Page 170 of Before Dawn

“I’m very aware, and besides, you’re too beautiful to be spending your money,” I said, leaning back on the treadmill. “Send me a picture so I can see how they look?”

“I will,” she promised.

I nodded, checking the time. “I’ll come see you after my workout.”

“Alright, baby.”

Just as I hung up and reached for my water bottle, the gym door swung open, and in walked Arnoldo with a stupid smirk plastered on his face.

“You’re here,cabrón,95” I called out, a grin spreading across my face.

Arnoldo rolled his eyes at my comment and made his way over, cutting through the rows of equipment like a knife through butter.

“Never thought I’d see you here, beingin love and all,” he joked, giving my shoulder a friendly thump.

“You can try it out sometime?” I urged. “Being in love, I mean.”

His expressions fell and all of a sudden, nothing was funny.

“What’s the plan today?” he asked, ignoring my questions while flexing his arms.

“Arm day,” I replied with a mock grimace.

He groaned dramatically. “Torture as always.”

I shrugged, trying to hide my smirk. “Get to work, Reyes.”

He grabbed dumbbells and started his warm-up. “What are we wearing to Dillon’s wedding?”

“You mean the wedding that is almost a year away?”

“Yes, Suarez,thatwedding.”

“Azzaria has very strict dress codes but aren’t we groomsmen?” I replied, slightly bemused. “I’d assume it’s a tux.”

¿Quién será el padrino?96

I dropped the dumbbell, chuckling. “No idea, Reyes. I doubt there will be a best man, but I heard Bryce wants the role since he’s known Dillon the longest.”

Arnoldo hissed, nearly tipping over the loose gear. “Dillon’s a better man than me. Bryce would’ve found out I was getting married from a tabloid.”

“Let’s switch topics before you turn as red as a tomato, Reyes.”

We pushed through our workout in uncomfortable silence, focusing on sets and reps. By the time we finished, my muscles were burning, but I knew I’d accomplished something.

As we packed up and headed for the door, Arnoldo broke the silence. “Same time next week?”

“We’ll see.”

He clapped me on the back. “Alright, man, I’m gonna grab a smoothie.¿Vienes?”97

“Sí.”98

Wetook the elevator to the café. I grabbed a green smoothie for myself, a berry smoothie for Abigail, and Arnoldo grabbed a triple-nut protein shake.

As we walked out, I noticed Arnoldo had been unusually quiet—he was never like this. “You’ve been off today.¿Estás bien?”99

He took a slow sip of his shake. “A lot on my mind. Nothing to worry about.”

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