We refocus. The rest of the workout flows better after that. Bobby throws himself into the movements with even more determination, and I lose myself in spotting him, correcting form, and counting reps. The familiar rhythm of training helps quiet the whirlwind in my head, at least for a little while.
When we finish a core set of planks, Russian twists, and hanging leg raises that leave both of us breathing hard, Bobby wipes his face with a towel and turns to me.
“I’ll reach out to Uncle Kirill tonight,” he says quietly. “I haven’t heard from him either, but that’s pretty normal for him. He goes dark sometimes when things get… busy. But since you’re worried, I’ll check if he’s at least safe and well.”
Relief washes over me so strongly I have to blink back sudden tears. “Thank you, Bobby. That would mean a lot.”
Bobby grins, a little shy but genuine. “No problem. And hey… this doesn’t mean you’re going easy on me, right?”
I laugh, the sound lighter than I’ve felt all day. “Oh, absolutely not. We’re finishing with core work, remember? You’re not getting out of those planks that easily.”
Bobby groans dramatically but smiles as he gathers his things. “Worth a shot.”
When we’re all wrapped up, we say our goodbyes at the door, and I watch him climb into the waiting black SUV. As it pulls away, the temporary calm from the workout starts to fade. The worry creeps back in, quieter now but still there.
I lock up the gym space and head out into the evening air, the cool breeze brushing against my flushed skin. My legs ache pleasantly from the session, but my mind is already spinning again.
Two days of silence.
A man who makesdifficult decisions.
A life that will never be safe or normal.
I don’t know what I’m going to do.
But right now, all I can do is wait.
And hope that Bobby’s message reaches Kirill—and that when it does, he’s still the man who makes my heart race instead of the one who might break it.
Chapter 16
Teddy
Back from the gym, I step through the door of my apartment and immediately kick off my shoes, letting them thud against the wall. The day has been too long, too heavy, and my shoulders feel like they’re carrying weights that have nothing to do with the gym.
It’s romper time.
I change quickly into my soft electric-blue romper—the one with the neon lightning bolts—and scoop Brando up from the couch. His floppy ears tickle my cheek as I hug him tight.
“Okay, buddy,” I whisper, pressing my face into his smooth brown fur. “It’s just you and me tonight. No Daddies. No mysterious Russians. Just gaming and snacks.”
I drag every cushion, blanket, and throw pillow I own into the middle of the living room and build the ultimate blanket fort.
Chairs become walls, the duvet becomes the roof, and I drape a string of fairy lights inside for that perfect cozy glow. My Nintendo Switch goes in the center like the treasure it is. I stock the fort with supplies: a big bowl of popcorn, gummystars, strawberry juice boxes, and a couple of chocolate bars for emergency sugar boosts.
Once everything is perfect, I crawl inside with Brando tucked under my arm and boot upThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The familiar music swells, and I let out a long, shaky breath.
Thisis what I need.
The problems of the real world start to wash away almost immediately. Link runs across Hyrule, climbing towers, fighting monsters, collecting korok seeds. Every time I solve a shrine or glide from a high cliff, my shoulders loosen a little more.
“Brando, this is fun,” I say, my smile wide and my eyes lit by the screen.
Video games have always been my safe place. When I was younger, especially during that awful stretch in high school when the other kids bullied me for being “different”, I would disappear into games for hours. They never judged me. They never made me feel small in a bad way.
Tonight, Zelda does the same thing. I lose myself in the vast open world, riding horses, cooking weird recipes, and exploring every glowing spot on the map. For a while, Kirill’s silence, Bobby’s worried eyes, and the confusing ache in my chest all fade into the background.
Until my phone lights up on the blanket beside me.
