Hell, I’m here and it’s too late to turn back now. I, Percy Rockton, am getting a gym membership. Surprisingly, there aren’t even any obvious signs of hell freezing over as I fill out the form.
BUTCH
“And that’s the locker room.” I point it out. “The owner, Dre, wants us to tell all new members that sex in the showers is strictly forbidden, but most people don’t listen.” I wink and Percy’s face turns that same shade of tomato red as it did when we were arm wrestling yesterday.
I swallow back a laugh and let my eyes wander for just a second to his exposed stomach. He’s so skinny his ribs are nearly showing, but if he lets me, I can have him sporting a six-pack in no time. Not that he looks bad the way he is. If I’m being honest, there’s something about his not-quite-outie belly button that’s giving me some seriously not-safe-for-work thoughts. Are there any rules about hitting on our personal training clients? I should probably ask Silas. He would definitely know. He actually read the handbook and shit.
“I’ll try to resist fucking in the gym showers,” Percy mutters, using both hands to wring the strap of his messenger bag.
“If you want, you can put that in a locker for now,” I offer, pushing the locker room door half open.
His eyes get a little wider and he takes a step back, shaking his head like I just suggested he stick his hand into a running woodchipper.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Alright.” I frown a little, but I don’t push. If he has a weird aversion to locker rooms, that’s fine. We all have our quirks. “But you might want to at least set it down, because we’re goingto hop on the treadmill and it’ll probably just get in the way.” I put my hands on his shoulders and steer him towards the row of treadmills.
“Running. Right. This’ll be fine. I run all the time. Or… well, notallthe time, but I’ve run in my life. Once.” He swallows hard and unloops his bag from around his neck.
“You’ve runoncein your life?” I ask. How does that even happen? I don’t think I moved at a speed slower than running until I was at least thirteen.
“It’s a rough estimate,” he mumbles, rolling his shoulders and taking a few deep breaths like he’s psyching himself up.
“Step up,” I say encouragingly, giving him a quick slap on the ass to get him moving.
Percy yelps and jumps onto the treadmill.
“Okay, listen, if I go flying off the back of this thing, I’m just hoping no one records it and posts it to TikTok. If I go viral breaking my face, I don’t think I’ll ever emotionally recover.” He grips the handles tight enough that his knuckles go white and gives me a serious look.
“You’re way more likely to break your leg than your face,” I assure him, and he glares at me.
“Not helping.”
“Relax, I’ve never injured a client.” I slap the start button and the belt under his feet starts moving at a snail’s pace.
He yelps again and then looks down with a laugh. “Oh, okay, that’s not so bad.”
“Here’s where you can adjust your speed and your incline. This screen tells you your distance.” I point out all the controls and everything on the information panel to him and he nods along. “This isn’t gym class and I’m not grading you. I just want to get a baseline, so don’t push yourself. Find a speed that’s comfortable for you and go for as long as you can. Got it?”
“Fine, but I’m going to hold you to that not judging thing when I’m wheezing after a half mile brisk walk.” He hits the button to crank his speed up a few notches.
“Judgment free zone,” I promise him again.
Once I’m sure he’s situated, I hop onto the treadmill next to his. I haven’t done my own warm-up yet this morning, and I’m sure he’ll feel more relaxed if I’m not just standing here staring at him. He picks up his pace to a slow jog and his skimpy shorts ride up to find a home wedged between his ass cheeks. And I’m definitely not staring. Nope, totally professional over here.
He huffs and reaches back to pull his shorts out of his ass, then tugs uselessly on his crop top again.
“I’m going to murder Juno for putting me in this getup.”
“Your roommate picked your clothes?” I guess that explains why he’s dressed so differently from yesterday. Not that I expected him to show up for his workout in a pair of slacks and a knit sweater.
“Yeah, they…” He trails off and cocks his head. “Wait, how did you know Juno was my roommate?”
Shit.
I turn up the speed on my own treadmill and run a little faster. My brain always works best when I’m in motion.
“You mentioned them when we were at Sweet.”
