As they left the gym, they overheard someone calling from the hallway.
"Hey, man! I just gotta say—you look like you should be competing."
Greg and Kim turned to see a athletic couple approaching them. The guy walking closer to them looked like bear- 6'6", bearded, broad-shouldered, thick muscled gut, and clearly a gym regular, while his girlfriend—fit and toned—stood beside him, nodding in agreement.
Greg grinned, running a hand through his damp hair. "Oh yeah? Powerlifting or bodybuilding?" he asked, clearly entertained.
The guy chuckled. "Definitely powerlifting. You’ve got that brute strength look. Thick, solid, like you could outlift most guys without breaking a sweat. The name's Jake and here's my girlfriend Myra." Myra waved at the pair.
Kim shifted uncomfortably, glancing between Greg and the couple. The way they were looking at him—like she was some kind of physical specimen—made her stomach twist. That was suppose to be me she couldn't help but think.
Greg flexed her bicep playfully, and the Jake let out an appreciative whistle. "Damn, those arms are insane. I’d kill for that kind of definition," he said.
Greg gave a deep laughed, clearly eating up the attention. "Well, it’s all about consistency. Heavy lifts, high protein, and—" She threw an arm around Kim's shoulders, pulling her in. "—having a supportive wife to keep me on track."
Kim’s face burned. Wife. He said it so naturally. And the way the other couple ate it up, nodding and smiling, made it all the more surreal.
"You’re lucky woman," Myra said to Kim. "Most guys would kill to have a partner that strong. And confident."
Kim forced a smile. "Y-Yeah. Lucky."
Greg squeezed her shoulder, his grip firm, grounding. "You are lucky," he murmured in her ear, low enough that only she could hear. Kim shivered. Once again, Greg was dominating the conversation, the attention, everything. And she was just… there.
The guy clapped Greg on the back. "Seriously, man, if you ever think about competing, let me know. I’ve got connections. You’d crush it."
Greg grinned. "I’ll think about it."
Kim, meanwhile, just stood there, feeling smaller than ever.
As the conversation continued, Kim found himself drifting into small talk with Myra while Greg and Jake started swapping lifting tips. Kim couldn't help but wonder how Greg knew all the right things to say. He use to only do yoga and some light jogging but not he was fitting in as if he has lifted his whole life.
"Jeez, men." Myra rolled her eyes. "So, do you lift too, or do you just let him handle all the heavy stuff?" Myra teased, smirking at Kim.
Kim chuckled, pulling her pony tail back and rubbing the back of her neck. "I, uh, I try to keep up. But Greg's on another level. She pushes me harder than I’d push myself."
Myra nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I get it. Jake’s the same way. Always trying to get me to hit new PRs. It’s hot, though, right? Seeing your partner get stronger? Plus look at their body." Myra bit her lower lip.
Kim hesitated. She wasn’t sure if hot was the right word for how she felt about Greg’s strength. Overwhelming? Intimidating? But she forced a smile. "Yeah… I guess."
Myra tilted her head, studying her. "You two have a really interesting vibe. You seem… close. Comfortable."
Kim wasn’t sure what she meant by interesting, but she nodded anyway. "Yeah, we’ve been together a long time."
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Ever, you know… shared that closeness?"
Kim blinked. "Shared?"
Myra’s lips curled into a knowing smile. "Jake and I have played around before. With other couples. Sometimes it’s just fun to… mix things up. You and Greg seem like you might be open to that kind of thing."
Kim's stomach flipped. He glanced over at Greg, who was laughing at something Jake had said, completely at ease. The two beasts just kicking it as if they have known each other for years. The idea of sharing him—of watching someone else touch him, take control—made her throat dry. But at the same time… the thought of Myra, toned and confident, pressed against her—it sent a different kind of shiver through her.
"I, uh…" she swallowed hard. "I don’t know if we’ve ever really talked about that."
Myra’s smile didn’t fade. "No pressure. But if you’re curious…" She let the offer hang between them, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
Kim’s heart pounded. He wasn’t sure if this was a nightmare or the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her. Of course second to the magician.