Muscle Lads, Inc.

[muscleaddict]

EIGHT

ALFIE

I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m standing at the exit of a tube station on a random Monday night waiting to meet a complete stranger off Instagram.

A stranger who happens to be a gay muscle lover with a clear fetish for shiny posing trunks who has made no secret of the fact that he not only loves MY collection of admittedly awesome trunks but also loves me! 

This is not a done thing. Straight bodybuilders do not meet up with the gay guys who gush all over them and say how hot they are on Instagram and Twitter because they’re in a strange city and feeling bored. I mean - this guy has probably wanked off to my pictures at some point.

And then I have a thought. What if this guy doesn’t think I’m straight? What if, like Nick, he believes all of those rumours on the Internet that I’m bisexual? JUST because I’m not afraid to flirt with gay guys and I did that one post a few years back supporting gay marriage. (Hello? My dad is gay?) What if this guy is interpreting the fact that I’ve agreed to meet up as him having some sort of chance with me? Oh God. What if he thinks this is some sort of DATE?

A sharp panic goes through me. And now I’m suddenly wondering - what the fuck am I doing? Without another thought, I turn to face the tube station I’ve not long walked out of to get the hell out of here but freeze at the sight of someone wearing a yellow woolly jumper walking towards me with a nervous but excited grin on his face. The real-life version of the guy from the picture I got sent on Instagram an hour ago is walking towards me.

The same blondey, light-brunette hair. The same heart-shaped face (though now clean-shaven). The same wholesome look and innocent vibe as I got from the picture. He’s taller than me (which isn’t exactly a surprise). I’d say about five foot eleven at the most. There goes my plan to escape. 

“Hi!” he says, slightly awkwardly, as he walks up to me.

“All right?” I say.

This guy can't seem to stop smiling. He’s clearly pleased to see me. I have to say, it’s pretty endearing. 

“Is this, like … totally crazy?” he asks me.

I feel myself relax as I smile at him.

“It’s pretty crazy!” I reply. (Crazier for ME, I think. But I don’t say it.)

He bites his lip, grinning again and awkwardly putting his hands in his jeans pockets.

“So ... what do you fancy doing?” he asks me. 

“Umm. Do you like Five Guys, by any chance?”

His shoulders relax and he looks at me wide-eyed. “Are you kidding me? I LOVE Five Guys!”

I laugh at his response. Then he looks pleased himself that he made me laugh. It’s only been about two seconds, and yes, this feels slightly awkward, but I’m weirdly glad I didn’t actually bolt on this guy like I was planning to.

Maybe this whole thing is not so weird after all. I mean - people do this kind of thing all the time, right? They form online friendships. They DM each other, just like me and this guy do. They make each other laugh, just like me and this guy do. They share common interests, just like me and this guy SORT OF do. And they meet that person in real life. It’s a thing. Why is this any different to that?

Besides - what’s the worst thing that can happen here? This guy seems as completely harmless as he looked in his picture. I mean - he’s wearing a woolly yellow jumper for a start! 

“Do you know where we’re going?” I ask him as we wander into the busy street.

“I haven’t got a clue.”

I laugh and get my phone out to check where the nearest Five Guys is. “Erm. It says there’s one about a minute's walk away?” I look to my left. Then to my right. “I think it’s THIS way? I dunno. London confuses me.”

“Let me see,” he says, taking my phone off me before deciding which direction we should be walking in and then leading the way.

“So … are you not from around here either?” I ask.

“Nah. I grew up near Cambridge. But … now I live in Manchester.” His voice wobbles at the word Manchester. Like he's nervous to admit that's where he lives.

“You’re kidding?” I say, perhaps a little too enthusiastically. “I’m a Manchester boy too.”

He gives me a shy, tight-lipped grin. 

“You already knew that, didn’t you?”

His mouth curls more and his sheepish little smile gets bigger. “To be fair - everyone knows that!” 

I smirk to myself. “You make me sound like a celebrity!”

He grins. “I mean - you kind of are. In certain circles.”

I grin at him and he bites his lip. What’s funny about this guy is - no-one would ever suspect he knew ANYTHING about bodybuilders or shredded freaks or shiny colourful trunks from Next Level Posers. I could be passing this guy in the street and I wouldn’t have any clue that I was one of his favourite bodybuilders he posts about on his muscle-themed Instagram page commenting on my “pixie ears” and writing about how cute I am.

We get to Five Guys, laugh about the fact we order the same thing and sit down. I definitely notice his eyes scanning my arms and chest when I take my North Face gilet off. Even though I’ve still got my blue Muscle Factory hoodie on. What would he be like if I were just sitting in a t-shirt or vest? Maybe I should actually take my hoodie off. I’m smiling to myself at that thought. I kinda really want to see what his reaction would be! 

“So … how come you’re in London?” he asks me. I tell him about my work with my sponsor and my photoshoot tomorrow and his lips curl into an ominous smirk when I say the words Got Shredz Nutrition. 

“What about you?”

He swallows his bite and says, “For work too,” without looking at me.

“Oh right. What do you do?”

He clears his throat. I don't know if I’m imagining it, but he suddenly seems a little coy. Nervous even.

“I’m a teacher,” he says with a little nod. But I feel like there’s more to the story.

“Oh right. Have they sent you down here to do some sort of training, then?”

His lips curl into an ominous grin. Then he clears his throat. “Okay, so - I kind of have TWO jobs, I guess. I’m here because of the other job.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Sounds … intriguing.”

He bites his lip and gets out his phone, before sheepishly handing it to me. I’m looking at his Instagram profile. His proper Instagram. Not the one where he posts pictures of shredded bodybuilders like me and Danny.

I read from his bio. “Curtis Mayhew. Bestselling - oh shit! You write children’s books?”

Curtis (a name which seems to suit him perfectly) sheepishly nods. “I’ve just had the one published so far.”

“That’s amazing!” I gush. 

He gives me an awkward, sheepish smile. “Thanks!”

I have no idea why he seems so shy and embarrassed. Maybe it’s the same reason Nick won’t post his pics on Instagram.

“Wait! So … are you like a mega-rich, world-famous celebrity?” 

(Did I manifest this back in the hotel room?)

Curtis barks out a laugh. “Definitely not mega-rich! And ... I think you’re more of a celebrity than I am!”

I smile as I give Curtis Mayhew (bestselling children’s author!) his phone back. I’m not really a celebrity, but I don't really mind him thinking that I am.

“I actually can’t believe you live in Manchester. That’s a bit mad. Have you never been tempted to go to The Muscle Factory?”

“I’ve been!” Curtis says with a casual shrug. I almost believe him until his mouth curls into a little grin. “I’m much more of a Panthers boy though.”

“Oh really?” I tease, playing along.

“Mmmm. The bodybuilders are better. I sometimes train with Danny King there. We’re good mates, me and him.”

I laugh and feel a jolt of excitement. “Oh really? Mates with Danny King? I’ll ask him about that when I get back home tomorrow night.”

Curtis grins at my joke. Then his face turns serious. “Wait - are you REALLY seeing him tomorrow night?”

“Probably. I mean - we DO live together.”

Curtis’ jaw literally drops and his mouth hangs open. “You’re kidding?”

I laugh. “Nope!”

“You live with Danny King?” he asks, excitedly. “What’s he like?” 

I’m grinning so much. I love his reaction. “Danny’s … just, Danny! I mean - people get the wrong impression of him. They think he’s kind of arrogant. A bit full of himself. But he’s not. He’s just confident in himself. And he doesn’t really give a fuck about what people think.”

Curtis bites his lip and nods. I wonder whether he’s listening to me describe Danny and wishing he were that way.

I almost say, “I’ll introduce you,” but I don’t. I don’t think there’s a single bad bone in this guy’s body. I wouldn't want to lead him on. Or get his hopes up. He doesn’t deserve either of those things. 

“He’s really funny too! People don’t really see that side of him.”

Curtis nods and smiles. A weird thought comes to me - does Curtis fancy Danny more than me? 

“That’s something you two have in common.”

His mouth curls into a shy little grin and he furrows his eyebrows. “What?” he asks, somewhat nervously. The whole thing is so fucking sweet.

“Being funny! Mate - your DM’s are hilarious!”

Curtis’ grin gets even bigger. 

“Walking around Tesco’s in my posing trunks! RIP Granny muscle_lover!”

He lets out an embarrassed chuckle. Then he puts his hands to his face to cover it up! Oh my God. This guy is just too adorable.

“I … don't think I’ve ever heard anyone say those words out loud before.”

“Which words?”

He looks around and then mumbles, “Posing trunks”, before blushing.

I laugh. “They’re not dirty words, mate! So, did you tell anyone you were meeting me?” 

Curtis gives me a mischievous smirk and shakes his head.

“Can I ask a favour? Can you maybe, like, not tell anyone?”

His face falls and he bites his lip. Maybe to try and hide his disappointment. I feel like I’ve just kicked a puppy in the stomach. Which is exactly what Curtis Mayhew is. A big adorable puppy. In a yellow woolly jumper.

“It’s just … you know, this isn't, like, a done thing. Straight bodybuilder. Gay muscle fan. People might, I dunno … talk. Don't wanna fuel any rumours.”

Did his expression change when I said I was straight? I think maybe it did. But it’s hard to tell.

“Sure! I mean … I get it. Can you imagine the DM’s if it did get out? Everyone asking you to meet them? One thing though. How on Earth did you guess I was gay?”

I laugh. “It was the yellow woolly jumper.”

Curtis’ mouth drops open. “This is HIGH fashion. It cost me a hundred and fifty quid.”

My jaw drops. “Nooooo!”

He shakes his head. “Nah. Thirty quid from H&M.”

I laugh and he looks all pleased with himself.

“I don’t think anyone would believe me if I said I’d met you, anyway,” Curtis says.

“I mean - you could always say you just … bumped into me?”

Curtis grins. “Mmmm. I guess that’s believable.”

“It’s dead believable! You went to a Five Guys in London. And who was there? Alfie Winters. One of your favourite bodybuilders!”

Curtis lets out a giddy giggle. “They still probably wouldn’t believe me.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Well, that’s easily fixed!” I say with a shrug. I retrieve my phone from my pocket and watch Curtis’ face transform into an excited expression. I hold my phone up, move my face closer to Curtis’ and snap a picture of the two of us.

“I’m DM’ing this to you on Instagram,” I tell him as I play with my phone. “Now you have proof!”

Curtis can’t stop smiling. I don't know what it is about this guy. There’s just something so endearing about him. Infectious even. He’s like a puppy in human form. You just want to pet him, make him happy and feed him treats.

“You know if I wasn’t wearing a hoodie I’d have flexed my biceps?”

Curtis’ mouth curls into an O shape. “Damn it!” he says, which makes me laugh. He’s blushing again.

“So, erm … can I ask a question?” he says. “Why DID you agree to meet me?”

“Ummm. Honestly? It was that, or … watching TV by myself in a strange hotel room.”

He bites his lip and nods. He looks a bit wounded.

“It wasn't just that though. Like … you really made me laugh in your DMs. Plus I figured, you know, people do this kind of thing. They chat online. They become Internet friends. They meet in person. It’s a thing, right?”

Curtis giddily grins at me.

“Okay - I have a question. Actually two. First - are there any, like, famous landmarks close by?”

“Erm. Trafalgar Square? That’s not far.”

“That could work. Second question. How are your video-making skills?”

Curtis looks at me bewildered. “Erm …”

“Remember the video of me posing in the street in my orange trunks?”

Curtis’ mouth curls into this big ominous grin which tell me he very much remembers that video. “Yeah?” he says, his cheeks flushing.

“Wanna help me film the follow-up?”

Curtis' mouth drops open and I bark out a laugh. “Ummm. Yeah!” he says, seeming part nervous, part excited.

“I haven’t got my trunks with me though. Think I can still turn some guys gay?” I say, referring to one of the first DMs Curtis sent me.

Trafalgar Square isn’t quite as busy as I thought it would be, but it’s busy enough. I’m not sure what I'm more excited about. Seeing the reaction of all the passers-by around me as I pose with my shirt off, or posing in front of Curtis. Seeing HIS reaction. Because I know what this means to him. I know what he thinks of bodybuilders. Of seeing shredded flexed muscle. Yeah - THAT’S what I’m more excited about. Hands down.

“Curtis Mayhew,” I say, handing him my phone. “Have you ever seen a shredded muscle freak pose before?”

A big embarrassed grin spreads across his adorable, puppy-like, heart-shaped face and he covers it up with one hand. He lets out this little giggle.

“Are we really doing this?”

“We’re really doing this!” I say, excitement coursing through me.

Curtis’ face is a picture as I take my black North Face gilet off and hand it to him. As he takes it, we lock eyes. A little smile on his face. Am I making some muscle lovers' dreams come true right now? I think I might be. Maybe that’s why this feels so good. Maybe that’s why my chest is expanding and I’m loving being here right now with Curtis Mayhew as he hugs my gilet to his chest, biting his lip and looking like he’s melting on the spot. 

I look around and suddenly feel a weird jolt of nerves as I grab at my blue Muscle Factory hoodie and peel it off my body. It’s weird. I definitely didn’t feel nervous doing this with Jason Fox back in Manchester. Maybe it’s because I’m in a foreign city. I feel the cool air on my back and I peel my hoodie off and my t-shirt goes with it. And now I’m completely topless. 

Curtis is no longer grinning. He’s looking at me wide-eyed. He looks nervous. Slightly embarrassed. Intimidated even. I can see his mouth trying to twitch into a smile. I think it’s safe to say the image of my thick pecs, pumped arms and wonky-shaped abs are definitely having an effect on this teacher slash children’s author who has a secret Instagram profile where he posts pictures and videos of the shredded freaks he secretly has a thing for.

“You okay?” I ask, handing him my hoodie, and then, lastly, my phone.

He gives an awkward nod. “Yeah!” he says, his mouth now curling into a slight grin. His cheeks have gone bright red. I nod to my phone and he holds it up.

It’s not until I step away from Curtis that I think about how other people might be reacting to the image of a bodybuilder standing in the middle of Trafalgar Square with nothing on above the waist. I’m half tempted to pull my jeans down. People are definitely looking. But I don’t seem to be drawing quite as much attention as I did when I was doing this back home. I guess that’s London for you.

I start to hit some poses and feel that familiar rush of being a jacked competitive bodybuilder hitting poses in a busy public place with his top off. I bang out a front lat spread and bring my arms up into front double biceps, which draws the attention of a group of dumbstruck tourists, who have stopped to watch the show. I hit pose after pose. My chest pops and balloons. My biceps bulge. I show off my thick, pumped lats when I hit a back lat spread. I crunch on the blocky abs popping from my ever-so-slight roid tummy.

And all the time I’m thinking about Curtis’ reaction. Trying to guess what’s going on inside his head. Trying to see what his face is doing behind my phone. 

It feels different to the Manchester video. It’s like … this one has taken on a whole different atmosphere. It feels more intense. I’m more nervous. And the rush is different. Maybe because of where I am. Or maybe because of the guy who’s filming me.

I squeeze my wrist with my hand and squeeze into a most muscular pose. I look down to see my pecs tighten and bulge like little pillows off my chest. Out of nowhere a voice in my head says, “Check these fucking bad boys out, Curtis.” Further down, my blocky abs are popping out. Still shredded from my last competition. If only I’d packed my posers. I wish I’d packed my posers.

It’s time for one last pose. Staring directly at my phone in Curtis’ hand, feeling more eyes on me than previously, I bend down and crank out a crab most muscular. It doesn't feel right to do my usual, mouth wide open and face scrunched up as if I'm a roaring animal move. I’m a little fearful that sweet, innocent Curtis might piss in his pants. So I do something else instead. I give him a mischievous grin and stick out my tongue (Nick Malone in his shiny pink posers style). 

I relax from the pose and Curtis drops my phone. Oh my God, his face! He looks awe-struck. Completely and utterly. Then his face curls into a little grin. I’m pretty sure I really DID just make some muscle lover’s wildest dreams come true. Who knew if would feel THIS good? If I knew I would have done it years ago. Maybe this can be a thing. Making muscle lovers' dreams come true. Meeting up with them off Instagram. Posing in front of them. Seeing their reaction when I strip off and they see my naked shredded torso in the flesh before them. Sort of like a charity. The Alfie Winters Project.

“Think everyone around here is gay now?”

Curtis chuckles and hands me back my hoodie. We’re both just grinning and laughing with each other. Sharing a moment. A crazy fucking moment! I can’t believe I almost passed this up to watch crap TV alone in a strange hotel room because I was worried it would be too weird to meet Curtis.

“How did it look?”

“Good!” he squeaks. He seems to have lost his ability to interact with me. 

“The tongue was a nice touch,” he says as he hands me my gilet. I laugh, and Curtis beams back at me. When he hands me my phone back, I stand beside him and press play. The two of us are now watching the video. We both laugh when a girl drifts behind me and screws her face up in confusion. 

“I was gonna drop my jeans but I thought better of it. If only I’d packed my hot pink Next Level Posers trunks.”

I look at Curtis’ face. He's smiling at me. The big, warm smile. As his eyes linger on me, I feel a sudden, sharp panic. Like maybe what I’m doing here is not okay. Like maybe this guy’s about to fall head over heels in love with me. No. Don’t be so stupid, Alfie. This was a one-time thing. I’m never gonna see this guy again after tonight. As I watch myself crank out my tongue out crab most muscular, I grin with pride and feel Curtis smiling next to me. My previous thoughts get pushed to the back of my mind.

I don't waste any time. I upload the video right there and then to my Instagram and type out a caption.

Only one thing to do when you’re in London! Sorry, granny ml (RIP). 

“Aaaand … posted!” I say, handing Curtis my phone to show him the caption. He lets out a sort of cute little laugh as he reads it. 

“I love it!” he says, handing me back my phone. 

“Even though I’m not wearing my shiny hot pink posers?”

Curtis coyly grins and bites his lip.

“Say it again. I dare you!”

“What?” Curts asks, still grinning.

I lean in and whisper, “Posing trunks!”

Curtis winces a little then lets out an embarrassed chuckle. And now we’re just looking at each other again. Both of us smiling.

“This was … really fun!” I say, surprising myself.

“Better than watching TV by yourself in a strange hotel room?”

I laugh. “Definitely better than that!” I tell him. We start heading towards the nearest tube. “Plus … now I can say I got to meet a mega-rich, world-famous children’s author.”

“And I can say I got to meet Alfie Winters. Randomly! In a Five Guys! And his ears weren’t actually that pixie-like in person!”

I bark out a surprised laugh.

“Although …” Curtis teases. I look over and he’s eyeballing my ear. I laugh harder. “Cheeky bugger!”

I imagine him saying to me, “I like them! Your pixie-like ears.”

“Do you know what line you need to get?” Curtis asks me when we get to the tube station.

“Haven't got a Scooby.” 

He inspects the tube map inside the station and tells me which lie I need to get, which is different to his. Then he turns to me. And now we’re just looking at each other. For one final time. Curtis Mayhew. With his blondey, light-brunette hair. And heart-shaped face. And wholesome look and innocent vibe. Curtis Mayhew. Teacher stroke children’s author stroke secret lover of shredded freaks and shiny posing trunk fanatic. Who I’m REALLY glad I met.

“I … kinda wanna hug you,” I say, surprising myself.

I can tell Curtis is surprised too by his face. “Okay!” he says, clearly a little flustered.

We both let out little laughs. Then we both stretch our arms out and inch closer to each other and before I know what's happening, me and Curtis Mayhew have our arms wrapped around each other and are embraced in a warm hug. My cheek momentarily pressed against his shoulder. I’m smiling as we pull apart. He’s smiling too. Curtis can’t seem to STOP smiling.

I look at his chest. “I’m definitely getting myself one of those jumpers!” I tease. 

His mouth drops open. “Cheeky bugger!” he says, before grinning wildly.

“See ya, Curtis,” I say, before heading to the turnstiles.

“Bye, Alfie!” he says.

I start to walk away. And then I twist my head back around to take one last look at the guy behind the shredded_muscle_lover97 profile who I took a chance on and met in person on this random Monday night in London. Curtis has done the exact thing because he’s looking at me too! We exchange grins before I turn around again and head towards my tube train.

I can barely stop smiling all the way back to the hotel.

[DennisFLL]

Dionne Warwick sang "What's it all about, Alfie?"  How apropos!

MA's Alfie is such an appealing character, as Curtis is as well.   And their chemistry with one another on their "date" seemed bigger that just them remaining platonic friends to me.  Is that wishful thinking on my part? 

Well MA, you're doing it again, keeping your readers on the edge of their seats waiting for where you are taking us.  I think Vera would very much approve of Curtis being his new son-in-law!

[MuscleJoe]

OMG!!!  

[mario2007]

You're an AMAZING writer, muscleaddict. The way you build and weave these storylines, is truly art. I look forward to every one of your new installments. A huge THANK YOU!

[Edrian2012]

I need Alfie and Curtis together please don't mess my ship

[DawnFire98]

This chapter was a lot of fun to read. Who of us wouldn't love to meet their favorite bodybuilder in-person and have a nice, little chat? 

[dreamboy]

6 hours ago, Edrian2012 said:

I need Alfie and Curtis together please don't mess my ship

EXACTLYYYYYY we definitely need a continuation of this, it seems like it could be a story of its own *hint* *hint*

[Ozymandias]

Lovely chapter! I hope we see more of Curtis

[crushme99]

10 hours ago, dreamboy said:

EXACTLYYYYYY we definitely need a continuation of this, it seems like it could be a story of its own *hint* *hint*

Excellent idea.  Curtis could embody the muscle worshipper in each of us.  Exploring every square inch of muscle, enjoying the rock-hard strength, awww muscleaddict, Curtis begs for a storyline of his own.

[muscleaddict]

On 7/1/2023 at 4:47 PM, DennisFLL said:

Dionne Warwick sang "What's it all about, Alfie?"  How apropos!

MA's Alfie is such an appealing character, as Curtis is as well.   And their chemistry with one another on their "date" seemed bigger that just them remaining platonic friends to me.  Is that wishful thinking on my part? 

Well MA, you're doing it again, keeping your readers on the edge of their seats waiting for where you are taking us.  I think Vera would very much approve of Curtis being his new son-in-law!

Date?! Curtis wishes!  Glad you liked this chapter, matie. It was a fun one to write! Next one is back to Nick in Manchester. I know I've neglected Danny a bit too over the last few chapters. This next one will remedy that.