Ernie Boudine -- early thirties, still lives at home with mom -- has never had sex, hasn’t even been kissed. In his mind the only guys who get in on the action are the muscled-up bodybuilders he worships on his computer. But Ernie knows to attract such a god He’ll need to transform his current blob of soft muscles covered with an ample layer of fat into body beautiful. Personal trainer Butch Noonan discovers his boyfriend has been cheating on him. Troy is the last straw. Butch decides he’s done dating bodybuilders with their self-centered and egotistical attitudes. Butch longs for a relationship with someone who believes in romance, togetherness, and fidelity. Joining a gym, Ernie feels like a kid in a candy store. So many beautiful men working out, so much hard muscle to ogle. Ernie is disappointed when Butch is assigned as his personal trainer. Despite the man’s name, the other trainers have bigger and buffer bodies. Soon, however, Ernie begins to appreciate Butch’s sexy, compact body and what’s more, the man genuinely seems to care for and about Ernie. Much to both men’s surprise, a tentative relationship begins to blossom, but then into the gym strolls Butch’s former college roommate. Bill is a serious bodybuilder and Ernie is immediately captivated by the man’s huge muscles and confident swagger. Can Butch stand idly by and watch Ernie make the same mistakes he has? Or will Ernie wise up in time and realize true relationships are about more than muscle?

More Than Muscle

Just before Butch drifted off to sleep, an image of Ernie Boudine flitted through his mind. 5


Ernie changed clothes in the locker room and came out onto the gym floor. Spotting Butch, he approached but stopped when he saw the man engrossed in conversation with Quinn. The two trainers were leaning on one of the lat machines, their backs to Ernie.


Ernie felt uncomfortable. He didn’t want to eavesdrop but the gist of the dialogue caught his attention.


“So, you’re done with him?” Quinn was saying. “You’re gonna move out?”


“Fuck no!” Butch returned. “I have the lease on the apartment. He’s gonna move out!”


“Isn’t it awkward? What do you say to one another, dude?”


“I’ve been bunking with Tino,” Butch admitted. “I haven’t been home since it happened.”


“I wouldn’t wait too long. You need to get this over and done with while catching him red-handed screwing those other guys is still fresh. With you out of there, he may just decide the place is his.”


Chapter 12