soon as the last word passed her lips. Then she thought maybe she could get something positive from it. "But. No more antagonizing Adam. You'll be respectful or you're cut off." She took out her phone. "Okay. Air drop me your contact info." She did the same. "I mean it. Adam is now a talented and effective player for whom you have total respect. Just take a cue from Merkins."

"I swear. Scouts honor." He held up two fingers in a scout salute. "Cool. We'll talk soon. have a great day." Then like a child with a cookie he'd been rewared, Eric left, pulling Ralston with him.

Hoping that didn't come back to haunt her, Lindsey hopped on a the treadmill next to Mindy and cranked it up to a pace for a half mile run. "So... what did Ralston have to say?"

  Mindy snorted,Not much,  he mostly watched  by boobs   bounce  as i ran, He was blocking for Alts, so  i wouldn't   be around , i guess.. Not that its  any of  my Business.

  wiping her self with  a towel, she said,guess i need to shower up, get some of the  'oil stains' on my shirt  from the rgeasy stares.,  wish the  damn treadmils faced the other  way...who know what my rear looks like!

Lindsey picked up pace for the virtual second lap. "Yeah." She huffed as she hit the high gear. She was going for under three minutes. "Don't know why... he .. had to.. run cover. It's not... not like... Eric wanted a kiss... or anything like that." She started breathing too hard do talk as she leaned in to a full run. It wasn't a sprint but it was a full on run. The end time came in at 2:58, but them she continued at a cool down pace and continued with that until Mindy was done.

"Yeah, he basically wanted permission to text me." She said after she had enough breathing control. "I said he could if he promised to treat Adam with respect. Meaning no more taunting or antagonism. So, we'll see."

"So, definitely time for a shower." She said as she stepped off the tread mill.

To Dragons Den by way of showers in Locker room

  Mindy  Giggled, but it wasn't Mirthful.Look? I don't know  what its like  down here, I'm feeling my way around.... But you  got the   Phsyco Energizer Bunny on your team... now, if you're   gonna slow  down the   Dragons, who do you go after?.. The old saying 'all's fair in Love of war'... Pats are at  war . I  mean? they have a semi-Detente  going on here..but  don't kid  Yourself ,

 she  held  up her   arms  then grabbed her towel...Like i said?  Not My business..right?... and she went into the showers.