Page 9 of Broken Ice, Mended Hearts

GAGS: Are you still in New York?

SVEN: Yes, but I’m flying back to DC tomorrow morning. Are you still up for doing something? How about tomorrow night?

I was up, all right. My gym shorts had grown uncomfortably tight as my semi grew into a full-fledged boner. I could say no, that some friends invited me out of town for the weekend. Or I could hightail it to the Maryland shore for a few days.

It would be cooler at the shore, so I started typing an explanation. After erasing what I’d written and trying again several times, I hit send.

GAGS: Sounds like fun. I’ve been by myself all week.

I read back over the message and gasped.Fuck, fuck, fuck!Why did I add that last part?

Typing bubbles started, then stopped, and finally returned before another message came through.

SVEN: Never fear, Holmer to the rescue.

Laughter helped me settle down, and we texted for a while. Even the exhilarating details of selling his co-op were fascinating.Who am I, and where has the real Gags gone?After I told Sven about my workout with Ty and Kev, he said he needed to switch up his routine.

SVEN: Would you guys be up for a fourth this summer? You and I could spot for each other.

The mere idea of Sven, sweaty and grunting, seized my imagination. Razor-sharp images rocketed through my mind:Sven growling as I leaned beside him, helping him get a barbell safely back on the rack; him sitting on a bench with a damp T-shirt stuck to his torso and his gym shorts askew enough to show off his package.

SVEN: Sorry if the group is closed. I get it.

What could I say that wouldn’t make me sound like a jerk? Besides, what was the problem? If we hung out in a normal situation, my temporary insanity would clear up, and we could be buddies. Admittedly, I’d need to keep my eyes to myself, but it wasn’t like we’d be working out in a private sex lair. We could use the gym at Cuda Arena.

GAGS: Sorry, got distracted. We’re not a group. Kev and Ty are jet-setting this summer and just happened to be around this week. But I’ll be here so let’s you and me work out. More fun, less slacking off.

SVEN: I’m in if you’re sure. If I don’t have structure, I’ll turn into a couch potato.

GAGS: You’re way too hot to let that happen.

My entire body jerked.What the actual fucking hell, Gags? Save!

GAGS: Sorry. What I meant was you’ve worked on your physique too much to let that happen.

SVEN: So… You noticed my physique or you think I’m hot? Which is it?

SVEN: Both?

I snickered. I guess hewouldlike me to say he’s hot. Again.

GAGS: Fuck off. Anyone can see you take care of yourself. That’s all I meant.

SVEN: But you said I’m hot. I’ll be disappointed if you take that back. :)

What the hell is going on?Yes, I thought he was hot, but why had I said it? I didn’t even say things like that to women, at least until… Well, not unless theywerehot. I looked at the ceiling for inspiration, but it was nowhere to be found.

SVEN: I’m kidding around. But for the record, I think you’re hot too.

Finally, something I could work with.

GAGS: I’d agree with you but then we’d both be wrong. Thanks anyway. But I am secure enough in my masculinity to admit you’re hot. It’s an objective observation.

SVEN: Point taken. BTW I like seeing a man’s masculinity.

I’d walked right into that one.

GAGS: Are you flirting with me?

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