Page 26 of The Titan and the Trainer

Julian was fascinated by Callum’s Egyptian figurines, including the large replica of Tutankhamen’s funeral mask, which he picked up and checked over.

“This is great. You really do love your Egyptian antiquities, don’t you,” Julian noted.

“It’s always interested me, and I’ve always wanted to go to Egypt but haven’t had the chance,” Callum explained.

“Oh, me too,” Julian replied. “I studied ancient Egypt at Stonyhurst College in my teens. We should go there together,” he added, thoughtfully.

The apartment was small, but the way Callum had arranged it, it wasn’t too cramped; however, he did have too much in it. Whilst things were in tidy piles, they gradually snaked their way up the walls wherever there was a gap without furniture or fittings.

Julian went over to the easel in the far corner by the window to look at the partially painted canvas resting there. It was a black and white Manhattan street scene stretching away into the distance, with grey buildings on each side at differing height levels and the Brooklyn Bridge dominant in the distance. It needed completing, but Julian saw the potential of the finished piece. “Wow, did you do this?” he asked, admiring the painting in progress.

“Yes,” Callum replied, “I do like to paint, but I don’t get that much time to do it, so I’ve not really developed my skills.”

Julian turned. “Well, I think it’s really good. You are talented.”

There was an enlarged black and white photograph that it was based on, pinned to the top right corner. “Who took the photo, Cal?” Julian asked.

“I did,” Callum replied with a hint of pride. “I’m obsessed with the Brooklyn Bridge and always have been. It’s kind of my muse.”

“The photo on its own is a work of art. I love it, I really do,” said Julian..

He was genuinely impressed by Callum’s artistic side and secretly excited for Callum to see his apartment and its view.

Callum smiled, happy to receive the compliment. An idea suddenly came to him, and he made a mental note for later.

Inspection over, Julian put his mug in the sink and returned to join Callum on the sofa. He sat next to him, taking both of his hands in his, an earnest and hopeful look on his face. “I’m not sure about your plans, and I’ve got some stuff to attend to in preparation for this week, you probably do too, but can I see you again later?”

Callum thought, why does he sound nervous, aren’t we getting along fine here?

Julian continued, “I’d really like it if you’d come over to my place tonight for dinner, but only if you fancy it?” He seemed flustered.

“Of course. I’d love to. That would be a really nice end to an amazing weekend. I’d love to see how the other half lives.” He made a face. Julian responded with a grimace.

“I’ve only got your name and number in my phone though. I don’t even know where you live?” He called up Julian’s entry in his contacts list to show him.

“Easily rectified,” Julian replied, sharing his contact card.

‘Existing contact found, do you wish to merge or replace’ his phone prompted. ‘Replace’ Callum chose. Julian’s contact details were suddenly all there, with an address in Peck Slip, which Callum knew was right next to the Brooklyn Bridge. Hadn’t he taken a load of pictures there when they built that building? But the thing that grabbed Callum’s attention the most was the stunning black and white picture of a shirtless Julian, muscles visible and looking the best he’d ever seen him.

“Wow, Julian. That picture is stunning. I’m speechless. I’m surprised you’re shirtless though.” he asked, shocked he would have something so revealing on his contact card.

He clicked on the photo, zooming in, admiring the quality of the picture almost as much as the subject.

“That’s my private contact card, not something I share with just anyone. Rankin took it as a joke at the end of our formal session as I was getting changed. It’s a nice picture of me. I’m happy for you to have it.”

Callum was still poring over the photograph. “I love this picture. The lighting is amazing. Have you got the original you could send me, please?” He looked up, seeing Julian’s smile.

“It’s all yours, Cal. You don’t need the photo; you got the real thing, man.”

They kissed again.

“Oh, now, what shall I wear?” Callum fluttered his eyelashes for dramatic effect. “I’m not sure I have a suit befitting of such an exclusive occasion…” He let his voice trail off.

“Good, don't wear one," Julian replied. “I’m inviting you. You wear what you bloody want. I don’t know; come naked if you want. In fact, I’d quite like that. I find I’m getting rather used to this well-defined hot body of yours!” He smiled that winning smile which Callum could not resist.

“I’ll have a car pick you up here at say,” he checked his watch, “7 p.m. Is that okay?”

“Yep.” Callum looked at his little wall clock. It was 2 p.m. now, which gave him time to get some groceries in, do some washing, tidy the place up a bit before getting ready. “That’s perfect, can’t wait.”