Page 46 of The Titan and the Trainer

Thursday 23rd January 25

The next day, Cal had a free morning, so he took his time heading into midtown to meet Sophia. Her boutique was called Atelier 4507, harking back to the apartment they shared, where their friendship developed; they were both sentimental. The store was on W. 37th Street, in the heart of the garment district, right in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Sophia’s store was quiet, her tailors working industriously in the back. Callum admired some of their recent creations showcased in the window and on the racks at the front. Sophia spied him and grabbed her jacket and bag, and they made their way to Liberty Bagels, one of their regular haunts. They ordered quickly and grabbed a quiet table.

Callum asked her, “So, what’s going on with you and Jack then? You seemed a bit friendly last night.”

She smiled, “I still fancy him, but I know what a player he is. I’m interested, but not sure I should be, if you know what I mean.” Her eyes had a sparkle that led Callum to think they would be having this conversation again soon.

“So, what’s going on with the CEO then?” she asked, a smile on her face. “Why didn’t you want to talk about him last night?”

Callum made a face. “It was just awkward with Jack there and Rosie. I really wanted us to chat, and they invited themselves along. I’m not going to talk about it with Rosie. Love her, but world’s biggest gossip, duh!” He laughed.

“Are things going okay though?”

“Things are going more than okay Soph. I don’t really know where to begin. We’ve had four training sessions now and two proper dates and I’ve stayed over at his. You should see his apartment; it’s beyond beautiful!”

Her eyes widened. “What, like some penthouse or something?” she said jokingly.

“Penthouse, nah, he owns the whole building. He’s got a ballroom, a business centre, an original Banksy for God’s sake. He’s seriously wealthy.” He paused.

“…and the problem with that is, Cal?” she interjected, eyes wide.

“I’m struggling to understand, with all that he has, why he wants me Soph? I’m nothing special really. He could have his pick of any rich gay guy, but he seems to want to hang out with the broke trainer from Brooklyn.”

She sat back in her chair and gestured to him. “Cal, the broke trainer who happens to also be a beautiful and amazing guy. You are a catch. Look at you! You have so much to offer any guy. He obviously really likes you. Can’t you just accept that for what it is, without overthinking it?”

“That’s the trouble. I over-process everything, you know I do.”

“Yes,” she admitted, “you do. So, stop doing it, just relax and enjoy it.”

Callum frowned. He knew the advice was sound, and he was his own worst enemy. He lurched from periods of being okay with it, to panicking. This must also be annoying for Julian, he thought. But even thinking about him, a smile crept over his face, remembering last night, the kissing, the bath, the waking up.

“So how is the sex?” Sophia asked, bringing him back to earth, just as their food arrived.

“It’s really great. He’s a very caring lover. Really open and genuine. He asked me to be his boyfriend, and we are officially dating.”

“Wow. Monogamous, the lot?” she asked over a mouthful of bagel.

“Yep.” But, knowing Julian, Callum couldn’t imagine he would ever not be monogamous; his values and principles wouldn’t allow it.

“And how does he say he feels about you, Cal?”

“We’ve both been really honest all the way along. He said last night that he wants us to live a happy and fulfilled life together. Something like that.”

She looked thoughtful. “Shows he’s thinking long-term, Cal. Sees you in his future; that’s the sign you need.”

“Well, that and the,” he lowered his voice, “constant erections. We both get so turned on by each other, all the time. It’s almost a problem,” he added, exasperated.

Sophia laughed. “Well, what a lovely problem to have,” she smiled. “Just relax and enjoy it and let ‘it’ lead you.”

“One thing I am worried about though, Soph, is me working at The Vault.” He looked worried. “We’ve never properly talked about it. I think he knows that I dance. He saw me in my leather gear going to work one night, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I wonder if, when I explain what it is and what I do, whether he’ll be cool with it?”

“What if he does have a problem with it?”

Callum took a moment to think about it before responding. “I don’t have anything to hide. I don’t do the private dances that the other guys do. I dance at my pole, take the tips; it’s just a way of making money for me, and I enjoy it.”

“Then explain that to him, Cal. He’s a smart guy, he’ll understand,” she said, tucking into her bagel. She added, “If he sees what it’s all about, maybe he’d understand?”