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you’d have a pretty good shot at a ribbon. Especially if you lost some of that body fat, got down to two, maybe four percent. You’re at, what, ten now? I could help out. You know, give you some pointers.”
    Mark smiled and moved toward the bench press. He loaded up the dumbbell with his usual set of weights then added twenty pounds. “Nah, thanks, though. This is simple recreation for me.”
    Ed looked flustered. “Hey, I didn’t mean to imply you were fat or anything. You look great. It’s just that with bodybuilding you need to look really sculpted, like this.” Ed struck the classic gorilla pose, muscles popping out all over.
    Mark considered his overdone body and hoped he’d never look that crazy. Maybe too much sublimation could be a bad thing. He slid onto the bench and smiled up at Ed. “It’s all good. Now I’m gonna try to get at least six reps out of this puppy.”
    Ed nodded, bent his knees and readied himself to spot. Mark closed his eyes, inhaled deeply and pressed upward, losing himself in the moment of power and the illusion of control.
    * * *
    Mark hadn’t intended to run to the dog park. At least, he thought that wasn’t in his plan. But there it was and wouldn’t it be a shame to pass by without letting Belle play? He told himself he wasn’t looking for anyone in particular as he scanned the park. After all, hadn’t he spent the morning avoiding the man?
    Mark stood by a tree, stretching out his hamstring while Belle ran to join the pack by the pond. Maybe this time she wouldn’t go in. Then he heard the splash. Good thing she didn’t mind baths.
    He had almost given up on Seth when he spotted him crouched beside Fred Astaire, petting the greyhound with one hand and a sleepy-looking English bulldog with the other. Seth seemed to be whispering in Freddie’s ear. The greyhound looked wary but gradually allowed the Bulldog to sniff his forepaw. Seth beamed at his dog like he’d won the Westminster Dog Show. Mark’s heart warmed. It was a great smile. Even Freddie seemed to bask a little in its glow.
    Seth looked up, saw him and grinned. Mark gave a weak little wave, feeling light-headed as adrenaline coursed through his veins. He tried to muster his inner Pete as Seth strode toward him, Fred Astaire trotting daintily by his side. Even walking across a dog park, Seth’s body was a thing of beauty. Mark let himself admire the way Seth held himself, shoulders back, head up, limbs swinging in graceful arcs. It was breathtaking, really. Of course, Pete wouldn’t think so. And his dad, what would his dad see?
    Horrid words floated into Mark’s consciousness, echoes of his father’s voice. Queer, faggot, poofter—where did that one come from? Mark wanted to channel Pete, not his father.
    He took a deep breath. Seth and Freddie were almost upon him. He could taste the plastic quality of the smile he plastered on for Seth but there was nothing he could do.
    “Hi.” Seth grinned.
    “Hey,” he muttered feebly in response.
    “Been running?” Seth gestured toward Mark’s shoes and Mark was suddenly aware of his own sweat making dark pools under his arms and down his back. He tried not to think of how he looked, or smelled for that matter.
    “Yeah. With Belle.” Mark nodded toward the pond.
    Seth looked over at Belle, who was rolling in the mud along the shore of the pond. He laughed. “How’s Lisa going to like you bringing that mess home?”
    Mark shook his head, aware only of the thundering of his heart, the rising panic closing his throat and a deep sense of guilt at his ongoing deception.
    Seth glanced at his watch. “Oh shit. I have to go. I have rehearsal in twenty minutes.” He smiled as he moved away. “Nice to see you. Give my best to Lisa.”
    Mark nodded, trying for an answering smile. The man must think he was a moron. Mark watched Seth leave the park and climb into a dark blue Honda Civic. Only after Seth pulled away from the curb did Mark call Belle. It was time to run