I picked up my phone just as I did every morning to shut off my alarm – I briefly considered throwing it out my window. I didn't move for ten minutes.
"Better get up," I said to myself. I had too much to do to waste time staying in bed.
I did all the morning usuals – coffee, breakfast, bathroom, and off to start the day. I grabbed my gym bag and headed out the door – not my favourite part of the day but I had about ten pounds to go before I got to my goal weight. In all honesty, if I didn't spend all my money on buying food out, I'd be thinner and richer. On the way to the gym, I thought about everything I needed to do today: go grocery shopping, get my hair cut, do some personal grooming, and then go to work. As I finished my list of things to do for the day, my thoughts took a turn to the gym. Leg day wasn't my favourite day, but it was definitely not one you skip. More importantly than what I would be doing was who I would be seeing – and I was hoping that Mike would be there.
I should probably mention that I'm bisexual – I'm not private or public about it, if it comes up, then it comes up. I was single at the time, and living a nice life – not really looking for anything serious.
I pulled my car into the parking lot, parked in the same spot as always, grabbed my gym bag and my water, and went inside. I scanned my membership tag and went straight for the locker room. When I went inside, there he was. Mike was always here in the morning, so I shouldn't be surprised. He had bulges in all the right places – and the most perfect ass. It sucked that he was straight, but that doesn't mean he wasn't wonderful eye candy.
"Morning Cody!" Mike shouted.
"Morning Mike," I replied with all the excitement I could muster in the morning.
"Excited for leg day?"
"Is anyone ever excited for leg day?" I laughed back.
"Leg day is underrated. You need power in your legs to do things – especially with the girls," he winked.
Or guys, I thought. "That's true," I autoreplied. My mind was elsewhere imagining what Mike's legs could do.
"Alright buddy, see ya later," he said walking out of the locker room.
"You're leaving?!" I almost couldn't contain the disappointment.
"Yeah. Meetings all day. Gotta go in early if I don't want to be there until 9 tonight."
"I feel that. Take care man – see you around."
"Later bro."
And with that, he was gone.
Oh well. At least I'll be able to concentrate this week without almost dropping the weights on myself like last time.
I went over to the treadmills, did a little cardio, and headed to the squat rack to start setting up. Set one. Set two. Set three. Kill me.
"How many more sets you got left?" I heard from behind me.
I turned and was met with the most intense green eyes I had ever seen in my life. Who the hell is this guy? Looked about an inch shorter than me, so 5'9", well built all over but not overdone, perfectly carved cheekbones, rosy cheeks, and deep green eyes that felt like they were looking into my soul. Fuck, I didn't answer him. What did he ask? "What?" I managed to get out sounding like a caveman.
"How many more sets?" he repeated.
"Just one," I answered – my voice sounding unstable.
"Okay cool. I'll just wait around," he said. His hardened face suddenly broke into a smile, and I swear I almost fainted.
I turned around to finish my set, and walked straight into the bar. For fucks sake. Can I get through one day without looking like a complete moron. I turned to look at him again – thankfully he wasn't looking my way. Who the fuck is that? I've never seen him before. I thought with Mike not here I might be able to concentrate. I turned my focus back to the squat rack and tried to power through but my legs felt like they might give. I got to 8, my minimum, and put the bar back. I looked over at him again – chatting up some hot redhead. Straight. Of course. Can't catch a damn break in this place. I stripped the weights off the bar. I walked over to him to let him know I was done.
I touched his shoulder. Holy fuck. He's ripped. "All yours man," and he turned and I swear his eyes shook me to my core they were so deep.
"Thanks, man," he smiled back.
I went to grab the weights for my next exercise. I saw him do a few squats. What an ass on that guy. And I watched him thrust forward after each rep. All I could imagine was being on the other side being the one he thrust into. I used whatever self control I had to finish my day. I did my lunges, my leg press, and started my deadlifts. I had just finished my second set when-
"You're going to throw out your back doing that," a voice said behind me.
I turned and was met with those gorgeous green eyes. "What?" was all I could say. He's going to think I'm a fucking moron.
"While you're doing your deadlift, you're not going low enough. You're putting pressure on your back, and not enough on your legs and butt."
I stood there unable to speak for a second. I will admit my back usually feels really sore after deadlifting.
"Want me to show you?" he said.
"You work here or something?" I asked trying to sound like a human with actual conversational skills.
"Yes, actually," he laughed. "I'm a personal trainer. I'm not trying to sell you on anything. I just don't want you to get hurt. I can see you're working on a goal and I don't want you to get set back."
"How do you know I'm working on a goal?"
"Well you come in here pretty much every day. I can see everyone from the personal training studio over there," he pointed to the right, "but no one can see me." He smiled as I understood that he could see through the glass on the other side.
"Oh. I've never seen you before so I just figured you're new."
"Nope. Just well hidden. I'm Connor by the way."
"Cody," I shook his hand.
"How about I show you how to deadlift?"
"You're sure you're not trying to sell me on anything?"
"I am not trying to sell you on personal training."
"Okay. Then some pointers would be awesome." He gave me a few pointers. I got to see those hips thrusting up close, which was just an added bonus.
"You give it a shot."
I set up to go, and went for my first rep. Fire spread through my entire lower body. "Holy f-" I started and he began laughing.
"Amazing what happens when you're doing it right, eh? Just one thing."
Suddenly, he stepped behind me.
"You need to move more like this on the top." And just like that, I didn't have to imagine anymore what it was like being on the thrusting end of those hips.
"Thanks," I managed to say in a higher than normal pitch.
"Almost done for the day?"
"Yeah. I just have my hip thrusts left."
"Trying to tone your ass?" he laughed.
"The ladies love a guy with a toned ass," I laughed back.
"Well, you're doing great, Cody. Keep it up."
"Yes, sir," I said back. Why did I just call him 'sir'? For a split second, I saw something in those green eyes – a flame. But I blinked and it was gone.
"I've got a class to teach, so I gotta run. Nice to meet you," he said as he firmly grasped my shoulder with one hand and shook my hand with his other.
"Yeah, you too," but he was already walking away.
***
I went through the rest of my day as planned. Groceries, hair cut, personal grooming, and work. For the entire day, I could not get Connor out of my head. More specifically, how stupid I must have sounded to him.
For the rest of the week, I went to the gym every morning. Tuesday – nothing, Wednesday – nothing, Thursday – nothing, Friday – nothing. I was disappointed that I hadn't seen him since I was really looking. I went next door to grab a sandwich. Friday was cardio and full body, so I always rewarded myself after.
"A whole week of solid working out and you're going to give in now?" I heard from behind me.
I turned and was met with those beautiful green eyes. "I think I've earned it," I said back.
"I think if you want to reach your goal, you should cut out fatty foods." That hurt a little. I worked hard to get where I am and was still a little insecure.
"Well, I'm hungry so..."
"I hope I didn't offend you," noticing that I must have looked a little hurt. "I see this all the time. People ruin their good habits the moment they walk out the doors. You can still eat here – it's just a matter of what you eat. What are you eating?"
"Chicken sandwich."
"That's not bad. Chicken is high in protein. Let me give you some advice – aim for multigrain bread, grilled chicken, not breaded, and lots of veggies, very few sauces. You'll feel full after and feel good too. Like you didn't lose anything."
"I feel like I'm starving."
"Just try it. If you don't like it, the worst thing that could happen is that you had a healthy meal, and you can get your fried chicken next week."
"Alright – you're the boss." What is wrong with me.
I swear I saw that same fire in his eyes again, but a second look and it was gone. He smiled and said, "Damn straight. See you around, Cody."
"Bye, Connor."
I ate my grilled chicken sandwich. It wasn't that bad. And I hate to admit it, but I did feel better after knowing I didn't throw away a whole workout. Now that lunch was over, I had the whole day ahead of me – nor work for me. Unfortunately, all my friends sucked and were busy with their girlfriends tonight, so I was alone. I decided to go to the book store and grab a new book to read – it was going to be a night in anyway. I was walking through the aisles and settled on looking at the best sellers. I picked up a book that looked interesting and started reading the back.
"That book sounds more interesting than it is," I heard from behind me. I recognized the voice. I turned to meet those piercing eyes.
"You have never once approached me from the front – you're always behind me," I laughed.
"From my point of view, you always have your back turned to me," he laughed. "Friday night in?"
"What gave it away?"
"You're looking for literature. That's not something you'd be doing if you had plans to go out. Seems a shame to spend all week in the gym and not be able to go out on the weekend."
I laughed back, "Yeah. All the boys are with their girls tonight so I'm stuck alone."
"No girlfriend?"
"Nope."
"Boyfriend?" he laughed.
I blushed a little but turned away to hide it. "Nope." He gave me a nudge.
"I'm just messing around with you, Cody."
"What about you? You're in a bookstore. No plans for Friday?"
"I actually only stopped in because I saw you while I was passing by. But as it happens, no, I've got nothing to do tonight. Just gonna chill at home and watch a movie or something."
"Sounds boring."
"Very. You got anything more exciting in mind?"
"Well, anything is more exciting than that. But off the top of my head – bowling, archery tag, axe throwing, even going for a hike."
"Which one's your favourite?"
