Page 45 of Exposed

I grew up in a home where my older sister and parents barely tolerated me. I dated a guy two years older than me in high school who taught me how to drive if I would have sex with him. I’m not used to people being kind to me without ulterior motives.

“Okay, want me to spot you on pull ups?” He asks when he’s ready to move on.

“Um, I guess.”

Hesitation tries to get the best of me, but I tamp it down. It’s a little nerve-wracking trying something new. My life has been spent mostly in survival mode. l’ve never had the time or resources to spend doing hobbies, but it’s adventurous and fun.

I like that he wants me involved with what he’s doing. Growing up, my parents wanted me to leave them alone. My sister was six years older than me and didn’t let me tag along with her.

“Come on. There’s nothing to it. I’ll hold you, and you try to pull your chin close to the bar.”

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s that simple,” I scoff playfully.

Placing his hands on my waist, he counts to three. When he lifts me, I squeal.

“I’ve got you, Pepper. Reach for the bar. I’ll help lift you up.”

“Okay. Okay,” I breathe out and laugh at how awkward I feel.

We do five reps of him doing most of the work.

“Come on. Give me one more,” he encourages, and I imagine him saying that in a completely different context.

I’m apparently a praise whore, because I rally and do two more.

When he lowers me to the ground, he pulls me into a quick hug, then pats my lower back.

“Good girl. That was amazing. You’re stronger than you think.”

I’m beaming. My muscles are weak, but I felt strong trying. My muscles tingle, and I rub my biceps.

“Feeling the burn?” He asks.

“I guess that’s it.”

He chuckles. “Let me do my set. Then, I’ll make us a recovery shake.”

Simon is cranky, so Matt straps him into the baby carrier for his pull ups. He does so many, I lose count. He doesn’t stop until he can only lift himself halfway up. He drops down and takes a deep breath, making Simon rise in his baby carrier on his chest.

“My last set, I always push myself to failure.”

“That’s intense,” I remark.

“It’s a good stress reliever. Speaking of stress, I need to apologize for last night.”

“You did already,” I say as I follow him to the kitchen to make us shakes.

“Yeah, but I owe you an explanation. Actually, we need to talk about a few things. Wanna grab showers, then we can talk? I don’t have work today except for editing galleries.”

“I don’t work until later, so that’s fine,” I agree.

Matt puts Simon in his baby rocker and carries him into the bathroom with him.

After we’re cleaned up,we settle in the living room. Simon lays on Matt’s chest on a blanket on the carpet, and I’m sitting on the couch with my legs tucked under me.

“My girlfriend Grace died in a car wreck four years ago,” Matt starts while I’m combing my hair out. I’m so shocked, I drop my comb.

“Grace is the serious girlfriend you told me about?”