“Can you tell him I like purple best? But I like red too, just like Phil!” she said.
Madison adored Phil the Phoenix, the Inferno’s mascot. Maybe he could bring her to the alumni game so she could meet him in person. She’d go nuts.
TOBIAS:She said purple is her favorite, but she also likes red, like Phil the Phoenix.
CHASE:Those are good choices. Phil is the best. And what about Uncle Toby’s favorite colors?
TOBIAS:That’s not important.
CHASE:You’d probably say it’s black, since that’s what you usually wear. Although maybe you wear it so you don’t stand out. Your helmets were always bright red and orange, though, so maybe those are your real favorites.
TOBIAS:Your fanboy is showing.
Tobias tried to ignore the accuracy of Chase’s assessment. How had he pegged him so right? What he wouldn’t give for Chase to peg him some more.
CHASE:Maybe you like it. Do you want me to show you how big a fan I really am?
His heart raced as he considered Chase’s question.
‘You know you want to say yes,’his thoughts shouted unhelpfully.
You’re supposed to help me makegooddecisions.
‘Well, you’re not listening to your heart or your dick either, so I thought I’d give it a try.’
Son of a bitch, I need a psychiatrist.
‘Also a good plan, but first let’s flirt with Chase.’
“What did he say?” Madison asked, interrupting his thoughts. She’d snuck from her spot across the table and stood over him to read his phone. He’d never been more thankful that Madison couldn’t read fluently yet. He was even more thankful she couldn’t read minds.
“Uh, he said purple and red are really good choices, and he likes Phil the Phoenix too,” he said, and Madison cheered.
“Is that all he said?” his mom asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Do you think he’s handsome too, Toby?”
His gaze bounced between his mom and niece, both of their eyes on him as they waited for his answer, his mom’s filled with amusement and Madison’s with elation.
“Sure, yeah, he’s a nice guy,” he sputtered.
“Could he come over to play with us sometime?” Madison asked, her bouncing intensifying as she awaited his answer.
Tobias didn’t mind how attached she’d become to Chase after such a short time, but he was also aware she didn’t have many friends her own age. It reminded him of Alyssa Malloy’s offer to have a playdate with Madison and her son Colin, and he made a mental note to text her next about setting it up.
“Uh, maybe, I would have to ask him,” he said, hoping to appease Madison for now.
He then remembered he’d said yes to joining the guys at the bar that night. They were celebrating Riley and Josh finally getting together. Those two had been so oblivious, Tobias had thought they were dating the whole time he’d known them. Turns out, they both thought they were straight. Idiots. But it deserved celebrating. And now he’d have to spend time with Chase outside of work and somehow manage to act professionally.
‘Fat chance.’
————————
Later that night, Tobias sat next to Chase around a table at Hero’s with the rest of the guys from the gym. A cover band was setting up, a crowd growing in anticipation.Good thing they got there early enough to grab food before it got overcrowded.
Cole raised his glass, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. Tobias wondered if Cole would burst if he went too long without attention.
“I want to say a few words in honor of the Gym Rat Pack’s first couple,” he said as he drew a deep breath. “To Josh and Riley, may you never run out of lube.”
Tobias couldn’t help the edge of his mouth quirking as the rest of the table broke out in laughter and cheers, and everyone clinked their glasses together.
