“Well, it’d be great if you could just pawn me off on someone else, and pretend like you don’t know me. That would hardly be much different from how we’ve spent the last four years. I start November fifteenth. See you then.”
He hangs up before I have a chance to respond.
Chapter 2
Hanlon
That went about as well as I’d expected.
Maybe slightly worse.
If possible, Stone seems to have become an even bigger prick than he was the last time we spoke, despite my absence in his life.
Maybe he’s just a glass-half-empty kind of guy. Maybe he’s just permanently grumpy these days. Or maybe he suffers from depression.
That last thought gives me pause, and I briefly think about asking our parents if he’s mentioned anything to them, but if he hasn’t, I don’t want to give my mom reason to worry more.
Needing to get my mind off that conversation and how unbearable my internship is going to be, I call Chase to see if he wants to go to the gym with me.
“I guess. But could younotadd a cool-down that’s harder than the workout today?” he whines into the phone.
We’re both home for fall break, but we haven’t had much time to see each other.
“Dude, those werestretches. They weren’t meant to be hard.” I laugh.
“Yeah, well, they were. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m super happy about your newfound love of fitness and the CrossFit cult you’ve joined, but I’m still as puny as ever.”
Chase can’t see me, but I roll my eyes anyway.
For starters, Chase isnotpuny. He has a naturally stocky build that literally takes two push-ups and six sit-ups for him to suddenly look like the Hulk. It’s unfairly disgusting, actually. Not only that, but Chase is a pre-med student, a double major in biology and chemistry. He doesn’t make time for the gym, but he’ll go with me when I ask.
I know CrossFit isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, which is cool with me. I just want people to find what makes them feel good and keeps them healthy. I tried the sport when I became too overwhelmed with having to figure out my own programming at a globo-gym, and decided the coaching and group classes were exactly what I needed.
Because of my CP, even though it’s so mild it doesn’t have any visible signs—unless you know to look—I fatigue easily, and I tend to overdo it when left to my own devices. I would get frustrated and give up altogether, only to show back up in the gym a month later, determined to get it right.
My coach was extremely patient, and when I explained my issue, she didn’t miss a beat and quickly made modifications to the programmed workout that fit my needs and my starting point.
I’ve been hooked ever since, and six months in, I’ve finally achieved some muscle definition for the first time in my life. What’s even better is that when I leave class, I feel like I’ve accomplished more than just making myself so sore I can barely tie my shoes. It’s a reminder that I can do hard things, and it’s often the best part of my day.
Chase complains the entire time we drive to the gym, but ends up kicking my ass during the workout—as he should since he weighs about fifty pounds more than me, but he really hams it up at the end, writhing on the floor far more than is necessary.
Standing over him, I let my sweat drip onto his bare chest.
“You done, Princess?” I tease.
He stops moving and peers up at me with one eye open. “Depends.”
“On what?” I ask, hands on my hips.This outta be good.
“On whether or not you’re going to take two steps forward so I can see up your shorts.”
I playfully kick him in the ribs, and the movement jostles another drop of sweat free, landing dangerously close to his lips. Chase’s tongue quickly darts out, pulling the salty liquid into his mouth.
“Chase! That’s disgusting.”
“You’re the one dripping on me,” he points out.
I should be used to him by now, yet he still manages to catch me off guard on occasion. I can’t help but laugh. Chase is fantastic for my ego. A gay man’s token straight best friend and amazing wingman. Sometimes he takes making sure I’m comfortable a little too far…like licking my sweat from his chin and constantly trying to ball tap me. If he weren’t so into Kendra, I’d be convinced he’s into dick, but the sounds I hear from his room in our suite at school cannot be faked.
