Page 28 of Frat Ghost Wingman

It only took just over an hour to get everything back to normal. Considering how much damage had been done, the guys must’ve busted their asses before my arrival. Shortly after we finished, the incredibly awkward – for me anyway – round of bro hugs before my departure began.

CHAPTER 9

MATEO

“Sup, bro? Come here often?”

I looked up from the bench to see Evan, smiling down at me. “That line work on all the boys?”

“About half the time,” Evan answered. “Need a spotter? You should’ve texted.”

“I woke up from a nap an hour ago, man. I don’t know what time it is.”

Together we went through most of my upper body and ab routines, to the point where I’d be the perfect amount of tightness later. I knew enough not to overwork myself, especially after last night. It was a nice surprise having Evan show up but I could tell something was on his mind. He was distracted, unable to pull weights he had an easy time with a few weeks ago.

“Everything okay, man?”

“You all done? I can walk you back to the house,” Evan suggested.

I nodded. “Sure.”

It was sunny and I was still amped from the workout, so I just threw my hoodie over my shoulder.

“You remember Jenna?”

“Ugh, unfortunately.” Jenna was Evan’s ex-girlfriend.

“Well, you know how she was kind of bossy.”

That was a nice way of putting it. “She was a heinous bi-”

“Trust me, I see that now. But I think there was a part of me that liked her in control. If that makes sense.”

“Please tell me you’re not getting back together with her.”

“No, no, no. Definitely not! I…just…do you know anyone that’s gay?”

Okay…that’s a ninety degree turn. “Um, they’re not out to the world or anything, but I know a few gay guys.”

“And?”

“I’m not sure what you’re asking.”

“Oh. I guess, are you cool with it? Does anyone else seem to care?”

I shrugged. “Like I said, they’re not out to a lot of people, but I don’t mind at all. I don’t think anyone would really. It’s Middleton.”

“Even sports bros? Like the soccer team?”

How could I be so dense? He was trying to tell me he was…non-heterosexual, it seemed.

“I don’t think anyone on the team would have a problem, and if they did, I would tell them to fuck off.” I put my arm around his shoulders for reassurance.

“Cool.”

We were almost to the frat. “Anything you want to talk about?”

Evan laughed but it sounded almost forced. I didn’t want him to say anything before he was ready, so I stopped short of the steps to the back porch.