Page 87 of Off Balance

"We have a group chat," Jacob explains. "Riley saw some of the pictures being shared first, and then shit blew up fast."

Dwayne nods. "Look, I know this is a mess. We're dealing with it as best we can, but if you're not comfortable being associated with Connor Bro's gym, I'll allow anyone to terminate their contracts without?—"

"That's not it," Marcus calls out, stopping Dwayne before he can say more.

"Yeah, no. We're here to back you up," Jacob agrees. He looks at me. "We don't know you like we know Dwayne, but he's the most genuine guy anyone's ever met. You've only been here for a few months, but you've helped me improve as a boxer just by sparring and watching you. You're always willing to step back and show us how to tighten up our form, or how to throw a more effective punch. You can't get that kind of education anywhere else, but it's more than that, too. You were willing to step back and try something new in front of all of us. And I'm not the only one that has benefitted by having Cameron be part of this gym. He's a good guy, and the stuff they're saying about the two of you is bullshit."

"Well…" I don't really know how to break it to them that not all of it is lies. Hopefully, they'll still be willing to stand by us if there is some truth to the rumors. "Maybe I should go get Cameron," I say to myself. We've still yet to put a label on this thing between us, and he might not feel comfortable doing so publicly now that there's so much attention on us.

"Dude. Not that part. That part's obviously true."

The guys around us snicker.

"Obviously?" I mutter to myself.

"Yeeaahhh… Heart eyes on a six-foot-four, two hundred and sixty pound, normally stoic beast of a man kind of stands out."

"Two-forty," I correct.Rude.

"That and you're always staring at his ass," Tyler throws in.

"Not that you can blame him, though. For a dude, he's got?—"

"Watch it," I warn, and they all snicker some more.

"Aright, alright—back to work. But… thank you."

"I've been coming here since I was sixteen years old," Tyler says, patting Dwayne on the shoulder. "I'm not about to let some attention-seeking assholes with so-calledanonymous sourcesto trash this place or anyone connected to it. If you need anything, we'll be here to back you up."

"It means a lot," Dwayne says, ducking his head.

I take Tyler’s hand and then pull him into a half hug, which isn't really my thing, but the moment certainly calls for it. "Really appreciate it, man."

"I hope y'all stick around after you kick Bo Hoyt's ass. I might be interested in trying out the ballet training if y'all make it a thing here."

"We'll pitch it to Cam," I say, looking towards the stairs longingly. I pause before I can take my first step in the direction I've been pulled in since we walked in the door. "Do I really have heart eyes?" I ask my brother.

"You know, now that I think about it, you have been unsettlingly smiley and chatty the past couple months." He shakes his head. "Shit, I even mentioned to Cora that Cam seemed to bring you out of your shell. How did I fucking miss it?"

"When he gets here, maybe you can ask the detective how to be more observant in the future," I say, hoping it's not too soon to start making jokes.

"Dad taught me how to box, too, ya know."

"Bring it, old man."

As if summoned, the same guy from the police station that interviewed Cam walks in.

"Detective Roman!" I call out, as Dwayne struggles to pull out of the headlock I have him in. "We were just talking about you."

The detective makes a face like he isn't sure what to think of the commotion he walked into. And since he's here to discuss potential assault charges, and also likely saw the news being spread about Cam's reputation, it probably looks a little unseemly to be playing around like this. Now that I think about it, it's actually really inappropriate to be feeling so optimistic when Cam might not even know about the news articles.

Shit.

I drop Dwayne and step up to give Roman a handshake. "Sorry about that. You're here to see Cameron, not witness us act like jackasses. I'll show you up." Dwayne offers him a handshake as well and turns to lead the way towards the stairs.

"Uh, boss?" Tyler says. "If that's the detective, who are the other guys?"

"Other guys?" my brother asks.

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