“That was good,” Kyle sighed, leaning back on the couch. Satisfied and a little sleepy, he closed his eyes.

“Very good,” Adam agreed. “Kate’s going to kill me, though. I promised I’d behave myself.”

“Very sorry for leading you to sin.” Cracking an eye open, Kyle glanced over at his friend. “I’m sure she’ll forgive you.”

“I don’t know. That was a lot.”

Just suck each other’s dicks already, Ryka interjected, forcing Kyle to quickly put down the beer he had been about to drink. Somehow, he managed to keep all his admonishments in his head, where they were still plenty loud and direct enough to reach their target.

“I really should stop making a habit of this.” As he spoke, Adam patted his stomach. “It’s starting to take its toll.”

Before them, the meager remains of dinner sat on the coffee table: a few pizza crusts, the stripped remnants of chicken wings, one lonely jalapeno popper, and a six-pack’s worth of empty beer bottles.

He’s still plenty fuckable if that’s what he’s worried about.

Kyle wasn’t going to repeat that, so ignored Ryka’s comment. “You’re not fat,” Kyle reassured him. “And it’s only once in a while.”

“Thanks, but I’m worried I’m getting there. We don’t do this often, no, but Kate bakes way too much, and I’m the official taste tester. I should probably, I don’t know, exercise or something.”

I can help him burn off some calories.

Sighing again, this time in frustration, Kyle shook his head. “I wish he had a mute button.”

I do, but you’re going to have to find it. That alone wouldn’t have been enough to make Kyle blush, but the mental image accompanying Ryka’s words – which gave a suggestion as to how Kyle might try to find the location – surely did.

“He’s on a roll tonight, is he?”

“You could say that.”

Adam laughed. “Well, speaking of, I should probably roll myself to the exit and go bloat on my own couch.” It was apparent he had spent far too much time with Kyle; he was starting to recognize the particular shade and pattern of blushing that meant Ryka was flirting – and doing it well - and Adam needed to make himself scarce or witness the results.

Before he could in good conscience leave, Adam helped clean up the mess he had assisted in creating. While they worked, he started planning his atonement. “Have you ever been to the gym in town?”

“Years ago. I liked it. Are you going to check it out?”

“I probably should.” It wasn’t a very exciting prospect, but it would make him, and probably Kate, feel better about his gluttony.

“If you need moral support, I could tag along.”

Eyebrows raised, Adam watched as Kyle stretched to put away a stack of paper plates. His fitted t-shirt very clearly showed how little he needed to work out. “And what would you need to do at the gym?”

“Well, I could always waste some time on the treadmill. I like to run. Unless you need someone to spot you. I wouldn’t be able to stop a barbell from crushing you, but I know who would.” If dragging seven men one-handed across a football field hadn’t been a problem, Kyle imagined curling a barbell probably wouldn’t be, either.

“If you’re that bored tomorrow, maybe I’ll take you up on that. Because as much as Kate will want me to go, she definitely won’t want to go with me. She has her own studio or whatever she takes classes at.”

“I’ll be here. Give me a call.” With that, they finished cleaning, and Adam headed out. Kyle finished his beer, then stopped to stand in front of the mirror.

“You know Adam and I have no interest in sleeping with each other, right?”

I know. But you’re so fun to tease.

“Please don’t say anything like that to him, though.”

If I haven’t scared him away, the thought that you might want to screw him certainly won’t. Besides, he knows I can’t lie, so I’d just have to tell him you’re not interested.

“Still …” He’d had every intention of being stern – or at least pretending to be – but the gaze he directed at the glass was far more flirty than ferocious. But Ryka played along.

Am I in trouble?

“When are you ever really in trouble?” Already flushed, Kyle pulled off his shirt and stripped off his pants and underwear. “Besides, I’ve had too much to drink to be angry.”

Oh?

“Come on out.”

Ryka didn’t need any more of an invitation than that, and it was only seconds before he was the one standing in front of the mirror. “What now, Master?”

Get in the other room. I’m going to find the spot that makes you shut up.

***

Stifling a yawn, Kyle dropped into the passenger seat of Adam’s car. Since Kyle’s house was on the way to the gym, Adam had offered to pick him up as thanks for tagging along.

“Long night?” Adam asked, realizing he’d probably regret doing so.

But Kyle just shrugged. “Not really.” In fact, he’d gone to sleep at a reasonable time, all things considered. His quest hadn’t been a complete success – he’d found far more places that made Ryka the exact opposite of quiet. “I’ve spent the whole morning sitting, so I think it’s just laziness.”

“Good thing we’re going to the gym, then.”

Good thing, indeed, Kyle thought. It felt nice to get out of the house and do something. Since he had been to this gym before, albeit several years ago now, he was allowed to bypass the tour Adam was subjected to. Glad for small favors, he set himself up on a treadmill. As before, it was effortless to run, and once he made note of where Adam ended up, he allowed himself to zone out.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

With everyone around him focused on their own tasks, and Ryka quite relaxed as a result, it was easy enough to completely lose track of time. Though he wished Ryka had been paying a bit more attention.

“Training for a marathon?” A familiar male voice pulled Kyle from his reverie. By some miracle, he managed not to stop in his tracks and get thrown from the treadmill. Instead, he slowed it to a walk before looking to see who had spoken.

“Gino. Hey.” Instantly, Ryka was on high alert. Even though not that long ago Ryka had told Kyle he should have let the personal trainer make a move on him. Kyle wondered if he was regretting those words now.

“It’s been a while. Since you canceled your membership, in fact.” There was no malice in the other man’s words, and he accompanied them with a handsome smile. He really was quite attractive, with olive skin and a perpetually flirty grin. “I’d say it looks like you’ve been cheating on us, in fact.”

“Uh, just working out at home,” Kyle told him.

Is that what you call it? Ryka interjected, thoroughly enjoying his host’s discomfort.

“I see. And doing a damn good job of it. You’re not even winded, and you’ve been going for –” Gino peered at the screen “- almost an hour. Damn. Sure showed us,” he teased, still looking suitably impressed. “So what brings you back?”

This was easy enough. “My co-worker,” Kyle replied, motioning toward the general area where he’d last seen Adam. “His girlfriend really wanted him to work out, but really didn’t want to join him, so I volunteered.” Why was he making it so clear he wasn’t with Adam? Was he … flirting?

“Co-worker? Still at the high school?” Obviously interested in another potential client, Gino scoured the room for an unfamiliar face.

“Indeed.” It was impressive how much Gino remembered. Kyle had worked with him for a few months, and had apparently forgotten how much time they’d spent chatting while he worked. Maybe he really had been as interested as Ryka suspected. Maybe he’d been a little interested, too. “He’s from the English department. The dirty blond in the red shirt, because I can see you looking.”

“Ah, there he is. He doesn’t seem to be endangering himself.” Neither did Gino, which was pleasantly surprising. Ryka was still paying very close attention, but didn’t seem at all upset. Not even by the mess of emotions Kyle was trying to sort through. “By the way, I like the no-glasses look. And the hair.” This as he turned up the wattage on that smile.

“Oh, um, thanks.”

“Mm hmm. So, will we be seeing you back here on the regular again?”

“To be honest, probably not. I don’t find myself with a lot of free time. Between school and –” Kyle barely stopped himself from saying Ryka’s name. Gino was far too easy to open up to.

“‘And’ what? Or is it who?” he asked with a knowing smirk.

Ryka’s attention was like a spotlight, and it had just swung back around to him, leaving him frozen in its glare. “Who,” Kyle managed weakly.

“That’s all I get? I thought we were friends, Kyle. Spill it.”

Do as the man says, stud.

No pressure, Kyle thought. “Ry.” This was meant to be not only an answer, but a plea for mercy. For both himself and Gino. “He works nights,” Kyle quickly added.

Gino looked delighted to have received this information. “Tough schedule. No wonder you haven’t been around.” There was a pause, and he leaned on the treadmill, whispering “Any pictures?”

Kyle shook his head. “He absolutely refuses to have his picture taken.” It wasn’t a lie, so the words came easily.

On the hunt for more details, Gino opened his mouth, but was cut off by someone shouting his name. “Gino! What are you doing?”

Abashed, Gino shrugged and stepped back from the treadmill just as another man appeared. Tall and dark skinned with a buzz cut, he stepped up behind Gino and crossed his arms. Gino offered the newcomer his most charming smile. “I’m catching up with a friend. Gabe, this is Kyle, one of my former clients. Kyle, this is my Gabe.”

Gabe gave a polite nod, which Kyle returned. “Nice to meet you. But Gino, if you don’t get your ass in gear, we’re going to miss our reservation.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll be right out.” Satisfied with that answer, Gabe made for the exit, and Gino returned his attention to Kyle. “It was very nice to see you again. I’ll keep my fingers crossed you find time to come around again, maybe with the man?”

Kyle nearly laughed. He was never without his other half. “I’ll see what I can do. Enjoy your date.”

“Thanks.” With that, Gino started walking away, leaving Kyle to revel in the feeling of having had a normal conversation with another human being. There had been only minimal awkwardness, and no threats of death from Ryka. Smiling to himself, he increased his pace. He was so caught up in reliving his brief moment of regular humanity that he failed to notice Gino reappear.

Gino cleared his throat, and once again Kyle nearly came to a dead stop on the treadmill. “Forget something?” Kyle asked, once he had slowed back down.

“I just had a thought.”

“Oh?” Kyle already had a sinking feeling in his stomach.

“Maybe if you two can find the time, a double date with me and Gabe?”

“Well, I-” Kyle started, a convenient lie ready to go. It was a nice offer, but impossible. But Gino had more to add.

“And I’m not sure how things are with you two, but if you’re open to more than dinner, we can accommodate that, too.” There was absolutely no mistaking what Gino was offering, and Kyle felt his eyes go wide and blood rush first to, then quickly back from, his face. That was all the answer Gino needed.

Looking honestly apologetic, he held up his hands. “Just throwing it out there. Dinner alone would be wonderful, so no pressure at all. You know how to reach me. I’ll just leave you to your run.” This time, he didn’t come back, and Kyle was now just glad Ryka hadn’t had anything to say to Gino. Which didn’t mean he had nothing to say.

Wouldn’t they be surprised? I don’t know, Master, it could be fun. You’re not not interested, right? So, he had been picking up on all of Kyle’s confused feelings.

“Ryka …”

You’re so nervous. I can’t help but make it worse.

Maybe because he now looked so distraught, he could feel he had the attention of the people around him, so stopped himself from replying. Instead, he turned off the treadmill and wandered over to Adam. His friend was drenched in sweat, currently toiling away doing leg presses, but stopped when Kyle approached. “Was that someone you know?” Adam asked, nodding toward the exit.

“He was my trainer when I used to come here. And he just asked if me and Ryka would like to join him and his boyfriend for dinner. And a foursome.”

Glad he hadn’t taken a sip of water yet, Adam stared unblinking at Kyle. “Um, wow. That’s … some offer. I did see him leave in one piece, though.”

“Ryka’s quite amused. By my discomfort, that is.”

“Ah. Well, I’m about to collapse anyhow, so ….”

“Take your time. I’m going outside for a smoke. It should be safe by now.”

It was, to his great relief. A few people who had seen him running gave him surprised looks when they saw him puffing away on a cigarette outside the gym, but quickly looked away when he met their gazes. He had developed quite the intimidating glare himself.

Why are you so pissy?

“I just wanted to have a normal interaction with someone. Is that too much to ask?”

For you, yes. I’m not sure why this one was so surprising. He wanted to fuck you before I came along, and you’ve only gotten more attractive since then. This answer didn’t seem to appease Kyle, who lit up a second cigarette. Or are you upset I wasn’t more jealous? Don’t worry, if he’d pushed it just a little more, there would have been blood, and lots of it. When this didn’t improve Kyle’s mood, Ryka kept digging. Oh, I see.

“What?”

It’s not that he was into you. You’re unhappy I wasn’t jealous that you were attracted to him.

Kyle dropped his gaze to the pavement, as if that would somehow protect him from the demon’s scrutiny. All it did was confirm how right Ryka had been. Big boy’s on his way, so we’ll be home soon. I can give you a much better workout than anything here, and remind you just who you belong to. And you can remind me who I belong to. Better?

Although it almost pained him to admit that was just what’d wanted to hear, there was no lying to Ryka. Not when his heart had started skipping beats. “You’re sure this isn’t Stockholm Syndrome?” Kyle muttered, trying to distract both of them from his feelings.

There was a brief moment while Ryka picked Kyle’s brain for the meaning, but then the demon laughed. Who do you think is the real prisoner here? I’m stuck with you. Parasite, remember?

“I suppose you’re right.”

Obviously. Now, I think it’s my turn to see how loud I can make you yell my name.