Page 1 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

Chapter 1

Brad

If there’s one thing I love, it’s getting a good sweat going. The kind you feel trickling down your balls. The kind of slick heat you achieve after a rigorous drill sesh with another man.

Or gal. Or enby pal. Honestly, being a gym-bro has nothing to do with gender. It’s aboutdedication. Comradery.

It’s about doing it together.

“Fuck yeah,” I cheer, holding up my hand for a high five as Cas finishes his rep. His palm meets mine without hesitation. The dude is a stellar gym-bro.

“That our last set?” he asks.

“Unless you want to go again?” I say, dropping into a lunge so I can stretch out my hips. “I could probably bust out one more round.”

Cas checks the time on the wall. “Actually, I should get going. I have class in an hour.”

“Yeah, Cat-man. No worries.” I hold up my hand again. “Smash that physio class. And give Birdie a hug for me, will you?”

He huffs a laugh before slapping my palm. Such a good dude. I never would have met the guy if it weren’t for my best friend. The Birdie to my Bee. My kindergarten bestie turned lifelong brother. Birdie and Cas started dating not that long ago. And now? Now they’re a unit, and I’m… Well, feeling a bit like a third wheel, if I’m being honest.

Not that I’ll let that get me down. I’ll happily be the front end in a tricycle sitch with my best friend and his boyfriend any day. There are no two guys I trust better to have my rear.

I let out a sigh as Cas heads off toward the locker room. The next second, a soft voice asks, “Birdie?”

Spinning to my right, I find a total gym-dude standing nearby. Tall, beefed up but not in a downing-steroids-in-his-smoothies kind of way. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, super nice smile, and some scruff. Honestly, the guy kind of reminds me of a teddy bear, only leaner. And far less hairy.

“What’s one step under a bear?” I ask him.

His smile goes crooked on one end. “An otter?”

“No, man, you’re definitely bigger than that. Mountain lion, maybe?”

“I…don’t think I’m a cougar,” he says tentatively, that smile still on his face. He holds out his hand. “Joey.”

“Dude,” I say, clasping his palm. “Joey Kangaroo! That’sperfect.”

“Is it?” he asks, sounding unsure.

“Definitely. Kangaroos are strong, bro. I mean, seriously, look at these hammies.” I give the side of his leg a slap in demonstration, my palm stinging in the aftermath. “Damn. Pretty sure you could crack my neck in half with those things.”

Andshit. Now he’s blushing. I didn’t mean to embarrass the guy.

“Sorry. I’m Brad,” I say quickly, realizing I never gave him my name. “Nice to meet you, man.”

“You, too,” he says, finally letting my hand go. “You, uh, never answered my question.”

“Oh, right. Birdie. Yeah. That’s Jason. We’re super close. Used to live together, you know? But now he’s with Cas, the guy who was just here.”

“Ah,” he says sympathetically. “That must be hard for you.”

“Itis,” I say, glad he gets it. “I’m happy for him—don’t get me wrong. But I miss the dude. We still see each other all the time, but I’m on the outside now. It’s different.”

“You’re still friends?” he asks.

“Oh, totally. We’re Birdie and Bee.”

He gives me a curious look, and I realize,yeah, that probably makes no sense.

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