My Life Coaches are the Seven Deadly Sins

There was a low hum of discontent from the people in the gym as they went back to what they were doing. Before I could figure out what was going on, the man gripped me by the arm to approach the desk.

The first receptionist had scurried away to be replaced with a giant man labeled manager as I was dragged along. "Uhh, sir? Umm I don't..."

"Relax Max. It's me."

I wasn't reassured. At all. The man had to barely be five feet tall, but he was pulling me along as an afterthought.

"Long time no see, Ire." The manager greeted with a small nod as he eyed me up and down. The manager looked about Jakes age, in fact… if I didn't know better, I 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…

Then what the manager said registered… I stilled… Ire… as in… my 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 cooly eyed the lingering men. Had those men… been wearing dog ears before? I thought following Ire's glance. I would have noticed a bunch of buff guys wearing animal ears right?

I gulped… mind spinning… what the actual fuck was going on?! If I didn't know better, I thought one of the guys off to the side had actually growled at us! Dog ears and growling… was this a cosplay or roleplay gym?

"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.

I looked upstairs to see a man, maybe mid-forties, grey goatee, piercing blue eyes glaring at us. I watched as the manager, Jason apparently, grudgingly accepted the membership card. The man kept watch as he circled to the stairs to join us at the counter.

"Ire, haven't seen you in a while. Do we have a… problem?" The older man asked, gaze barely flickering over me before returning to Ire.

Ire grinned as he wrapped an arm around my 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 me one last time with a deep inhale, then went back upstairs.

I wasn't sure if I should be surprised Ire had a human form… but seriously… couldn't they have given me a warning?

Ire grabbed me by the arm again, "Let's put your bag in the locker room."

I stumbled along, trying to ignore the side eyes we were getting. "Uh, yeah." Most of the animal ears… were gone… or maybe hidden by bandannas or hats. Wait… there were pictures all over the gym with people with animal ears and tails… had I mistaken a reflection in the mirror for a person wearing animal ears?

"I'll explain later Max. For now just follow me." Ire whispered as he glared around the room.

I found himself in what was probably the nicest locker room I'd ever seen… three rows of lockers, benches, towels in each corner. I could see the steam from showers, noticed a sauna… dang… membership might break my 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.

I nodded as I found a ground locker before seeing my keys… Ire's red doll was indeed missing. I locked my keys in the locker, then 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 a wrist.

Before I could make sure we 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.

I was going to say something to deescalate the situation, but Jake and Jack grabbed me by my forearms, then carried me out. Eh? All I heard was Ire's chuckle as Jake kicked the swinging doors open. EH? I didn't even have time to say anything.

Jake and Jack settled me on a bench, checking me over repeatedly. I was so caught off guard I even didn't protest.

"Did he hurt you?" Jack demanded looking me in the eye.

I shook my head, "No, uh… I'm fine…" I glanced between Jake and Jack who shared a look… "Uhh, is he… not welcome… here?" I asked uncertainly. Truth be told, if Jason had told me Jack wasn't here, I would have probably waited outside, or 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."

I noticed neither had answered my question… I'd definitely have to ask Ire when I 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.

I stood up only to realize one of my shoes had untied itself. Freaking great. With a flush I bent down to tie my shoes as Jake went over to the counter.

"Well well well, is this him?"

I looked up to see a girl walking up to us. Walking… may not have been the best word. There was a confident, almost prowling gait… I wasn't even sure what word to use. I did recognize her though. Rusty, from Auntie Mellie's picture.

Rusty was wearing dark blue leggings with an unzipped winned breaker over a matching sports bra. I noticed that her head band once again had animal ears attached, and a fluffy brown tail was revealed with every step. I tried to not stare… she was pretty… in a tom boy, I'll kick your teeth in if you ogle me sort of way. But at least I knew that yes, indeed, people were wearing animal ears here at the gym.

"Uh… hi…" I was ready to kick my own teeth in… at least then I'd have an excuse for how inept I felt looking up at her.

Rusty grinned wolfishly as she circled me. "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 me.

I wiped my hand on my sweats before taking hers, "Uh, yeah, um.. you're… pretty too." I cringed so hard I was sure if I ever had children… they would still flush from the second hand embarrassment. Gods above please, let a hole just swallow me now.

Rusty burst out laughing as she pulled me up to stand. Then she measured herself against me, "Hmm, I like it. We're about the same height." Without warning she tugged me into a short hug before Jack pulled me back. Nearly choking the life out of me when he tugged on my shirt.

"Rusty!" Jack growled making sure I was steady. I rubbed my throat as I nodded.

Rusty rolled her eyes, "Relax Jack, I'm not going to bite him." Then she winked playfully, "Well, not unless you ask really nicely."