Chapter 2
Summer
Aloudgruntechoesin the hall as I follow its sound.
I was told that I’d find Eli back here, but I wasn’t given any warning as to what state of undress I’d find him in.
And damn—whew—it is hot in here.
Doing pull ups, Eli is hanging from a bar while sweat drips down his near naked body. He’s the kind of guy who apparently works out only in shorts. Short shorts. Tight short-shorts. The I-can-see-every-bulging-muscle-along-with-the-outline-of-his-dick shorts. I can’t take my eyes off of him. Where’s my camera when I need it? Is there any way to discreetly snap a shot of him in this state with my phone?
His pectoral muscles are rippling across his chest, and his biceps are huge. Daaaaaammmmmn. Why wouldn’t I date this guy? Right. Friends and dating doesn’t work.
With a final huff, he drops to the ground and grabs a towel to wipe his face. And his body. My eyes follow every movement.
“Summer?”
“Ya?”
“Did you just come here to gawk?” he chuckles at me with the playful smirk that’s usually decked out along his strong jaw.
“What? Pfffft. No.” Ya, that totally sounded chill.
“What’s up?”
Just be direct. That’s my motto. “I hear you don’t want to do the calendar.”
“Oh, that.”
“Ya. It’s for charity.”
“I know.” He turns his back to me and then—regrettably—he pulls a shirt over his body. But wait, yup, I can see his nipples along his perfectly formed muscles. This guy is ripped.
“Why do you want to do a calendar, anyway?”
“It’s just something to help out with the fundraising.”
“You know there are other ways to help, right? They’re doing an auction and a whole evening of events.”
“You do know I’m a photographer, right? It just seemed like a good fit.”
“I’m not interested in it.”
He’s not even looking at me right now. Which…well, is not great for a couple of reasons. One, it means he’s not paying attention to the topic at hand which is important. But two, he’s angled perfectly for me to ogle his ass.
What the hell is wrong with me? It’s not like this is the first time I’m seeing this guy. He’s been my close friend for the last few weeks. I’ve shown him respect in every conversation and not salivated over his body. Then I had to go and recklessly take that picture of him that will now forever live on in my fantasies.
No. I’m stronger than that.
Except my mind is a little fuzzy on the purpose of this visit.
So, it could be for several different reasons—none of them good—but I find myself vomiting the question, “Is it because you don’t think you’re hot?” Ya. Another super chill move by moi. But that wasn’t chill enough, so I add, “Because you are. Hot.”
Slowly he wheels around. “Summer, are you hitting on me?” He still has the cutest smirk on his face.
“N-no. It’s just a fact. And I’m wondering what the real reason is for you not wanting to be in the calendar.”
“It’s nothing.”
