4.11: The Edge

God, I think today was one of the most embarrassing days of my life.

And probably one of the most confusing too.

Things were pretty rough, right from the start. Coach worked us like dogs at practice… Our last game was pretty terrible, and I guess now we’re paying for it. I know I definitely did. I’m not even in my mid-thirties yet, but I know I only have a handful of good years left in me. I love football so much, but it’s starting to take its toll, I think. I mean, I’m not twenty anymore.

I hate to admit it, but I tire a hell of a lot easier than I used to. And today after practice, I was definitely feeling it.

That was where Anna came in, as always. Ready with a cute smile, a funny story, and those magic fingers of hers.

God, those fingers… That’s where all the trouble started.

Now, it’s not like this is the first time it’s happened. I mean, I’m a guy. Someone’s rubbing their hands all over me. What do you think’s gonna happen? It’s never been a huge deal before – it always goes away before anyone can notice anyway (thank God).

But this was different.

WAY different.

The way Anna was touching me… I swear to God, she knew exactly what she was doing. Normally we laugh and joke during my massages… But not today. She didn’t say a word. Neither of us did. But believe me, her hands spoke loud enough for both of us.

And damn it, I don’t know what came over me. It just felt so damn good. I couldn’t stop myself from wishing her hands would linger just a little longer, move just a little lower… I felt myself getting closer and closer to the edge, and I knew I had to get out of there before she gave me that last push.

“What’s wrong?” I remember her asking me.

Then she looked down at my towel, and I saw her eyes go wide.

But that wasn’t even the worst part.

She closed the distance between us so quickly. Too quickly. And the way she was looking at me…

Jesus, I barely made it to the bathroom in time.

Thank God my clothes were in there. Once I cleaned myself up, I took my sweet time putting them back on. I stood in there for a long time, trying to hide for as long as I could, and wondering how I could ever face her again after what happened.

Just suck it up. I told myself. Apologize.

When I opened the door, she was there waiting for me.

And before I even had the chance to say a word, she was inviting me out for a drink tomorrow after work.

I was sure I was imagining things, but I asked her to repeat herself – twice. And she’d really said it. She’d actually invited me to go out with her after what happened…

And God help me, I said yes.