Page 63 of Gym Bros
“I let him kiss me, and then I told him I wouldn’t go out with him.”
“I’m sorry—what?”
She plops down beside me and throws back one of the remaining shots like it’s nothing. She’s not acting even slightly drunk, and who knows how many of these she’s had?
“I was flirting—hewas flirting. We were dancing. Maybe I pressed the issue?”
“Did you? And?”
“And it was a mistake. I’m fucking his dad,” I add in a stage whisper.
“Does he know that?”
“Fuck, no. I hope not. He doesn’t act like he does.”
“I mean, you don’t have tokeepfucking his dad. It’s not like that shit’s going anywhere.Samuel, however… He’s single, he’s hot. Obviously into you.”
“He’s not into me. He’s just horny. Plus, he’s myclient.”
She gives me a disappointed look. “Oh, come on. Look, I know you claim to like the silver fox type?—”
“Marcus doesn’t have a strand of silver on his body?—”
She goes on like I didn’t even speak. “But what’s the point? Today was the first time I’ve heard your real laugh inmonths.”
I frown at her. “So I’ve been a little down. It’s got nothing to do with the men I see.”
She puts her hands on my shoulders and waits for me to look her in the eyes. “Listen to me. The men you see—or man—should make youhappy. And if you’re choosing not to see anyone, then that should make you happy, too. You’re not happy, Calyx.”
“Are you?” I challenge.
“Iam living my best life. Do I have bad days? Obviously—life sucks.ButI’m still trying new things. I’m sticking with what I already know brings me joy. You’re like—hiding.”
Generally, I try not to scowl because it adds lines to my face, and I’m not getting any younger, but it’s unavoidable. “What makes you think giving him a chance would bring me anything other than a few hickeys and a decent lay?”
Priya’s eyes shine at the mention of hickeys. Fuck, I remember when I was like that. I’m twenty-five years old, and my mid-life crisis is already in full swing. “How was the kiss?” she asks. “Just decent?”
“That’s not really the point I’m trying to make,” I say.
“Was it like kissing your hand? No chemistry?”
I scrunch up my face even more. “No.”
Rachel is suddenly crowded against my other side, also sweaty and smelling of men. “What’s going on?” she asks. “Where’s your fighter?”
“He not my?—”
“They kissed, and Calyx ran him off.”
“What? Why would you do that?” Rachel asks.
I turn and give her a glare. “Why do you think?”
“Oh, I’m sure you have a hundred dumb reasons. Tell me this—did he ask you out?”
How could she know that? “Yeah.”
“And you turned him down?”
