Page 35 of The Grumpy Vet
I've seen wombats feasting on grass, leaving half-chewed plant bits around their burrows, and it's still not as gross as watching Wilby Linfox eating. It's just him and me in the staff lounge at the moment. Linus is in back-to-back consults, and Fitz and Muir are out for the day doing farm visits and shooting #couplegoals TikTok videos.
I pick a piece of crust off my sandwich. "Oh, you know, not much. Just work and hanging out with Dario."
He eyes me over the top of his meat pie. "Heard you guys are working out at Linus's gym."
"We are."
"How's that going?"
Why do I suddenly feel like I'm being interrogated? Oh, that's right. Because this is Wilby who loves to gossip almost as much as he loves Col and monthly karaoke at the pub.
I have to be careful. No one at the clinic has caught on to the fact that there's anything more going on than Dario and me working out in Linus's gym. We told them about the training sessions since Dario is losing weight, and we wanted to let them know before they inevitably asked what he was doing to get into shape. We didn't want it to come later and seem like we were hiding something because then that might arouse suspicion.
But that's all they know. And as far as they're aware, the training sessions might be taking place at Linus's gym, but he's not part of them.
I wipe a few stray crumbs off my shirt. "Yeah, great. Dario's super happy with the progress he's making. Turns out I could have a second career as a PT if I wanted."
"Uh-huh." Wilby finishes chewing then his customary cocky grin makes an appearance. "And Linus?"
I shift in my seat and school my features into my most neutral expression. "What about Linus?"
"How is he?"
"Fine."
"Anything to report on that front?"
"On what front?"
"The Linus front."
"Why would there be anything to report?"
Shiiit. I walked right into that one, didn't I?
Wilby licks the ketchup off his fingertips, taking all the time in the world, his cocky grin morphing into an even cockier smirk.Schlp, schlp, schlp.
My knee starts bouncing under the table, and I glance towards the doorway, silently praying for Linus to emerge and save me.
"I heard a rumour."
My stomach starts to churn, but I feign ignorance. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah." He locks his eyes on mine. "Is there any three-way action happening you want to fill me in on?"
What.
The.
Fuuuuuck?
Play it cool, Ryde. This could be a trap. Don't walk into it.
"What are you talking about?"
"Mate, come on. You don't have to hide it. It's pretty obvious what's going on." I must look confused, possibly constipated, because Wilby explains, "Dario isn't the only one you're training, is he? Linus is looking beefier than ever. Plus he's in the best mood I've seen him in for a long time. I caught him smiling not once, but twice today. That's unheard of." He produces one of Mrs. Mangle's delectable chocolate éclairs from a white paper bag and adds, with his mouth full, "Maybe the rumours are true. Maybe exercise is good for you."
I sag in relief. "Okay. Busted. Yes, I'm training Linus as well."
