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

Passing through the entry hall of Butch’s apartment building, Ernie questioned why they weren’t taking the elevator. He asked Butch if it was out of order.


Butch laughed, ruffed Ernie’s hair, and said, “Take every chance at physical fitness and make it count.”


As they started up the stairs, Butch expressed appreciation for Ernie’s openness about his life.


In an effort to be as open in return, Butch related what he’d done that morning, explaining who Troy was and what had happened between them. He finished with, “So, I came home today and packed up all his stuff and put it outside the door. Troy and I have been having trouble for a long time and…Ah! The bags are gone,” Butch exclaimed as they came out of the stairwell and started down the hall.


When they got to the apartment, Butch looked at the note he’d left. It was still hanging on the door. Someone, presumably Troy, Ernie decided, had added, Screw you, bitch!


Chapter 24