Page 79 of Saddle and Bound

"Don't... even... think... about it," I respond between push-ups.

"Oh, come on," insists Fran, who's counting. "At least tell us how your first time went."

I almost lose my balance at that question. "Guys!" I exclaim, trying to maintain focus.

"Look how he's blushing!" laughs Diego. "It must have been really special."

"I bet he took her on a romantic picnic under the stars," suggests Chris.

"Nah," interjects Diego. "Knowing Alex, he probably took her for a sunset horseback ride."

"I hate all of you," I grunt, feeling the muscles burn from the effort.

"Time!" Ethan finally shouts.

I collapse to the ground, panting heavily. "So? Who won?"

Chris sits next to me, equally exhausted. "Hate to admit it, but I think you won, Romeo... tied with the other tender-hearted cowboy," says Diego, huffing.

"Ha!" I exclaim triumphantly, weakly raising a fist in the air. "I told you I still know how to train."

"Yeah, yeah," says Fran, helping me up. "But you still haven't answered our questions about Rosie."

I sigh, knowing they won't leave me alone until I say something. "Alright, what do you want to know?"

"How did your first time really go?" asks the relentless Diego, his eyes shining with curiosity.

I feel a smile form on my lips at the memory. "It was... perfect," I admit. "We were at the lake, I've never felt anything like it in my life."

"Aww," the guys coo in chorus, pretending to be moved.

"Shut up, idiots," I say, but I can't help but smile.

"And now?" asks Ethan. "What do you have in mind for the future?"

The question catches me off guard. "I... I don't know," I admit. "I just know I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

Silence falls in the gym. The guys look at me, for once without a trace of mockery in their eyes.

"Wow," says Chris finally. "This is serious."

I nod, feeling suddenly vulnerable. "It is."

Fran puts a hand on my shoulder. "We're happy for you, man. Really."

Diego seems unusually pensive. Lately, he's been a bit... strange. He's been quite distracted. Then he seemed manic... now he seems a bit tense, a bit down, a bit thoughtful. Ethan's pat on my back distracts me before I can ask him for an explanation. Even though lately when we've asked, he hasn't given many.

"I'm happy for you," Ethan tells me. He seems moved. I really appreciate that he doesn't hold a grudge against me. I've been a real jerk to him. I'll have the rest of my life to make amends and I intend to do so. I return the pat and send him a grateful smile.

"Thank you, guys," I say, feeling grateful for their friendship.

The moment of seriousness doesn't last long, though.

"Alright," says Chris with a grin, "now that we've established that you're completely, irrevocably in love, how about a leg press challenge?"

I burst out laughing, grateful for the return to normalcy. "I'm in. Get ready to lose, cowboy."

Chapter 48

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