Page 9 of Gym Bros
“Maybe you could help each other out,” he says. “He’s not much older than you.”
“Help each other out how?” I ask.
“He helps you rehab, and you help him—I don’t know—feel more like he can do both? Shit, I don’t know. It was just a thought. I guess it doesn’t make sense.”
“How long’s he been your client?” I ask.
“Five years. The thing is he’s got something special. A look that’s rare. I want him to be successful, but I think we burned him out last year with too much work.”
“You sound close,” I say.
He shoots me a warning look. “He’s afriend.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Samuel.”
“What?” I ask.
“I’m trying to do you a fucking favor.”
I shrug. My dad’s not gay. Surely I would have noticedthatby now. I need to get the fuck over myself. Let these old resentments go. So he wasn’t around much while I was growing up. Poor fucking me. He works hard, and I’m not above accepting a helping hand.
“Yeah,” I say. “If he’ll work with me, I don’t mind. I’m not sure I can convince him to go back to modeling or whatever, but I don’t mind working one-on-one.” I prefer it actually. It’s what I’m used to. Also, Dad’s got me super curious about this dude. What does he consider rare and special, I wonder?
He’s shaking his head, though. “No. It’s a dumb idea. The two of you couldn’t be more different. What I really need to do is talk him into seeing a therapist. That sounds pretty high-handed, huh?”
I can’t tell if he’s talking to himself or me. “Well,” I say carefully. “Either way. I’d do it. Let him help me with my balance or whatever.”
Dad shrugs. “Sure. I’ll give you his number.”
“And…is there anything else I can do?” I ask because it seems like there’s a lot he’s not saying.
“No,” he says brusquely. “This is about you. I want to help, and I happen to know someone in the area who likes doing that kind of thing.”
“I can’t guarantee he’ll talk to me.” I say.
Dad looks resigned. “He’ll either come around, or he won’t. But in terms of your leg and getting better—maybe he can help.”
“Well…I could use him.”
He forces another smile. “All right.” He checks his watch then gives me a once-over as he shifts in his seat. “You up for lunch?”
There’s a note of reluctance in his voice that has me shaking my head. “You seem busy,” I say, without bothering to hide the note of bitterness in mine.
He pretends to ignore it, but I catch the twitch of his jaw. “I have a few clients to meet with, but they can wait.”
“No,” I tell him. “It’s fine.” I wouldn’t feel right hogging his time, especially if I felt like I was wasting it.
He smiles weakly at me. “I’m glad to see you’re doing better.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He runs his hands down his slacks and rises, indicating he doesn’t expect me to get up, but I do anyway to walk him out. Looks like I’ll be having Evan bring me dinner after all.
3
CALYX
