Page 70 of Going Overboard

‘What?’ he says with a theatrical gasp.

‘I’m just as shocked as you are,’ I say, hopping off the machine, my legs a little wobbly.

He’s sitting at one of the weight machines – the one where you pull a bar down behind your head (no idea what it’s called, this is my first workout, after all) and it’s captivating, the way his muscles ripple through his arms and across his back. I feel like I can see each one individually – it’s almost like his muscles have muscles.

He catches me staring at him and smiles.

‘I want to try that thing,’ I say, trying to make out like I was admiring the machine, not the muscular man sitting at it.

‘Really?’ he replies. ‘Because I kind of miss watching you pretend to stretch.’

‘Really,’ I reply. ‘In fact, I want to try to lift the weight you’re lifting.’

‘I don’t think that’s a good idea,’ he tells me.

‘Why not?’

‘Because it probably weighs as much as you,’ he replies.

‘Okay, wow, are you saying I’m too heavy?’ I tease. ‘Way to mansplain.’

‘My looking out for you is not mansplaining,’ he insists.

‘Woooow, and now you’re mansplaining mansplaining to me,’ I clap back, trying not to smile. ‘It just gets worse.’

Brody laughs.

‘Okay then, princess, be my guest,’ he says, making way for me to probably embarrass myself.

I straddle the seat and take the bar in my hands. It doesn’t budge an inch.

‘Okay, unlock it or whatever,’ I tell him. ‘I’m ready to try.’

I notice him purse his lips, trying to stifle a chuckle.

‘What?’ I ask.

‘It doesn’t need unlocking,’ he tells me. ‘It’s ready when you are.’

‘Honestly?’ I check.

He nods.

‘Oh, okay, then yeah, you’re right, this isn’t a good idea,’ I admit. ‘And you must be freakishly strong.’

‘I try,’ he says through a grin. ‘We’ll start you small, build you up if you want. You could be Al-sized before you know it.’

‘Oh, no, thank you,’ I reply. ‘I can’t be trusted to wield that level of strength. I have too many old scores to settle.’

Brody chuckles.

‘You laugh, but I’m in awe of you, having the physical ability to throw Todd overboard, but resisting the urge to do it. That’s impressive,’ I tell him.

‘Well, maybe if you get jacked, it will be a deterrent for the next guy who thinks about messing with you. Do you think anyone messes with Al in the first place?’ he points out. ‘We all know he’s a big friendly giant, but everyone else thinks he’s terrifying.’

‘That’s a great point,’ I reply. ‘Would I scare you?’

‘You already scare me,’ he tells me. ‘Because I’ve seen your psychological and emotional warfare strategies.’

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