LIFE’S A GRIND
Jack Scribe
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Chapter 2, JUST ANOTHER EVENING
There were just enough aches in
his abs and obliques to signal that Jeremy had pushed himself to a satisfying
completion in his workout. ‘Tomorrow will definitely be a legs day,’ he decided
as he saw some of the guys who only worked on their upper body – their legs
looked scrawny and unbalanced. There was just enough time to take a quick
shower, shave and dress for his job at the gym’s front desk. At this point
in his soon-to-be adult life, he got by with putting a razor to his sparse
beard only a couple of days a week…usually before work.
Several regulars nodded as he returned
his hand weights to the rack. A few made very brief comments. Stuff like “How
they hanging?”, “How’s school?”, “Your biceps are really pumped”, “Getting
any?” Jock throwaway lines. Jeremy had worked out a series of pat answers
that would satisfy the politeness police without any further dialogue. The
people he really joked around with were either friends from high school or
a select group of guys he had met at the gym and with whom he had developed
a good rapport.
These
were buddies who he had learned to trust. They would trade confidences and
share gossip while spotting for each other while lifting or working on the
arms in front of the mirrors. Most were single: students in high school or
college and men just starting out in their careers. Jeremy observed that the
married guys, especially the ones who had children, took a more serious, measured
approach to their life and tended to be more philosophical. In this group,
he looked to one or two as ‘older brothers’ to whom he could turn for advice
that only another man could provide.
“Hey, Jer, you wanna get together
with me and a few other guys for a movie an’ a pizza this Saturday?”
Without looking, Jeremy knew that
it was his childhood friend, Robert Stein. Only a few very old friends called
him ‘Jer’: he had made it known years ago that he preferred his full name.
The same with Robert…but he was still ‘Bobby’ to a few close friends, Jeremy
included. It was something from their past they reserved for each other. They
had dropped the Can and Shroom nicknames years ago. ‘Although the names still
apply…very well,’ Jeremy thought with a smile. ‘Even more so.’
“I should have enough time to get
my homework done and I’m not seeing anyone right now, so you’re on, my man.”
Jeremy turned to his school pal – tight since second grade – and added with
a smile, “What’s up with Rachael?” Robert’s girl, Rachael, was another friend
from grade school.
“She’s got some family stuff going
on. Her sisters are dragging her along to buy Christmas gifts for the folks.
An’ I don’t know if this thing is going to go on much further between the
two of us. I’m going to have a talk with her this week and figure out how
to cut loose. We’ve got some Christmas parties to go to an’ I don’t’ want
to leave her high and dry.”
“Bud, you’re almost as bad as me
on changing gals.” He squeezed Robert’s firm arm and thought, ‘Bobby is really
taking care of himself.’ The two friends were both serious about their workouts...had
been since their after school get-togethers had begun four years earlier.
Robert, who leveled off a couple of inches shorter than Jeremy, looked a little
older because of his dark hair. It had grown with more abundance…especially
on his well-defined chest and the accentuated trail from his stomach, downward.
And at this late afternoon hour, Robert had a ‘five o’clock shadow’ beard
that Jeremy judged a mature, sexy look.
“Thank God it’s time to move on
to college. We’ve run out of women in high school,” Robert replied with a
grin and wink. Both guys were planning on attending neighboring DePaul University
in the fall. Another thing the two had in common were credible SAT’s and grade
point averages in the top 5% of their class.
“But first let’s get through Christmas
break and the final semester.” Jeremy returned the grin and rolled his eyes.
“Gottcha. And first on the list
is the flick this weekend.”
“Since it’s just the guys, let’s
go see one of the films that Leo is in. Or, McConaughey.” Like most young
males, anything that featured Leonardo DiCaprio, Toby McGuire, Mark Wahlberg,
Matthew McConaughey or Matt Damon was ‘must see’ on the priority list when
it wasn’t a date night. Jeremy stopped at the entrance to the locker room
and said, “It’s only Tuesday, so let’s confirm at the end of the week. By
that time we’ll figure out where to meet, what to see and who’s going to come.
Bobby, I gotta change and get ready for my shift.”
“Cool. I’ll see you at school or
here.” Robert ‘high-five’d’ and went back into the gym.
Jeremy walked into the locker room
and stopped by his locker. Being a staff member, he was assigned a permanent
large locker and kept a supply of toiletries on hand. The space was just large
enough for a few extra uniform shirts, gym shorts, towels, a stash of Power
Bars and his health drink mix. He nodded to another guy next to him in the
U-shaped locker bay as he pulled off the sweat-soaked workout tee and used
it to wipe the beaded moisture from his forehead. He continued to his chest,
underarms and torso before tossing the shirt aside. ‘Definitely need to do
laundry tonight,’ he thought as he took off his trainers. He added the socks
to the pile before pulling down his gym shorts and briefs.
The reflection in the mirror pleased
him. He had a locker that was close to the walkway and the mirrored wall.
Jeremy briefly studied his trim, muscular form. Just enough definition in
the deltoids, triceps and pecs to accentuate his flat six-pack and narrow
waist. After the other guy left the area, Jeremy gently pulled his relaxed
penis away from the sweat lock of his scrotum slowly turned to inspect his
glutes. ‘Yep. Everything’s okay in that department.’ While he regretted that
family responsibilities precluded going out for school sports, he had more
than compensated with his daily workout regimen at Bally’s. He was pleased
with the results and was aware that not many of his schoolmates could match
his build.
After grabbing his shampoo and
shaving gear, Jeremy made sure the lock was in place and his sweaty clothes
were pushed under the bench. He stepped into his flip-flops, wrapped a towel
around his waist, went over to a sink, dropped off the gear and walked to
the shower room. Only a few guys were in the wet area as Jeremy nonchalantly
hung up the towel, found a showerhead that had adequate pressure, adjusted
the water and soaped up…everywhere. The images of Uncle Win surfaced as he
closed his eyes and he thought about their conversations concerning his post-pubescent
modesty. He smiled as he playfully stroked himself just a few times to clean
his dormant organ. ‘No show tonight,’ he decided. Occasionally, he would accidentally
get wood in the shower and need face the wall while ‘Jer, Junior’ settled
down. The infamous seven inches that
he had been concerned about in his earlier teen years had settled in to a
respectable eight and was reserved for only a few special people. At this
point, the list was null and void – he had just broken up with the latest
gal pal.
The warm water pelted his head
rinsing the shampoo off his scalp. Jeremy tentatively opened his eyes and
became aware that someone a couple of showerheads away was watching him. He
slowly turned to position the shower stream on his back and casually looked
to his left. A young man in his mid-20s was applying soap to his torso and
underarms – nothing suggestive – while he intensely watched Jeremy. The first
image that came into his mind was that of a guy in a CK briefs commercial…without
the briefs. When the mystery man nodded, Jeremy reacted with an immediate
shaking of his head that signaled a friendly ‘thanks but not interested’ rejection.
‘I’ve seen this guy before,’ he thought as he moved around so his backside
was the only view. ‘Maybe he’s a model who’s looking for some action on the
side?’ Even if he was remotely curious, Jeremy knew better than to encourage
any contact with a member of either sex in his place of employment.
He finished the shower, grabbed
his towel and discovered the guy had disappeared when he turned around. ‘Just
as well. The last thing I need is some sort of confrontation before my shift
begins.’ He looked at the wall clock and noted that he was due at the front
desk in 12 minutes. ‘Just enough time to get squared away,’ he thought. Squared
away included grooming, getting dressed in his uniform and mixing the energy
drink with tap water. The drink and two Power Bars was dinner. Jeremy purposely
had a big lunch at the school cafeteria each day to pound in ‘real’ protein
and vegetables. He dried off, wrapped the damp towel around himself again
and went out to the sink area.
Mystery man was not in any of the
visible locker bays when Jeremy scanned the locker room’s image in the mirror
while lathering his face. With a trusty Bic in his hand, Jeremy took care
of the spotty three-day growth with a minimal amount of effort. As he took
a final few strokes on his chin, another man arrived at the next sink. He
let his eyes move slightly to focus on his shaving neighbor. The two men made
contact with their eyes and Jeremy mumbled a “Hi.” Jeremy's attention immediately returned back to his
reflection as he rinsed the razor and splashed some water on his face. ‘Christ,’
he thought, ‘It’s Gay Gordie in the nude as usual. That’s all I need.’
The
late 40’s man, completely hair-free except for his eyebrows, routinely showed
off his steroid-enhanced body, cock ring and Prince Albert in the locker room.
He always hit on a new guy…at least once…while shaving. Most members were
used to Gay Gordie’s nude form at the sink and had given up complaining. Jeremy
was a little taken aback the first time he had seen the piercing a couple
of years ago but Uncle Win had patiently explained the Prince Albert ornament,
its history and the various reasons some men preferred it…information that
the young teen filed away for reference only. ‘Different strokes,’ Jeremy
thought as he gathered his gear and returned to the locker for the final ‘squaring
away’ process.
‘4:58 p.m. Another on-time performance,’
he proudly judged while signing in at the front desk. “Hey, dude, whazzup?”
Jeremy bumped knuckles with Pete – the receptionist with whom he worked most
evenings. During the crunch period, two staff were needed to check I.D.’s,
direct prospective clients to the membership consultants, handle personal
trainer appointments, man the phone and answer general questions from the
members.
“Snowed under with exams, thank
you.” Pete was a student at DePaul majoring in Computer Sciences. “Um, could
I ask you to do me a big favor and close for me tonight? I really need to
be with a study group if I’m going to ace the test.”
“Ah, I really don’t have a way
to get home that late.” Jeremy had hitched a ride earlier with a friend and
didn’t want to be wandering the Fullerton Street area going home at midnight.
“Trust me…a guy like you will have
no problem getting a ride,” Pete replied with a wicked grin.
“Looking for a pickup is the last
thing I need or want. Plus, I’m still under-age until next month.” Jeremy
liked Pete but thought his mind wandered into the gay gutter too much. His
co-worker was completely out and loved to harmlessly flirt when no one was
near the desk. Jeremy would usually play along verbally – up to a personal
boundary that Pete respected – and had developed a casual friendship with
the college sophomore.
“Just joking…not. Ah, what if I
gave you five bucks for a cab? That should be enough and you’ll get your studly
bod home without complications.”
“I think that’s the dealmaker,
buddy. Let me use your cell to call home and make sure everything’s okay.
If so, you’re on.”
“Here ya go,” Pete said while fishing
his cell out of his backpack. He gave it to Jeremy and continued, “I’ll hold
down the fort.”
Jeremy
took the cell, nodded and walked outside the gym and stood across from the
entrance. Bally’s was located on the top floor of the Century Mall – a vertical
shopping mall that years ago had been a humongous movie palace – and there
was always foot traffic coming and going. He wanted to blend in and not be
spotted by his supervisor making a call on company time. Naomi, his sister,
answered on the third ring and verified that everything was quiet. Jeremy
said he should be home by midnight and purposely mentioned that he would take
a cab. ‘No reason to worry Mom or Sis.’
“I’ll
trade you the cell for a five,” Jeremy said when he returned to the front
desk. “Mom’s fine and sis will be home for the evening.”
“Thanks.
I really mean it. The test coming up is ‘make it or break it’ time for my
scholarship.” A $5.00 bill and the cell phone traded hands and the two receptionists
proceeded to handle their duties as the early evening crowd began flowing
in.
This
was time for the ‘see and be seen’ exercise class and machine circuit workout
crowd to arrive. With Step aerobics, Spin, and yoga classes at 6:00 p.m. start
times, the desk was frantic. The women – several surgically enhanced – arrived
in full makeup, not a hair out of place, ready to change into a designer sport
bra and stretch shorts combo. Men were more realistic about dressing for their
gym appearance. Tightness of the tee or tank top depended on how fit and trim
the body was. In contrast, almost all guys wore baggy, knee-length shorts.
Universal amongst the ‘cool’ ones were low-cut, no-show socks with the newest
Nike or New Balance shoes.
The
younger personal trainers and their groupies privately amused Jeremy. The
two he was closest to were recent college graduates and ACE-certified. Although
they were serious about fitness training, Zach and Gio liked to play the role
of strutting, proud peacocks on the gym floor. They were very aware that their
well-honed physiques were walking advertisements for the training business.
Jeremy knew that several female clients had crushes on these two hunks and
was sure that a few of the men signed up because of the same attraction. For
the trainers, a good clientele base meant an average $25.00 per hour after
Bally’s got their cut.
Zach
had confidentially told Jeremy that he was just biding time until a position
became available at the prestigious East Bank Club. By the time he turned
26, Zach planned on making 45 grand a year as a trainer. His goal was to be
partner with Gio in an exclusive private workout facility by the time they
were 28. He also shared that Gio was his roommate and ‘very close friend.’
Nothing more had been said but Jeremy assumed that the two guys were in a
relationship. There was a certain intensity that Zach and Gio projected when
they were together. On a few occasions, a touch by one or the other would
linger just a longer than usual – something that Jeremy picked up on from
being with his uncles.
When
Zach and Gio didn’t have clients they would go through their personal fitness
routines, frequently with a few of the guys who liked to hang and work out
with the trainers. There was a close bond between all of these young men who
enjoyed the companionship of like-minded fitness devotees. The trainers would
share workout tips with their friends when they lifted weights or worked out
on the machines. On their own time, the two would wear their own gear rather
than the Bally’s generic personal trainer uniforms. Zach, with features that
favored his Nordic heritage, wore snug tank tops that were tailored with different
colored materials to accentuate his muscular deltoids, lats and tapered torso.
Gio preferred stretch sleeveless tees that clung to his lanky body like a
second skin in colors that accentuated his darker Italian complexion. Nothing
was left to the imagination above the waist…and that was their intention.
Tonight
was busy for the trainers and the two guys wore the official uniform: a Bally’s
polo shirt, workout pants and a jacket. Jeremy and Pete continued to handle
the front desk flawlessly. Several times Zach or Gio would come up to greet
someone with an appointment. By 8:15 p.m., Jeremy felt confident that he could
handle reception by himself and, after a short break, sent Pete off to his
study group. About the same time, Gio came to the desk in his street clothes
and coat.
“I’m
outta here. There’s no more clients and I need to go home.”
“Zach’s
not leaving?” Jeremy asked.
“He’s
got a last minute appointment that was booked on the floor. Chances are he
won’t be able to leave until 9:30 or so.
Take care, my man. See ya around.” Gio ‘high-five’d’ Jeremy and walked
to the door.
“Later.”
Jeremy watched Gio walk out to the mall area. Over at the railing by the atrium
was another young guy that Jeremy only knew as George; a preppy stockbroker-type
who came to the gym a couple of times a week. George smiled broadly when Gio
walked up to him. ‘Whoa, what’s that all about?’ Jeremy wondered when he saw
Gio grab and squeeze George’s denim-covered buns. The two guys laughed and
walked towards the elevator while they chatted. ‘Man, that’s a little advanced
for just a friendship.’
“Um,
earth to Jeremy.” A shorter guy in a Bally’s exercise outfit drummed his fingers
at the desk in a good-natured way.
“Oh,
sorry, Seth.” Jeremy was embarrassed that his supervisor had caught him not
being alert at the desk. The Gio and George thing really had gotten Jeremy
rattled. “I was just thinking about some family things I’ve got to do this
weekend.” He hoped that his nose was not growing with that fabrication.
“No
problem. Pete told me you were covering the closing. Do you have any problem
if I boogey around ten? It should be pretty quiet by then and you know the
closing drill.”
“Yeah,
that’s fine with me. I’ve got the security code and have all the lock-down
procedures memorized. You can trust me.”
“I
have absolutely no worry about that. Double-check each locker room to make
sure we don’t leave anyone here for an unauthorized late workout session,”
Seth said with a loud laugh.
“No
midnight nooky?”
“You
got the picture. I’ll see ya before I leave.” Seth walked back onto the workout
floor and greeted a few members along the way.
Jeremy
was helping a ‘walk-in’ prospective member fill out the profile application
when Zach, dressed in street clothes, strolled over to the opposite corner
of the front desk. ‘Wow, this doesn’t look like a happy camper,’ Jeremy judged
from his friend’s expression. He nodded to Zach and put up his finger to indicate
Zach should wait. A membership consultant arrived and steered the stranger
over to a bank of desks off the entry area.
“What’s
with the change in clothes? I thought you had another training appointment?”
“The
client had a last minute change of plans…his wife called him on his cell.
So, I’m going home.”
“Um,
maybe it’s not my business…ah, is everything okay? You seem a little agitated.”
There was no traffic at the desk and Jeremy decided to devote a little quality
time with his friend.
“Oops,
is it that obvious? It’s just, ah, that me and my par…ah, roommate are having
some piddle-ass conflicts about something. That’s all…I guess we’ll work things
out.” Zach slowly zipped up his coat and pulled out a cotton cap.
“Zach,
maybe I’m just a kid in your eyes but my uncle and his partner – they were
also roomies – hit a few rough patches and I understand what you’re going
through. Talk it out with Gio. My uncle always told me that keeping things
bottled up is a sure way to experience disaster.”
“Ha,
I guess that Gio and I haven’t kept our relationship very well hidden.”
“Naw,
not at all. There’s been no talk that I’m aware of. It’s just that I’m a guy
who lived around two, close gay men since I was a baby. You might say that
I know what to look for.” Jeremy stuck out his hand for Zach to grab it for
a shake. “I’m a straight guy…well, I think I am…but very gay friendly.”
“Your
uncles…wait, you said ‘lived’ in past tense. Are they…”
“Uncle
Karl passed a couple of years ago and my real uncle, Win, died last year.
They were neat and kinda the dads who helped me grow up. What about you two?
Gaydar’s one thing; picking up on a troubled guy is another.”
“We
met at school about four years ago at Penn State and both decided to get jobs
in Chicago when we graduated last year. We’re sharing a one-bedroom over in
Wrigleyville until, um, we can afford to buy something. The last couple of
months just haven’t been good between us…that’s all. I suspect that…well,
um, Gio is a horny guy and I think that he’s…ah…”
“Finding
a little extra on the side?” Jeremy asked.
“Ah,
he and I have a different view of what’s a relationship. He’s been fucking
around on the side since we were in school. Not often, but often enough to
piss me off. I give him the silent treatment and he gets the message.”
“Tell
me to screw off if ya wanna…but I hope you guys are, er, safe an’ everything?”
“I
don’t mind telling you that I’ve, um…I’m the one who, ah…you know…I always
use protection. I love the guy but I can’t handle this open relationship stuff
he seems to want.”
“Sounds
like talking time is definitely in order – if I can be so bold to toss that
out. Tell Gio what your expectations are as a couple and see if they match
up with his. I got a gut feeling that he doesn’t understand what the deal
is. He seems like one of the good guys and I’d hate to see something like
this mess up your friendship.”
“Buddy,
you’re definitely not a kid in my book. Thanks for the suggestion.” Zach pulled
on his cap and added, “I’m going home and try to get this worked out. But
if he doesn’t agree to being just with me, well…I might be single the next
time you see me.” He waved with his hand and left Bally’s.
“Uh,
oh,” Jeremy said to himself. Something, after putting the pieces together,
told him that Gio hadn’t gone straight home. ‘This timing might be lousy.’
For
the next two hours, the traffic was primarily flowing to the exit door as
the members left for the evening. Shortly before 11:00 p.m., the gym floor
was vacant and the staff had signed out. Jeremy flipped through the security
camera screens and determined that no one was left in the gym and pool spaces.
With an Allen wrench, he tripped the crash bars to the front doors so they
were locked to anyone on the outside. This would allow him to perform a final
walk-through in the lockers, toilets and showers…the only spaces that weren’t
covered by cameras. He grabbed a large, long flashlight and proceeded with
the final security check.
The
ladies area was quiet and fairly messy. ‘Women can really be pigs,’ he thought
while checking the toilet stalls. Sometime in the early hours of each morning
a maintenance crew cleaned the entire fitness center prior to the 7:00 a.m.
opening. Jeremy turned off the lights and left to do a final check of the
men’s area. However, as he walked into the men’s locker room, a noise in a
distant corner alerted him to proceed with caution. He quietly crept forward
and gripped the flashlight a little tighter.
“Yeah,
urmph…ah…give it to me.” came a male voice that announced that at least two
people were in the final bay of lockers.
“Fuck,
you’re tight,” said a second voice.
“Move
it in faster and…oh, man, that’s a big one.”
‘Oh,
crap. Why do these guys have to screw while I’m trying to get closed and go
home?’ Jeremy thought as he arrived at the location of the voices. He saw
two guys; one propped up on the bench lying on a towel with his legs spread,
and the other man plowing his cock into a willing butt hole. For a moment
he thought about the time he had walked into his uncles’ bedroom as the two
were screwing. These guys were probably in their 30’s and, Jeremy considered
with relief, rather slight in build and muscle. ‘Okay, here goes the spoiler.’
“Sorry
to break up your little party, boys, but I’m giving you one minute to get
your clothes on and get out of here. Now.” Jeremy stood with his legs apart,
tapping his flashlight on a locker, and glared at the two nude men.
The
aggressive man on top appeared startled as he exited the other man’s ass.
He spun around, stood up and clumsily tried to hide his wilting, slick erection
while the man on his back lost balance and fell to the tile floor. Jeremy
automatically mentally labeled them as ‘top guy’ and ‘bottom guy.’
“We
weren’t harming anybody,” top guy said with some defiance in his voice.
“Just
my job security and the license of this gym, asshole,” Jeremy barked back.
“Help your fuckmate up and leave immediately after you find your clothes.”
“But,
ah…”
“If
you’re not gone in one minute, I’ll suspend your memberships. I should do
that anyway but this is the Christmas season. After that I’ll call 9-1-1 and
get vice to handle this.” Jeremy stood there as the two men, without saying
another word, scrambled to their lockers and quickly put on their clothes.
Jeremy shook his head as he spotted a wedding ring on the ‘bottom’ man’s finger.
He wasn’t sure what the police could do but he wasn’t challenged.
“I’m
sorry about breaking the rules. We’ll be invisible in 30 seconds,” bottom
guy mumbled as he put on his shirt.
“Meet
you guys at the entrance in 20 seconds,” Jeremy replied as he walked away.
He still had to change into his clothes, after the lovebirds departed, and
finish the lock-down. ‘Jeez, these guys are too old to be doing it like rabbits,’
he thought from his teenage point of reference. ‘On the other hand, maybe
I’ll still be ready for it when I get to their age.’
He
waited at the entrance and saw the two men, slightly disheveled, walking rapidly
with coats and gym bags in hand. When they approached the desk, Jeremy said,
“I want you guys to stop for a second and look up at the corner of the room.
That’s right, you’re on candid camera…for the record. I’m not going to do
anything this time – just a word of warning. Don’t do anything like that at
this gym again, ever again.”
Top
guy had apparently thought things over and nodded in a contrite manner. “Man,
I’m sorry that this happened. You’re right; we shouldn’t have done this at
the gym. Thanks…I really appreciate it and apologize for being such an asshole.”
“Okay,
we’re cool. This is not the place for, um, you know.” Jeremy watched the men
push the crash bars to exit the gym and depart. He pulled at the door to make
sure it was secure before he returned to the locker room to change. ‘Crazy
shits,’ he thought as he took off his uniform shirt.
____________________
TO BE CONTINUED