Chapter 1

As Mark looked out over the gym floor, he could only think, “Fuck, do I ever feel out of place…”

He wasn’t a bad looking guy, not by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, he was quite proud of his sharp blue eyes and winning smile. But in terms of his physique, he could only be described as average. For some reason, Mark had always had a problem with any kind of athletics. High school gym class had been painfully embarrassing, and now that he was in college, nothing had changed.

He was determined to try and change things, though. That’s why he decided to head to campus gym. Yes, he knew it was going to be full of jocks…not the same jocks who’d tormented him in high school, but weren’t all jocks the same? All trying to compensate for their lack of intelligence and academic prowess with their cocky attitude, and their impressive, imposing muscles. To be honest, Mark almost felt sorry for them. Mark could expect a brilliant career, what with his 4.0 GPA and his strong work ethic. What could these jocks expect out of life? Working at a supplement store? Or becoming personal trainers?

Despite his discomfort around jocks, Mark knew, intellectually, that it was important to have exercise as a part of his life. He figured he’d go to the gym and do some light cardio, and maybe some light weights. He didn’t want to get huge (or “swole” as the jocks put it). He just wanted to tone his muscles a bit, and feel slightly less winded when going up and down stairs.

He’d decided to start out on the treadmill. He gradually increased the pace until he was at a light jog. It was then that Mark noticed, looking into the mirror in front of him, that one of the jocks was staring at him . Not just any jock either, but a particularly large and handsome one. Mark couldn’t help but notice his arms bulging out of his flimsy tank top. Why was he staring at him? What was that look in his eyes? It almost looked like…hunger.

Mark tried to put these thoughts out of his mind. He picked up the pace until he was breathing quite hard just to keep up with the treadmill. He could hear his heart beating inside his ears, and though he tried to ignore it, he could still see the jock staring at him through the mirror, staring directly into his eyes. “Seriously,” thought Mark, “what was his problem?”

He decided to abandon the treadmill and head out to another area of the gym. He decided to head over to one of the weight machines. He didn’t really have any idea what any of these machines were for, and he certainly didn’t have any plan of what machines he needed to use as part of his workout. Seriously, what did it matter? He just wanted a light workout, after all.

He settled on the leg press. Luckily, there was a diagram on the side of the machine showing him how he should use it. He added some weight to the machine (not too much, of course), and started his set. After 5 reps, Mark couldn’t help but notice that the jock had settled on a squat rack right in front of him. Mark knew that he should be focusing on his own exercise, but it was difficult to concentrate. Right in front of him, this massive jock was squatting up and down, up and down, up and down. How much weight was that on the bar? It looked so heavy. And all the time, Mark noticed the jock’s ass flexing as he moved up and down, flexing hard through the tight black shorts he was wearing. Finally, the jock finished his set, racked his weights, and stretched his arms up. Mark almost missed it, but he thought he noticed the jock take a very subtle sniff of his own arm pits as he stretched, followed by a goofy grin.

Mark was so lost in watching the jock that he didn’t realize what was happening when, suddenly, the jock turned around and stared right at him. Oh shit. There it was it again…that hungry look in his eyes, that smirk. Mark immediately looked away, but he was sure that the jock had noticed. How could he not have?

The jock started walking towards Mark and the leg press machine, a broad smile on his face. “’Sup bro,” said the jock.

“Uh, hi,” said Mark.

“You new here, bro? I don’t think I’ve seen you before…”

“Uh, yeah, I just thought I’d try to get a bit of exercise. I’m not really the kind of guy that goes to the gym very often.”

“Yeah, bro, I thought so. I noticed you while you were warming up on the treadmill. You look like you could maybe use some help here. My name’s Jake.”

“Uh, my name’s Mark. That’s really nice of you, but I’m ok on my own, I think. I certainly don’t want anything like the kind of muscles you’ve got.”

Jake stepped closer to Mark, still smiling, and he stretched his arms up once again, locking his fingers behind his head. He was so close now that Mark started to smell his…armpits! Yes, his armpits were so close to Mark’s face now, and they smelled so deeply of sweat and musk. Mark could barely think.

“Are you sure, bro?” Jake was leaning really close to me now. “You know, muscles aren’t so bad. Lots of people like them.”

Mark was starting to feel really nervous now. Something about having the big jock leaning into him so closely, of having his sense of smell invaded. His head was absolutely swimming with musk now…

“Yes, I’m sure,” snapped Mark. He reacted defensively. There was something so imposing about Jake’s presence, and even though he felt drawn towards him, Mark knew he needed to get away. “It’s really nice of you, but I don’t want your help. In fact, I’d really better get going.”

Mark started to move away, but Jake caught his arm, and said, “Sure, bro. Maybe I’ll find a way to change your mind.”

To be continued….