I stretch my body out, my muscles feeling tense. It has been a few days since I have done a workout, and it’s not doing me any good. Picking up my phone, I see it’s still early, only just after five am. Maybe if I’m lucky I can use Forrest’s gym before he wakes and at least get a run in on his treadmill.

Hopping up out of bed, I open my door as quietly as possible to see his bedroom door is still closed.

Perfect.

Grabbing my workout gear, I go to the bathroom and get changed, grab my earphones and phone, and sneak down the hallway as softly as I can. Still half asleep, I fumble with the light switch, but when it turns on and I really take in his home gym, I begin to understand why he is in such good shape.

This room is like a professional gym. So many machines and things I have no idea how to use. I am a basic trainer. I walk, run, use the bike, and can use resistance machines. There are a few weights that I will use to do a couple of exercises, and I love a good yoga stretch session.

I shake my head because really, this is just like Forrest. Making sure he has every correct machine for whatever muscle group he is trying to work out that day. It’s just like his office really. Everything in excess, but not something I can dispute because I can understand the need for it.

Thankfully, the treadmill is fairly standard, so I work out how to start it and begin walking to warm up.

Scrolling on my phone, I pick out one of my favorite podcasts to start the day. It’s lighthearted and doesn’t involve much deep concentration. Three female friends who just talk about random topics with their callers. Funny things that have happened in their workplace, bad dates they have been on, the worst pick-up line on a dating app, which I may have sent in some of the classics from over the years to them. But the main reason I listen is because they make me laugh, and it’s a good way to start the day.

Especially after last night.

I think I feel heavy this morning after lying in bed last night, resigning myself to the fact that Forrest is off the table as far as a hook-up. For many reasons, but the main one is that I don’t want to hurt him.