Chapter 11

Xander’s life fell into a rhythm. Each morning, he got up early and ran, then got a ride to school to lift weights. Three times a week, he would get off the bus early and spend time with Brandi and Chantel. The rumor mill said the guys at the high school were mad because Chantel had cut them off. The amazing part was that no one suspected it was due to Xander’s efforts to keep her happy.

When he got home, he worked for his grandfather, doing various odd jobs. Then, he would have dinner, study with Izzy, and do his schoolwork. What time he had left was spent either playing video games or reading.

The foursome of John, Kelly, Xander, and Pam met about once a month, usually at John’s house. Their plan for the summer was to have more frequent visits because Pam and Kelly had pools.

The only real change came when track season started. Coach Carlton talked the guys who were lifting into going out for the team. Xander’s dad had run track in high school as a sprinter. Xander made the team and ran the one-hundred- and two-hundred-meter individual races. He also ran the four by one hundred and four by two hundred relays. On top of that, as a nod to his past life, he threw the shot put.

He did okay, but more than anything, he used the training to help improve his speed and strength for freshman-year football.

At the end of the year, Xander compared his growth since the start of school. Then, he was one of the smaller boys in his grade at five-four and 108 pounds. Now, he was five-eleven and weighed 145 pounds.

Xander still thought he looked too skinny, but now he saw the results of working out. His shoulders had broadened, and his chest and arms popped when he flexed. When Xander took his shirt off, girls took notice of his abs. His most significant growth was below the belt. Running and biking in the mountains had done wonders for his butt, thighs, and calves.

He’d also developed in other areas. He’d sprouted hair in all the expected places and even had a thin line that ran from his navel to his pubic hair. His being blond made it hard to see, but he was proud of it. His balls had grown and appeared similar to what he’d had as an adult his first time through.

Xander got brave and measured himself. He was five inches while flaccid and seven and a half inches erect. In his mind, he was all for rounding up. His girth was just under seven inches. Xander guessed he was at least an inch and a half longer and an inch more in girth than he’d been the first time.

Xander wasn’t sure what caused his increased growth this time through. He’d always assumed that a man’s height and the size of his genitals were due to genetics. But he’d exercised during his entry into puberty, and his diet was much better than it had been the first time around. Xander no longer lived on bread, soda, chips, and cookies.

Probably the worst thing he did now was drink coffee, but he had to be serious: life was not worth living without caffeine.

Toward the end of the school year, Xander came to his mom with a concern.

“I want to spend some money,” he announced at breakfast.

“If Xander gets to spend money, then I should, too,” Izzy said.

“Dad’s giving me the money,” Xander said, which shut down his sister’s complaint.

He and his mom kept a straight face because if Izzy thought for a moment, she’d realize her dad would never spend money on them unless it benefited her dad.

“What do you want to buy?” his mom asked.

“Exercise equipment. I won’t have anywhere to lift once school shuts down for the summer. I was thinking about getting a set of dumbbells and possibly a bench.”

“For argument’s sake, where would you set all this up?” his mom asked.

“I thought I would clean out Dad’s side of the garage and exercise there.”

That side of the garage was full of boxes of stuff from the Dallas storage unit. In Xander’s past life, he’d instituted a rule: if he didn’t use something for a year, it had to go. While there were some exceptions, like keepsakes, he would do a spring cleaning and either donate or sell off everything of monetary value, or toss it into the trash. He was sure it made life easier for his niece when she had to clean out his house after he died.

“Maybe you could help me put up shelving so we can store that stuff,” his mom said.

“I can measure the space and see what we can do,” Xander said.

“Your uncle might have left his exercise equipment. Let me ask my dad. If he still has it, it would save you money ... or I mean your dad’s money,” his mom said, catching herself.

“If he has some gear, I might have enough to get a bike that works on hills.”

Xander’s childhood bike was made for riding on the flat roads in Dallas. He needed one with granny gears, which provided the easiest pedaling for the steep climbs up the mountain. But this was second on his list because of the workout he received while riding his old bicycle. If Xander were being honest, he would have a car in less than two years, so he’d only ride a bike for enjoyment, something he’d never done in the past. If it weren’t a waste of money, it certainly would be a luxury.

“I want a new bike,” Izzy said.

“You don’t ride your bike now,” her mom said.

“Then can I get a tablet like Xander has?” Izzy asked.

“What would I get you for your birthday if you have everything?” Xander asked, thoughtfully tapping his chin in contemplation.

Izzy’s birthday was in a month, and she sat up straight at his question.

“I can wait.”

A car honked.

“I have to go,” Xander said and rushed for the door.

He picked up a duffel bag and his backpack. It was John’s mom’s turn to drive. When he got in the back seat, he saw that only John was in the car.

“Where is everybody?” Xander asked, since he was usually the last one picked up.

“They all decided to skip lifting this week to study for finals,” John said.

“If you didn’t want to lift, you could’ve sent me a message.”

“I might bail on the rest of the week, so I suggest we call it.”

“What do you plan to do for the summer?” Xander asked.

“I don’t know, but I’m hoping to find somewhere to lift.”

Xander told John about getting some equipment. They discussed what they thought they might need. By the time they reached school, Mrs. Tyler said she’d be willing to give John a ride to Xander’s three times a week.