“Earth to Eric. You there?”
He blinked, his eyes focusing back on his colleague across the table. “Oh, wow I’m so sorry.” His cheeks flushed.
Rebecca’s eyebrows were raised in amusement. She had obviously stopped talking in the middle of something, entertained about his clear lack of attention.
He realized he had no idea what they were talking about. His mouse hovered over the spreadsheet, and it appeared he had been reviewing the same row several times — all because of Kyle’s touch lingering in his head.
He worked in a large news organisation, as a supervisor for a local team. His people depended on him to be aware of everything, so they could each dive deep into one specific issue. Eric was, usually, able to read into situations and act before they got out of control. He was used to things making sense.
And the fact that he couldn’t make sense of what happened in the shower annoyed him to no end. What was Kyle up to? kept creeping from the edge of his mind, demanding attention.
Since the rather unexpected workout session on Monday morning, Eric had been completely unfocused. Now it was late Tuesday, and not hearing from Kyle had his nerves fraying. He’d entered his info into Kyle’s phone, and all he could do was to wait. They’d agreed to meet tomorrow, so he’d find out soon enough.
Still, he had to temper his expectations. Kyle might never message. He might’ve forgotten Eric entirely.
With effort, Eric forced his attention back to the meeting and the blinking spreadsheet. “Yeah, I guess I am a bit distracted. So… you were saying?”
“Yes, about the schedule, you’re one person short. That week and the next,” Rebecca motioned to the big screen mirroring his laptop, the smile clinging to her lips.
“Right. I’ll have to ask Sandra to fill in, then,” Eric hurried to change the subject. They continued the meeting about scheduling and personnel without any more interruption from his wandering mind.
He was adding an alarming amount of tasks on a to-do list that was getting longer by the hour, with how shockingly inefficient he’d been the past two days. Daydreaming about hairy pecs and dark blue eyes had turned his brain into mush.
The rest of the day went by in a flash, with how busy he pushed himself to be, trying to forget about his annoyingly quiet phone. He hadn’t even noticed the light outside change to orange as the sun set, when Rebecca popped her head in his office, her coat on.
“Hey, wanna grab a drink?” she offered. “It’s Tequila Tuesday at Vinny’s, a few of us are meeting there to try a few of their fancy new cocktails.”
Rebecca had almost been his friend in his previous life. She had started at the company a little bit over two years ago, and they had bonded over their identical taste in books, movies and television. But then, his life took a turn and his divorce caused him to disappear inside himself, getting lost in his work, stopping any hangouts with people from the office.
His social life took a beating. Rebecca had said she understood, and had tried cheering him up, without much success. At some point, though, she seemed to have given up and had stopped reaching out as often. Not that he blamed her.
“Ah damn, sorry, I can’t.” Eric hesitated, fully aware that it sounded like another one of his lame excuses. “I… have to get up early tomorrow. I actually joined a gym, and someone’s helping me get started,” he shared.
“Oh that’s great!” she replied with genuine enthusiasm. “The first few weeks are always the hardest, but it’s great that you’re getting help. Well, good luck! See you tomorrow.” She waved and left with a group of her colleagues.
Eric watched them leave with a sigh, and pulled back his focus to his computer.
*****
Just as he sent his last email for the day, Eric’s phone buzzed. His heart leaped. An unknown number flashed on the screen. It had to be him.
“Hey bud! This is Kyle, from the gym on Monday. Still up for working out together tomorrow morning? How about 8 ish?”
“Hey! I wasn’t sure you’d remember me! 8 AM totally works.” Eric’s fingers fumbled on the screen, trying to contain the excitement.
“Come on! How could I forget!? Alright, see you tomorrow. Can’t wait to get started with you!”
Eric had to rewrite his reply a few times, censoring the Are you sure? he was dying to ask, trying for a casual tone instead. He settled on a simple “See you tomorrow!”
Eric fidgeted the whole way back home, and he zoned out while blending his dinner, turning his green smoothie into a warm soup.
Later that night, he laid awake, staring at the ceiling. His stomach fluttered in anticipation. “Just a few more hours,” he thought.
He would’ve never believed that he would be this excited to go back to the gym after just one time. Tomorrow, he would see the dark haired hunk again, and the sheer exhilaration was scaring him. He understood that a guy like Kyle couldn’t be into a guy like him.
“He’s just a straight guy being nice”, Eric told himself. “Whatever happened in the shower didn’t mean anything.”
Still, Eric couldn’t shake the images rushing through his mind: Kyle’s sculpted abs, tousled hair, the way he laughed so easily. The heat inside him was building, buzzing under his skin.
Almost without thinking, his hand drifted to his boxer briefs, gently rubbing the length of his growing cock. It was like his body knew there was only one way he’d find sleep tonight.
He pushed his underwear down and wrapped his hand around his shaft, stroking slowly at first, sliding the foreskin over the thick head. A soft moan escaped him as he recalled Kyle’s scent — cedarwood cologne and clean, earthy sweat.
His imagination took over. Kyle was now stepping into his shower stall, steam rising around them. Those strong, calloused hands were on him — tender, hungry. They explored every inch, with no hesitation, no judgment. Just water, heat, and open mouths finding each other.
Eric stroked faster, eyes shut tight. He pictured Kyle’s kind, deep-blue eyes, his grin, his well-distributed body hair, the power in those thick arms. Every image blurred into the next — too much to focus on, too much to want.
His breath came faster. His free hand gripped the sheets. And then — that memory. Kyle’s hand on his. That squeeze. That moment of release, of shared breath, of something unspoken but impossibly real.
It overwhelmed him. Eric came with a low, needy grunt, thick ribbons of cum striping his chest and belly. He gasped, clutching the sheets like a lifeline, drenched in sweat and fantasy.
For a long time, he just lay there, panting.
“I’m in trouble,” he whispered to the ceiling. “Why the hell did I agree to this?”
*****
“Hey, bud!” Kyle called from his bench, lowering the dumbbell he’d been lifting. His face split into a wide grin as Eric approached. “Good to see you.”
“Hey!” Eric took a breath to ground himself. This guy was helping him — he couldn’t mess it up by letting his own feelings get in the way.
“Started without me? You’ve gotta give me a chance to catch up first!” he joked.
Kyle smirked, his eyes sparkling like royal jewels. He was already slick with sweat, strands of dark hair sticking to his neck, skin glistening. His grey tank top displayed his bulging arms, veins visible in those massive biceps.
Eric gulped and forced his eyes up — Kyle’s face felt safer. He noticed the thicker stubble today, giving him a short beard that perfectly framed his bright smile.
Kyle stood and wiped his forehead with a towel. His hair somehow came out even messier — yet effortlessly stylish. Damn, Eric thought. The guy was hot because he wasn’t even trying.
“I got in earlier so I could focus on you while you’re here,” Kyle said.
Eric’s stomach dropped. “Oh. I didn’t mean to screw up your whole schedule.”
He suddenly felt like a burden. He hadn’t realized that saying yes to Kyle meant interrupting his real workout… like some weak, annoying sidekick.
“Nothing like that,” Kyle said, shaking his head. “You’re actually doing me a favor. I’ve been thinking about becoming a personal trainer, but I’ve never taught anyone before. So really, you’re helping me.”
Eric blinked, caught off guard by how generous that sounded. Why was Kyle like this? Always kind, always cool, always... so stupidly attractive.
“Oh…” The word caught in his throat. For a second, he almost said why are you being so nice to me?, or worse, you actually like spending time with me?
But instead, he smiled and forced a joke. “Well, in that case, I accept. Do your worst!”
Kyle chuckled. “Alright then. First things first — any injuries or issues I should know about?”
“None that I can think of. Just... let’s maybe start slow?”
“Absolutely. I was thinking free weights today, and we’ll finish with some light cardio. Sound good?”
“I mean, you’re the expert,” Eric said, sneaking a glance at those biceps, trying not to blush.
They walked to the dumbbell rack. Eric felt like he was trespassing into guarded territory, the wild habitat of the North American muscle bro. At any moment, one might return to reclaim it. But being with Kyle gave him a kind of permission.
Under Kyle’s guidance, Eric picked a lighter set and followed instructions for various exercises: curls, lunges, squats, rows — each one targeting a specific muscle group. He pushed himself harder than he thought he could, trying to meet whatever invisible standard a man like Kyle must have.
Kyle never stopped watching him. Never in a judgmental way, but rather attentive. He corrected Eric’s form, adjusted his stance, and showed him how to bend without straining his back.
And every time Kyle touched him, Eric’s mind spun. He tried to focus on the motion, on his breath, on the burn in his muscles… and not on the hair dusting Kyle’s forearm, not on the scent of cologne and skin, not on the jolt of every gentle touch.
But each time Kyle reached out, Eric failed.
Kyle also insisted they take breaks between sets, saying rest was just as important, especially in the beginning. Eric was impressed by how patient the hunk was with a clear newbie.
While Eric sat on the bench, sweaty and out of breath, sipping from his water bottle, Kyle settled beside him and glanced over with an easy grin.
“Alright, be honest. How close were you to faking a bathroom break and sneaking out?”
Eric gave a shy smile. “Right around the second set of lunges.” He meant it as a joke, but realized it was almost true.
Kyle chuckled. “You’d have made it to the door, but those squeaky shoes would've blown your cover.”
Eric laughed, quietly but genuinely. It surprised him how good it felt. God, it had been a while since he laughed like that with someone.
Kyle made it all look so easy. Not just the workouts, but the talking, the being here, present. Like he belonged. Eric always felt like he was sneaking into a space not made for him, hoping no one would notice.
And yet, Kyle had noticed. And he was still talking to him. At first, Eric thought it was pity. But now… it felt like Kyle actually wanted to be here.
“Don’t worry,” Kyle said, taking a long sip of water. “First few times are always rough. After that, it gets... well, not better, but slightly less terrible, maybe?”
“I’ll take it,” Eric said, smiling.
Kyle nodded, face growing more thoughtful. “If I may… what made you sign up? Not many people walk into a gym like this on a random Monday morning.” He paused, wavering. “Not unless they’re either running from something or chasing something.”
Eric hesitated, fingers fidgeting around his water bottle. How much should he reveal? He almost went with the safe, generic answer — Oh, my health — but Kyle was looking at him like he actually cared. Not in a heavy, prying way. Just open, curious and kind.
“I just got tired of feeling stuck,” Eric said softly.
There. He’d said it. Out loud. To another human being. And to his surprise, it didn’t shatter the moment. Kyle didn’t back away. For the first time that day, instead of stealing a glance, Eric let himself really look at him. And Kyle was still looking back, his expression empathetic. Steady.
“Yeah,” Kyle said. “That’s a great reason.”
They shared a smile. Kyle’s deep blue eyes held something — like they were waiting, searching — but Eric couldn’t quite read it. He looked away first, not ready to risk whatever might be in that gaze.
They sat in silence. And strangely, it wasn’t awkward. Eric found it easy to be around Kyle when he stopped overthinking everything. The guy chuckled easily at his little quips, met him halfway in conversation, never made him feel out of place.
And he was so damn considerate. Observant. Encouraging. Kyle didn’t feel like a guy learning how to be a trainer — he already was one, in all the ways that mattered.
Still, a small voice in Eric’s mind kept asking why Kyle was being so nice to him. What did he see in Eric that made him want to stay?
Whatever the reason, one thing was clear: working out with Kyle wasn’t going to be the impossible challenge Eric had imagined. Not anymore.
*****
His train of thought was cut short when Kyle’s friends approached — three men, massive, musclebound, and confident. Eric tensed. There was no way to flee without looking like a total coward.
Kyle stood to greet them, exchanging the kind of half-hug straight guys always seemed to favor. “Hey guys. This is Eric, the one I was telling you about. I’m helping him get started on his journey.”
“Hello.” Eric gave a small, awkward wave.
“Eric, this is Mike, my best friend since high school.” Kyle gestured to the shortest of the three — a bald man with the build of a pro bodybuilder. Mike gave a curt nod, polite but impassive.
“And these are Leon and Armand. We met in college — they’re brothers”, Kyle continued, motioning to two towering blond men who looked like they’d been carved from Scandinavian stone. They were both tall and ripped, though leaner than Mike.
Leon, the younger-looking brother, offered a friendly half-smile and gave Eric a thumbs up. Armand, on the other hand, let his eyes wander up and down Eric’s body with poorly concealed disdain. Eric became painfully aware of how out of place he must look — like a flabby outsider in the court of exotic golden gods.
Before the spiral could fully take over, Kyle placed a firm hand on Eric’s shoulder and gave a light, reassuring squeeze.
“We were just about to finish up with some cardio”, Kyle said, ushering Eric away. “See you guys later!” he added over his shoulder as they walked off.
Eric followed him to the treadmills and selected the machine next to his.
“Don’t worry about them”, Kyle said as they started the machines. “They look intense, but they’re good guys once you get to know them.”
Eric gave a small nod, not quite convinced.
Kyle recommended a brisk walk on a steep incline — good for burning calories and building leg strength. Meanwhile, he himself eased into a light jog, his stride fluid and effortless.
They moved in silence. Within minutes, Eric was panting, legs aching, sweat clinging to his back. The treadmill’s timer seemed to mock him, inching forward slower than the seconds felt.
He stole the occasional glance at Kyle in the mirror. The hunk was jogging with ease, barely breaking a sweat, save for a few beads on his forehead. Eric couldn’t help but admire him. He looked like a fairytale prince — strong, handsome, warm, and real. Like someone written into a story with a happily ever after.
Then Kyle caught his gaze in the mirror.
Eric blinked and quickly looked away, cheeks already flushed from the exertion now burning even hotter. He needed to get his head straight. He didn’t know if Kyle even swung that way, and even if he did, Eric knew the truth. He was in a whole other league.
Soon enough, he’d stopped paying attention to anything except the rhythm of his breath — and the man beside him, when he blinked at his phone. 8:41 AM.
Damn. They’d talked more than he’d realized, and now he was cutting it close.
“Oh wow, I gotta move.” He stepped off the treadmill, still catching his breath. “I have ten minutes to shower or I’ll smell like a gym sock the rest of the day.”
Kyle stepped off too. “Ah, the glamorous rush to work.”
“Yeah.” Eric grabbed his towel. “I work in a newsroom. So… yeah. Timeliness is non-negotiable.”
Kyle raised an eyebrow. “Really? That’s cool.”
Eric shrugged, suddenly self-conscious. “Nothing like you see on TV. It’s a lot of grey cubicles and court transcripts. Not many dramatic outbursts or secret informants.”
Kyle grinned. “Still sounds intense.”
“It can be,” Eric admitted. “When something breaks, everyone gets tunnel vision. We sort of… thrive on pressure.”
Kyle leaned casually against the treadmill arm, watching him. “So you’re saying you’re stealthy and intense. Sounds like solid gym survival traits.”
Eric chuckled and reached for his water bottle. “Thanks… for today. I probably would’ve tapped out after twenty minutes if you hadn’t been here.”
Kyle’s expression softened. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
They locked eyes for just a second too long. Eric’s heart beat loud in his chest. He almost said something — almost — but couldn’t bring himself to ruin the moment.
“You coming back Friday?” Kyle asked, like it wasn’t a big deal.
Eric nodded. “Yeah. I mean… unless I wake up with lunge-induced paralysis.”
“If you ghost me, I’ll know,” Kyle said with a smirk. “I’ll hunt you down and make you do situps in your cubicle.”
Eric laughed, blushing. “That’s... mildly threatening.”
Kyle winked. “I aim for just enough fear to motivate.”
Eric turned to go, heart pounding, Kyle’s voice still echoing in his head. He didn’t dare look back — but he was smiling all the way to the locker room.
*****
Eric made his way to his locker, unzipping his gym bag with the kind of rushed energy that came from knowing he had exactly twelve minutes before he needed to be out the door.
On his way to the showers, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror above the sinks. His damp shirt was clinging to a round stomach, his cheeks still flushed. His brain offered the usual commentary before he could stop it: “Look at you. Trying to be a gym guy.”
As he isolated himself in a stall, he tried to brush the thoughts away, focusing on peeling off his clothes. But the echo of Kyle’s voice lingered in his head.
It was silly. It was probably just how Kyle talked to everyone. Friendly, flirty, easy. But still... it had felt different. Like Eric wasn’t just some awkward guy trying to lose a few pounds. Kyle had looked at him like he was interesting. Like he mattered.
Eric stuffed his workout clothes into the bag and hurried into the shower, rinsing off and soaping up his body with record speed. The water was, as expected, quite cold.
“You’re imagining it”, he told himself as he scrubbed. ”He’s probably like that with everyone.” But then he remembered how Kyle had paused. How his expression had softened just before they said goodbye. I’m glad you didn’t. Was it something Kyle would have said to anyone?
Eric stepped out of the shower, moving quickly. He dried up and dressed, stepping out of the stall to look in the mirror, making sure he was decent enough for the office. He looked the same as he always did: a well dressed but still irrelevant man. Unless... Upon closer inspection, he noticed an easy flush in his cheeks, and eyes that looked alive for the first time in years. All because of Kyle.
As he was zipping his jacket, the hunk stepped in the locker room. Still in his gym clothes, a towel slung over one shoulder, his hair messy and stylish. His eyes found Eric immediately.
“You’re fast,” Kyle grinned. “I didn’t even have time to entice you with a second round.”
Eric eyebrows shot up, surprised Kyle would even allude to their previous locker room experience. He wasn’t sure what to say next, aware that the wrong words could break this weightless thing between them.
So he opted for the truth. “I didn’t want to push my luck.” His eyes shifted to the floor.
Kyle’s grin faded into something softer, more serious. “You’re not. Pushing your luck, I mean.”
For a second, the locker room felt frozen in time, as if the music and the sound of weights clanking had become distant. Eric met his eyes. Kyle didn’t look away.
“I’ll see you Friday,” Eric said, voice steadier this time.
Kyle gave a small nod. “Looking forward to it.”
And that was it. No dramatic exit. No touching. Just a look, charged and lingering, as Eric turned and walked out, the air behind him humming with everything they hadn’t said.
(To be continued)
