Page 141 of Gym Bros
I laugh. A tattooed arm shows up on the bar next to me, and I turn toward Ryan, extricating myself from Rachel’s stifling hug. Here’s a perfect example of someone who totally changed once he found his person. He gives me an easy grin that shows off his tiny dimples. “Someone’s got a natural glow tonight,” he says.
“Oh, thank you for noticing. Tinted moisturizer.”
He laughs. “Not what I meant.”
“Oh, you mean because you think I got laid recently? I should set the record straight. It’s been three days.”
“He looks pretty roughed up. Didn’t know whether to assume you guys got freaky or he’s been going hard at the gym.”
“Jesus, Ryan. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to you like this.”
“Is his nose broken?” he asks.
I gawk at him. “No! Why?”
“The only time I ever had a black eye like that, my nose was broken. But I guess it was both eyes in that case.”
“Who broke your nose?”
“What can I say,” he says. “High school sucked. Some fucking lacrosse player probably. Those guys were assholes.”
Ryan’s high school stories are very different from Samuel’s. Ryan’s are the kind that make me incredibly grateful I never went. I don’t think I would have held up well in that environment, not the way I look. As much as I think my mom is a money-grubbing grifter, she probably did me a favor by pimping out my childhood to anyone who wanted to photograph me anywhere in the world.
“Speaking of assholes,” I say, “We need to get Deacon laid. Who do I need to talk to about that?”
Ryan bursts into a laugh. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“What do we think his type is, though? Besides you, since you’re taken.”
“I dispute this theory that he was ever into me.”
“Well, you were straight for too long. He was pining. Do we see anything happening with Evan?” I ask because I need Evan occupied with someone other than Samuel.
“I’m not sure,” Ryan says. “Evan’s going about it all wrong. Doing the friends thing.”
“Oh, God,” I say. “Well, at least that means he’s not just looking to hook up, right?”
“Fuck, I hope not. Can you imagine having a one night stand with your roommate and then bringing some guy home from a bar?”
“Did Deacon ever bring anyone home when you lived there?” I ask.
“No, but he went out most weekends. Stayed out.”
“Hm. What do you think he’s into? Twinks? Twunks? Daddies?”
“Not a clue.”
“I’d guess twunks. Otherwise why would he work out so much?”
“Then I’m not sure why he’s not all over Evan.”
“True,” I say. “Evan’s got a nice body.”
“Not that I’ve noticed,” Ryan says, “but…”
“That ass.”
He raises his brows and nods.
