Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

Ellis

I took the steps up to Zach's front door for movie night two at a time, aware I was nearly twenty minutes late. Between work, classes, and late nights studying, I'd never been busier.

But it was a good kind of busy.

Thanks to Jordan's help, I was hitting my stride with law school. The classes were far from easy, but it turned out, I liked a challenge.

The same principles of physical training applied. I had to put in the time, the reps, and build consistent habits. My brain was just another muscle, and the more I worked it, the easier it got to meet my professors' standards.

Still, I was looking forward to a night to decompress with friends in front of the TV. I could use a reprieve from Vic's snark, Clayton's indifference, and my gym clients' needs.

Zach's younger brother, Eric, opened the door when I knocked. Beside him, Chase's floppy-eared dog barked a greeting.

"Well, hello to you too!" I crouched down to receive doggie kisses. "You're just the best boy, aren't you? Yes, you are! I should take you to school in my bookbag, shouldn't I? If only you were a little bit smaller."

Eric snorted. "He's too hyper to stay in a bag. I'm gonna throw the ball for him in the backyard."

"Probably a better plan," I agreed.

Laughter billowed out from the living room, and I recognized Jordan's voice among it. I hadn't seen him in a few days, our schedules too mismatched, and I hurried inside, eager to lay eyes on him.

And the rest of my friends too, of course.

"Hey, sorry I'm late!"

"Hey, El," Becca greeted from her spot on the far end of the sofa next to Zach and his fiancé, Tristan.

Austin and Chase sat on the loveseat, bickering over who needed to make the next grocery run. I wasn't worried, though. Snark seemed to be their love language.

Jordan sat in the lone armchair, as usual.

"We haven't gotten started yet, anyway," Zach said. "Sky was having some technical difficulties with the video stream."

Zach spun the laptop, and Skylar and his boyfriend, Brooks, waved from the screen. "Hey, Ellis!"

I'd initially met Sky through video at movie night, but last summer, we'd all gone to check out the resort Skylar had opened in the Ozarks.

"Hey, you two. I hope the off-season is treating you well."

"It's nice to get a break," Brooks said. "We still have a lot of locals, but I don't have to be so nice to them."

Skylar laughed. "He likes to pretend he's not the nicest guy ever."

Brooks rolled his eyes, but I knew what Skylar meant. Brooks went out of his way to be a good host. But more importantly, he made sure Sky had everything he could want. After Skylar's terrible ex, Brooks was exactly what he needed.

It shouldn't make my heart so heavy, but it did. Zach and Tristan, Austin and Chase, and Skylar and Brooks had everything I'd thought I was building with Clayton.

"You okay?" Jordan asked as I dropped onto the footstool, the wind suddenly leaving my sails. I might be nailing law school, but I hadn't figured out how to get Clayton to see I could fit into his world.

"Yeah." I forced a smile. "Just distracted. I have a test coming up in Green's class."

"Green is a piece of cake," Jordan said. "You've got this."

"Thanks to your help," I said. "I got an invite to a study group, and I know I should take it, but I like working with you."

"Ah, well… Whatever works for you, El."

"I just wish I had a way to thank you." I bounced on the ottoman as an idea came to me. "Oh, I know! I should give you free sessions at the gym."

"Uh, that's okay. I'm happy to help."

"But I want to thank you properly!"

"I could think of some ways you could thank him—" Austin started.

Chase clapped a hand over his mouth. "Jordan likes snacks."

I frowned. "Jordie can get his own snacks. I want something only I can give him. The way only he can be such a great tutor for me."

Austin must have bitten Chase because he yanked his hand away with a yelp. "Brat."

Austin smirked. "You like it."

Chase looked as if he really did.

"I think it's a great idea, El," Becca said.

Of all the friends Jordan had introduced me to, I'd clicked with Becca the most. She always had something positive to say, which reminded me of my former bestie, Ritchie. I needed to call him and catch up, but he was super busy with his new job and friends. I'd been watching his Insta posts, and the man was having the time of his life.

That made me happy for him, even if I was a little sad for me.

Clay had dumped me around the time my closest friends graduated and moved on. Even with my gym clients, I'd been lonely until Jordan brought me into his friend group.

I really owed him so much.

"I remember when Jordan told me I needed to get out more," Zach said, a sly look on his face. "Maybe it's time for Jordan to step out of his comfort zone."

"This isn't the same," Jordan protested.

"Isn't it?" Zach said, more challenge in his voice.

Jordan huffed. "Can we just pick the movie? Whose turn is it?"

"Mine!" Sky trilled from the laptop video stream.

"Horror." Jordan's voice went flat. "Great."

I laughed and squished my way into the chair with him, sitting half on top of him. "Oh, don't worry, Jordie! I'll keep you safe."

I threw my thigh over his lap, crossed my arm over his chest, and lay my head on his shoulder.

Jordan groaned theatrically. "You're gonna squash me!"

"Are you suggesting Ellis has even a single ounce of fat on that toned body?" Austin asked. "Because the way it looks from here?—"

"Watch it," Chase said. "I'm the jealous type."

"He's a personal trainer," Austin said defensively.

"And you've got no idea how heavy all his muscle is," Jordan wheezed.

"But I'm protecting you from the boogeyman!"

Everyone cracked up, even Sky and Brooks, as Jordan wriggled beneath me like a grounded fish.

"I don't think a serial killer could get to you even if they wanted," Sky said with a laugh. "You can finally sit through one of my movie picks."

"Ugh," Jordan said. "What'll it take to get you off of me?"

"Promise to come to the gym for a consult?"

"Fine," he grumbled. "But I don't think it counts as a ‘thank you' if you force it on me."

I disentangled myself from him and returned to the footstool. Jordan snatched the pillow that had fallen to the floor and hugged it to him, as if he'd been traumatized.

"You don't really have to go if you don't want to," I said. "I'd just really like to give back in some way."

He looked torn. "It really means that much to you?"

"You've helped me so much, Jordie. I just want to repay you for all the time and effort you've put in."

"How can you say no to that face?" Chase asked. "He's got Benny outdone for puppy dog eyes."

Austin snickered. "He so does."

Jordan heaved a sigh. "All right, I'll go."

I clapped my hands. "Yay!"

"But just a consult," he said quickly. "I'm not promising to actually exercise."

I blinked at him. "But exercise will give you an endorphin rush. It's better than sex."

Jordan's face went pink and he averted his gaze.

But it was Austin who spoke. "Not sure you've really had good sex if you think that."

I shot him a look. "I've had good sex."

"Are you sure?" Chase asked, raising an eyebrow. "For once, I agree with Cookie."

Austin rolled his eyes at the nickname that had arisen from his fondness for "bisexual" Oreos with blue-and-pink cream.

"I have to agree," Becca said, sounding apologetic.

"Me too," Sky called. "And I say this as someone who has had bad sex. You don't always know it until you experience something better."

One by one, my friends all nodded their agreement. Except for Jordan. He was too busy frowning down at his lap.

"I'm the personal trainer here," I said, though uncertainty washed through me. "I doubt any of you have given exercise enough of a chance to realize its benefits."

"Maybe," Tristan said, though he sounded dubious. Like he was just throwing me a bone.

I didn't want to continue to argue the point, and the more insistent I was, the more they'd question my experience with Clayton.

Though, maybe I should be questioning it, too…

I'd thought the sex with Clay was good. Decent, at least. Maybe there weren't fireworks, but there were a few sparks. Clay had been a bit of a pillow princess and he also hadn't enjoyed much foreplay, but that didn't mean he wasn't the right match for me.

"Uh, just for the record," Brooks said. "I wasn't the bad sex Skylar had."

The tension broke, and everyone laughed.

"I think I want to watch Candyman ," Skylar said.

The laugher shifted to a collective groan.

I leaned back against Jordan's legs, smiling as Zach flipped through the menu and started the movie.

Jordan leaned forward and spoke into my ear. "Don't worry about them. They're all in perfect relationships. Of course they think sex is the best thing ever."

"Yeah," I said weakly.

But if my relationship with Clayton had been just as great, why hadn't I ever felt that way?