Better Than a Dream

Chase grunted through another rep, the barbell rising and falling with precision as sweat trailed down his back. The gym was loud, alive with clangs and grunts and bass-heavy playlists, but none of it registered. Not really.

All he could think about was her.

GirleyRiley.

His hands tightened on the bar.

He hadn't seen her in days—not in person, not online. Not even a new story. And yeah, that shouldn't matter. He barely knew her. But it did. It mattered a lot.

At first it had just been Instagram. Thirst-trap content, obviously—but next-level thirst-trap. Those lips, those eyes, that waist. The angles she worked, the pouts, the tongue-between-teeth smiles. It wasn't just hot. It was art. Then the algorithm must've clocked his obsession, because suddenly she was everywhere.

TikTok. Twitter. Pinterest.

And now… OnlyFans.

That was new. Barely anything posted yet, but Chase had subscribed without hesitation. The idea of more Riley—more private, more personal—it made something burn inside him. She felt like a secret, even though she had thousands of fans. He wanted to be first. To comment, to like, to repost.

To show her off.

He should be embarrassed, but he wasn't. Not even close.

GirleyRiley is very sexy.

The words played in his mind like a whisper.

He wiped his brow and glanced at the entrance again, heart giving the smallest kick of disappointment—until he saw her.

Riley.

Riley was here.

He barely registered setting the weights down before he was halfway across the gym. She was glowing. Blonde hair bouncing with each step, makeup flawless, mouth glossy and plump. Her outfit? Obscene. Perfect. A crop top so tight it clung to every curve and a pair of leggings that might as well be painted on.

And… yeah. Her chest looked bigger. Fuller. Softer. His mouth went dry.

"Riley!" he called, trying not to sound too eager.

She turned, brightening immediately. "Chase!" Her voice was like spun sugar. She did that little step-in-close thing girls did when they wanted to flirt, and his knees almost buckled.

"You're looking… incredible," he said, laughing nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Didn't think I'd see you here again this week."

"Oh, you know me," she said with a wink. "A girl's gotta keep her body tight if she wants to keep the internet interested." Her hands ran over her waist, then down to her thighs in a slow, casual motion that might as well have been a strip tease.

Chase laughed, then lowered his voice. "Speaking of the internet... I, uh. I've been following your stuff. Online, I mean."

Riley tilted her head, smile wide. "Yeah?"

He nodded quickly. "All of it. Insta. TikTok. And, uh… the new one."

Her smile turned mischievous. "OnlyFans?"

He blushed. "Yeah. I mean—I hope that's not weird. It’s just... I think your stuff's amazing. You're kind of winning the whole internet right now. You've got this vibe, you know? Like you're sexy but sweet, and confident, and… just, you. People can't get enough of you.”

"I hope you can't get enough of me," she said softly, her eyes glimmering.

He stared at her for a second too long.

She broke the tension first, one perfectly manicured finger tapping his chest. "You're sweet. You're also huge." She bit her lip. "What've you been doing to those pecs, Chase? They're... impressive."

His heart practically launched itself through his ribcage.

"Uh—cable crossovers," he stammered. "And incline bench. You should… feel."

She did.

Just a little touch—her fingertips brushing his pec through his damp shirt. His abs clenched. He thought he saw her eyes flicker, just for a second, down lower. His breath hitched.

"Nice," she said, smirking. "Really, really nice."

She peeled away with a little wave and sauntered toward the treadmills. His eyes followed every step, every sway.

Chase turned back to his weights, hands shaking slightly as he picked up the dumbbells. He kept curling, eyes flicking toward the mirrors, just enough to see her watching. Her eyes were locked on him.

Or rather, on his groin.

He grinned, breath catching a little. He turned his hips just slightly. Gave her a better view.

She didn't look away.

A thousand thoughts poured through his mind at once. Could this be real? Could someone like her actually want someone like him? Maybe she flirted like that with everyone. Maybe she didn’t. Maybe it didn’t matter.

He had to try.

He'd wait until the timing was right. Maybe the next time they saw each other. He'd ask her out—respectfully, casually, play it cool. But if he was lucky?

He'd get to know GirleyRiley offline.

And maybe—just maybe—he'd get to be the man she posted about next.