A Little Excerpt

Summer 2024

Toby Ingram just came back from a run, and his girlfriend, Alyssa, was waiting for him at his apartment. They were planning to spend the evening in and watch goofy cartoons. He needed a breather before taking a shower, so he lay on the common area floor with Alyssa, and he lifted his shirt up to his chest, exposing his ribs and belly button. Alyssa then put her right ear against his upper stomach.

“Jesus Christ, Toby. Your heart’s thumping,” Alyssa remarked.
“Yup, I can feel it in my chest,” Toby replied.
“You’re so hot and sweaty, too. How did your run go?”
“I think it went well. Ran up Halsted through Boystown and back and then a little past Fullerton and back.”
“How crazy was it today?” Alyssa asked.
“It wasn’t bad. It’s gonna be insane next weekend though,” Toby said.
“Oh yeah, that’s right. Oh, can you do me one favor?”
“Yea?”
“Can you tell me your middle name?”
“You know my middle name.”
“I do, but I want to hear you say it,” Alyssa said.
“Alright, my middle name is Matthew,” Toby replied.
“What is it again?”
“It’s Matthew.”
“Again?”
“Matthew.”
“I just love hearing you say your middle name.”
“Sure.”
“You’ve got a strong and sexy heartbeat.”​