Page 58 of Not That Ridiculous

Kevin quickly stepped back, bent his knees, slid his hands under my arms, and lifted me straight up.

“Thanks,” I said. He could have just stepped back. He didn’t have to lift me.

“Thanks, Kev,” Jasper said cheerfully. “Seeing as you’re here, do you want to…“

His words fuzzed out into white noise. Kevin was still holding me, his hands high on my ribs and under my arms. He was staring at me.

“Uh,” I said, and squirmed.

He tightened his grip.

Kevin’s cheeks were ruddy and his eyes were sharply focused on mine. To my horror I felt my eyelids quiver as the urge to look away rushed up out of nowhere.

Or not nowhere.

The corner of his stern mouth twitched. I couldnotget over stern Kevin. I couldnot.He knew exactly what he was doing to me. He probably knew better than I did.

Jasper was still talking. I tuned in with extreme effort.

“…get behind him for me and?—”

“Nope,” I said, and tried to twist out of Kevin’s grip.

I wasnotgoing to let Kevin get behind me in the gym. I was on the fence about letting Kevin get behind me at all.

Okay, I wasn’t on the fence, I’d be thrilled about Kevin getting behind me, but in the same way as I’d be thrilled if someone presented me with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, a spoon, and fifteen to twenty minutes of personal time.

It sounded amazing, but it was a bad idea.

Kevin’s grip tightened to the point of being painful and I sucked in a gasp. He let me go at once.

He didn’t apologise.

“I can practice my squats at home, Jasper,” I said. “This was supposed to be the last exercise. I think it’s time for me to call it a day.”

“Oi, Kev!” Someone shouted from across the room. “Mate! Kevin! Mate!”

Kevin’s focus on me didn’t waver until I hinted, “I think someone’s trying to get your attention.”

“Right. I’ll see you later, Charlie,” Kevin said to me, and abruptly walked off.

“Bye, Kevin,” Jasper called after him.

Kevin’s shoulders under his dark red t-shirt tightened and he lifted a hand, but he didn’t turn or say anything.

For some inexplicable reason this seemed to please Jasper. “Someone’s in a mood,” he said as he racked the barbell.

“He did seem a bit off, didn’t he? I’m glad you said that. I thought it was just me.”

“It’s because of you.” Jasper strode off. I followed.

“I hardly think I can be held responsible for Kevin’s moods.”

“And yet. He didn’t like me getting all up in your back business.”

“Whaaaat?”

Jasper grinned down at me. “He didn’t like me standing behind you.”

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