“Okay. Well, have a good day. Say hi to Sam.” I watch him walk into his bedroom and shut the door. I really need to sort out this anxiety. I never used to have this issue. I’ve always felt confident, but I’m not at all sure where Bo and I stand. We feel normal . . . but different. Did that kiss last night twist him up in the same way it did me?
I want to ask him. I need to get this out or I’ll just obsess over it all day.
Walking toward his bedroom, I grab the doorknob and open the door, but it hits something. “Fuck!” he yells.
“Oh shit, Bo. I’m so sorry.” I rush inside, trampling him, tripping over his feet and stepping on them.
“Dammit, Cam.” He’s hopping on one foot, reaching for the other and holding his head.
“Sorry, so sorry, here.” Reaching for him, I trip, falling into him and knocking him to the ground. I land on top of him, breaking my fall with his ass. “Bo . . .”
Bo whines. “Don’t . . . move,” he croaks.
“Fuck, I am so sorry. So sorry,” I whisper, still half lying on top of him. I’m scared to move.
“I’m waiting for the light to come get me,” he groans. “I feel pain in my . . . everywhere.”
I hover over him. “Can I get you anything?”
“A less clumsy best friend.”
“Anything else. Literally anything else.”
“My brain . . . My balls.”
“I feel like that warrants a dirty joke or something, like‘Would you want a tongue massage?’but I don’t think we’re in a place to joke like that right now.”
“Definitely not,” he wheezes. He shoves me off him. “Why did you come in here and assault me?”
Why did I . . . Oh right,thekiss. Well, I will not be asking shit right now. “I’m sorry.” I help him up, wincing at the red mark on his forehead. “I’m so sorry.”
He nods, patting my chest and turning away from me. “Have a good day at work, Cam. I’m going to go cradle my balls.”
“Want help?” The look he gives me is scathing. “Joke. Joking.”Kinda. No! No, I am. Just joking. “I love you. Have a good time with Noah.”
“Aren’t you worried about the equipment and the kids?”
Sam shakes her head, her ponytail swishing with the movement. “No, I’m going to have the weight room locked and Brendan’s going to have signs up for liability reasons. Families are welcome but watch your damn kids.” She smiles at me. I love the dreamy look in her eyes. Brendan’s her boyfriend and the co-owner of this gym. He handles a lot of the legal and business side of things while Sam’s more hands on.
I’ve been here for almost seven years and I know how much this gym means to her. When she first opened it she was going through her transition, and all she wanted was an inclusive space for everyone to be their healthiest. Whatever that looks like. The fees are low, so everyone can have the chance to be here, and during the month of December she doesn’t even charge her patrons.
She’s worked her ass off, and with new members coming in monthly, business is growing. She’s even looking into other locations to expand. I love being beside her, helping with what I can.
“I’m excited. I’m hoping we can use one of the dance rooms come summer for family-fitness nights. Things have really been picking up.” She pats my shoulder. “And you are part of the reason.”
“Oh, I haven’t done anything.” I finish going through applications. We got six new sign-ups just this morning.
“Cam, you’re like the most incredible trainer I have. You’re the reason why some people come here at all.”
“That can’t be true.” It’s not right. She leans against the desk, looking at me. “What?”
“Cam, come on. You’re brilliant and sweet. You’re encouraging, and firm when you need to be. The plans you make for people actually work. They stick to them. Your clients see the most change out of everyone here. You work magic for them.”
I wouldn’t say that. I just don’t believe in cutting out the fun parts of life—and food is fun, but diets are bullshit. Diets don’t even work, so I suggest alternatives to things people already love, because eating food that’s both healthy and tasty makes all the difference. Same thing with exercise. I genuinely love working out, but I know it’s not for everyone. It shouldn’t be hard. “I’m not doing anything special.”
Sam squeezes my shoulder. “You’re incredible, Cam. Don’t short change yourself.”
A tiny smile slips onto my face. I don’t think I’m doing anything big here. I’m just treating people like people, which isn’t hard in theory. In practice, there’s a lot of room for people to improve. Especially at the gym. Being kind is free. “Thank you.” I glance at the clock. It’s nearly four, and I kind of want togo home and see Bo. “Hey, do you mind if I go home a little early today?”
