Page 31 of Nate

“What? Yes he is. He wouldn’t have...” Kevin trailed off, remembering that Nate didn’t invite him to hang out untilafterhe’d offered to work on an app for him. Had he been stringing him along to get what he wanted? “He’s not straight,” he said. Unfortunately, his voice was clearly lacking in conviction.

“Haven’t you ever heard of gay for pay? Plenty of guys do it to get ahead. Nate got his ass kicked for years in underground fighting rings, just to make enough money to open these gyms. You think he’d have a problem letting a big-eyed fan boy rub him off if that’s what it took?”

Kevin stared at Mercury. She looked sincere, right down to the friendly smile on her face. “You don’t have a very high opinion of your boss.”

“Not even. I think it’s pretty awesome the lengths he’ll go to in order to be successful. I just don’t want you getting your hopes up and hanging around afterwards.”

“Nate is gay.”

The girl rolled her eyes. “Fine, bisexual whatever.”

Kevin wasn’t going to stand there and have this conversation with her. He couldn’t believe that this was happening again. Picking up his water bottle he walked off, not even bothering to wipe down or return the kettle bell he’d been using. He went back to the locker room and grabbed his bag, but before he could get out of there, he ran into Nate.

“Hey, where are you going? You’ve still got to get your cardio in.”

Kevin looked up at Nate. He was shaking he was so mad and embarrassed. “Were you planning on using me for some before and after success story?”

Nate frowned. “How’d you hear about that?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Well if you wanted to volunteer that’d be great. Why, are you interested?”

“Hell no I’m not interested! Not in you or being your poster boy for flab to fab or whatever the hell you were planning to call it. You might think all that matters is results, but I don’t appreciate being used.”

“Being used? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Ask Vanessa.”

“I’m asking you.”

“And I’m not interested in discussing it. I’m out of here.” He brushed past Nate and went over to his scooter. He wished he had something more bad ass to ride off on. Since he didn’t, he kicked the sign for Nate’s Gym as he rode past. Childish, but he felt better.

Nate watched through the glass doors as Kevin rode off, completely confused as to what had just happened. Damnit, he didn’t have time for this. He needed to get on the road to Austin. He had an appointment with a commercial realtor to look over some properties for Austin branches of his gym. He’d be gone for three days while he checked into that market.

He went back inside to grab his bag and check one last time that everything was in order for his absence. Once he was satisfied, he went out to his car. But he had no intention of driving to Austin without settling things with Kevin first.

A few minutes later, he pulled into a gas station to fill up for his trip. Nate took out his phone to call Kevin while he waited for the pump. He didn’t get an answer. Nate waited a few minutes, then called back. This time, the call rolled to voice mail after only two rings. That meant Kevin had rejected his call. Nate cursed and sent a text instead.Kevin what is going on? If you don’t answer I’m coming over there!Barely ten seconds later he got a response.

Dn’t borher. Won’t come down or buzz u up.

Nate knew Kevin was seriously pissed. He never sent texts that were sloppy and misspelled.Fine. I have to leave, but we are going to talk when I get back.This time he didn’t get an answer. The pump clicked off and Nate cursed in frustration. He needed to get moving if he was going to beat Houston rush hour traffic and make it to Austin on time.

∞∞∞

“If you don’t like any of these locations Mr. McKinney, I can reevaluate what you’re looking for and show you different properties.”

Nate looked up from his phone. He’d been checking to see if Kevin had responded to any of his texts. He hadn’t. “No, they’re all great. It’s going to be hard for me to narrow them down actually.”

“Well don’t forget, I have several more to show you over the next two days.”

“Michelle, do you mind if we fit all of the showings in today? Something’s come up in Houston and I need to get back.”

Michelle looked surprised for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “It’ll be a long day and we might have to cut out one or two visits. Is that okay?”

“Yes,” Nate said with a nod. “I really do need to get back.”

Michelle swiped a finger across her iPad. “Okay then. Give me a few moments to rearrange my schedule and we can continue.”

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