Page 29 of Swim Crush

“Uh, yeah.” I apologized again and broke eye contact with Hayden, who turned and disappeared into the laundry room.

“Did you need a moment?” Danny whispered.

“What do you mean?”

“You and Hayden just now.”

“I just threw a wet Speedo in his face. What was I supposed to do? Ignore him?”

Danny shrugged. “Just seemed like something. That’s all.”

“It’s probably because we spent New Year’s together.”

Danny paused his soaping to stare at me. “Say what?”

I walked over to the lockers, careful not to slip, to see if Hayden had left and I didn’t see him. Back under the stream of hot water, I spent the entire shower replaying the entire night for Danny. We were both prunes by the time all his questions were answered. He was as bad as Logan.

“Man, you are just a snack, aren’t you?” Danny teased, squeezing my bicep.

“I told you-”

“Oh, I know. ‘Hayden has a boyfriend.’ By the way, I agree with Logan. Smells like a lie. But even if he does, which I doubt, I think it’s obvious he likes you. Maybe things don’t work out?” Danny suggested.

“What about my secret admirer?”

“A bird in the hand, or should I say cock?” He grabbed his junk through his towel and winked.

“You and Logan should just fuck,” I replied, knowing that would shut him up. Walking between the rows of lockers, I headed to mine. “What? No smart retort?” I asked, looking back at Danny.

“Fine.” Danny stopped to put his hands on his hips. “How about you message your Grindr boy right now then? Especially since you left him mid-coitus.”

He had a point. I grabbed my phone from my duffle bag.

CircusTent: Sorry about that.

Blip.

“What’d he say?” Danny asked.

“That wasn’t my phone.”

“What do you mean? No one else is in here.”

CircusTent: Hope you held off for me.

Blip.

“It’s coming from this bag,” Danny said, pushing it into view with his bare foot. It was one of those reusable bags from Whole Foods.

“Maybe it’s a coincidence?”

“Try sending three in a row and we’ll see.” Danny sat down next to me.

CircusTent: I hope

Blip.

CircusTent: you’re still