Chapter 29
CHAPTER 29
L evon
I glanced out the expansive window to see the sun peeking over the horizon. I greeted the rays as I did every morning with a barbell in both hands. I turned to the mirror behind me and started flexing the barbells, lifting them rhythmically while counting in my head.
Ryan was next to me with his own set of weights. We seemed to pick up a rhythm together and he made a funny face at me in the mirror, causing me to lose my count.
I shook my head. “Man, I won't ever toughen up if you keep doing that.”
“You should learn how to let your muscles count for you.”
“That just sounds ridiculous.”
He chuckled. “You ready for the bench?”
“This early in the morning?”
“Are you saying you're scared?”
I squared up jokingly. “Who are you calling scared?”
He shook his head with a chuckle and set his barbells down. I followed his lead and set mine down as well, then followed him over to the bench press.
He gestured to the bench. “Want to start where you left off?”
“Sure, that works for me.”
As Ryan went to grab the weights for the bench press, I got cozy on the bench and folded my hands over my stomach. I was already sweating. But I didn't mind that. Working out helped clear my head.
“So,” Ryan said as he balanced the weights on the bar. “Clara mentioned that things are going well between you two.”
“Did she really say that?”
“Yeah. Why so surprised?”
I shrugged with a chuckle. “Oh, well, we had to shelf our conversation over the weekend. I was hoping she wasn't hurt by it.”
“It sounded like you two worked out a lot of the dirty details.”
“Did she give you and Jen dirty details?”
He laughed. “No, I wouldn't want to know anyway. That would be weird.”
“Yeah, you're like my brother. That would be strange.”
“She just said that you two talked and it sounded like you were about to make some changes. Is there some truth to all that?”
I nodded. “Actually, yes. I was thinking of stepping down from my international position.”
“Oh, really?”
“There's a domestic position opening up at the end of the year. I figured if I took that, Clara might be okay with me keeping my job.”
Ryan hummed. He tapped the bar, indicating it was ready for me to lift. As I positioned my hands, he kept his wavering underneath the bar in case my arms decided to give out.
Not that they ever did. But just in case.
I grunted as I lifted the bar. “I'm hoping she's okay with me continuing my travels.”
“Is there any way you could avoid traveling?”
“Nope,” I groaned. “That would defeat the purpose of my job.”
I did a few pumps with the bar and then rested it, sighing as I released the weight.
Ryan patted my shoulders. “That was a good round, buddy. Take a breather.”
“Yeah, they feel like they got heavier.”
“I added five pounds.”
I stared at him. “So much for the same weight as last time.”
“I just wanted to see if you could handle it. Your shoulders are getting pretty good, man. Have you been working out while traveling?”
“Yeah, most of the hotels I stay in have a gym. I've been keeping up with my routine.”
“That's good. Make sure you don't overdo it, dude. You could rip your muscles.”
I chuckled. “Thanks, Dad .”
He huffed. “Hey, don't call me that.”
“Well, you are with my sister now. Aren't you two going to have kids?”
“Jen wants to wait at least six months so we can get used to each other.”
“I thought you were already used to each other?”
He laughed. “That's what I said.”
“My sister is so weird.”
“Yeah, but I love her. So, what does that make me?”
“It's makes you weird, too, bud.”
He cackled. “What about you? Any plans for kids with Clara?”
“Wow, we're not even back together yet.”
“It's a valid question. I mean, I remember you said something about kids during the first round.”
“Yeah, Clara wanted kids. I'm still not sure about that.”
Ryan shrugged. He patted the bar again and I repositioned my hands, strumming my fingers slightly to adjust my grip. Once I was satisfied with my hold, I pushed on the bar to raise it up.
I pumped a couple of rounds and then set it down again.
“Anyway,” I sighed as I relaxed against the bench. “I still don't know how this time will be much different. I'm afraid Clara will break up with me once I leave for work again.”
“Awe, man. You can't focus on that fear.”
“I know, but it's still a real fear.”
He nodded. “I get that. I think you two will figure out how to make it work. I mean, you love her, right?”
“I sure do.”
“Clara is a sensible woman and you're a practical guy. You're smart.”
I chuckled. “Well, thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“She seems to want you, so I think it'll work out just fine.”
I smiled warmly and sighed. “Yeah, I hope so.”
“You done with the bar?”
“Nah, dude, I just got started.”
Ryan laughed. “Alright, let's go for round three.”
I positioned my hands on the bar and took a few cleansing breaths. When I was ready, I lifted the bar and pumped it a few times. I felt excited by my potential with Clara. Although things had originally appeared shaky, I was starting to feel hopeful.
And I get to see her today , I thought with enthusiasm. And I'll be brave about telling her about the domestic position. Maybe that will change her mind about things.
* * *
I bounced up on my toes as Clara approached with a Styrofoam tray.
She held it up triumphantly. “I brought tacos for lunch.”
“My favorite.”
“Shall we sit down?”
I gestured to the blanket I had already set on the ground. “Beauty before age.”
She giggled. “Please, tell me you didn't hear that from Gabe.”
“Maybe not those words in that exact order.”
“Was he teasing you about being older?”
I shrugged and then sat down next to her. “He was just being a goober.”
“Well, that sounds about right for him.”
She opened the tray and revealed a row of freshly-made tacos. I could smell the spices and they incited my stomach to growl. My ears turned red as I reached for a taco. I hoped that she didn't hear my stomach rumble.
We ate in silence for a while. I hadn't realized I was so hungry until I had taken the first bite. But by the time the tacos were gone, I felt satisfied.
I grabbed a napkin and wiped my fingers. “So, I have news.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I think it's good news.”
She was wiping her hands repeatedly. I could tell she was nervous. Her eyes were flitting about the park, trying to find a place to focus. As she set her hands in her lap, I reached out and took one to hold.
I rubbed her knuckles. “Steve is retiring at work.”
“You say that like I remember who Steve is.”
I chuckled. “Well, I didn't expect that. He's been working for the company for the longest time. And when he retires, his position will be open.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, it's . . . it's a domestic position. If I take it, it means I would be traveling domestically instead of internationally.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“My boss offered to put in a good word for me. I think it would be a good way to keep things more local—so I can be closer to you.”
She smiled warmly. “Is that the change you were thinking of making?”
“How did you know I was going to change?”
“Well, I had a feeling.”
I smirked. “You always get those.”
“Yeah, I'm usually right about them.”
“I mean, I'm not complaining.”
“It sounded like you were about to complain.”
I faked a shocked expression. “How dare you assume to know the intent of my heart!”
“See? Dramatic. You're always like this. I can't take you anywhere.”
“Actually, you're wrong about that. It's you I can't take anywhere. You won't let me.”
She giggled and dropped her head, allowing her curly locks to fall into her face. I pushed a lock behind her ear and she smiled wide.
It made my heart burst. “And I'm joking about that. I know you hate traveling. I would never want to pressure you into doing that.”
“I know. It's why you left all the time.”
“No, I left because I wanted to provide you with a life worth living. Only I think my intent got lost in translation with my actions. I left for work so that I could give you the things you wanted.”
“Your presence means more to me than your money.”
I smiled. “I know you don't care about the material things. That's what always appealed to me about you. I guess it wouldn't have mattered if I was a billionaire or not.”
“No, it wouldn't matter.” She played with my fingers and traced the lines along my knuckles. “But it still makes me nervous, you know?”
“I didn't want to give up my international position until I knew for sure how serious you are about us. I wanted to make sure you were okay with it all first.”
“So, you're asking me?”
I nodded. “Obviously, I don't need your permission. But your opinion would mean the world to me. It would mean giving up the world—in a way.”
“You would give up international travel for me?”
“I would. Without a doubt.”
She huffed with amusement. “Well, that's new.”
“I would do it today if you told me to do it.”
“I've never,” she faded into a sigh, her eyelids closing for a second. “I would never ask you to do something you didn't want to do, you know?”
“But I want to do this, Clara. I would love for you to join me, too. You could see all sorts of cities across the country. I know that's not your thing, but I would do everything I could to find a way to make that a comfortable experience for you.”
She smiled warmly. “That means a lot.”
“You're not mad?”
“Well, I still don't feel great about traveling, but if I had something to comfort me . . .” She played with my fingers a little more before wrapping them with hers. “I think I could try that.”
“I can't tell you how happy that makes me, Clara.”
“And I can't express how much you making a small change—just for me—makes me feel special. It just tells me how much you care.”
“Because I do care. I want you to know I care.”
She met my gaze. Her eyes were sparkling in the afternoon light, flooded with all manner of colors from the world around us. As she leaned in, I met her halfway and tasted the desire on her lips. She kissed me and the world faded. Everything around us disappeared. We were in our own little world, the one we had decided we would create—together.