Page 16 of The Grumpy Vet
I flick the kettle on and skim my fingers over my tea collection. Think I'll go with lemon and ginger this morning. "Who are you guys talking about?"
"Ryde and Dario," Wilby replies, and despite having my back to him and not being able to see the smile on his face, I can hear it in his voice.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, but I try my best to keep my cool. Can't give these guys any more ammo. They've only just started laying off the teasing about Ryde having a crush on me. Now it seems they've moved on to the next thing.
The water boils, and I pour it into my mug. "You guys don't have anything better to do than gossip?"
"It's not gossip. It's work related," Wilby insists. "Besides, I haven't been here in a while. I need to know what I've missed."
Fitz starts telling him about his latest viral TikTok video. I tune out when I hear him say, "And then Muir tore off my shirt and soaped me up…" and they thankfully leave me alone to enjoy my tea and not think about Ryde and Dario fucking.
Funny thing starts happening, though. The more I trynotto think about just that, the more I do. And the more I imagine them and their naked, sweaty bodies thrusting and rocking andconnecting in all sorts of positions, the harder my cock gets in my pants.
Dario texted yesterday, asking if he and Ryde could come over to my place and do a workout tomorrow morning. I said it was fine and reminded him he didn't need to text me every time he wanted to train. He replied saying it felt like they were trespassing if he didn't.
I've got two appointments tomorrow morning. But Wilby's around. Wasn't expecting him until the end of the week, but he had a change of plans so he's here early. Since we're technically up a staff member, I move my two appointments over to him and Muir then adjust my start time back until after lunch.
"Shit, Linus!" Ryde practically jumps out of his skin as I duck under the roller door and enter the gym. "You scared me."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to."
Dario stops mid bicep curl and drops the dumbbell to the floor. "What are you doing here?"
"Yeah. Aren't you meant to be working?" Ryde asks. "Not that I've memorised your schedule, or anything," he quickly adds, staring at the floor.
"Am I the boss, or are you guys the boss?"
My joke stops them both in their tracks, probably because it's the first one I've made in a long while. Suddenly, my idea to join them and train while they're here seems like a spectacularly bad one. I start backing away. "I decided to take the morning off. Thought I might join you guys for a workout. I shouldn't have assumed it's okay for me to just barge in on you. Sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."
Dario gets up and steps closer to me. "You're not intruding. This is your gym. You're more than welcome to join us." His eyes find Ryde. "In fact, we'd love the company, right?"
"Oh…oh…Yes. Yes, you should definitely join us.And…"
Ryde falters, so Dario finishes for him. "And let Ryde be your personal trainer as well."
Ryde's eyes bulge for a brief moment, but after exchanging another look with his bestie, he starts nodding. "Yes. Exactly. That's what I meant to say. I can train you as well. Two stones and one bird, right?"
I chuckle even though he got the phrase the wrong way around. I'm not about to point that out. He seems a little flustered, which only makes him even more adorable than he usually is.
I could actually do with some coaching. I haven't been spending as much time here as I normally do, so my body is feeling a bit sluggish. I fling my towel onto the bench and approach the guys. "All right." I place my hands on my hips. "Take a good look at me, and tell me where we should start."
"Take aproperlook," Dario says to Ryde, his voice low. "It'sveryimportant you take your time. Make a full and proper assessment."
Ryde nods and gives me a very thorough once-over with his round blue eyes.
"Well? What's the verdict?" I say after a few moments spent standing there like a statue under his glare.
"You look amazing." He catches himself then clears his throat. "I mean treadmill. Let's get you on the treadmill for ten minutes. Dario will continue with weights, and then I'll swap you guys around."
"Sounds like a plan," I say, making my way over to the treadmill.
"I should warn you, Linus," Dario says with a knowing smile as I walk past them. "Ryde is one hell of a taskmaster. Prepare for your body to cry."
"I am not," Ryde says, pouting his full lips. "And just for that, I'm increasing your weights."
"See?" Dario winks at me as Ryde grabs a heavier dumbbell. "He's tough and a meanie. I'm actually really glad you're here. You'll help absorb some of the brutal punishments he dishes out."
"My, my, my. Ryde, I've never seen this side of you before. Didn't know you had it in you."
