Chapter 27 #4
A series of coughs punch out of Seth as he pushes himself up, swinging his legs over the edge. “All good. I just got a little squ—” He yelps, eyes turning into saucers when he sees his savior.
The guy seems even more unhappy than before, a deep line between his brows. Yet, the words roll off his tongue like warm honey. “Are you sure? You might have cracked a rib and not noticed.”
“I—I’m fine.”
He doesn’t look convinced. “Can you take a deep breath in?”
It takes a minute for Seth to process the request before he takes a cautious breath, holding it at the end.
“Any pain?”
Seth shakes his head, but breaks into another coughing fit on the exhale.
Neither of them speaks. The guy keeps frowning, watching Seth like a hawk. Seth, for his part, seems torn between bracing for a fight and saying thank you.
“Sorry,” I blurt out, trying to break the tension. “I tried to lift it off, but it wouldn’t budge.”
Seth flinches, like he forgot about me. “Not your fault.”
“You’re right, it’s yours. Guess even your body has a limit.”
I receive a bombastic side-eye, which makes me chuckle. Clearly, someone has a strong competitive streak.
“I agree, it might be a bit heavy for you,” the guy says, with a glance at the bar, and rises to his feet. “How about we take a couple of plates off and I’ll spot you?”
Seth actually stutters—I didn’t think he was capable of that—and shoots me a helpless look.
This time, I don’t have to interfere. Tyler does it for me, appearing out of nowhere, with Blake in tow.
“Hey! Back off!” He grabs the guy’s shoulder, shoving him aside as he squeezes between him and Seth. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Blake, while looking petrified himself, takes Tyler’s side.
Oh shit. I really hope no one is gonna start throwing hands. It’s just a misunderstanding! Plus, even two against one, I don’t think Tyler and Blake would survive the encounter.
Relief washes over me when, instead of reacting aggressively, the guy takes a step back, head hanging low like he’s ashamed.
“Apologies. I only meant to help.”
“Help?”
Nonplussed, Tyler and Blake exchange a look.
Alright, now I need to step in.
I put myself between them and the giant, looking at Tyler.
“It’s true. He did help.” Then I turn to the guy, summoning a smile. “Thank you.”
He dips his head in acknowledgement, gaze aimed to the floor. Tension stretches between us once more, but then Seth clears his throat and comes to stand next to me.
“Yeah, thanks. I was almost a pancake.” He’s already tense, but when the guy’s eyes lift up, fixing on Seth’s face, he goes stiff as a board.
“I’m Aiden,” the guy says, once again surprising me. I was sure his name was Drake, or Ragnar, or something equally shiver-inducing. His expression is almost puppy-like as he waits for Seth’s response.
Oh.
Seth hesitates, sucking his lip ring briefly into his mouth before replying. “Seth.”
“Seth…” Aiden echos, as if tasting the sound. Then, like the sun breaking through the clouds, his downturned mouth curves into a hint of a smile.
Oooh.
I see.
“I’m Tyler,” my sweet, yet painfully oblivious gymbro boyfriend announces, thrusting his hand between Seth and me. “Nice to meet you, man. Sorry about the ambush. We weren’t sure what was going on.”
Aiden stares at it for a few seconds, as if expecting it to bite him, but ends up shaking it. “Of course, that’s understandable.”
Tyler gives him a bright smile before releasing his hand and jerking a thumb at Blake. “This is Blake, by the way. And that’s Jamie.”
“Nice to meet you,” I offer, not expecting a response, which is good, because I don’t get one.
Tyler, not picking up on the vibe at all, says, “I hear you’re looking for a spotter. Wanna help us out?”
Blake lets out a very undignified shriek that loosely translates into, ‘Dude, what the fuck?!’
Tyler either doesn’t notice or pretends not to, waiting patiently for an answer.
Aiden’s gaze flicks to Seth before it returns to Tyler. “I’d like that.”
Tyler clasps his hands together. “Super! We were about to move onto the military press. Could use someone like you.” He slaps a hand onto Aiden’s shoulder and steers him toward the free weights like they’ve been gym buddies for years.
Aiden, for his part, lets himself be guided along without protest. Blake trails after them at a funeral march pace, looking less like he’s heading to a workout and more like he’s being escorted to his execution.
Then it’s just Seth and me.
“He seems…nice,” I observe.
Seth’s body sags like a ragdoll whose strings have been cut. “Fuck. My heart stopped for a second there.”
“If he hadn’t showed up, your heart would’ve stopped for longer than that. Likely forever.”
“He’s huge.”
I hum in agreement. “He lifted that bar with one hand.”
Seth’s expression turns contemplative. “Okay, that’s kind of hot.”
Glad I’m not the only one who thinks so. “He’d probably lift you using two fingers,” I tease.
“Oh, shut up.” Getting up, he stalks towards the restroom.
I manage to catch a glimpse of the flushed skin on the back of his neck.
Okay, I’ve changed my mind. Gym is fun. I think I’m going to be a regular visitor.