Page 79 of Saddle and Bound
"Don't... even... think... about it," I respond between push-ups.
"Oh, come on," insists Fran, who's counting. "At least tell us how your first time went."
I almost lose my balance at that question. "Guys!" I exclaim, trying to maintain focus.
"Look how he's blushing!" laughs Diego. "It must have been really special."
"I bet he took her on a romantic picnic under the stars," suggests Chris.
"Nah," interjects Diego. "Knowing Alex, he probably took her for a sunset horseback ride."
"I hate all of you," I grunt, feeling the muscles burn from the effort.
"Time!" Ethan finally shouts.
I collapse to the ground, panting heavily. "So? Who won?"
Chris sits next to me, equally exhausted. "Hate to admit it, but I think you won, Romeo... tied with the other tender-hearted cowboy," says Diego, huffing.
"Ha!" I exclaim triumphantly, weakly raising a fist in the air. "I told you I still know how to train."
"Yeah, yeah," says Fran, helping me up. "But you still haven't answered our questions about Rosie."
I sigh, knowing they won't leave me alone until I say something. "Alright, what do you want to know?"
"How did your first time really go?" asks the relentless Diego, his eyes shining with curiosity.
I feel a smile form on my lips at the memory. "It was... perfect," I admit. "We were at the lake, I've never felt anything like it in my life."
"Aww," the guys coo in chorus, pretending to be moved.
"Shut up, idiots," I say, but I can't help but smile.
"And now?" asks Ethan. "What do you have in mind for the future?"
The question catches me off guard. "I... I don't know," I admit. "I just know I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
Silence falls in the gym. The guys look at me, for once without a trace of mockery in their eyes.
"Wow," says Chris finally. "This is serious."
I nod, feeling suddenly vulnerable. "It is."
Fran puts a hand on my shoulder. "We're happy for you, man. Really."
Diego seems unusually pensive. Lately, he's been a bit... strange. He's been quite distracted. Then he seemed manic... now he seems a bit tense, a bit down, a bit thoughtful. Ethan's pat on my back distracts me before I can ask him for an explanation. Even though lately when we've asked, he hasn't given many.
"I'm happy for you," Ethan tells me. He seems moved. I really appreciate that he doesn't hold a grudge against me. I've been a real jerk to him. I'll have the rest of my life to make amends and I intend to do so. I return the pat and send him a grateful smile.
"Thank you, guys," I say, feeling grateful for their friendship.
The moment of seriousness doesn't last long, though.
"Alright," says Chris with a grin, "now that we've established that you're completely, irrevocably in love, how about a leg press challenge?"
I burst out laughing, grateful for the return to normalcy. "I'm in. Get ready to lose, cowboy."
Chapter 48
