I jump and turn. A guy with a shaved head stands a few lockers down, arms crossed over his chest. He looks a bit older than me, maybe late twenties, with a sleeve of colorful tattoos running up his left arm. A heavy silver chain hangs across his broad chest, catching the amber light.
He looks tough. Intimidating. Not the kind of guy I’d want to run into in a dark alley.
“Something like that,” I manage.
“Something like that?” He arches a brow. “Either it’s your first time or it isn’t.”
“Yeah, okay. It’s my first time. But I’m not gay.”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “You’re kidding me. What are you doing here then?”
I think for a moment. No way I’m telling this guy we’ve got a stupid competition going with the football team to see who can last the longest. So I give him a safer answer instead.
“To relax. Use the sauna.”
The guy lets out a short laugh, teeth flashing white. “Heard that one before.”
Heat crawls up my neck. “It’s the truth. I really am here for the sauna. You’re not?”
“I’m not here for the sauna, no.”
An awkward pause stretches between us.
“But you don’t seem…” I trail off. This is coming out all wrong. “I mean, you don’t look…”
“Gay?” He tilts his head. “What’s gay supposed to look like?”
My face burns. “I don’t know, man. I just meant… you seem really…”
“Masculine?” He grins. “Yeah, I get that a lot. Newsflash: gay guys can be masculine too. I like hard cocks. I like fucking a hairy ass. Is that gay enough for you?”
Jesus, this guy is direct.
“Y-yeah, no, of course. Sorry.”
The guy laughs, closes his locker, and then holds out his hand.
“Name’s Hawk.”
“Toby. Nice to meet you, man.”
Hawk gives my hand a firm squeeze. “Likewise. And, uh…” He glances at the towel around my waist. “Nice abs you got there. Must work out a lot.”
“Yeah, I play college football. Running back.”
“That explains it.” He pauses, a glint in his eye. “Too bad you’re playing for the wrong team. I’d love to have a piece of that ass.”
My skin prickles. This guy is shameless.
Hawk chuckles. “Sorry. Too much? I forget not everybody’s used to hearing stuff like that. I can be a little intense, or so I’ve been told. But hell, why beat around the bush, right? That shit gets you nowhere.”
I don’t know what to say to that. The guy just told me he wants to fuck me, and the thing is, it doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it would.
“I guess that’s… honest,” I manage.
“Honesty’s all I got, Toby.” He grins. “Don’t worry, though. I won’t bother you. If you came here for a quiet night, you can have it.”
He adjusts his towel. “Enjoy your stay. But hey, word of advice? Steer clear of the Red Zone if you’re really just here forthe sauna. Unless you want more than a quiet night, of course. In that case, the Red Zone’s your best bet.”
