Page 135 of Gym Bros
It doesn’t help that I’m not drinking. With my own fight two weeks away, I’m starting to cut weight so it won’t be so painful the couple of days before the expo.
The first time I had to cut weight the “traditional” way before a fight, I felt like I was legit going to die. I passed out in a sauna, threw up on a treadmill, and did not feel my best in the fight despite the fact that I’d re-fed and hydrated after the weigh-in was over.
I’m trying something different this time, even if it’s not what my trainer recommended. I say it’s better to be at my best every day even if I won’t be as heavy the day of the fights. However, it’s the first time I’m testing the theory, so we’ll see how it goes. Javier was right about the fighter I’m matched against. He’s not great. I’m no idiot, so I can leave room for the possibility that he’s improved a lot knowing I’m his opponent and training to beat me, but I’m training my ass off, too.
Meanwhile, Calyx is gesturing frantically at me. I put my water down and walk over to him where he’s standing with Ryan and Malcolm. I glance at the other two men with them. One I don’t know, and the other is—“Holy shit.”
Evan grins up at me, his cute smile wide and his cheeks flushed. "Hey!”
I go in for a hug without thinking about it. He laughs, rubbing my back affectionately. “Small world.”
“You two know each other?” Calyx asks.
I pull away and share a look with Evan before turning back to my boyfriend. “Yeah.”
“How?”
“We went to high school together.”
“Oh—thisis your Evan?” Calyx asks, putting it all together in his head at once and turning slightly green.
Evan speaks up, saving me. “Saber, this is Deacon. My roommate.”
My brow lifts and I look at the other man who’s my height. I try not to do the up and down scan, but I can’t stop myself. There’s a lot to take in.
He’s extremely handsome, and, if I’m reading him right—very uncomfortable. He’s clutching his beer like a life raft. I immediately want to get him something stronger. I hold out my hand to shake it.
“Saber’s a nickname,” I say. “I’m Samuel.”
He forces a smile that makes him look slightly ill and shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Why didn’t I know this was the same Evan?” Calyx asks again.
“Why didn’t I know you knew him?” I ask in return.
He frowns at that. “I barely do. I’ve only met him once before.”
“Well, I guess there’s your answer. He’s my friend.”
Calyx snorts at that. “Likeplatonically?”
Evan appears clueless as to what’s going on, and I’m grateful for that. “Yeah—like the same way you and Rachel are friends.”
He’s glaring now.
“You’ve been keeping him busy, though,” Evan says. “This is the first time I’ve seen him in weeks.”
Calyx looks Evan up and down and then gestures at my face. “Well, he’s got a black eye.”
Evan’s smile reappears. “I noticed that.”
“Obviously I didn’t do it.”
I squint at Calyx. Is that why the black eye is bothering him? I thought it was for purely aesthetic reasons.
Evan looks up at me. “You seem relaxed.”
I think he’s kidding, but I don’t really want to stick around long enough to find out. Maybe I could take Deacon to the bar or something and we can both drink some shots and hide. “Yeah, I’m good, thanks.”
