"Okay, what the hell is wrong with me? I’m Axl Heck. I like girls. I’ve always liked girls. Devin Levin, that girl from spring break, the one who stole my hoodie—girls. That’s how it works. That’s how it’s always worked. So why am I sitting here thinking about... him?

It’s just some guy from the gym. Big deal. He’s just a dude who spots me on the bench press, cracks stupid jokes, and smells like that stupid piney shampoo. And yeah, maybe I notice how his stupid shirt fits when he’s lifting.