Chapter 2
The young men slept in on Sunday morning. Keith might have gone to church, but he didn't know what Trevor's religious leanings were and he didn't want to look like he was trying to proselytize. He thought Trevor had enough turmoil in his life without laying any sort of guilt-trip on him.
Keith slipped into lounging pants and a T-shirt. He might have foregone the top, but he wasn't ready to have his pudgy torso exposed more than necessary. Love-handles don't exactly whet one's appetite for breakfast!
He started the coffee pot and set out things he thought would be appropriate for a low-carb breakfast.
Trevor soon joined him. He was attired in microfiber sleep shorts and was bare-chested. His tousled hair made him look particularly cute. It was going to be a tough assignment for Keith to be around this hunk without making a fool of himself!
"I thought we could have scrambled eggs, half a piece of naan bread toasted with a tablespoon of peanut butter on it and one strip of crisp bacon each without overdoing the carbs and fats," Keith suggested.
"You're spot on! Have you been reading up on healthy diets?"
"Yup, a little. I got on the `net last week to see what I should do. I've also got some high-protein powder to make a shake if you like."
"If you keep this up, you won't need me."
"Yeah, I will. I'll need the moral support.
After breakfast, they each showered – Keith in the bathroom attached to the master bedroom, and Trevor in the one between the other two bedrooms. When they were dressed, they went grocery shopping for the week.
Trevor chose good lean cuts of meat, including a lot of poultry and some pork. He mixed in a little beef to keep them from getting tired of chicken and turkey. He also stocked up on vegetables and fruits. In some cases, he chose frozen or canned over fresh because of what was or wasn't in season.
He avoided pastas and things with lots of starch or empty calories. Keith was certain they'd be eating well when they were home alone.
"I've lost 10 pounds already and I'm feeling more energetic. What are we going to do about surviving the holiday season?" Keith asked.
"Speaking of that, I don't think it would be fair for me to crash your family dinner. They might feel obligated to buy me something and that would be awkward. I'll be fine here at home," Trevor insisted.
"Nope, you're coming with me."
"But I don't have a gift for them."
"You don't need one! I'll buy a bigger wine basket than usual and give it to them from both of us. In my family, we haven't exchanged anything more than token gifts in years. Often, we donate to charity in each other's names instead."
"Okay, I'll go halves on the basket. You have to let me make my own way."
"If that's how you feel, I won't argue with you. I want you to relax and have a good time. Mom won't force us to overeat, but it will be difficult to resist her pecan pie."
"We can have a partial day off our usual food regimen. We should avoid as many empty calories as we can, but I, for one, am not going to forgo a glass of holiday cheer and at least a sliver of that pie!"
Keith's parents lived only about 30 miles away, and since Christmas day turned out to be sunny and dry, the guys made the trip in about half an hour. On the way, Keith told him a little about those who would be in attendance.
The list included his parents, Tom and Mindy, paternal grandparents, Fred and Lydia, and his father's younger sister, Beth.
"They're all lovely people. The only one who can be a handful is Aunt Beth. She was the `surprise' when they thought they were done raising kids. In fact, Dad was 18 when she was born. He was more like another parent than a sibling. He used to change her diapers, and he never lets her forget that. But despite her age, she's always been a formidable force. I think he's secretly a little afraid of her."
"Seriously?"
"Nah, I'm exaggerating. But do expect your share of teasing when she gets to know you. Since she doesn't yet, she may leave you alone for a while. If you're lucky, you might not be the object of her ribbing."
"Now you've got me scared! Is it too late to change my mind?" Trevor joked.
"Yup, we're only two miles from the family home. I hope I haven't really frightened you away."
"Nope, it would take a lot more than that to keep me from the promised dessert!"
Keith's family members were all very cordial, and made Trevor feel at home. They ushered them into the great room where everyone was having a drink before dinner.
Trevor chose to have a small glass of white wine, and Keith followed his lead. He assumed he could partake of whatever his trainer was having without paying too high a price when he got on the scales a few days later.
While it was a sumptuous feast, there were several options for people who were counting carbs, as Beth always seemed to be, including a relish tray, lettuce for salad, and various fruits for dessert.
The spiral-cut ham was served with the glaze in a separate dish for spooning on top if people desired it. The baked sweet potatoes provided a safer alternative to mashed white ones. It looked like Keith's mother had been careful to consider everyone's dietary needs.
For dessert, the guys asked to split a slice of the pie. They had that along with half a fresh pear each.
For a few minutes when Trevor was in the kitchen talking to Keith's mother, Beth sidled up to Keith with a grin on her face. He could tell by her demeanor that he might be in for a bit of teasing.
"You're a very lucky man, my dear nephew."
"I guess I am, but what makes you say that?"
"He's ADORABLE! Did you bring him home to meet the family?"
"Um, I explained when I introduced him; he's my life-coach."
"Sure, and I'm Minnie Mouse. You don't have to pretend. We've known for years that you might be more interested in guys than girls. There's no shame in that."
"Auntie Beth, Trevor and I have only recently met, and for all I know, he's as straight as the proverbial arrow. How can you jump to those conclusions?"
"You invited him to a family holiday dinner. You went together on the house gift for your parents. He's out there learning to make your favorite dessert."
"Let me set you straight. I hired Trevor to help me make my goals for my health. He's strictly a housemate with his own room. He's here today because of a blowup with his parents. It happened recently and he had nowhere to go for the holiday. We went together on the gift so he wouldn't feel like he was sponging. You'd have done the same thing in my place."
"Yes, I would, but I'd be very tempted to share my bed, if he was into girls."
"Beth, you're incorrigible!"
"Maybe I am, but I'll bet by this time next year, no, let me be more conservative... by a year from July, you'll be a couple. If not, I'll eat my words!"
"What words exactly?"
"I think those would be, `I told you so.' If I'm wrong, then you have to eat them. Deal?"
"Deal!" he shook on it. "Now will you stop with the teasing already?"
"Okay, I'll be good for a while at least."
As they all joined in a game of Tripoli later in the afternoon, Beth said she had an announcement to make on the subject of "romance."
Keith cringed inwardly, fearing what she might say, but kept a cool exterior. Trevor read his reaction and wondered what was coming.
"You've all met Mark several times. You probably wondered why he wasn't here today. He'll drop by in a few minutes. He really needed to be at his parents' house because his grandmother is failing, and it could be her last Christmas. Anyway, I think we're getting serious. I know I am! So, I'm hoping he'll soon save me from becoming an old maid."
"You're not old enough for that title!" her mother exclaimed. You're closer to Keith in age than you are your brother."
"Thanks, Mom! I knew I could count on you."
Those words were barely out of her mouth when the doorbell rang, signaling Mark's arrival.
"Hi, everyone," Mark said as he breezed in.
"I guess I know everyone here."
"Hi Mark," Trevor greeted him. "I haven't seen you at the gym in a month. Are you going somewhere else?"
"Nope, I've had such a hectic schedule at work that I've kinda fallen off the wagon. Maybe I'll get back after the holidays.
"Um, how did you end up here?"
"He's my personal life-coach," Keith said quickly. "I had no idea you two were acquainted. Small world, huh?"
"It sure is, but I'm getting side-tracked from my mission. Mr. Pence, would you please step into the kitchen with me of a few minutes?"
Fred got up to follow Mark who was carrying a cloth bag with something in it. A couple of minutes later, they came back smiling with several flutes on a tray and a bottle of Champaign.
Getting down on one knee by Beth's chair, Mark took her hand and asked her to be his wife. She, of course, accepted and Fred removed the plastic stopper from the bottle with a resounding pop.
The party ended a couple of hours later after the wine was consumed along with a light supper of leftovers.
Keith had the day after Christmas off, so the guys went to the gym together. He had scheduled a workout session with Trevor, mostly so he wouldn't get out of the habit but partially to provide his housemate with extra income.
While they were there, a new client at the gym insisted that she needed to have a session with Trevor. (Her main motive was to be in close proximity to the young hunk.)
Trevor was hesitant to spend the extra hour because they'd both come in Keith's vehicle, and he didn't want to hold his housemate up. Keith insisted it was no imposition as he could use the additional time doing aerobic exercises and enjoying the whirlpool. Trevor was glad for the unexpected income.
Keith was surprised at the twinge of jealousy he felt when he saw Trevor taking the girl's measurements. He realized it was silly of him to feel that way about a guy he'd only recently met, and who was, in all likelihood, straight. The only thing that made him feel better was that Trevor appeared to be uncomfortable in doing it.
Keith thought the young lady was openly flirting with Trevor. But it was evident that her efforts were of no avail.
On the way home, Keith referred to Trevor's new client.
"Looks like you have a devoted fan. She'll probably want your cell number so she can train several times a week."
"I doubt it. She whined about how hard I was making her work. I actually took it easy on her. I think she's more interested in meeting guys than in doing a serious workout. She's the kind I can do without."
The following day, Keith went to his office to work on a program which had been giving him fits.
Trevor had two appointments. The rest of the time, he got on his computer to confirm that he could still enroll in the upcoming term. He found that he could take two on-line classes and one traditional one on campus to stay on schedule. With any luck, he'd have his degree by December of next year.
Keith's day went well. He had a break-through which would make the remaining few days of the year feel like a true vacation.
The pair spent a quiet New Year's Eve together watching celebrations from around the world on the large TV in the great room. At the dropping of the ball in Times Square, they drank a toast with sparking water and went to bed.
The guys hit the ground running on January 2nd. Keith had a lot on his plate trying to keep ahead of cyber hackers and Trevor was busy with his studies on top of scheduling new clients who were attempting to make good on their resolutions. It was always thus in the lives of physical trainers. By the middle of March, several of the newbies were likely to give up and go back to their old habits.
Keith was among the ones who wouldn't drop out. He did cut back his sessions to twice per week because Trevor was swamped, and, Keith didn't really need them.
When Trevor checked Keith's stats at the end of February, the results were amazing. Not only had he dropped over 30 pounds, his waist size was down four inches, his butt was smaller and firmer, and his biceps and chest had expanded. He was elated, and so was his trainer.
"I think you've achieved your goal! With your permission, I'd like to take an after' picture to put beside your before' one along with your numbers and make a poster to put up on the bulletin board. I'll get a bonus from the manager and you'll gain notoriety."
"Could we wait until I progress more?"
"Sure, but you look fantastic now. We could oil your body and dress you in one of my posing trunks if you'd like. The ladies will all be lusting for you, and probably several guys."
"Hmm... That might be fun I should do some, um, all-over tanning first."
"I see you have spring break coming up at the university in March. Are you planning to go somewhere?" Keith asked on a Saturday when they were preparing dinner.
"I wish! I won't have many appointments that week except for you. However, I don't have the spare cash to go anywhere fun."
"What if one of your regular clients asked you to accompany him to Florida. The guy I'm thinking of has a lot of free airplane miles he needs to burn up before summer or they'll go to waste. He's considering taking vacation days and spending several of them on the north end of Playa Linda beach where he could show off his new physique covered in little or nothing.
"He'd like to reward his awesome life-coach for making it possible."
"That's an over-the-top reward!"
"Not really. Like I said, I'll lose the miles if I don't use them."
"Ah, it's you who's making the offer," Trevor joked. "I had no idea you're that grateful, though you've certainly been extremely generous."
"Okay, smarty, just say you'll be happy to go with me, and I'll make the arrangements. I figure we could spend three or four days on the beach, interspersed with a visit Disney World, the space museum, and other tourist stuff. So, what's your answer?"
"I'd be delighted to go. I'm like a kept man already, so I have no pride."
"Trevor, I don't want you to feel beholden to me! I never would have gotten back on track with my health if it weren't for you. You're earning your keep."
"Thanks!" Trevor exclaimed and he pulled Keith into a tight embrace.
It was the first time Trevor had been so demonstrative, and he'd done it without thinking. The effect on Keith was like a bolt of lightning. It left him breathless, though he covered it well.
"Um, sorry for invading your space," Trevor blushed.
"That's quite alright. We've become like brothers in the past few months," Keith smiled. "It should be a fun trip."
Both went to bed pondering over how their body contact had made them feel. It would be difficult not to cross the line from now on. Their bodies craved more of the same.
Sometime in the wee hours, each had an erotic dream which featured the other in a starring role. For the first time since they were young teens, they'd experienced an awesome night emission.
Author's notes: Thanks to all who emailed about this story as of the time I sent it for posting. The list includes, Richard D, Bill DeW, CKW, SiR, Skip M, John L, Steve C, Wayne S, Tim T, Bill K, Robert L, Ott H, Frank K, Charles G, Hotrod, Jack, Walter S, JLF, Marty H, Max P, Jim W, Tom A, Allen, Bill T, Gordon, Nick, and Tony C.
Thanks to David for editing this chapter.
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If you enjoyed this tale, I'd love to hear from you. Please write to me at: dlee169@hotmail.com
Thanks,
David Lee