Zane’s eyes find mine.
“That’s fucked up,” Ben says.
“They liked feeding the rumor that Rina and I were an item,” Zane replies. “And the rags ate that shit right up. So, as the years went on, Rina and I tried to keep our friendship on the down low so we could have some sort of normal relationship.”
“The rumors came and went over the years, and people speculated if we were together.” I shrug and sip my wine. “We haven’t been photographed together in ages. Aside from selfies that we keep for ourselves, anyway. When I decided to leave the business because I was sick and hungry all the time, my parents were pissed. I was pulling the plug on their cushy way of life. In other words, they’d have to get real jobs. I barely speak to them now.”
“I’m sorry,” Ben says. “That’s pretty shitty.”
“My parents divorced when I was young, mostly because they couldn’t agree on how to spend the money I made, and they fought like cats and dogs. They each remarried, several times,” Zane says, “and had more kids. And I got lost somewhere in the shuffle. Not that I’m super bummed, given they’re both assholes.”
“And now you have each other.” Ben smiles.
“Yeah, he’s stuck with me,” I reply and grin at my best friend. “What about you, Ben? Are you close to your family?”
“My parents died a few years ago, and I was an only child, so I don’t have a lot of family. Nic’s pretty much it.”
“So, we’re the three misfits,” I say.
“Speak for yourself,” Zane argues. “I’m no misfit.”* * * *“Why did you wear a necklace to the gym?” Zane asks me the next morning. We’re at Sound Fitness, working on weights, and I’m toying with the sweetheart necklace Ben gave me this morning. It came in a Tiffany blue box, which pretty much made my year.
“Because it was a gift, and I want to wear it.”
Zane shakes his head and laughs at me before reclining on the bench press. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ben walking away, heading toward the front desk.
He said yesterday that he closes the gym down by noon on Christmas day, staying open just long enough for the diehards to get a workout in first thing in the morning.
I glance behind me, but when Ben turns to say something to Lisa at the desk, I realize it’s not Ben at all.
Some of the trainers are in, working with a few clients, but just as I suspected on Christmas morning, it’s quiet here, which puts Zane at ease.
The poor man is always accosted by someone wanting a photo.
“Look,” someone says, pointing outside.
“Snow,” someone else says.
“Well, that’ll shut the city down for a week,” Lisa grumbles.
“Aww, isn’t that sweet?” I turn to Zane. “You get a white Christmas.”
“Adorable,” he agrees. Zane always tries to seem cocky, so tough, but that’s just his defense mechanism. I know he makes it sound as if he’s better off without his parents, but he carries a lot of hurt from that whole situation. “I’ll be able to use the awesome scarf you got me.”
“Absolutely.”
Once we’ve finished our workout, I go on the hunt for Ben. He’s been roaming around, checking in on people and then hiding away in his office again. I know he’s giving me space to spend time with Zane, and I appreciate it, but I only have a little time left in Seattle, and I want to spend time with Ben, as well.
“Knock-knock.” I lean on the doorframe to his office. “We’re done.”
“I’m about finished, too,” he says. “The others can handle things here until noon, and then they’ll all go home. I’d like to take you somewhere, just the two of us.”
“I’m game for that.”
Ben drove here early this morning, and I rode in with Zane an hour ago or so. I find my friend and let him know that I’ll see him a little later.
“I’m gonna go nap.” Zane yawns. “And then eat leftovers.”
“Save some for me.” I wave him off and turn to find a woman scowling at me. I don’t intend to engage with her, but before I can turn away, she props her hands on her hips and starts spewing words at me.
“You should be ashamed of yourself. You’re leading two men on at the same time.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I turn to walk away, and she keeps talking. Loudly.
“It’s not fair to treat Ben like that. He’s a nice guy. You’re nothing but a stupid bitch, treating people like that.”
I turn and raise a brow at Lisa, who immediately jumps into action, but Ben’s already there.
“We don’t allow that kind of behavior in my gym. You can go. And don’t come back.”
She gasps and clutches her chest. “I’m just defending you.”