“God, no, I won't make you do the running or cycling or shit, the swimming. I keep forgetting about that part,” I say, and rub a hand against the back of my neck. "But the accountability partner could come in handy.”
My brain will like that. My brain won’t be able to make excuses about going to the gym if I know somebody is meeting me there. Somebody who I don’t want to act an idiot in front of… again.
“And the gym? We'll do the strength training together?” Giles takes another sip of coffee.
“You really want to?”
“I'm there five days a week. I may as well put some of that time towards helping you feel a bit less, what was it?”
“Embarrassed.”
“Also you'd be doing me a favour,” he says and uncrosses his arms, one of his hands coming up to stroke through his short mousey brown hair that has distinguished flecks of silver running through it.
“By making you look even more swol?"
He snorts out a quick laugh. “No, by maybe putting off someone who keeps... accosting me in the gym."
I cross my arms and give him a knowing smile. “Caught a gym bunny's eye have you? Is that the right terminology for girls who go to the gym?”
I could be mistaken but Giles gets a little colour in his cheeks.“It actually is very apt terminology but this gym bunny is a guy not a girl."
Giles is gay. Of course he is. He dresses well. He works out religiously. He has a moustache that should look ridiculous but in fact is nothing but distinguished. He owns a tailors. And he smells really good, for crying out loud. I really am hopelessly straight and blinkered.
“Not that I expect you to act like we're, you know, together,” he adds in a rush and I don't exactly know why. “I don't need a fake boyfriend.”
“Am I not your type?” I ask in a possibly weak attempt at a joke.
Giles looks stunned by the question. “You? I don't... I just assumed you're straight, Marcello,” he says and it almost sounds like an apology.
“Oh, yeah, I am. Straight as an arrow, if not as sharp. I was just teasing.”
“Oh, right. Yeah.” Giles smile is a lot less enthusiastic. There is no bounce in his moustache.
“So you want me to basically act like a bodyguard so this gym bunny stops bothering you?”
“Something like that.”
“I can do that.”
“You don't mind?”
“I think the question is whether you mind helping me learn how to maybe, possibly also get a little bit fitter so the triathlon in October doesn’t send me to hospital."
Giles' smileis a lot more genuine again and I don't know why but that brings me some relief. “I think you may just surprise yourself, Marcello.”
It's at hearing him say my name that I realise something. Giles is a decent bloke. Heck, he could even become a friend if I don't make a total idiot of myself while in his company at the gym.
“Let me give you my number and we can plan when we'll go, maybe next week?”
Giles pulls his phone out of his pocket while frowning again. “Next week? No. We'll go tomorrow.” He hands his phone over, unlocked. “I'm already looking forward to it.”
I type my number in and then call myself so I have his number.
“There you go,” I say as I hand him his phone back.
“I'll text you to find out the best time. I'm coming in early so anytime should work for me.”
“I'm not going to be able to get out of this, am I?” I say with a small sigh.
