Chapter 37 - Spit and Polish
Six months later, the air in Bushwick didn't smell like dusty gym mats and despair; it smelled like new rubber and success. The grand reopening of The Iron Works was the event of the season, a surreal collision of two worlds that only New York could produce.
Outside, the old brick warehouse had been sandblasted and fitted with a sleek black steel frame to protect the base structure. The original Iron Works metal sign had been removed to protect it, then lovingly reinstated. Some things did not need to be improved upon.
Inside, The Iron Works spirit remained in the range of equipment, heavy weights and happy music, but now augmented with new machines and weights, alongside a state-of-the-art recovery suite and a dedicated youth and wellness centre. It was exactly what Callum had envisaged.
Jack stood by the new juice bar, looking smart in jeans and a black blazer, but constantly fidgeting with the collar, unused to wearing a tie. His smile was wide as he watched kids from the neighbourhood testing out the new equipment.
The crowd was a masterpiece of contrast.
In one corner, Julian’s assistant, Blake in deep conversation with a group of Callum’s friends from the club.
The dancers had shown up in force, some looking slightly more dressed than usual but no less vibrant.
They were busy teaching some of Julian’s analysts how to use recovery pods, and twerk at the same time, mutual laughter echoing off the high ceilings.
Sophia was in the centre of it all, acting as the unofficial mistress of ceremonies. She looked radiant in a custom blue satin suit she’d designed, holding court with a group of Julian’s team. She caught Callum’s eye raising her glass of champagne and blowing him a kiss across the space.
Callum stood at the back, leaning against a pillar, surveying the scene. He felt a hand slide into his, a firm, familiar grip. He didn't have to look to know it was Julian.
He was wearing the other bespoke suit Sophia had made for him, looking very dapper and deeply proud.
Whilst his Men’s Fitness cover from a few months back had been a global sensation, to Julian, the photo of his man in workout gear reinstated behind the refurbished reception was still his favourite picture.
“You did it, Cal,” Julian whispered. “Look at this place, it’s got a soul.”
“We did it,” Callum corrected, turning to him. He looked at Julian, the man who had been his student, then his secret, and now his partner in every sense. “The kids have a place, Jack has a future, everyone looks excited. It’s exactly what we set out to do.”
“It’s just the beginning,” Julian murmured, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a leaflet.
It was the first flyer for the W.S.N. Community Trust. “The board approved the first scholarships this morning. That’s twenty kids from the neighbourhood getting full athletic and academic funding. ”
Callum looked at the name on the brochure. West-Silva-Newman. His name, intertwined with Julian’s, forever alongside Jack’s. He turned to him, crushing him in a hug.
Rosie walked past at that moment, so she joined in the hug. She winked at Callum, “Well, S.C.A. worked out pretty well, Cal,” she said, heading off.
Julian inhaled. “Ah, yes, our first session so long ago, you never did tell me what that stood for?”
“Some Corporate Asshole, Callum said, voice low, embarrassed Julian even remembered.
“Well, did I turn out to be?” Julian asked, earnestly.
“I’ll let you know,” Callum said with a wink.
“Promises, promises,” Julian replied, eyes dark.
“Everyone out front, please,” Sophia announced, shepherding them all out through the reception area.
A low stage had been erected in front of the building with a mic, balloons and banners. The press were gathered, patiently waiting, being carefully managed by Agatta and team.
After the success of the Men’s Health cover, every news channel was desperate for more information on Julian and even more on Callum.
The re-opening of a small independent gym wouldn’t normally attract such media attention, but the throng of over forty photographers and journalists said otherwise for this particular re-opening.
“Mr. Newman! A word for the press?” a reporter called out, flanked by photographers already snapping picture after picture.
The Julian of old would typically offer a cold, short statement and confidently walk away, but today was different. He knew his support was needed to relaunch the gym and share the good work planned for the community.
He threw an arm around both Callum and Jack’s shoulders, placing himself between them both. “You guys ready for this?” They both nodded, somewhat nervously, and all three stepped onto the stage to face the media. Julian approached the microphone first.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I’ve spent my career building things that go up,” Julian started, voice clear and strong, with the practiced authority of a man used to public speaking.
“Skyscrapers, portfolios, my business empire. But I’ve come to realise I was building on a hollow foundation.
The Iron Works and the men standing here with me have taught me that strength isn't about what you own or earn. It’s about what you’re willing to give to protect what matters.
Callum and Jack set out to do something very special here, and they are making their dreams come true for the good of their community.
I’m glad to play a small part in their big story. ”
Julian stepped back as reporters shouted questions and cameras flashed.
Jack next took his turn at the microphone, taking a crumpled card from his jacket pocket. “I’d like to extend a personal thank you to Julian for his support in turning our dreams into a reality for this community, and just to clarify, Julian’s part is certainly not small.”
Callum smiled quietly to himself despite his nerves and caught Sophia’s eye, who also was beaming at the inside joke, lifting her hand to her mouth to stifle a snigger.
Jack continued. “I’d also like to say to Callum that I’m sorry for ever doubting you. I should have believed in our dreams with the same unrelenting positivity and ambition that you always did. I love you, buddy.”
Jack turned as Callum stepped forward, and the two embraced in a genuine hug. Jack stepped back, leaving Callum centre stage.
The reporters shouted and went wild at this point. After the Central Park paparazzi exposure, the world was keen to know more about Callum West. Cameras clicked in a rapid artillery fire of flashes which temporarily blinded him.
Callum also had notes which he looked at nervously. He looked back at Julian, who gestured to take a deep breath. He turned back to face the crowd, paused, and took a very deep breath before he started.
“I want to say a few words, but public speaking is definitely not my thing,” he said, smiling.
“Like Jack, I want to reiterate our commitment to this community and affirm our goal to continue to support the people and youngsters who live here in Brooklyn. We know the streets are unrelenting and can swallow you up. Our dream, with the community trust in place and our new scholarship scheme, is that we can offer hope and help to as many as we can.”
Cameras flashed, and there were calls from the reporters for information about Callum and Julian, but he ignored them and turned, walking to the back of the stage. This was an orchestrated press conference, with a focus first on The Iron Works, then on more personal matters.
The reporters continued to shout their questions, whilst flashes blinked continuously at them as Julian stepped forward once again. The throng went silent at this point, realising there was more to be said.
“I know you have further questions. We’ve talked about The Iron Works, and I trust you will report fairly on the great work being done here.
You know that I became aware of this project when I hired Callum to train me for the Men’s Health cover, which a few of you might…
have heard about.” He paused and smiled, which caused a huge laugh amongst the crowd.
“Personally, Callum didn't just train my body; he actually saved my life.” Julian paused. “He taught me what has real value in this world, and in life. It’s love.”
The silence that followed lasted a heartbeat before the reporters erupted. The professional decorum of the event shattered as the press surged forward, recorders thrust like weapons towards him.
“Mr. Newman, are you confirming a romantic involvement with Mr. West?” one reporter shouted over the din.
“Julian, there have been rumours about your private life for years, and the pictures in Central Park too.
Is this your official coming out?" another yelled, flashbulbs creating a strobe-light effect that mimicked the frantic energy of The Vault.
“Is this a lifestyle brand choice following the magazine article, or is this real?”
The barrage of questions was relentless. Callum felt the familiar instinct to flinch, to pull back into the shadows of the gym where he felt safe. This was the glass side of Julian’s world, the shattering, invasive light of public scrutiny.
Julian turned and walked to Callum. “Cal,” he said, “you 100% sure about this? There will be no going back.” His eyes were intently reading Callum’s face.
Callum looked at the man he loved. He’d seen him vulnerable in a bathtub, dominant in a gym, and master of his empire. He knew all the faces of the Titan. He wanted the world to also know who Julian was, and who he was too. He took a breath. “Yes, let’s do it.”
Julian took his hand, and they walked back to the microphone together. At the sight of this, the reporters and photographers drew their own conclusions about what was to come and erupted into a complete frenzy, bulbs flashing, a constant barrage of questions being shouted.
Julian indicated for quiet. He squeezed Callum’s hand and held up both their hands, in plain view of the crowd. Flash, flash, flash, cameras going wild, reporters leaning in to hear every word.
“To answer your questions about Callum and me,” Julian said, voice strong and resolute.
“Yes, I am a gay man. I’ve always been a gay man.
I just never had a reason for you to know this.
It’s nothing I’m ashamed of, and it’s nothing anyone should ever be afraid of.
For the longest time, I believed I had to sacrifice personal happiness for professional success, but I could not have been more wrong.
Through fitness and training, I found Callum West, and I fell in love with this man beside me the moment I saw him. ”
Flashes, questions, shouting, cheering, crowd out of control, but silent at every word, not wanting to miss a beat.
“I hired him to train my body. He ended up capturing my heart.”
“I’ve spent my life searching for a legacy, but I realised recently that I was actually just searching for Callum. He is my soulmate, and I want the world to know that I’ve finally found personal happiness, and we found love.”
Shouts morphed into cheers; people were now clapping with cries of ‘Bravo’, ‘Good for you two’. Reporters still shouted their questions; photographers captured every moment.
“I asked Callum to marry me, and he said yes.” Julian turned, and Callum instinctively did the same, and they kissed and embraced proudly in front of the world as the crowd applauded the simple joy emanating from them both.
The flashbulbs spewed a blinding white wall of flickering light, capturing an image that would dominate every headline the next morning. The Titan, unmasked and unafraid, kissing the humble man who had rescued him from himself.