Part 4: Love, Gains & Bluetooth Bonds

Mounting Love: The Dumbbell Strikes Again

Part 4: Love Gains & Bluetooth Bonds

It had been a month since Neva's unexpected life as a phone mount began.

Somehow...

The three of them had become a surprisingly functional team.

Jeff had his first real date lined up.

Brosgaeus could almost talk to women without accidentally conducting a fitness seminar.

And Neva...

Neva was experiencing something she'd never planned for.

Feelings.

---

One evening, the three sat parked outside their favorite smoothie shop.

"Jeff," Neva said quietly.

"You've come a long way."

Jeff smiled toward the dashboard.

"Thanks."

"That means a lot coming from you."

She hesitated.

"You've been..."

"...kind."

"...Teachable."

"...Patient."

"And..."

She sighed.

"...Your awkward little laugh is... oddly charming."

Jeff stared.

"...Was that..."

"...a compliment?"

"Don't get carried away."

"I'm still trapped in a dashboard."

---

The passenger door opened.

Brosgaeus climbed in carrying two green smoothies and wearing the grin of a man who believed he'd conquered the world.

"I got digits."

Jeff looked impressed.

"Seriously?"

"Technically..."

"They belong to the smoothie rewards program."

"...But she typed them in herself."

Neva groaned.

"Brosgaeus..."

"You're like a himbo Rubik's Cube."

"Infuriating."

"Yet somehow impossible to ignore."

He grinned proudly.

"You love me."

"I tolerate you slightly more than traffic cones."

"I'll take it."

---

The drive home was filled with easy conversation.

Jokes.

Arguments.

Shared memories.

It was the kind of friendship that only formed after surviving mutual embarrassment...

...and one incredibly cursed dumbbell.

Then Brosgaeus frowned.

"...Jeff."

"Her signal."

The dashboard lights flickered.

Neva's voice crackled.

"I'm..."

"...fine."

Another burst of static.

"Just..."

"...a little interference."

Brosgaeus looked worried.

"Neva."

She was quiet for a long moment.

"...It's happening."

Jeff glanced over.

"...What's happening?"

She answered softly.

"My curse."

"I think it's ending."

---

The Next Morning

Jeff stood in his garage gym rehearsing conversation starters.

"So..."

"...What are your thoughts on ducks?"

Static.

"No."

"What?"

"Absolutely not."

"Ducks are third-date conversation."

Jeff laughed.

"I never know what to say."

"You don't have to."

"You just have to listen."

Jeff smiled.

"You're really good at helping people."

There was a long silence.

"...You've made me better too."

Jeff stepped closer.

Resting one hand beside the phone mount.

"You helped me believe in myself."

He swallowed.

"And..."

"I think..."

"...I really like you."

The dashboard lights began flickering rapidly.

"I know."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

---

A soft rumble echoed through the garage.

The cursed dumbbell rolled out from behind the weight rack.

It began to glow.

Brighter.

Brighter.

Jeff barely had time to react.

FLASH!

The garage filled with white light.

When it faded...

Someone stood where the phone mount had been.

Neva.

Human again.

Her ponytail was slightly frizzy.

A Bluetooth headset still hung around her neck.

She stared down at herself.

"...I have legs."

She took one cautious step.

"...I HAVE LEGS!"

The garage door burst open.

Brosgaeus rushed inside holding a protein bar.

"I KNEW THAT DUMBBELL HAD A REBOOT SETTING!"

Jeff couldn't stop smiling.

"...You're back."

Neva looked up.

Heart pounding.

"So..."

"...What now?"

Jeff rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well..."

"I have a second date tonight."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"And who's the lucky girl?"

Jeff stepped closer.

"I was hoping..."

"...it might be you."

For a moment...

The analytical, hyper-organized Neva had absolutely nothing to say.

Then she smiled.

"You're still awkward."

"I know."

"You still talk to pigeons."

"...Sometimes."

"You think squirrels are plotting something."

"They absolutely are."

She laughed.

A real laugh.

"Pick me up at seven."

---

Three Months Later

Jeff and Neva were officially together.

The awkward sweetheart and the recovering perfectionist made an unexpectedly perfect team.

Together they taught fitness classes.

Jeff encouraged.

Neva corrected.

People somehow loved both.

Brosgaeus?

He opened his own gym.

Mount Gains: Climb to Alpha Peak.

The logo featured oversized biceps.

Lightning bolts.

Far too many flames.

It was objectively ridiculous.

The gym was packed.

Not because Brosgaeus was the strongest trainer.

Because he'd finally become the kindest.

He encouraged beginners.

Celebrated small victories.

Spotted every newcomer.

And only used the word "alpha" on Thursdays.

Progress.

One afternoon, Neva handed him a protein shake.

He clinked it gently against hers.

"To cursed dumbbells."

Neva smiled.

"And the wonderfully weird people they bring together."

---

The End.

(...Until the next cursed fitness object chooses its victim.)