Chapter 41: Welcome to My World
It was finally the day.
Jake adjusted his shirt for the fifth time as he waited outside the gym. He wasn't nervous about showing the equipment or the renovations.
He was nervous about his family stepping into his world.
The old white van pulled up with a familiar screech, and out came his mom, his dad (slowly but smiling), Marcus in sunglasses looking like a mafia boss, and Elena holding her phone up to record everything.
Jake waved, trying to hide his nerves.
"Welcome to… the gym."
Elena smirked. "This where you turn into a tank?"
Jake rolled his eyes.
"This where I found myself."
---
Inside the gym, Alex was finishing up some stretches when the door opened.
"Yo, Jake—" he paused.
And then crashed straight into Elena who had walked in behind Jake with a cake box in her hands.
Splat.
The cake box tumbled. Alex caught it.
Elena caught Alex.
They both froze.
Jake blinked.
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
Alex turned red.
Elena, still holding onto Alex's shirt, tilted her head.
"You're Alex?"
Jake was already facepalming.
"Oh no."
---
Meanwhile, the gym members—excited to finally meet Jake's mysterious family—lined up, whispering nervously.
Marcus stepped inside and removed his sunglasses.
Silence.
One of the younger members leaned over to another.
"Bro… why does Jake's brother look like a final boss?"
"Shhh!" the other one hissed. "He'll hear you!"
Marcus gave them a small nod and the two almost passed out.
---
But then the tension broke.
Alya emerged from the kitchen area holding a beautiful cake decorated with tiny dumbbells and a fondant heart.
She placed it gently on the table.
"To Jake's family—thank you for raising someone who's helped all of us grow."
Jake's mom teared up.
Jake blinked back his own emotions. "Alya…"
Elena smiled wide.
"You're the cake girl, huh?"
Alya nodded. "Yes, ma'am. And Jake's assistant coach-slash-occasional bully."
They all laughed.
---
After the toast and cake, Jake sat next to Alex, still giving him the look.
"So…" Jake whispered, crossing his arms. "You and my sister, huh?"
Alex coughed, clearly flustered.
"It was just reflex. She tripped. I caught her. Gravity."
"Yeah," Jake muttered. "Gravity's dangerous."
Jake turned his head slightly… just in time to see Elena chatting with Alya and throwing glances back at Alex.
Jake groaned.
"This is gonna be so weird."
---
The chapter ends with a group photo—Jake in the middle, one arm around Alya, the other around Marcus. Alex standing behind them looking awkward while Elena gave bunny ears behind his head.
The gym was loud with laughter, full of joy, and alive with family and friendship.
Jake looked at the photo on his phone afterward and smiled.
"This… this is my life now. And I'm proud of it."