Page 13 of Bodybuilders for the BBW

Mum started to giggle, tried to stop herself and instead let out a rude snort. My family, ladies and gentlemen. That started everyone else cackling, the bastards, and damn me, even I cracked a grin.

“So yeah, I saw his dick and apparently that was enough for him to want to get my number.” I sighed. “Maybe he thinks if I’m that keen to strip him naked, I’m an easy lay or something.”

Everyone went quiet then.

“Katie, no—” Mandie said.

“He wouldn’t want to,” Dad grumbled. “Give me this bloke’s number. I’ll set him straight. No bastard is coming sniffing around my daughters, looking to get his end wet.”

“He might not be a fuck boy,” Mum added.

“Mum, did you just say fuck boy?” Both my sister and I stared at my mother.

“I keep up with the lingo,” she said with a wave of her hand.

“Lingo…”

Mandie’s eyes met mine, and we both snorted.

“Mum, are you trying to be ‘down with the kids?’” I asked, trying for some kind of cool dude stance and failing utterly.

“Oh my god.” She stormed back to the kitchen. “I’ll have you know that I was very cool at school.”

“Gorgeous too.” Dad’s response, his steady gaze had us going quiet. No one, and I mean no one, loved my mother like my dad. “And funny, and sexy.”

“Oh no…” us kids moaned as he moved in behind her, cradling her body with his.

“And an amazing cook.” He nuzzled into her neck and she giggled. “Did I say sexy?”

“Well, if I’m to have any appetite at all, I need to go outside,” Mandie announced, grabbing my hand and hauling me outside. “So, did you want his number? I promised to ask tonight to get Rhys off my back.”

“New year, new me, remember?” I told her. “I’m done with dudes and am focussing on myself. And anyway, if things go south, and let's face it, they will, how awkward would that make it at the gym?”

“You wanna go back?”

Mentioning exercise always had my sister changing gear. It felt like I was with a bouncy golden retriever and I was the one with a stick in my hand.

“I can actually sit down on the toilet without wanting to scream,” I replied, “so yeah.”

“Oh my god, I can fit you in tomorrow after work.” She was tapping furiously at her phone, not to give me a guy’s number, but to slot me into her calendar. “It’ll be busier.” I shrank back involuntarily. Spending another quiet morning at the gym would’ve been preferable, but I only had one morning off a week. “But it’ll be fine. I’ll see if one of the girls can come as well. We’ll do some cardio and maybe some free weights…”

I let her words wash over me. It all made sense to her and that’s what mattered, because if anyone knew how to make me feel stronger, it was Mandie. I nodded along to everything she said until our parents rejoined us outside.

“Nibbles and drinks,” Mum announced, trying to carry a platter outside, but Dad had it out of her hands in seconds. He placed it on the table and then pulled out her seat for her, Mum’s cheeks flushing in response. “Now, come and tell us about your week. What’s been happening?”

She looked expectantly at me, so I did the only thing I could and glanced over at my sister.

“Mandie’s been out at influencer events every evening. Didn’t you go to that big TikTok soiree the other day?”

“TikTok is the video thing, right?” Dad asked, popping a piece of cheese into his mouth.

“Only the biggest social media platform in the world right now,” she replied, then flushed. It was strange to watch her sit back, avoiding people’s eyes. “And yeah, I went to an event.”

“Tell them why,” I prompted.

She shot me a dark look, but hey, this bitch dropped me right in it. I could always return the favour.

“It was the awards night.” She started to sink down in her chair as her cheeks went bright red. “And I…” Her hand reached for her drink and she took a big mouthful. “AndIwontheawardforbestfitnessinfluencer.”

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