Even over the phone, he knew Tim’s eyes were narrowing suspiciously. “With Victor?” “No.” That was the last person Derek wanted to see right now. “I just had a rough day and I need to work out for a half hour or so—by myself. I didn’t get a chance to go during lunch.” “Fine. Hopefully dinner won’t be too dried out by the time you get here.” Derek restrained himself from sighing his frustration into the phone. He knew Tim wouldn’t understand if he tried to tell him the truth. He couldn’t go to the company gym. Not yet. It was bound to be completely empty after hours, and though he was loathe to admit it, even to himself, the thought of being alone and isolated down there creeped the fuck out of him. But he didn’t want company either. What he needed right now was to be somewhere busy—somewhere full of strangers who wouldn’t try to talk to him. He still had a membership with Planet Fitness, even though he rarely used it.
