“Remember to breathe,” Chase reminded them.
Tobias was participating and his V-sit form was picture perfect. Chase bit his lip as he watched him, steady like a stone.
“It hurrrrts,” Hunter whined. He was sort of holding the pose, but his knees were bent and his arms were over his knees instead of over his head. Chase’s classes continued to humble Hunter’s muscles. The guy may have resembled Thor with his jacked body and long blond hair, but his whining ruined the superhero image.
Hunter quit first, and after he collapsed, everyone started dropping like dominoes. Carson fell next, then Riley, Josh and Cole. It was between Garrett and Tobias, but Garrett was struggling, and Tobias was breathing easily.
“Tobias, are you an actual robot? It’s been like ten minutes,” Cole said.
Chase checked his watch and corrected him. “Actually, we’re at two minutes and thirty seconds.”
“Aaaarrrgh,” Garrett shouted and then fell to the ground.
Tobias peered around smugly and smirked.
“Oh, are you guys done? I was taking a nap.”
“Robot!” Cole shouted, and everyone chuckled.
Chase couldn’t help the arousal pooling in his gut. He loved seeing Tobias’ personality sneaking out, and he craved more.
After the cooldown and stretch, everyone complained about how their abs were already sore and then thanked Chase for the workout in the same breath.
Gym Rats were so weird, and he loved them so much.
Eventually, it was only him and Tobias left in the gym, Tobias standing at the computer double checking the schedule for the rest of the day.
Once all of the equipment was neatly stacked on the shelves, Chase walked up to Tobias.
“You made everyone look bad today. Maybe Cole was right about you being a robot,” he joked.
Tobias smirked at him. “Don’t worry, I’m all man.”
“I can tell,” he said as he tried to give him a seductive smile, but Tobias just cleared his throat and turned back to the screen.
“So,” Chase continued, wanting to approach the topic of the NHL but unsure how Tobias would react. He figured quick questions would throw Tobias off the most. “Warmups and cooldowns the rest of the week for me?”
“Yup.”
“And same schedule next week?”
“Yes.”
“We’re off Monday for Christmas?”
“Yeah, we’re off.”
“Do you think you’ll play in the alumni game?”
“I’m not sure, I—” Tobias cut himself off and turned his gaze to Chase. “I mean, um. What?”
“I asked if you’re gonna play in the alumni game. That’s so cool they asked you.”
Chase thought over how this conversation would go and considered every direction it could take, but he never expected this.
Tobias started breathing heavily, his skin paling, his arms trembling, and Chase immediately regretted saying anything.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay, just breathe,” he said, then tried to hold onto Tobias’ arm to help settle him. It had the opposite effect. Tobias ripped his arm away and ran out of the room, Chase trailing after him. He wouldn’t be able to catch him if Tobias passed out and fell, but he was hoping he could push him toward a softer surface.
