Introduction
Zep knows what he wants, and he’s positive it isn’t Frost. Frost has everything Zep needs.
For years, Zep has been working toward the future he envisions. He wants a husband and kids. Zep knows his worth and isn’t willing to settle for less. While Frost is definitely a beauty, Frost is also a liar. He’ll never want the life that Zep pictures for himself.
As a former hockey player turned gym owner, Frost is financially settled. He has been known to mislead men occasionally to keep things impersonal, but he has his reasons. Frost also never messes with anyone he could hurt. He never expected to meet Zep.
When Frost’s secrets are exposed, Zep sees the man in a whole new light. Unfortunately, as much as they want each other, they can’t seem to stay on the same page. Hopefully, they’ll figure out a way to meet in the middle. Otherwise, they’ll miss their shot at real love.
One
To say that Frost was exhausted would be a vast understatement. His muscles felt weighed down by invisible sandbags. He had to keep moving. There weren’t enough hours in the day. He had more good days than bad, but the bad days were ugly as hell. Frost had to leave those here at his gym, Fitness Titan. When he had opened the place eight years ago, he had been excited about settling down into a quiet life after years of traveling nonstop while playing professional hockey. Everything about his life had been shifting into a new and positive journey. Now, at forty-one, everything hurt all the time and he was exhausted as fuck. Life was unfair like that.
Frost wound his way through the weight machines, heading for his office. He kept the place open twenty-four hours a day and only closed on Christmas. Thankfully, he always kept a great staff, so the place ran smoothly. Unfortunately, he still spent more time here than he did at home. It was a good thing he loved everything about working out. For a lot of people, it was a chore. For Frost, exercise was a release he didn’t have in any other area of his life. He needed this gym for more reasons than anyone understood. Sometimes, he missed having a social life. Friends. Actually, he missed that a lot. Being an adult was much harder than he expected.
“Oooh, look, Zep. They have water-themed yoga classes.”
“I have no idea what that is.”
“I think it’s basically just regular yoga to the sounds of water or some shit, but how fun.”
Frost’s head whipped around at the sound of familiar voices. As he set eyes on a pair, he—thankfully—hadn’t seen in months, Frost nearly tripped over his feet. Kit was a tiny thing with perfectly styled brown hair and a body that would make any bear want to lick him. The bear beside him named Zep always seemed oblivious to Kit’s lickable state. Of course, that was likely due to Kit’s unlikable personality. While Kit was a can of kerosene, ready to burn down everyone around him, Zep was floof. Frost didn’t really know the pair beyond brief meetings. Kit had ripped into Frost for almost ruining his best friend’s relationship. Zep was a regular at a bar Frost visited occasionally. If they planned to join his gym, Frost couldn’t avoid them.
He pasted on his most business-like smile and headed their way. “Wow. I haven’t seen you two in a while. What brings you to this side of town?”
Two sets of eyes turned his way. A misleading set of sweet-looking browns and an enchanting set of dark blues. Kit’s brown eyes narrowed. “Oh, it’s the home wrecker.”
Zep rolled his eyes, surprising Frost. “Stop, Kit. Jesus. It was all a misunderstanding and it’s been months. Let sleeping dogs lie.”
Kit turned away and went back to staring at the yoga pamphlet while muttering under his breath. “Yeah. That dog be a lying one for fucking sure.”
As if accustomed to Kit’s antics, Zep ignored him. “I just bought a house in the neighborhood behind here and was thinking about joining this gym since it’s so close.”
Frost tried not to look impressed. He lived in the neighborhood behind this place. They were million-dollar homes. Zep looked like a biker daddy. He was easily six-six with a shaggy brown beard and countless tattoos. In fact, he rode a Harley and hung out in a biker bar. The guy did not look like a man who would move into his neighborhood. Not that Frost judged. He too didn’t look the part.
Frost’s gaze moved Kit’s way, wondering if he should ask.
Zep jumped to the rescue. “Kit is here because... we’re always together,” he finished lamely, as if even he didn’t understand why they were always together.
A loud sigh escaped Kit and he focused on Zep. “We’re friends.”
A smile snapped to Zep’s face.
Frost found himself taking a deep breath. Biker daddy was hot.
Zep rubbed Kit’s arm, as if comforting a child. “I know.”
Kit gave him a sharp nod, as if placated.
Matthew, one of Frost’s best personal trainers and the yoga instructor, appeared from nowhere with eyes for no one but Kit. “Hey there. Would you like a tour?”
Kit blindly handed Zep the brochure he had been reading before linking his arm through Matthew’s. “Lead the way.”
Frost shook his head as the two walked away without acknowledging anyone else.
“Don’t mind Kit. He’s...”
Frost’s gaze met Zep’s as Zep visibly floundered for a way to describe Kit. “Mean,” Frost supplied.
Zep’s shoulders squared. His gaze hardened as much as a softy’s could. “He’s loyal.”
An immediate shot of guilt hit Frost. He had deserved Kit’s treatment. Frost shook his head. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Would you like a tour?”
A line appeared between Zep’s eyebrows. “Do you work here?”
“Actually, I own the place.”
Zep’s expression cleared. “Oh. That’s nice. We see each other occasionally at the bar, but I don’t guess we’ve ever really spoken. I’m Zeppelin,” Zep said, formally introducing himself. “Everyone calls me Zep.”
Frost shook his hand. “I actually knew that. We run in similar circles. I don’t think I have ever introduced myself, though. I’m Frost.”
A smile exploded across Zep’s face. “I actually knew that, because of all the drama.” Damn. Frost would never live down almost accidentally breaking up a couple from the bar. It was a long story, and Frost didn’t care to relive it. It seemed Zep had other plans. “Which reminds me. There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you.” Frost held his breath. He didn’t want his mistakes dredged up again. Frost was far from perfect. “Who names their kid Frost?”
A laugh burst from Frost without his permission. “This is L.A. Everyone here would name their kid Frost. Who names their kid Zeppelin?”
“Hippies,” Zep answered without missing a beat.
Frost couldn’t stop smiling. He also couldn’t resist being honest. “In my case, Frost is actually my last name. I played pro hockey until I retired eight years ago. All the players get called by their last names and it just stuck. My name is actually John Michael.”
Zep winced. “Two first names? Yeah. Frost is better.”