He nodded as if he understood. “Maybe we could hang out for a bit before you go home.”
I picked up my towel again, buying myself a second to think. I didn’t want to lead him on or be that guy who kept someone around just because it was convenient. I also didn’t want to be a dick.
“Douglas, you’re great ...”
“But?” he prompted, his shoulders dropping.
“But I don’t think this is going anywhere.”
“Any particular reason why?”
“I don’t want to waste your time,” I explained, keeping my focus on him. “You deserve someone who’s actually looking for a relationship.”
“And you’re not?”
“No. A simple, no-strings-attached good time is more my speed.”
I wasn’t completely opposed to a relationship, but I wasn’t actively seeking one. For now, I was happy with the occasional hookup.
He took me in for a second, then offered a small, resigned smile. “At least you’re honest. Can’t fault you for that.”
“Thanks.” Saying that one word felt stupid, but what else could I say?
He slid a few bills across the bar. “For what it’s worth, I had fun with you.”
“Me too.”
Just not enough to keep things going beyond one night.
He stood and rested his hands on the back of the barstool. “If you ever decide you want something different …”
“You shouldn’t wait for something that likely won’t happen.”
He let out a breath. “Take care of yourself, Keaton.”
“You too.”
Turning someone down always sucked. It would have been nice to have someone familiar around to call when I needed a little release. But for as cute as Douglas had been, and how easy it would’ve been to keep sleeping with him, I couldn’t fake enthusiasm when the sex was just mediocre.
Once the last couple of customers left, I locked the front door, counted the register, turned off the lights behind the bar, and finished closing up.
Outside, the summer night air was warm, and I drove home with the windows cracked.
The house where I rented a room sat in an older neighborhood about fifteen minutes from the gym. Devon, the owner of Titan Elite, rented it out to fighters on the regional MMA circuit, and I shared it with three other guys.
I parked in my usual spot in front of the house and walked inside.
After dropping my stuff off in my room, I went to the kitchen for a quick snack, only to find it looked like a tornado had blown through. Protein powder dusted the counter like snow, a stack of dirty plates sat in the sink, and someone had left a pan soaking with what appeared to be the remnants of scrambled eggs at the bottom.
I put away the clean dishes and reloaded the dishwasher. Mostly so I’d have something clean to use for breakfast in a few hours. After cleaning up, I ate a protein bar, took a shower, and went to my room.
There was an additional bedroom on the other side of my bathroom that currently sat empty. Several roommates had come and gone in the two years I’d lived here, so it was only a matter of time before Devon would fill it again. I just hoped whoever moved in wasn’t a slob like two of my other roommates.
Sleep had come quickly,and it felt as though the morning came even sooner when my alarm went off at nine-thirty. I rolled onto my back, stared at the ceiling for a second, and gave myself a silent pep talk to start the day. Working late meant I didn’t hit the gym at dawn like some of the other guys, but mid-morning still felt too early for me.
Climbing out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom to get ready for the day, then threw on an athletic shirt, grappling spats, and shorts.
When I got to the kitchen, I stopped in the doorway. Somehow, it looked worse than I’d found it the night before. One of my roommates had tried to wipe the counter, turning the protein powder into a paste, and the trash can was overflowing. I dealt with it, clearing space on the counter and taking out the trash before downing a protein shake and two hard-boiled eggs before heading to the gym.
