Page 32 of Gym Bros
“Calyx. I’m serious,” Marcus says. “When he gets upset, it’s not pretty.”
I reconsider my offer. “Maybe I shouldn’t go, then.”
“We just want to make sure he’s not…”
“What?” I ask.
“I don’t want to tell his business. Let’s just say there’s a reason we aren’t fighting him on the MMA thing. It’s a good outlet for him.”
I frown. What is he not saying?
“So, I’ll be safe if I just show up there?”
“Of course. He’s not gonna hurtyou.”
I make a face though I know he can’t see it. “Why’d you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
I drop it. “Never mind. Text me his address.”
“Thanks, angel. Call me once you see him, okay?”
“Okay. Bye.”
A few seconds after I hang up, I’ve got the address pulled up in my maps app. Pac Heights. Nice. After a walk back to my place to get my car, I drive to Samuel’s neighborhood.
His building is modern and looks expensive, overlooking the Golden Gate bridge. As I’m approaching the door, I startle as something moves against my pants leg near my ankle. I turn to find a dog sniffing at me, and when I look up, I’m met with Samuel’s stunned gaze.
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh,” I say, trying to play this casual. “There you are.”
He runs a hand over his head, and I take a moment to look at him and the dog. His t-shirt is soaked in sweat. The red-hairedmutt is panting heavily. It’s a cool night, so they must have been really working to be this spent.
“How’d you get my address?” he asks.
“Your dad.”
“Right.” He sighs. “You need proof of life or something? You can take a picture.”
“I’m sure he’ll take my word for it,” I say cautiously.
“Well, when you talk to him, tell him I was planning to call Mom back, I’ve just been busy with the dog.”
I smile down at the skinny, large-eared animal. “This is Beauty?”
“Yeah.”
I squat down and hold out my hand for her to sniff. I’m more of a cat person, but I don’t mind dogs. They’re just too high-maintenance for me and my schedule—or what used to be my schedule. She licks my knuckles, and I take that as permission to pet her. “She’s cute,” I say.
“Thanks. Did you, uh…you wanna come in?”
“If you don’t mind.”
He hesitates.
I give Beauty a final stroke and stand, looking up at the imposing young man in front of me. I need to come out with it. If I don’t—this shit is going to drive me crazy. “Was it something I did?”
