I set my barbell down in an open spot on the floor close to the section of the rig I’ll be using, when Stone places his barbell right next to mine.
“What are you doing?” I mutter.
“Working out. What are you doing?”
“Imean, why are you working out right next to me?”
“What are you talking about? This is my spot. I always work out in this spot.”
I roll my eyes at his blatant lie.
“Look, if you’re concerned that my muscles are going to give out and I’m going to crumple to the floor, don’t be. I’ve already been there and done that. Now I know how to pace and modify to stay safe.”
Stone winces, but he stays quiet.
The workout is on a fifteen-minute running clock, and by minute six, shirts are coming off: guys’andgirls’.
We make it to nine minutes before Stone grabs at his hem and rips it overhead.
I freeze. Stone’s topless body is a work of hard-earned fucking art. Every time he lifts the barbell, the muscles in his arms and back flex. When he catches the weight in a quarter squat, his quadriceps and ass pop, andholy fucking shit, this isn’t good.
It’s also shocking. How can I find him attractive and hate his guts at the same time?
Because you don’t hate him,my brain reminds me.You never did.
Even if that’s true, it doesn’t change the fact that Stone is my brother. Step or not, we grew up together. I call his fatherDad.
Okay, calm down. It’s fine.
Suddenly, Chase is in my head, lying on the floor. ‘Admit it, Han, if I were into guys, you’d date me.’
Chase definitely isn’t my type…but dark hair, dark eyes, a moody-as-fuck personality, and a physique that’s a solid wall of well-defined muscle?
That sure as fuckismy type.
“Han, what’s wrong?” Stoneasks.
Oh God, how long have I been staring?
“Uh, nothing, just giving my fingers a break from all the gripping.”
Stone looks over my shoulder, and his eyes darken, confusing me until I hear Micah’s voice in my ear.
“Hey, guys. Everything okay over here?” he asks in a friendly tone.
“We’re fine. Hanlon’s just shaking it out,” Stone bites.
People continue grunting around us as the barbells clang and the sound of the spinning jump ropes fills the air. Stone stands in a face-off with Micah until I smile at the coach and reassure him that I’m all good.
Then Stone moves on to the jump rope, and I swear I’m ready to crawl in a hole and die as I watch his body. His pecs bounce lightly with the movement, and I absolutelywill not look at—oh, fuck. His dick is swinging in his shorts, and it’s impossible to miss.
Deciding it’s better to skip the jump rope myself, I start to make my way to the pull-up bar when Stone yells behind me, “You forgot the double-unders!”
I throw him a middle finger and keep my back to him as I bring my toes to the bar repeatedly.
Wondering where the hell this reaction is coming from, I force myself to push my body harder so I can’t think about anything except trying to catch my next breath and the pain in my screaming muscles.
But the second the workout is done and I’m the crumpled heap on the floor I said I wouldn’t be, I know I’ve fucked up because less than a second later, a shirtless Stone is leaning over me with concern written all over his face.
