Page 27 of Dickathlon

“Are you?”

“Yeah, just gonna shower,” I said, dropping my bag on the floor. “Wanna order Chinese for us? You can use my phone. Credit card info’s stored.” I tossed it to him and headed to my bedroom.

I started the shower, dropped my sweaty clothes in the hamper, and stepped under the warming water.

This was my second favorite time of the day. A close second to slipping between the sheets at night. I loved the feeling of the water and the relaxed mental state that came with washing all the sweat and dirt away. I used my shower time as a way to clear my head. Running did that some of the time, but I was usually too focused on my time to relax. Only the longer distance runs were different. I soaped my whole body and the tiny layer of black fuzz on my head and closed my eyes. I spun slowly under the water, letting it cascade down my stomach, washing the soap away, and spent a few minutes kneading my shoulder muscles. They were tight. It was probably time for another massage.

Dried and dressed in sweats and a tank, I headed to the living room to crash on the couch. Freddie wouldn’t stop staring at me.

“What, dude? Do I still have soap on me?” I stopped in the doorway.

“You haven’t heard, have you?”

“Heard what? You’re freaking me out.”

“I put an alert for Tyler Hale on my phone. For like…news stories and stuff.”

“I’m guessing you did that for me?”

“Well, it was obvious how much you were interested. I thought if he ever had a meet or something in California, we’d go see it. But - ripping the band-aid off here - it wasn’t good news today. He hurt himself at a competition.”

What?

“I didn’t want you to randomly hear about it. I thought you should know.”

“Is he okay?” I jumped over the couch to sit next to him, grabbing my phone. I started typing his name.

“They’ve only said he’s conscious. No details yet.”

“Fuck. These headlines are bad.”

I felt Freddie’s arm on my back.

“Oh Jesus, there's video.”

“I don’t think you should watch it. He dislocates his shoulder and slams into the mat. It’s not pleasant.”

“Well, you watched it.”

“I did so you didn’t have to. I don’t think you should watch it.”

“Okay. Okay.” I paused. “I’m going to message him. I can’t just sit here.”

“If that’s what you need to do.”

I could tell Freddie didn’t fully understand. Tyler wasn’t just cute. It was his reaction to me, introducing himself even though I already said his name. It was fucking adorable. And I wanted that in my life, for fuck’s sake.

Declan: Thinking of you and sending positive vibes. I really hope you’re okay.

I closed Instagram, knowing staring at it all night would kill me. “I need a drink.”

“You sure you should be doing that now?”

“No, but this is an emergency.”

That night would be kept in the bro-vault for a while.

I may have ended up semi-drunk, naked, and crying in Freddie’s lap, but we didn’t talk about it the next day. And for a long while afterwards.