“And a few inches shorter,” Shawn teased, but Chase still smiled at him. Chase missed having his brother around all these years, and he really hoped Shawn was sincere when he said he changed.
Only time would tell.
He led his brother into the main room of the gym and walked him over to where Tobias pretended to be busyorganizing the day’s schedule, something they’d already outlined together before Shawn had arrived.
After all the years he’d spent as a fan of Tobias and his tough-as-nails persona, Chase never would have guessed the man would be such an endearing dork.
“Hey, boss.”
Tobias’ head snapped up from the computer as if he hadn’t heard them approaching.
“I want you to meet my brother, Shawn.”
Shawn stepped up to Tobias with his hand outstretched, and Tobias shook it, keeping a serious look on his face, but his slightly pink cheeks betrayed his nerves.
Fucking marshmallow center.
“Tobias Moyer, it’s great to meet you,” Shawn said. Tobias probably assumed Shawn was confident and not nervous as hell to meet him, but Chase could hear the hitch in his breath. “I’ve been hearing great things about your gym, and I wanted to come check it out. Gotta see this guy in action too.”
Shawn nudged Chase with his shoulder at those words.
“He’s a hell of an instructor,” Tobias said sternly. “You should be proud. And try not to cry too much during your first session. I’m not sure how salt affects the yoga mats, and they’re brand new.”
Chase snorted, and Shawn smiled, but Chasereassured him. “Don’t worry, I won’t try to kill ya on your first day.”
Shawn’s smile turned wicked. “Would you really torture your brother like that when I could tell Tobias here about how big a fan of his you are? Do you still have his poster hanging up in your bedroom?”
Chase slapped a hand over Shawn’s mouth and dragged him away from Tobias, who gazed at Chase bashfully. Thank fuck—bashful was better than uncomfortable.
“Come on, Shawn, let’s go pick out your accessories for today. No more talking for you.”
Both Tobias and Shawn chuckled.
While helping Shawn grab the gear he’d need for the day, Chase heard the front door to the gym swing open, voices joining the scuffling of feet along the carpet.
Cole entered the gym with Riley and Josh on his heels. When Cole noticed Shawn standing next to Chase, he froze, and Josh ran into him.
A different person may have given Cole a heads-up that Shawn would be here this morning, but since Shawn had apologized to Cole and it had seemed to go okay, Chase figured a surprise would be more fun… for him, at least.
Catching Cole off guard was a difficult task, and Chase couldn’t turn down the opportunity.
“Well, well, well,” Cole said as he regained hiscomposure and strolled forward until he stood in front of Shawn. “Look at what Chase dragged in today.”
Riley and Josh shared a confused glance before stepping up next to Cole.
“Hey, fresh meat!” Riley said. “Who’s the new g—”
Riley cut himself off, and Chase wondered if he recognized Shawn somehow.
Josh didn’t have the same reaction, and he stuck out his hand toward Shawn, who immediately shook it.
“Hi, I’m Josh,” he said sweetly. “Welcome to the Gym Rat Pack!”
“Hey, I’m Shawn. Shawn Townsend. I’m Chase’s brother.”
“Oh shit,” Riley whispered. Josh turned to Riley and narrowed his eyes, silently asking what was happening. Riley leaned in to whisper something to Josh, whose eyes widened.
“Riley and Josh are a couple,” Cole said pointedly. “They’ve been seeing each other since they were babies, but only started kissing recently. That okay with you, Townsend?”
