Page 22 of Love at First Rep

Rafe scanned the lounge with perceptive eyes, catching everything. Like Garrett, he probably clocked every exit, every blind spot, everything. You could take the guy out of the Navy, but he would always carry those instincts.

When they walked into the gym area, Garrett smiled at the new addition Tobias had hung from the ceiling, a large Pride flag above the computer area.

Garrett didn’t have Tobias’ coming out on his bingo card for the year, but he couldn’t be prouder.

The man himself stood at the computer like usual, setting up the sound system for the day’s workout, Chase by his side.

A few guys stretched against the far wall, but Garrett directed Rafe over to Tobias and Chase first.

“Hey, Tobias, Chase,” Garrett called out, and they turned, Tobias raising his eyebrows at Rafe. “I brought a walk-in for today, if that’s okay.”

Rafe approached Tobias and extended his hand, giving him a firm handshake, then did the same with Chase.

“Hi, I’m Rafe, and I’d like to join your gym.”

He what?

“You what?”

Rafe turned to Garrett, his confusion clear.

“I want to join the gym?” Rafe said, though it sounded like a question.

“You do?” Garrett asked. He was under the impression Rafe would leave once they found the mole in the police department. He didn’t think Rafe planned on staying. It was dangerous for Garrett to get his hopes up. “I mean, I didn’t know you planned on sticking around.”

A wide grin appeared on Rafe’s face and he stepped toward Garrett, throwing an arm around his shoulders.

“I’m not going anywhere, Garrett. I’m here to stay.”

A twinkle in Rafe’s eyes gave away the unspoken end to his sentence: with you.

A million desperate thoughts raced through Garrett’s head, but one drowned out the others.

Stay with me.

“Glad to have you,” Tobias said gruffly. “Garrett can show you around, and I can set you up with a membership after class.”

Chase sighed. “That’s how you welcome new members? You need me more than I thought.”

Tobias blushed. He blushed.

That was a new trick, probably thanks to Chase.

“I need you more than anything,” Tobias said so quietly Garrett could barely hear him.

Chase visibly swooned and wrapped his arm around Tobias’ waist.

Chase turned to Rafe. “It’s great to have you here. If you have any questions about anything, let me know.”

“Sounds good, thanks,” Rafe said, and Garrett steered him toward where the others stretched in preparation for that day’s leg workout. Leg day was his favorite. Actually, it was everyone’s favorite, because their leg workouts usually benefited the glutes too.

They walked to the stretching area where Hunter, Carson and Cole were using the foam rollers on their hamstrings and quads.

“Hey, guys, this is my friend Rafe,” Garrett said as he grabbed two foam rollers from one of the shelves, passing one over to Rafe. He introduced the guys as they stood to welcome Rafe to the gym. “This is Hunter, Cole and Carson.”

“Nice to meet you guys,” Rafe said as he shook their hands one at a time.

“Hey, man,” Hunter said. “Any friend of Garrett’s is a friend of ours.”