Page 136 of Finding Us
“I just need to do three sets.” He lies down on the bench and positions his hands on the barbell. “Ready?”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
I spot him, then wait for him to rest between each set. As he does, he tells me more about the football team and a little about himself. He’s from LA and his parents are attorneys who handle high-profile celebrity cases. His parents always have the press following them around and Kyle hates it. He came to Camsburg to get away from the media circus that constantly surrounds his parents.
“You want to do some sets?” He wipes the bench down with a towel.
I haven’t bench-pressed since last April but I’m here to work out so I might as well. “Yeah, I guess I could.”
“You want me to change the weights?”
“No, what you’ve got on there is fine.” I wrap my hands around the bar and lift it off the stand. The weight feels heavy. I used to bench 200 all the time but it’s been a while and my muscles need time to adjust. My body feels strong and I know I’m in good shape from all the surfing I did last summer, but that uses different muscles than what I’m using now.
I do 10 reps and feel okay. I rest for a minute, then start another set and on the fifth rep my form gets off and I feel a sharp twinge in my shoulder. “Shit!”
Kyle catches the bar before I drop it. “You okay?”
I sit up and circle my shoulder, the pain now a dull ache. “Yeah. I think I’m done.”
“Okay, well, I need to head out. Thanks for your help.”
“No problem.”
He starts to leave, then turns around. “I’m having a party tonight if you want to come meet some people. It’s mostly guys from the team.” He smiles. “And there’ll be plenty of girls. This time of year it’s mostly townies. Most of the Camsburg girls aren’t on campus yet. But the townies can show you a good time.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so.” I grab a towel from the stack next to the weights.
“You got a girlfriend?”
“Actually, I’m married.”
He laughs. “You’re shittin’ me, right?”
“No. I’m married.”
“How the hell old are you? I thought you said you’re a sophomore.”
“I’m 20.”
He’s staring at me like I’m the first alien to land on Earth. I hadn’t considered that people might react this way to my being married. Sean and Harper didn’t make a big deal out of it but I realize now that strangers might find it odd.
“You’re seriously married? And you’re only 20?” He nods, knowingly. “I get it. You knocked her up. So you did the right thing. That’s good, man. I don’t think I could do that.”
“I didn’t knock her up.” I don’t elaborate, but I shouldn’t have to. He shouldn’t make assumptions like that. A guy can get married without getting a girl pregnant.
My shoulder hurts now and this guy’s starting to annoy me. I’ve lost all interest in working out.
“I need to go.” It comes out sounding like I’m angry.
Kyle steps closer. “Sorry, man. I didn’t mean to be rude or anything. I was just a little shocked by the whole marriage thing. Forget it. I’m sorry. Whatever works, right? Is she in school here?”
“Yeah, she’s also a sophomore.”
“So bring her to the party tonight.”
“I don’t think we can make it, but thanks for asking.”
“Let me give you my number in case you change your mind.”
