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“Hey, Ben!” Trevor’s voice rang out across the gym, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. He approached, a friendly smile on his face, unaware of the turmoil inside me. “Rough day?” Trevor asked, concern etching itself into his features as he took in my tense expression.
“Something like that,” I admitted, slowing down the treadmill to catch my breath.
“Want to talk about it?” Trevor leaned against a nearby machine.
My lips twisted into a wry smile. I glanced at Trevor, who gave me an inquiring look in return. It was time to come clean. I swallowed hard before speaking again. “It’s about Leo and me,” I began, my voice quavering as the words came out. “You know how we met through Mangle, right?” Trevor nodded as I continued, “Well, turns out their algorithm is flawed.”
“What do you mean—flawed? I don’t know an algorithm from an alligator. Explain it like I’m five,” Trevor said, his forehead furrowing in concern.
I paused for a moment to sort out my words. “It turns out that the dating app’s programming is all fucked up. People are now questioning whether our relationship is real or if it was just some computer program playing matchmaker.”
Trevor frowned and held my gaze for a long time. After several moments of silence, he said, “Do you love Leo?”
“Of course, I do.” This admission, without hesitation, brought a smile to my face, as if that answer was enough. “I can’t imagine being without him now that I have him.”
Trevor smiled sympathetically. “Then who cares how you guys got together? What matters is what you two feel for each other, not who brought you together, right?” He grinned wider. “I’ve heard lots of stupid and silly stories about how people found each other. Hell, my parents met because my mom backed into my dad's car at the grocery store. In the end, that’s not what’s important. It’s what you do once you’re together that matters. How you make it last.”
The genuineness of Trevor’s answer cut straight through any doubt that lingered in my mind. “Thanks, Trev. I needed to hear that.” I let out a chuckle. “That was fucking poetic, man.”
“Anytime, brah.” Trevor clapped me on the back, his own smile warm and reassuring. “Now, let’s finish this workout and forget about algorithms and apps, yeah?”
“Absolutely.” I climbed back onto the treadmill, determined not to let the judgments of others affect my happiness. As I jogged, I reminded myself of what truly mattered: the love I shared with Leo, something no faulty algorithm could ever replicate.
twenty-four
Leo
The soft, muffled thuds of cardboard boxes hitting the concrete floor echoed through the dimly lit storeroom where the familiar scent of sawdust and metal surrounded us—Max, Alex, and myself—as we counted the inventory in our father’s hardware store. The air was heavy with a quiet tension that settled among us like the dust on the shelves.
“Twenty-three…twenty-four…” I muttered under my breath, trying to focus on the task at hand. My mind, however, relentlessly wandered back to Ben and the unsettling news about the Mangle algorithm scandal.
It had been nearly a week since the news broke, and I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that we’d built our relationship on a foundation of lies and manipulation.
“You alright, son?” My father’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I turned to find him studying me, concern creasing his weathered features. Somehow, I managed a weak smile. “I’m okay, just tired.”
His eyes softened. “Well, I’ve got good news. Business has picked up this month. If things keep going smoothly, I may even hire some extra help around here so you boys won’t have to schlep out here to do this.”
“That’s great, Dad. But it’s not a bother helping you.” I mustered a smile. No matter our differences, I wanted my father’s business to succeed.
“Speaking of help,” Dad continued, nodding toward the back door, “I’ve got a few more boxes of supplies in the truck. Alex, Max, could you two go bring them in for me?”
“Sure thing, Dad,” Max replied, clapping Alex on the shoulder as they left the storeroom together.
I picked up my clipboard and walked over to another shelf.
“And you? How are things at the office?”
I froze at the question, then took a deep breath. “Not great. It’s been tense since the news about Mangle came out. My agency wasn’t involved directly in the scandal, but it still hurts to lose a big client.”
My father nodded, returning to his inventory count. “Understandable. You’ll bounce back, you always do.” There was a long pause, then— “Leo, was it that Mangle app that paired you and Ben together?” he asked cautiously.
I hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, it was.”
“And now they’re saying it didn't work right?”
“That’s what they’re saying.”
