I start my deadlifts, and he spots me from behind. I do twenty reps instead of ten, and then it’s his turn. I roll my bar out of the way to make room for his.
He pushes the twelve reps, and then it’s my turn.
“Why don’t you drink?” he asks, breathless.
“It’s not healthy.”
“That’s the only reason?”
I nod. “I got all my drinking out during high school.”
He chuckles. “So, you’re past that?”
“For sure.”
He doesn’t bring it up again. Not while we finish the rest of our workout or while we’re on the treadmills.
Marina walks up behind us. “Hey, guys.”
I say, “I was just leaving. See you guys later.”
Dylan glances over his shoulder at me while I leave him and Marina to talk. I head out the squeaky gym door, waving bye to the staff. Then I’m heading to campus for my class at noon.
7
Dylan
Cecily slips away, leaving me with Marina. The girl is standing there, gawking as I shut off the treadmill.
“So, you and Cecily?” she nods as I step off.
“There’s no me and Cecily,” I say. “She’s training me.”
“Oh,” Marina says. “Yeah, she offered that to me, too. She’s very––”
“Did you take her up on it?”
She shakes her head. “No, maybe I should have.”
“Talk to her. She could probably fit you in with her schedule.”
I turn to walk away, and Marina mumbles, “Nice talking with you.”
I awkwardly keep walking. The front desk guy throws a handout, and I hit with mine.
“See you later, bro,” he says like a question.
“You know it.”
When I walk to my truck, I notice Cecily is only getting into her car now. She has her phone wedged between her shoulder and ear. I can barely hear what she’s saying, but she looks flustered as she starts her car. Now that her beauty doesn’t shock me anymore, I can see her more clearly. Her mannerisms. Her eyes are easy to read.
She starts the engine and pulls out just as I reach the back of her car. I slam the trunk of her car because she just got that close. My heart’s racing a million miles per second. She almost fucking hit me. I see her panic as she pulls the car forward.
“Shit!” She parks the car and steps out. “Holy shit!” She runs to me and throws her hands around me. “Are you okay?” Tears prick her eyes. “Did I hit you?”
She holds me away from her body to assess me.
“No, no. I’m okay.” I hold her back to keep my balance.
