Page 41 of You're the Reason

Jimmy and Zane hadn’t done much besides goof around and try to play catch with some of the smaller weights. He’d put a stop to that. But by the way they snickered, they were probably getting into something else they shouldn’t.

He finished his set then settled the bar into the stand, Nate spotting him as he went.

“Why did you want to bring them again?” He’d kept his voice low so only Nate could hear him.

“Not a lot of good options around here for them on a Friday night.” He sent a pointed look that no doubt hinted at how Seth had spent a fair share of Friday nights. “Besides, they need it.”

“They need a little discipline, but I’m not sure that’s my area.” Seth sat up and reached for his towel and dried off the back of his neck. “Let’s add five to each side.”

“You’re awful grumpy today.” Nate removed the lock at the end of the bar. “What’s eating you?”

“Nothing.” Nothing but being tormented by a set of blue eyes and a tiny waist he’d had his hands wrapped around again yesterday. He held out a five-pound disc to Nate. When Nate just lifted one brow, Seth added, “I’ve been training with Grace, and it’s getting to be a challenge.”

Nate took the weight and added it to his side. “Because you like her?”

It wasn’t just that he thought she was pretty. He’d met his fair share of pretty girls in his life, and not one had ever had this effect on him. “She’s different.”

“The best ones are.” Nate locked the weight in place. “You should ask her out.”

Seth locked his side and settled onto the bench. “She’s Gregory’s sister. It would never work.”

“Start with friends. You never know where it will lead.”

Friends? Maybe he could do friends. Seth managed four reps on the new weight when his phone pinged. He set the bar back on the stand and walked over to his phone.

JON

I stopped by the Lansing property. We need to talk. Where are you?

SETH

In the studio.

JON

About five minutes out.

He set his phone aside as Nate’s voice carried across the room. “Zane, Jimmy, can you come over here a moment.”

Nate walked over to his bag and pulled out a rough three-foot-wood sign with burned-in letters on it and held it up.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

~ Isaiah 40:29

“Awesome.” Jimmy laughed and nudged Zane’s arm. “We don’t have to work out to look like him.” He pointed at Seth. “We just need to pray.”

“Not what I was saying.” Nate laughed it off as he carried the sign to a wall without a mirror and nailed it up there. “But as we work on our muscles, let’s not forget where real strength comes from. That’s it. Lesson over.”

The boys ran off, and Seth raised one eyebrow at Nate. “That was brief.”

“They’re twelve-year-old boys, they have the attention span of squirrels.”

Seth nodded at the sign. “Good verse.”

“I thought so.” Nate nudged one of the bottom corners to straighten it.

“I’m just glad I’m not weak anymore.” Seth adjusted his lifting gloves.

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