Page 31 of Swim Crush

“You should message him on Grindr when you can watch him react,” Danny suggested.

“If I do that, he’s going to look directly at me, and I won’t be able to watch his reaction because he’ll see me watching him and then he’ll know I know.”

“Oh brother. He probably already knows you know.”

The locker room was even worse. I couldn’t help but put on a show. I made sure to spend extra time lathering my balls or my ass, especially when he was around. With my eyes closed and head back, of course – torso on full display.

I stopped doing that the day I heard a loud metallic bang. Hayden had walked into the lockers and landed on his ass on the floor. I ran over to try to help him, but slipped myself. I had forgotten that water and soap didn’t create the best surface for running.

I felt arms pick me up from behind. “You two alright?” It was Danny.

“I’m good, thanks,” I answered.

“Just my body getting in the way. I’m okay,” Hayden replied, then disappeared around the corner.

“When are you revealing yourself?” Danny whispered.

“Is this not revealing enough?”

Danny rolled his eyes. “Not what I meant. And he’s seen that a hundred times by now.”

“I’m waiting for a special day.”

I was waiting for Valentine’s Day to be exact.

My attempts at real life shenanigans were nothing compared to our Grindr chats now. Knowing who it was on the other end of the conversation was so much hotter. I had known Hayden for almost two years and lately – whether it was pure luck or not – we had spent some time together. He was definitely boyfriend material, and if our Grindr conversations were any indication, we were sexually compatible too.

Part of me was nervous things wouldn’t work in person, but part of me knew I needed to try. He was worth that, and he obviously liked me. It was hard to imagine him as the same person from the beginning.

Harpocrates.

Of course he hadn’t changed, I just got to know him a lot better, which only made me like him more.

A few days prior I got with Coach and reserved the pool, but the big day was finally here.

Mike: Can you meet me at the pool?

Hayden: Sure…everything okay?

Mike: I came for a swim and the door to the locker room won’t open.

Mike: I can’t get back in and I don’t want to use the emergency exit. Speedos and snow don’t mix.

Mike: I thought you might have keys?

Logan had come up with that excuse. Just enough reason that he needed to come, but not outrageously fake.

Hayden: Yeah, I can be there in fifteen minutes or so.

Mike: Great! You’re a lifesaver. I owe you whatever you want.

I couldn’t help throwing a little flirt his way. We were finally going to meet.

I was busy lighting candles when the notification from DoorDash popped – dinner was here. After tipping the delivery driver and closing the app, I scurried back through the building and over to the table I had set up poolside. The silverware I borrowed from the dining hall was already on the table, so I just had to slide napkins underneath and pull everything out of the bag. A quick trip to the trash can by the door and all I had left to do was finish the candles and turn off the overhead lights.

“Mike?” Hayden’s voice echoed through the dimly-lit natatorium. “Oh my God.”

I stood smiling next to the table, illuminated by the hundreds of floating candles in the pool behind me. “Good evening and happy Valentine’s Day.”