Page 13 of The Titan and the Trainer

The message read:-

Callum: Vmmfkgkgblg lklkjihjkjm,m,m, kjjhjhgfdvj mhjk klkjmnhhunmkiujkloij,mnm kjkjkmkijn jhnmkjnmkmnm bnjkl;km,lkjklk

He’d clearly sent Julian a lovely long pocket-dial message, full of absolute garbage.

His face was burning. “Fuuuuck,” he exclaimed, way too loudly in a public place. The couple at the table next door frowned at him with a disapproving look.

“Ssssshhhhh” said Sophia, “calm down. It’s a simple mistake anyone could make. You went out, you got drunk, you made a mistake. Could happen to any of us. Just reply and say that, and I’m sure he’ll understand, this ‘Client Newman’. Does he actually have a first name, by the way?”

“Yes, he does. It’s Julian,” said Callum curtly. “But why would I have a new chat open with him at 4 a.m.? He probably thinks it was some booty call situation? How on earth do I explain that?” He took a deep breath. “I’m not going to reply. I’ll do it later, when I’ve had time to think about what to say.”

“Alcohol can do marvellous things; we know this, my dear. Speaking of which…” She called the waiter over and ordered champagne. “I need details Cal; tell me all the juicy gossip about Mr Julian Newman.”

Callum started with the backstory, filling in the gaps between what he’d texted her and what had happened. Their fizz took too long to come, so by the time it did, he’d updated Sophia on the history of their sessions so far, including the shirt, the bathroom, everything.

“You stole his vest? Are you crazy? What if he’d caught you? Sophia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“I know, I know. It was stupid. I wasn’t thinking rationally,” Callum said, dejected. The thought of losing the financial income, but also more importantly, not seeing Julian, was now playing heavily on his mind. He wasn’t sure which mattered most.

While the champagne was poured they also ordered food and raised their glasses to ‘the unexpected’.

“Why do you think he was so freaked out about the harness and shorts? Do you think he’s a bit of a prude or what?” Sophia was curious.

“I don’t know, but I’ve thought about it a lot myself. I think he was just shocked. I wonder if he’d assumed the sort of person I was and this maybe opened his eyes?”

“How much do you really know about this guy Cal? Do you trust him?” She seemed genuinely concerned.

Callum was about to answer her, but his phone pinged with another WhatsApp message. He read it.

Client Newman: I haven’t been able to focus all morning, so I’ve moved some meetings around. I need your services. Any chance of an afternoon session today please – around 4 p.m.?

Callum checked his watch; it was already 2:30 p.m.

“Now he wants a session at 4 p.m. at the office!” he panicked, his eyes darting around as if a solution would manifest in the greenery and diners of the bistro. “Soph, I don't have my gym kit. I'm in jeans and a sweater and we just ordered food. I don't have time to go home or even swing by my locker at the gym.”

The thought of turning Julian down made him feel physically ill, but showing up unprepared felt like professional suicide.

Then, a reckless spark lit up his brown eyes.

“I’m going,” Callum said, his voice dropping an octave. “I’ll just have to work out in my underwear.” Callum pulled his jeans away from his body to check. “I've got a pair of black trunks on underneath these. They’re neutral, much like sportswear. It's the only way.” He hesitated for a moment, brought his hand up to his lips. Could he really do this? Did he have the balls? “I’m doing it,” he said decisively.

Sophia nearly choked on her champagne, a slow, predatory grin spreading across her face. She looked Callum up and down, taking in his broad shoulders and the sheer physicality he couldn't hide even in casual clothes. “Honey,” she purred, “if the sight of you training him in nothing but your underwear doesn't get that man to break his rigid exterior, then I’d officially give up. Go-Melt-The-Fucking-Iceberg!” She emphasised each word by tapping her glass with a manicured fingernail.

With trembling thumbs, Callum typed his response:-

Callum: I can make 4 pm work. See you then.

They finished their lunch in a blur of excited nerves. Callum hugged Sophia tightly, feeling the weight of the afternoon ahead, before turning toward the subway. He wasn't just heading to a training session; he was heading into the =Titan’s den, and he was going to be spectacularly, intentionally, underdressed for the occasion. The thought alone gave him a semi in his tight jeans.

Chapter 7 - Defeating the Titan

Sat. 18th Jan. 25

The lobby of the Vance Global building was empty on a Saturday afternoon, except for the usual security guard, who barely acknowledged his presence. The silence only amplified the thudding of Callum’s heart as he rode the elevator to the fiftieth floor. On the way, he’d tried to steady his breathing and calm himself, but he was still reeling from the fact that Julian had spent his morning unable to focus. Was he possibly the cause, or was that arrogant to think?

When the elevator doors slid open, Callum found Julian in the gym area. The air was cool, but the atmosphere felt electric. Julian was wearing a charcoal grey compression tank and white shorts that were both shorter and tighter than anything Callum had seen him in yet, leaving very little to the imagination. Callum couldn’t help but stare, arms and legs fully on display today. Maybe he wouldn’t feel so bad exercising in just his trunks after all…

“You're on time,” Julian remarked, his gaze sweeping over Callum’s casual jeans and sweater. “But you aren't really dressed for a workout. Is this a role reversal of our first session, perhaps?” Julian laughed at this point. Callum’s belly somersaulted with heat and did a perfect landing.