Page 43 of Sorry

“The best hugs man!” Jake mumbles, with his face shoved in my shirt.

CHAPTER 45

SAM

Honestly, I thought Alex would have bolted the second he caught me having a full blown conversation with flowers. I didn’t expect him to sit down on the ground and join in. He had to be the cutest, kindest, hottest man on the planet and I got to call him my boyfriend.

Dinner was a success with The Crew, they finished everything that was left over from stuffed peppers. But now I was being forced to go to the gym and apparently the guys were coming along.

“You will be alright Sam, don't be nervous.” Matt was trying to reassure me, walking beside me while Alex was on the other side, with a shit eating grin because he actually got me to come with them.

“Yeah, yeah we will see.” I said jokingly, but actually I was shitting it. Alex, as always noticed and took my hand in his.

He was holding my hand in public, while we were walking to the gym. I was twenty six years old and this was another first for me, another first with Alex and I couldn’t be happier that those firsts never went to Kyle.

“Here we are Pup.” Alex opened the door still holding my hand and I puffed my chest up a bit. That didn’t last too long when I looked inside a large gym full of people, most of whom were in such good physical shape I was gonna look like a teenager in between them. I was about to turn around and run but Alex kept a hold of my hand and dragged me inside. “Come on sweetheart, you'll do great, I will be with you the whole time.”

“It’s easy for you to say that Alex.. You look like you were sculpted by the gods.” I scoffed at him.

That didn’t help me look any less like a petulant child. But Alex liked the compliment I just gave him, I saw his lip curve up. I needed to remind myself to tell him more often how amazing he was, knowing he’d endured that bitch putting him down for years.

Jake and Matt went over to the treadmills and got on beside each other, Alex set me up on the treadmill right beside him. Ok, walking, I can do walking.

Nope... I definitely cannot do walking. I was wheezing and I've only been on a treadmill for twenty minutes.

“Honey please. I can’t.” This is how I die… I know it. I feel it. He laughed at me, the bastard. Well he was not mocking me. I know I was being dramatic, but he was not even breaking a sweat yet, my hair was dripping wet and my lungs were on fire.

He leaned over to whisper to me, “You look hot and sweaty like that. All I am thinking about is how I want to lick you all over when we go back home.”

That should have been disgusting but the thought of Alex's mouth on any part of me made me lose all my senses. “Well I think…” gasp “That's a great idea Honey.” gasp “Let's go do that now.” I was fighting for my life here. I tried to press the stop button but he stopped me.

“Ah, ah, ah, nice try. Ten more minutes and then you can rest, while me and the guys do a few sets on the machines and then we can go home. I will give you a treat for sticking it out on the treadmill, Ok?” He offered, with a sly smirk.

I scowled at him, “Fine!”

Ten minutes later I was done with the treadmill. Thank God that's over! The view was amazing from where I was sitting, regaining the feeling in my legs and drinking the protein shake, Alex brought for me.

He was on some sort of arm exercising machine… shirtless. His muscles looked like they were doubling in size with each set, he explained that it was just due to the blood flow, from lifting weights. Whatever it was, I was grateful for it. There were trickles of sweat running down his bare torso and I had the same image he had earlier. Running my tongue all over his beautiful body. I needed to stop or I would pop a boner in public. I didn’t need to embarrass myself more than I already did; dying of exhaustion from thirty minutes of light walking.

I was considering letting him carry me home, but I thought that would be a little bit too much for the Lantry residents to witness. Jake and Matt asked us to join them for movie night, but both Alex and I needed a shower so we declined and went home.

Walking up the stairs has never been so difficult. Seeing me struggling Alex set his hands on my hips and gave me a slight push as a support all the way up.

“Pup your stamina is shit, but don’t worry I got you. We will fix that in no time. Three times a week of just the treadmill, then we will add some light weight lifting routines. Soon you'll be able to walk up the stairs without losing a lung.” He teased.

I groaned. “I am only doing it because you are too cute to say no to.”

“How can I be cute? I am a giant with a scruffy beard and a scowl on my face?” Pointing to himself genuinely asking me.

“Oh Alex. You absolutely are. I'll eventually get you to believe it. But you are, as Matt and Jake said, a teddy bear.” I raised on my tippy toes and pecked his lips.

He huffed out, “I hate them for telling you that but I get it.”

“Come on Teddy, let's shower.” I pulled on his hand.

He pauses almost thinking about it. I wondered why? We have been showering together pretty much from the first kiss. “You go ahead, I want to clean up my room before I shower, so I'll go after you.”

“Is everything ok?” I was worried, I may have been too eager.