"Oh, sorry. I will go and change now." Stacey said and rushed back to change. Anabel sat up when she entered.
"Where did you go?" Anabel asked.
"I heard some noise outside and went to check." Stacey replied and began to unpack her clothes.
"What are you doing? Are you going somewhere?" Anabel asked.
Stacey picked her shirt and her thick green singlet. "I want to join your brother in his gym. He told me to go and change."
"Hmmmm. I can see." Stacey smiled.
"See what?" Stacey asked. She knew what Anabel was trying to say.
"Nothing. I'm not stopping you. Don't be a distraction to him, though." Anabel said and laid back on the bed. Stacey changed and rushed back to the gym in excitement.
.
.
"But... Do you use the gym?" Jethro asked when Stacey arrived.
"A little," Stacey admitted. "But I could use some guidance. I want you to guide me.
"Alright, let's start with some basics," Jethro said, moving to a set of lighter weights. "We will do a warm-up first."
For the next twenty minutes, Jethro guided Stacey through a series of exercises. He was patient, showing her the correct form and offering tips to improve her technique. Stacey found herself enjoying the workout more than she expected.
After a particularly challenging set of squats, Stacey wiped the sweat from her forehead and grinned. "I think I'm getting stronger," she said, feeling and flexing her lean arm.
Jethro chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "You are doing great, Stacey. But you still have a long way to go."
"I don't think so." Stacey replied. "I can feel my strength."
Jethro's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You are not strong until you can lift me. At least, for a starter like you."
Stacey laughed. "Is that a challenge?" She asked.
"Maybe," Jethro replied with a playful tone. "But I don't think you can do it because you are not strong."
"Alright, Jethro. But how about you try lifting me first?" She said, looking onto his face.
Jethro's smile turned into a grin. "Are you daring me, Stacey?"
"Yes, I am," she replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "Let's see if you can handle it."
Deep down, she knew he could lift her. She may be thick and heavy, but it's not something to dare Jethro with. She knows he can lift her even with his finger. She just wanted to feel his strong arms around her. It was an opportunity, and she wouldn't let it slide.
Jethro stepped closer, his eyes locked onto hers. "Alright, challenge accepted. Ready?"
Stacey nodded, her heart pounding with excitement. She felt a thrill of anticipation as Jethro wrapped his arms around her waist and effortlessly lifted her off the ground. She let out a surprised laugh and held him on his shoulders for support.
"See? Easy." Jethro said. "You are not even heavy."
"Alright, Jethro," she said with a grin, "let's see if you can swing me like a dumbbell and do ten reps."
"Let's see." He replied, adjusting his grip. He began to swing her gently, using his strength to lift her up and down in a controlled motion.
When he completed the first few reps, Stacey couldn't help but impressed by his strength. She felt a mix of exhilaration and nervousness, her heart pounding with each successful lift. She loved how he was lifting her with his strong arms. By the fifth rep, she was laughing. The sensation of being swung through the air was both thrilling and surreal. Her breast was touching his chest at each successful rep. Jethro didn't mind or talk about it.
By the eighth rep, Stacey could see the effort it was taking, but he showed no signs of stopping. On the ninth rep, he paused, pretending to struggle.
"Oh no, I don't think I can make it to ten," he said and let her down, then began to breathe hard. He didn't want to win her so she would have something to be proud of.
"You see, you didn't complete it. So I won."
"But I tried. At least I lifted you." Jethro said. "Anyway, you are a great workout partner.
"Thanks, Jethro. That was fun," Stacey stated.
They continued their workout, the atmosphere filled with playful banter and friendly competition. Jethro showed Stacey a few more exercises, and they challenged each other to see who could hold a plank the longest and who could do the most push-ups.
The room was filled with laughter, that they didn't know when Anabel came and was watching them from the doorway.
She smiled when she saw how happy they were together. That was exactly the kind of relationship she wished for, but it never came. The kind she can play with. After watching them for a while, she left to prepare something in the kitchen.