Page 24 of New Neighbor

“Well, I can work on getting you a diet plan to help you eat the right calories. You need plenty of carbs and protein, but you need to be careful and do it right.” He turned to face Benji. “But you also need to understand that some people are just slim and accept yourself for who you are.”

Benji sighed.

“Maybe your metabolic rate will slow down a little in the coming years. You’re what… twenty-two, twenty-three?”

“Twenty-six.”

Mac’s eyes widened. “You look younger.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot,” Benji murmured.

“Your rate should’ve already started to slow a little. Has it?”

Benji shook his head.

“Come on,” Mac said, pointing to the weights. “Let’s get you working.”

He let Mac lead the way. Who was he to argue, with Mac that close. Touching him. Guiding him.

So close, yet so far away.

Benji tried not to react as Mac guided his arm into the right motion. He did as instructed, going through one set. After, they paused a moment.

“Good. Take a breather for two minutes and we’ll do another set.” Mac said. “You need to allow your body to rest.”

“There’s not much weight on there. Shouldn’t I be pushing for more?”

“You’re going to push your muscles too much and end up tearing something.”

“Small weights aren’t going to build big muscles.”

Mac shook his head. “You’re healthy, strong, and active. Keep at that and you don’tneedto bulk up. Your body wasn’t meant for that.”

Benji was about to argue when Jesse appeared.

“Hey, guys.”

Benji turned his head. “Hey.”

“Hello,” Mac murmured.

Jesse looked between them, an odd look on his face. “I think I’m going for a run today.”

“Oh… okay,” Benji said, frowning. “Have fun.”

Jesse gave them a wave and headed for the treadmills.

Benji waited until Jesse had walked away before he turned to Mac. “I’ve spent my life being the runt. Ignored. The fifth wheel. For once, I don’t want to fade into the background.”

Mac frowned and smiled at the same time. “You don’t fade intoanything. All that is in your mind… trust me.”

“Look… I’ve been out with my friends. Just like the other night with you… women threw themselves at you and ignored me. That’s my life.”

“They didn’t ignore you. I saw you out on the dance floor a few times. A few different women.”

Benji sighed. “They didn’t want me.”Nobody wants me.

Mac was silent a moment. “Is that what you really want? Women throwing themselves at you?”

---