“Yeah,” I say.
A beat stretches.
Something shifts.
Friendly.
Competitive.
But edged now.
He nods once.
“Hope she’s worth the missed reps,” Seth says.
It’s light enough to pass as a joke.
It’s not a joke.
I step under the bar.
“She is,” I reply before I can stop myself.
Barnes makes a dramatic choking sound.
Eli laughs.
Noah mutters, “Oh, this season’s gonna be fun.”
Kane doesn’t laugh.
He turns back to his set.
Adds more weight than he needs to.
The teasing ramps up after that.
“Bleacher Boy.”
“Cardio King.”
“Vale’s got motivation now.”
But underneath it, I feel the shift.
This isn’t just about minutes anymore.
Or starting spots.
It’s about her.
And we all know it.
Still, when I press the weight up and lock my arms out, I don’t feel distracted.
I feel sharp.
This time I’m going all in.
