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Suddenly Josh’s shorts were way too small to do their job properly, but Josh stayed put and took his time helping Tyler balance himself, wallowing in the casual intimacy of the moment.

Too soon, Tyler eased out of the stretch with a satisfied sigh. When he twisted to grin at Josh, their faces only inches apart, time collapsed to single matched heartbeats. Then Josh broke the sudden tension by springing upright abruptly and pacing backward toward the gym.

Tyler looked confused. “I should probably get a move on too. I’ve got an appointment with my new shrink.”

“Hey, don’t forget to hydrate after all this, okay? Throughout the day even,” Josh teased gently, trying to mask the bittersweet emotions churning in him.

“Oh yeah. And my big banana.” Tyler winked.

Josh shrugged and chuckled. “I don’t want to find you lying in a fetal ball in the lot tomorrow morning because you acted stupid.”

“Deal.” Tyler laughed, then wiped his face and his wet chest. “I think I need a shower.”

Josh froze. “Uhh, sure.”

“Nah. Kids are here, and that means phones, which means pics and video. Bummer. Last thing I need is nudes in the tabloids when I’m this run-down.”

Josh rolled his eyes. “Tyler, you’re in amazing shape. You know that, right? You have an eight-pack.”

“No, you know what I mean. NFL shape.” Tyler huffed a rueful laugh through his nose. “I know it up here.” He tapped his head. “But in here….” He thumped a fist over his heart.

Josh nodded. He knew plenty about that.

Tyler raised his eyes longingly at the doors to the locker room. “I’ve got to admit… a hot shower beating on my skin sounds like heaven right now.”

Don’t say it. “We got a grown-up shower. You could use my office. You know, if you wanted,” Josh suggested, heart drumming. He was torn between wanting Tyler wet, naked, and alone versus Tyler safely headed home to his own place. He didn’t need any further temptation.

“Twist my arm. But you got work.” Tyler’s eyes twinkled with humor and something more—something that made Josh’s heart hammer. “Wishful thinking. I should get home.”

“Well….” Off that smile, Josh had an outrageous impulse to invite Tyler to hang out. He didn’t want to waste his shot, but he didn’t want to jump the gun either. Instead, he crossed his arms and used his best coach voice. “Good job today, Fantana.”

“Thanks for looking out for me, Coach.”

“Anytime, superstar,” Josh shot back playfully, nudging Tyler’s shoulder as they approached the parking lot.

“Seriously, though,” Tyler continued in a lowered voice. “I appreciate it. You’re… you’re a good guy.”

“Thanks,” Josh replied, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. “You are too.”

“You don’t even know, man.” Tyler just kept smiling at him. The moment felt both surreal and all too real.

Before Josh could dwell on the implications of their exchange, they arrived at Tyler’s car. As Tyler fumbled with his keys, Josh took a deep breath, gathering the courage for what he knew he needed to say.

“Tyler,” he began, his voice dipping, “I’m glad you’re doing this.”

“Me too,” Tyler admitted, his gaze softening. “I really dig the quiet, but it’s great to talk too. To you, I mean. I didn’t know if I was allowed to talk to you.”

“Allowed? Of course you can. It’s been a long time since I felt comfortable training with someone.”

“Same.” Tyler nodded back at him, toeing the asphalt. “It’s been… well, it’s been a miracle, actually.”

“Good.” Josh nodded, relief washing over him. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for something more between them. “Same. Morning runs have always been sacred for me.”

“Exactly how I feel.” Tyler’s famous smile spread across his face. He smacked Josh’s shoulder, his hand lingering a heartbeat too long. “I think this means we’re officially running buddies now. With big bananas.”

“Looks that way,” Josh agreed gently. “But you promised to take it easy and listen to your body. No weird jock masochism?”

“Deal.” Tyler nodded, his hand lingering on the car door for a moment. Then he climbed inside with some winces and groans. “Well, tomorrow morning, I guess.”