Remy and I liked to hit the gym mid-morning when most of the people in the compound were leaving for their day shift or resting after breakfast from being on the night shift. Problem was, our group of guys figured out our schedule and liked to join us. We’d come to the conclusion that they enjoyed our company and couldn’t keep away. Truth be told, after all we’d been through, we were kind of attached. I felt more comfortable with them near me, and I think they felt the same.
So, I ran on the treadmill with Remy on the stair-climber beside me. After ten minutes of getting our heart rates up, we would drop to the floor for squats, lunges, sit-ups and pushups. But for now we watched as the guys worked. Tex spotted Devon at the weight bench. He could probably press mine and Remy’s weight combined. Tater, Josh, Mark, Matt, and Rylen were doing a race that I fully enjoyed watching: one hundred jumping jacks, twenty-five pushups, fifty squats, and fifty sit-ups.
Seeing as how we faced them, I could watch with no fear of repercussion. The guys were shirtless, except Matt, who was still self-conscious of his physique, though he looked fine to me. Rylen, Tater, and Josh all sported six packs these days, but poor Mark had a hard time putting weight onto his thin, tall frame.
I watched Rylen unabashedly, sweat running down my neck. I tried, and failed, not to look at his crotch during jumping jacks, but holy wow. I couldn’t peek at Remy because she always made me laugh. Let’s just say none of the guys packed jock straps for the trip. I watched as Rylen dropped into a perfect plank for his pushups, moving up and down as if he weighed nothing, and never losing form as his arms worked: forearms, biceps, and triceps on full display. Squats were especially fun—bulging thighs and muscular butts. By that point they were sweating nicely. And the grunts always sounded really dirty to me. I would never admit to a soul how much I enjoyed gym time.
“That was only forty-nine squats, Matt, you cheater!” Remy called.
“Aw, damn it!” He jumped back up from where he’d fallen on the mat, did one more squat with a grimace, and fell back down to do sit-ups. The other guys were trying not to laugh as they curled up and down as fast as they could.
Tater splayed outward with a groan a split second before Rylen with Josh close behind. Mark finished two seconds later, and Matt was a full ten seconds behind.
“Jacob wins!” Remy called.
I clapped, trying not to lose my concentration on the treadmill.
The guys stood, breathing hard and sweating. Rylen looked over, and I swear his eyes superglued themselves to my bouncing chest. Not as bouncy as Remy’s, but still. He didn’t stare very long, but it was long enough to make my nipples tighten and my core flush with heat. I swallowed hard and hit the Stop button. His smoky gaze flashed up to my face and he turned away, grabbing a towel and rubbing it roughly over his face and neck. I glanced at Remy to see if she’d noticed, but she was too busy watching Tater run a hand through his dark, damp waves.
My heart rate was way higher than it needed to be as Remy and I went to the other side of the mat and began our lunges.He’s a guy,I thought as my thigh muscles and calves burned.A lonely guy who glanced at your boobs. It could’ve been anyone’s boobs. It just happened to be yours.
Yeah, but Remy’s are more impressive, and he wasn’t looking at hers.
“What’s wrong?” Remy asked through panting breaths.
Oh, shit, she’d moved on to squats and I was just standing there.
“Nothing.” I joined her in squatting, holding my hands out.
I nearly fell on my ass when the gym door burst open. Top let out a huge sigh as he took us in.
“There you all are.”
Every one of us jumped to attention, alert.
“What’s up, Top?” Tex asked.
“The two men you told us about—J.D. Frazer and Lieutenant Wilcott?”
My heart leapt in my chest and we all moved forward.
“They’re here?” Devon asked.
“Yes. Can I get one of you to verify their identity?”
“I’ll go,” Rylen said.
“Me too,” said Devon.
Screw that. We were all going.
Our entire sweaty crew ran down the halls and tunnel, bursting into the common room and to the entry hall. When we found Sean and J.D. in the meeting room, it was like a family reunion. Hugs and laughter, like we’d known each other forever, not just a few days.
“Guess that’s an affirmative,” Top said. “I’ll give you all some time.” He closed the door behind himself.
Seeing the tired, shrunken, shivering bodies of Sean and J.D. made me recall the day we’d arrived. J.D. wrapped his arms around himself and peered around.
“What made you come?” Rylen asked. “Did something happen?”
