Chapter 7

As the trainer came closer, Ernie could see he had deep blue eyes and was smiling. The smile looked a little forced, a little sad. Maybe he’s just as disappointed with me, Ernie thought, his low self-esteem kicking in and overriding his horny libido. Fuck, he may be short but he could have any guy in this whole fuckin’ place, and he’s stuck with me!

“Hi,” the man said, sticking out his hand.

Mary said, “Butch, this is Ernie, Ernie Boudine. Ernie, Butch Noonan.”

“Hey, man! Welcome to Universal,” Butch took Ernie’s hand in his firm grasp. “Good to meet you.”

“Ah, thanks,” Ernie managed to say, captivated by the sight of the man’s barbed wire tattoo flexing as they shook hands.

“I’ll let you two get started,” Mary said before walking away.

Butch let go of Ernie’s hand. “Come on, I’ll show you where the locker room is. You can get changed, then I’ll meet you back here on the floor.”