Page 40 of Set on You

He arches a brow. “They obviously haven’t seen you kill it in the gym. You’re an animal.”

I blush. “Thanks. I mean... I just think being healthy isn’t just about your size or your weight, but your mindset and your mental health too.”

He nods thoughtfully. “I completely agree.”

“Says Mr. Abs of Steel.”

Scott playfully bumps my shoulder with his. “I wasn’t always into the gym.”

“Oh, come on. You’ve had abs since at least July of 2016.” Upon realization of my inadvertent admission, I sneak a sideways glance at him.

His lips twist into a funny smile. “That’s very specific. How do you know that?”

My cheeks burn. I’m mortified, until I remember he liked all my photos since 2014. “Your Instagram,” I admit with faux confidence.

“So you did creep on me.”

I shrug. “I had to make sure you weren’t a serial murderer. I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of picky about new acquaintances.”

“I am honored to have made the cut.” He pauses, his face growing serious. “Actually, though, I used to be super lanky andawkward as a kid. I wasn’t even into sports or anything until I got to high school.”

“Really?” I ask, unable to picture him without muscles.

“Yeah. We kind of struggled for a few years back when we lived in Illinois. Cheap fast food and no money for organized sports. Kids were assholes.”

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to conjure the image of Scott as an outcast. I think back to my prepubescent self in middle school. There was a year my friends decided I wasn’t “cool enough” anymore. I’d stand alone at recess, circling the perimeter of the fence, head down, too shy to approach other kids. “Never would have guessed school was hard for you.”

His eyes gloss over slightly and he grits his teeth, as if he was going to elaborate but thought better of it. “Anyway, by the time I got to high school, we were doing better financially. My dad got a really good job here in Boston, and my mom was happy since it was close to both grandparents. So we moved and I got to start over here. Filled out with puberty, I guess. Then joined sports.”

“And then you suddenly became hot overnight?”

He smiles, keeping his eyes ahead. “Nah. I was still socially awkward as hell in high school. Could barely talk to girls, let alone have a girlfriend.”

I can’t help but absorb his earnest smile like a sponge. On the surface, Scott has all the confidence in the world. But in reality, it’s an illusion. He’s just like the rest of us mere mortals, stressing over stupid things we’ve accidentally said out loud. It makes me feel even worse about prejudging him. It isn’t his fault he’s a gorgeous specimen.

“I don’t find you awkward at all. The opposite, really. Unless I’m just equally awkward.”

“I didn’t say I’mstillawkward,” he says, flashing his bewitching smile.

“Always so cocky.”

“Well, now that you know my darkest secrets, what do you do other than go to the gym?”

“Not a whole lot, to be honest.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to take back that statement completely. Do I really want to tell him I’m practically a recluse? It’s always been drilled into my head that being a wallflower is somehow lesser. That being outgoing like Dad is more desirable. But after Scott’s raw honesty, it feels wrong to be anything but truthful.

“You’re a homebody?”

“Oh yeah. I have Lululemon leggings specifically designated for home and for going out.”

“That is... a very expensive habit,” he teases.

“What can I say, I’m an introvert.”

He eyes me with curiosity. “So just how introverted are you?”

“I’ll put it this way: If I have plans for more than two consecutive nights, I’ll probably stress about it all week. Oh, and if someone cancels plans, it feels like I won the lottery.”

He smiles. “Now I know how to get you to like me. I’ll just make plans with you and then cancel them.” Strangely, the idea of Scott canceling plans on me doesn’t sound nearly as appealing as I wish it did.

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