Full Strength

Fifty Seven-Logan🏒

        A shirtless and sweaty Graham appeared in my line of sight. "Dude. You should not be this depressed over a girl."

        I scoffed as he disappeared. "I am not depressed."

        "The cheese-dusted fingers really communicate that."

        Lavishly, I draped my hand in front of my face. Huh. That was a lot of cheese dust. Oh well. I dropped my arm again, letting my hand touch the floor.

        "At least get dressed," he tried.

        I was insulted. "I am dressed," I said.

        "Hoodie? Sweatpants? No shoes or socks?" he asked, doubt etched into his expression.

        "Yes. That is an outfit." Not a very fashionable one, I'll admit, but still an outfit.

        "You can't work out in that," Graham pointed out, lying down on a bench to do some sit-ups.

        "I never said I was going to work out," I reminded him. "You said you were coming over to work out, and I said you could. There was never any implication that I would be doing anything."

        "Come on, dude. I don't get this sad about girls, and you know how much of an emotional disaster I am," he begged.

        Listlessly, I ate another Cheeto. "Name one girl you're sad about."

        "Your sister."

        "Disgusting. Have a Cheeto," I offered.

        "No thanks. I keep these nails fresh and neat," he scoffed. "As should you, if your hot date is coming into town."

        "I'm not even allowed to shake her hand," I groaned. "Is that too much to ask?"

        "Apparently. I'd say it's pathetic to want to shake your girlfriend's hand, but I'm in the same boat. Plus it feels mean." Graham was breathing hard as he went through sit-ups.

        "I can probably get Eve to shake your hand," I sighed, slowly sliding off the chair and onto the floor. The floor was actually more comfortable than I expected.

         "Okay," he said, getting up and coming over. "This is sad, Logan. If your fans could see you now, they'd be worried. I'm worried, for crying out loud. You're seeing her in less than two days; you should be happy."

         "I'm going to sneak out," I mumbled.

         "All I heard was a mouthful of laminate flooring. What did you say?"

         I lifted my head. "I'm going to sneak out."

         Graham stared at me. And stared at me. And stared for a little longer. Finally he said, "That is such a bad idea."

         "We know," I groaned. "But-"

         "We? As in, she's on board?" he asked, shocked.

         "Obviously! I'm not going to sabotage everything without her being on board," I said, appalled that Graham would think that I would do such a thing.

        "Logan, I'm serious, this would mean never seeing her again. Like, unless she wants to do a conjugal visit while you're in prison. Which is less than ideal," he argued.

        "I know Graham. I really do. And it might be the stupidest thing I've ever done, including date my doctor," I groaned, sitting up and hanging my head in my hands. "But I'm desperate. I just want to talk to her."