The weekend flew by without any signs of trouble. Once Brody got Adrian's number through Adam, the pair kept messaging each other constantly. They were talking about the films they liked, video games they played all the time and sending each other jokes and random funny videos they found online.

When they weren't texting each other, Adrian was occupied with spending some bonding time with his mother who he kind of neglected recently. At the same time Brody was roped into working on the weekend at the bakery so they didn't have much time to spend together.

Given that they hadn't seen each other since the night of the party, Adrian was looking forward to seeing Brody again later today.

The time of which they didn't interact with each other face to face, where Adrian didn't feel the buzz, the nervousness and excitement of being the same room as Brody, he had time to reflect on his feelings for Brody.

It had started with an infatuation with Brody, his single presence drawing him in. The infatuation honed in on little details that Adrian liked about Brody.

It was then followed immediately by jealousy and hatred because of his own confusion with his feelings towards the other guy. Upon reflection, Adrian wasn't proud of his actions and behaviour regarding Brody at the time. However it was too late to change the past and some more, different feelings had developed.

The nervous butterflies that he kept feeling around Brody grew bigger and bigger, taking up so much space within himself that it was threatening to burst out constantly. The sweet and caring side of Brody was a catalyst that made the butterflies go crazy, going wild inside of him and with every second, gave him the feeling of complete happiness and delight.

And it hasn't stopped since.

Adrian was completely sure that he liked Brody, not in a close friend kind of way but actually fancied him.

But now the question was how does Adrian continue now. For all he knew, it was a one sided feeling or just Brody being his friendly self. Adrian just wasn't sure and was worried about him sending mixed messages or getting the wrong side of the stick.

So he decided to not jeopardise anything as of yet, and wait.

~~~~~~~~~~

Both teams were already at the arena as they were getting ready to practice together - hopefully without any trouble this time.

Adrian had just finished strapping his skates on when he saw Ashley come towards him.

"Hey Ashley, shouldn't you be in classes or something?" Adrian asked.

Ashley shook her head. "Study period. I thought listening to music and watching people play hockey would be more entertaining than doing calculus."

Adrian agreed, he hated maths too.

Coach Sheen interrupted the pair. "Have you guys seen Sinclair? I need to run some drills by him before we get started.

Ashley looked around. "No I haven't seen him- oh wait, there he is, with Sam."

She pointed towards Brody where Adrian saw that he was talking to Croyden.

"Ok thanks." Coach Sheen said before he walked towards them.

Ashley watched her best friend, who now had one of his hands gripped by Sam tenderly. Adrian noticed it too and two dots were about to be connected.

"What's going on there?" Adrian asked out of curiosity with a dose of jealously and melancholy.

Ashley pointed out. "That's his ex, Sam."

Remembering everything Brody told him about his ex. "Croyden is Sam? THE Sam as in the one that wanted to get back together?" Adrian asked, shocked.

"Yeah that one."

"I didn't even think Brody liked men!" Adrian expressed his inner thoughts out loud.

"Brody's pretty open about his sexuality. He's never had a problem with it before anyway, to my knowledge." Ashley turned to Adrian. "He doesn't have one now does he?" Ashley suggested as she stared at Adrian.

Adrian shook his head no vigorously. "No no of course I don't. It just honestly didn't cross my mind he was attracted to both men and women I guess." He told her honestly. Adrian then pointed at them. "You think they're going to get back together?"

As he said that he felt that his voice went quieter than usual. Just thinking about them crushed Adrian's soul a little bit.

"Doubt it. Brody moved on a while ago. I mean his body language alone gives it away."

Adrian pointed out how they were holding hands. "That seems pretty close to me..." Adrian told her dryly.

"Look properly, Sam is holding Brody's hand. It doesn't mean the feelings are reciprocated." Ashley continued. "I know him too well and I can see the signs, or the lack of signs to be more accurate. Brody has several different traits when he actually likes someone."

Adrian listened as Ashley over shared by listing them out, without him even needing to ask despite wanting too.

"Trait number one. He gets absolutely smitten with them, and I mean a ridiculous amount. Like always smiling around them about everything and nothing at the same time."

Adrian nodded his head as he was taking in all of the new information he was learning. "Trait number two. When he's pursuing them, he kinds of find excuses to get closer to them and is more touchy feely with them."

Adrian looked at her very confused and weary. "Not like a creepy way!" Ashley quickly dismissed. "No, more like seeking out physical intimacy - like a cat!"

Adrian found it funny and laughed at her response.

"And finally trait number three. The eyes..." Ashley pointed out.

"And what does that entail?"

"He's like a hawk, always watching, following them and sneaking looks at them." Ashley laughed as she continued. "He thinks he's sly about it but boy, is he wrong."

Adrian acknowledged Ashley as he then sarcastically asked. "Anything else in the Brody encyclopaedia?"

"Probably but I think I've made my point. Any of this sound familiar?"

Adrian thought about any interactions Brody could have had with Sam. "I haven't noticed anything."

"That's probably because there's nothing TO notice..." Ashley emphasised. "Like I said, he's moved on."

Adrian then thought about his own interactions with Brody. He could feel some of those were true, with himself. But that could have just been wishful thinking.

Adrian felt that this whole situation was ridiculous, gossiping about Brody's love life and wondering why Ashley even knew of this. He couldn't help but laugh about everything. "I know you're family and everything but isn't there like personal boundaries or anonymity between you both?"

Ashley defended herself. "Pfft, Brody's so forward with his feelings. He's like a magnified open book. He's the opposite of an Agatha Christie novel."

~~~~~~~~~~

After finishing a tiring practice with no wars between the teams, both pairs of best friends were walking down the school corridor.

"You guys said you have biology now?" Brody asked Adam.

Adam groaned. "Don't remind us, its so boring."

Adrian also protested. "It's like our teacher tries to suck the energy out of the class."

Laughing at the pair, "Sucks for you guys. At least I'll be mildly entertained hanging out with Holly on the track field." Ashley bid farewell to the group as Holly was waiting for her outside the changing room.

A light switched on in Brody's head. "That reminds me, I skipped a workout day. I'm going to make up for it now whilst I think it's empty." Brody looked at them both. "You guys want to join me later? I need a spotter too."

Not having a reason to decline and now a motive to get fit, they both agreed before the trio went their separate ways.

~~~~~~~~~

Biology class had just ended when Adam got a text from his dad.

"My dad is locked out of the house and needs my keys. You alright if I ditch the gym session with you and Brody?" Adam had asked. "My mom said she's not sure what time she'll be back."

"Yeah of course, I'll text you later yeah?"

Adam nodded as he then left Adrian. After getting changed into more appropriate gear, he went to the gymnasium and indeed saw how it was empty.

Adrian saw Brody before Brody saw him. He walked through the door and felt the heat intensify. Adrian watched as Brody was on the treadmill. He noticed how his black top was accumulating sweat, the top clinging to his muscles that were clearly defined through the fabric.

Adrian's lips felt dry at the scene. This was different from seeing him all sweaty on the ice rink. It felt more intimate, and private.

Turning off the machine Brody stepped of the treadmill, panting before taking a drink from his bottle. Brody was in the middle of brushing his sweat soaked hair away from his forehead when he turned around and saw Adrian, still by the door.

"Hey I didn't even notice you come in." Brody mentioned.

Adrian nodded as he made his way to the bench so he could put his bag down. "Adam had to go home so it's just me."

Brody nodded as he stretched the fabric of his shirt, flapping it back and forth to let his chest breathe.

Adrian choked on his saliva before asking, "How come it's hotter in here than usual?"

"They said the AC was busted, partly the reason why the gyms empty I think."

Adrian understood the feeling of how uncomfortable it was when working out, all hot and sweaty without air ventilation.

Adrian was taking his drink out of the bag when he turned around. Adrian's eyes were fixated as he watched Brody lift his shirt off from the bottom. Fanning himself dry with his shirt, Adrian could see all of his revealing torso.

'Fucking hell...' Adrian moaned to himself as he watched a shirtless Brody, with a complete and unobstructed view.

Adrian watched as a sweat drop that was previously clung to his pecs descended down in between the arch of his upper chest. The drop kept going lower and lower, slowly rolling over his washboard abs and past his naval before disappearing into his shorts.

Adrian didn't know he was ever attracted to this sort of figure before, the truth was that he never explored this avenue. But now, seeing Brody right in front of him, he definitely felt something stir inside him.

"Sorry you don't mind do you?" Brody indicated at himself discarding his shirt. "It's just that since we're going to be in here for a while, I might as well take it off now rather than later."

Brody was met with silence as Adrian was at a loss of words, wetting his lips but nothing coming out. "I can put it back on if it would make you more comfortable?"

Adrian suddenly woke up from his daze. "No! No it's fine, whatever floats your boat." He laughed nervously as he blushed under the new heat.

Brody nodded before he motioned to the weights station.

"Just don't expect me to take mine off yeah?"

~~~~~~~~~~

The last 30 minutes was agonising for Adrian. Watching up close, yet from so far away at how Brody's muscles ripened as he was lifting the dumbbells sent Adrian into overdrive and exploding with a newly found sexual frustration.

'What are you doing to me Brody...'

Adrian was physically tired from the workout, sweating through his shirt as the workout became more intense the longer they carried on. He was mentally exhausted of trying to find ways to avoid looking at Brody, but couldn't since he was right next to him like a perfect sculpture in an art museum. Adrian felt his whole body kept going a deeper red shade as he watched Brody work out.

Brody finished his last set on his arms before he moved to the workout bench. "Can you spot me while a bench press?" Brody asked Adrian.

Adrian couldn't trust himself to say any words as he felt he lost his cognitive function when he walked into the room. So Adrian just nodded as he made his way over.

Brody began his set as he grabbed the bar handle and started the workout. All Adrian could do was just watch - watch every muscle become more defined by the sun's glow onto his body. He looked at Brody's pecs rise and fall with the weight. He was memorised by how his arms became more tense and his shoulders looked more toned as the workout continued. He had a perfect view to just stare at his abs whilst Brody was lying on the bench.

'Was this man sent from heaven or hell to torture me like this?'

~~~~~~~~~~

Brody finished his set before he pushed Adrian down onto the bench. Panting for air, Brody told Adrian. "Finish your set and I think we're done for the day."

As Adrian got comfortable and lied down, he looked up to reach for the bar and saw how close Brody was standing above him. Adrian had just about seen Brody's body through every angle and this wasn't one he expected or even thought about.

Brody tapped the side of Adrian's head. "You done daydreaming and are about to start? You need to hold the dumbbell to start the workout." Brody joked with him.

Adrian laughed nervously again. "Yeah, sorry..." Adrian said before he started his workout.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Everything hurts." Adrian groaned as he finished his final set. Sweat started to drop from his head as he pushed out the final set.

Brody laughed as he motioned Adrian to sit up so he could sit next to him on the bench. Both of their shoulders were touching each other when Brody handed Adrian his drink. When he opened his bottle, Adrian felt Brody wipe the sweat of his forehead.

Adrian coughed. "Umm thanks."

Brody nodded before they both took a sip of their drink. "You ready to leave?"

Adrian nodded as he saw Brody put his shirt back on.

"Phew..." Adrian exhaled.

"What was that?"

Adrian clammed up, not realising he said that out loud. "Nothing! Let's just get out of here yeah? I'm going to run home and shower, I forgot my bath towel so I have to go. I'll see you around yeah?" Adrian rushed his speech as he quickly fled the room. "Great workout, let's do it again sometime. Or not! Like, whatever."

Adrian was banging his head outside the room when he had ditched Brody.

"Stupid, stupid Adrian..." He said to himself.

==========

Author's note: Writing these scenes were super fun, hope you all liked it with an upvote.