“There he is! Hutchy the Hermit, alive and lifting.”
I grunt in acknowledgment, taking a sip of water. “You’re late.”
“Late implies I agreed to be here at this ungodly hour,” he shoots back.
Chase trails behind him, earbuds already in and mouth curved in a smirk. “Didn’t realize we were visiting the crypt keeper today. You sure you don’t need a mobility scooter to get to the squat rack, Grandpa?”
I give him a look. “Touch my rack, and I’ll break your wrist.”
“Ooooh,” Chase says, faking a shiver. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“Can’t relate,” I deadpan, then toss the towel at him.
They slot in beside me easily. Jake loads a set and starts his reps with the ease of someone who hasn’t missed a gym day in five years. Chase leans against the bar, pretending he’s contributing.
“You still seeing Dr. Doom?” Jake asks.
I nod once.
Chase raises his eyebrows. “You mean fucking her?”
Jake rolls his eyes. “Jesus, Walton.”
“What? It’s a valid clarification.”
“She’s not just—” I stop, then wipe my palms, and grip the bar again.
Jake straightens from his reps, and Chase’s smirk falters. Both of them clock it instantly, because I don’t normally hesitate.
“She’s pregnant.”
Jake freezes mid-curl, and the silence that follows is so immediate, I could cut tape with it.
“Wait, what?”
Chase gapes. “What thefuck?”
I steadily glance between them.“She’s pregnant. Withmybaby. We found out a couple months ago.”
“Holy fuck,” Jake mutters, sitting up. “You’re gonna be a dad?”
My heart’s thudding a little harder than it should be. “Yup.”
“Holyshit,” breathes Chase.
Jake leans forward. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I say. “I mean, no. I mean… I’m better than I’ve ever been and also terrified out of my goddamn mind. She’s not calling it a relationship yet; she’s not ready. Her work’s intense, and she’s tired, and it’s all a lot, but I’m here. I’m staying. I want this.”
I scrub a hand down my face and let out a slow breath.
Jake nods, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he lurches up and grabs the next set of plates, setting them down with more care than usual. “That’s big, man.”
“You think she wants a relationship with you?” Chase asks.
I shrug, but the truth cracks through anyway. “She’s busy—like insane hours, no room to think. So I’ve been trying to prep behind the scenes to show how we could do it. I’ve read everything I can and downloaded some apps. Ordered a few things. But I’ve got a folder on my phone full of baby gear I haven’t bought yet.”
Chase blinks. “What kind of things?”
