Page 22 of Swim Crush

PillowByter: I try.

I wanted to ask him if he wanted to meet in real life, but I knew what Logan and Danny would say. He’s the one that contacted me. Everything had been on his terms so far, and it wouldn’t do me any good to push him faster than he wanted.

Unsurprisingly, that t-shirt became very crusty by the end of Christmas break.

I couldn't get the idea of meeting him out of my head, so I decided to see if he would take advantage of a relatively empty campus on the off chance that was the reason he was hesitant to reveal himself. Despite my parents’ disappointment, I changed my flight and flew back before New Year’s Eve.

CircusTent: I’m back.

I waited twenty minutes before heading to the pool. Not only was I addicted to the attention, but I looked forward to any message from him. It certainly felt like what I imagined having a boyfriend to be like.

My head was clear for most of my time in the water, but when I pulled back the throttle and started to relax, thoughts of him returned. I’d only just realized I’d never asked if he had a roommate.

The pool was still empty, but I had been there for just under an hour. I was only getting a head start on training anyway. Coach was fine with us enjoying the holidays because he worked our asses off before them. It was only going to take a week or so to get back to my best condition and move forward.

As soon as I pulled myself out of the pool, I ran through a few of my normal stretches and grabbed a sip from the water fountain. I hadn’t bothered with a towel, so I made a quick retreat into the locker room…where a shower was running. I tried to remember which of my teammates was from the Brentwood area, but I couldn’t think of any.

“Morning,” I said, coming around the corner.

The figure froze, giving me time to admire the almost-full back tattoo of a naked archer. The tattoo was gorgeous and I had to admit the ass was as well. I’d never seen the tattoo before though. Did we get a new swimmer?

“Oh fuck!” the young man practically yelped when he turned and saw me.

The exact second I recognized him – “Hayden?!” – his hands immediately covered his junk, but I had time to tell he was at least partially hard. “So-sorry, I didn’t think anyone would be here.”

Hayden’s head bowed, his eyes on the floor, before he turned to face the wall. He was clearly nervous. “I didn’t think anyone would be here either,” he said.

“I can go?”

“No, I’m almost done. It’s fine.”

The silence was awkward, but it didn’t last long. I had too many questions. Observations, really.

“I didn’t know you had a tattoo. It’s so big.” I realized that sounded pervy, so I added, “Do you like archery?”

“I know you’re naked in front of other guys all the time, Mike, but I’m not and I’m trying really hard not to pass out from embarrassment right now. It’s sweet of you to want to chat, but I’m rinsing off and then I’ll be going.”

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Your body is amazing.” I wasn’t sure my opinion would change his mind, but I had to try. I tried not to be obvious, but he was pretty muscular though I’d never seen him work out. “Not that I’m coming on to you,” I added.

His tense back seemed to relax, though it may have been my imagination.

Shit. “Not that I wouldn’t come on to you. I mean to say that your body is perfect. More than adequate?”

Finally he rewarded me with a laugh. “I believe you, Mike. You don’t forget how to speak around the other guys. I’ll take it as a compliment. See you around.”

The water shut off and he scurried out of the shower room and around the corner before I could stop him. I was left with more questions than I had before. Like, how did someone so attractive – and to be honest, friendly – feel like they’re inadequate?

Maybe he had an ex that treated him like garbage?

I could imagine that would ruin my self-confidence.

Where did all those muscles come from?

That was the more pertinent question.

And that tattoo!

Hayden had an enormous naked man tattooed on his body.