Chapter 47
Alex
As we head towards the small gym at the ranch, the guys continue to tease me mercilessly.
"Hey, Alex," says Fran with a grin, "I bet you now spend more time lifting Rosie than weights."
"Very funny," I respond, rolling my eyes. "For your information, I still know how to lift a barbell."
"Oh, yeah?" chimes in Diego, opening the gym door. "Prove it, Romeo."
I enter the gym, the familiar scent of sweat and metal welcoming me. "What do you guys have in mind?"
The guys exchange conspiratorial looks. "A challenge," announces Chris. "Who can do the most push-ups in a minute."
"Easy," I say confidently. Perhaps too confidently.
"Oh, not so fast," Ethan smiles mischievously. "One-handed push-ups."
I feel the smile faltering on my face... thinking of all the sleepless nights I've had since Rosie had asked me for space and the energy I don't have. "You're joking, right?"
"Scared, love-struck cowboy?" taunts Chris.
"Never... and you're not authorized to make jokes, Mr. Perfect Couple," I reply, even though I know I'll probably regret it.
Chris doesn't retort... he just flashes his smile that we've nicknamed the "Val smile."
We get into position, ready to start. Ethan keeps the time.
"Ready... go!"
We start the push-ups, and immediately I feel my muscles protest. It's harder than I thought.
"So, Alex," pants Diego next to me, "give us some juicy details about Rosie."
"Don't... even... think... about it," I respond between push-ups.
"Oh, come on," insists Fran, who's counting. "At least tell us how your first time went."
I almost lose my balance at that question. "Guys!" I exclaim, trying to maintain focus.
"Look how he's blushing!" laughs Diego. "It must have been really special."
"I bet he took her on a romantic picnic under the stars," suggests Chris.
"Nah," interjects Diego. "Knowing Alex, he probably took her for a sunset horseback ride."
"I hate all of you," I grunt, feeling the muscles burn from the effort.
"Time!" Ethan finally shouts.
I collapse to the ground, panting heavily. "So? Who won?"
Chris sits next to me, equally exhausted. "Hate to admit it, but I think you won, Romeo... tied with the other tender-hearted cowboy," says Diego, huffing.
"Ha!" I exclaim triumphantly, weakly raising a fist in the air. "I told you I still know how to train."
"Yeah, yeah," says Fran, helping me up. "But you still haven't answered our questions about Rosie."
I sigh, knowing they won't leave me alone until I say something. "Alright, what do you want to know?"
"How did your first time really go?" asks the relentless Diego, his eyes shining with curiosity.
I feel a smile form on my lips at the memory. "It was... perfect," I admit. "We were at the lake, I've never felt anything like it in my life."
"Aww," the guys coo in chorus, pretending to be moved.
"Shut up, idiots," I say, but I can't help but smile.
"And now?" asks Ethan. "What do you have in mind for the future?"
The question catches me off guard. "I... I don't know," I admit. "I just know I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
Silence falls in the gym. The guys look at me, for once without a trace of mockery in their eyes.
"Wow," says Chris finally. "This is serious."
I nod, feeling suddenly vulnerable. "It is."
Fran puts a hand on my shoulder. "We're happy for you, man. Really."
Diego seems unusually pensive. Lately, he's been a bit... strange. He's been quite distracted. Then he seemed manic... now he seems a bit tense, a bit down, a bit thoughtful. Ethan's pat on my back distracts me before I can ask him for an explanation. Even though lately when we've asked, he hasn't given many.
"I'm happy for you," Ethan tells me. He seems moved. I really appreciate that he doesn't hold a grudge against me. I've been a real jerk to him. I'll have the rest of my life to make amends and I intend to do so. I return the pat and send him a grateful smile.
"Thank you, guys," I say, feeling grateful for their friendship.
The moment of seriousness doesn't last long, though.
"Alright," says Chris with a grin, "now that we've established that you're completely, irrevocably in love, how about a leg press challenge?"
I burst out laughing, grateful for the return to normalcy. "I'm in. Get ready to lose, cowboy."