Page 54 of Not That Ridiculous

“What time does the gym open?” I asked, trailing after Jasper as he led the way to the mats. If I came closer to opening time, it would be less crowded.

“On a Saturday? Six. During the week, five.”

“In themorning?”

“Yeah.”

“What kind of psychopath gets out of bed and rushes to the gym atfive in the morning?”

Jasper pointed at himself.

“Well, obviously you. I already know you’re not normal.”

He nudged me. “Thanks.”

“Welcome. Seriously, though? Five in the morning?”

“Charlie, you’re at the coffee shop at five sometimes. I’ve driven past and seen the lights on.”

“Because I have to be, not because I want to be. I can’t think of a damn thing I’d willingly get up for at five in the morning.”

“Really? Nothing? Not one thing?”

“Nope,” I said confidently.

“Not even a blow job?”

I nearly tripped. “No!”

“Huh,” Jasper said. “It’s my favourite way to start the day.”

“I’m sure it is,” I said crisply. “Not mine.”

He was quiet for a moment. “Have you…?” He trailed off delicately.

I knew what he was about to ask. And I absolutely refused to tell him. Whether or not I’d experienced a blow job at any time of the day really wasn’t anyone’s business but mine.

We’d made it to the mats by then, and the expression on my face must have made this clear, because Jasper shrugged and said, “Never mind. Let’s get started with your stretches.” He dropped to the mat and patted it encouragingly.

I sighed and got on the floor with ever so slightly less grace and enthusiasm.

He took me through the same routine as last time, keeping up his usual bright chatter. The uneasy, defensive mood that had gripped me at the sight of Kevin back to being the Kevin I was familiar with rather than my own personal—if baffling—Kevin faded into the background.

We stretched, we did a little cardio, and we eventually ended up by the weights area, arriving there as a small group was moving off.

Of course, it was the group Kevin was in.

“Hi, Charlie,” he said with his usual sweet smile as we passed each other.

“Hi,” I said with my usual scowl.

And that was it.

Very different from last week’sooh feel my biceps, let me check out your arse, touch my stomachextravaganza.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Under Jasper’s guidance, I worked my way through the same routine. Curls, deadlifts, rows, twists.

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