I climbed out of the pool and adjusted my swimming costume to make sure it was covering everything that it should be. I said see you later to John, Sarah's Dad, who was at the pool as well and headed into the changing rooms.
I opened my locker and took my stuff out and headed to have a shower. The changing rooms were communal, as were the showers, but there were a handful of locking cubicle ones, one of which was spare so I went in. I took my shampoo and conditioner out of my bag and zipped it up before hanging it on the back of the door. I learned my lesson early that you need a water proof bag or to leave it in the locker and collect later.
I slipped my costume off and kicked it to the wall so it was out of the way; I double checked that the door was locked properly before having a shower. I dried myself off and wrapped myself in the towel tucking it under my left arm, wrapping it around myself and tucking the end into itself to hold it in place. I swept my hand down my back and front to make sure the towel was long enough and sat properly, which it was, before picking up my bag, shower bottles and swimming costume.
I unlocked the door using my elbow as my hands were full and left the cubicle, checking behind me to make sure I hadn't left anything. The communal area was chaos as usual; the kids lessons had just finished so around 15 kids were fighting over the 10 available shower heads while a collection of parents watched them and wiped soap from crying eyes as and when required.
I tip toed around the mine field of shampoo bottles and abandoned rucksacks while avoiding kids. I was just about clear of the showers when a small kid, 5 or 6 years old probably, dodged passed me and used my towel to help him change direction. It instantly slipped and went loose as I tried to catch it with my elbow, but I was too late. My towel unwrapped in what felt like slow motion and dropped to the floor. "Shit," I blurted out as I twisted my arms and legs as I tried to cover myself.
"Liam," a parent snapped as she grabbed the kid and looked at me, "I am so, so sorry."
The hustle and bustle of the changing rooms quietened to an almost deathly silence as I stood awkwardly in the middle of a communal changing area totally uncovered. I could feel the cool air all over my body further enhancing the realisation that I was very much naked. Kids giggled and pointed as the adults just stood in silence; the men stared as the women looked away, making sure their respective partners did as well.
I scurried into a changing room and slammed the door dropping my stuff onto the bench and locking the door. My heart was pounding as I processed what had just happened. "Fi," I heard John say as my towel got passed under the cubicle, "You okay?"
"Yeah," I said, my voice breaking as tears welled up and I took the towel.
I choked back the tears and properly dried myself off. I got dressed and just sat on the bench for what felt like ages. I wanted everyone who had just seen me to not be around when I went out. I left it 30 minutes and slowly opened the door and left.
"Hey," I heard John say as I left the building, "You want a lift?"
"Thanks," I said as I got into his car.
"You okay?" he asked looking at me, sounding genuinely concerned.
"No," I said as I lost my battle with the tears that I had been fighting. I didn't even know why I was crying; I had lost more strip games than I cared to count, I had streaked around the very same changing rooms for dares and the like in my youth, but for some reason, the tears just streamed out of me.
"Aww come on," he said touching my shoulder, "Don't let it upset you."
"I am being silly," I replied wiping my eyes, grateful that I had no make-up on.
He handed me a tissue as he just looked at me and smiled not really knowing what to say or do as a grown woman practically had a breakdown in his car. "Did you see..." I started but stopped as my voice broke again.
He paused and looked at me for a moment before replying, "Only from behind."
I took another tissue as I started to regain my composure again. As I breathed in my breaths stuttered as they do when you are crying. "What a day, half the world sees me naked, then I cry like a baby," I stammered between breaths, "So sorry."
"I think half the world is maybe a little far-fetched," he said with a smile, "Drama queen."
"Yeah maybe," I muttered returning his smile as I screwed the tissue up in my hand and looked at him.
"If it is any consolation you have an awesome ass," he said, holding my gaze and smiling.
"Not really," I laughed "but thanks."
"Not that I was looking," he protested too eagerly.
"Yeah, yeah," I said as I regained control of my breathing and started to calm down again, "You weren't looking yet still managed to classify it as awesome," I added with a grin.
"Maybe a small peak," he said. "You okay now?" he asked as he smiled back at me.
"Yeah," I said, "Sorry."
"No need to be sorry," he replied as he started the car and backed out of the space. "You going home?"
"Is Sarah in?" I asked.
"Nar, she is on some University educational trip," he said raising an eye brow at me.
"Piss up?" I suggested.
"Most likely," he said, "Paid for by bank of Dad of course."
"Of course, man of many uses you," I said smiling at him, "Home then; fending for myself tonight."
"Parents out?" he asked.
"Yeah, better social life than me," I replied.
"What're you having?" he asked.
"Pizza is probably favourite," I answered.
"I could do pizza if you want company?" he said.
"Sounds good," I said. "Bank of second Dad?" I asked.
"Go on then ya cheeky bitch," he said laughing.
I had known Sarah since I can remember and by extension her Dad. He was like a second Dad to me as I spent half my youth around at her house or her at mine. Some people would maybe see having dinner with your best mates Dad a bit weird, but it was normal, with the added bonus he was paying.
We got back to his and he parked up. I grabbed my bag and followed him into the house. "I will have the usual," he said, "Order what you want," he added as he threw me a credit card.
"Ta, will do," I said as I switched on the iPad and ordered online. "Do we want starters?" I shouted up to him.
"Sounds good," he shouted back.
I finished up the order and switched the TV on. I kicked my shoes off and tucked my legs underneath me making myself at home. Around 20 minutes later he came back downstairs freshly showered and sat on the sofa opposite me. He put his card back into his wallet and threw it onto the empty chair as he sat down wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.
"That is better," he said as he sat down, "all showered."
"Just have one at swimming?" I said.
He just looked at me and raised his eye brows, "No one wants to see me naked," he said with a smile.
"Funny," I said, "I am sure no one wanted to see me really."
"19 years old, slim, fit, well toned... hmmm," he said smiling at me.
"40? Good shape, toned stomach..." I said cheekily sticking my tongue out.
"Yeah, think you easily win that battle," he said.
"You hitting on your daughter's best mate?" I teased.
"You hitting on her Dad?" he retorted.
"TouchΓ©," I replied smiling at him.
"Where are my manners? Do you want a drink?" he asked standing up.
"Yeah please," I said.
He headed off into the kitchen and I heard the fridge door open. He poked his head round the door frame, "Beer?" he asked, to which I just nodded.
He handed me a bottle of Becks and sat back down placing his on the table. The pizza arrived and was quickly eaten between us. We watched car crash TV as we chatted about anything and everything. One beer turned into several and at around 22:30 Friends started: "The strip poker episode."
I shifted on the sofa awkwardly as the strip poker scene approached. Watching anything like that with "parents" is weird and uncomfortable. The conversation died down as we watched it, us both just drinking sips of beer to keep ourselves busy. The pillows got grabbed by the boys as they got interrupted and the credits rolled.
"Blokes always lose," he said as he smiled at me.
"Not always..." I said suggestively returning his smile.
He just smiled back and paused for a few moments, "Have you ever played?" he asked.
"Poker specifically?" I asked as I clarified he was asking me if I had ever played a strip game.
"Well... strip anything," he said trailing off towards the end.
"Yeah..." I said smiling.
"To poker or anything else?" he quizzed.
"All of the above," I replied with a smile.
"Oh really," he exclaimed sounding genuinely surprised, "Have you ever lost?" he asked looking at with a smile.
"Erm..." I said looking at him and then the floor, "Maybe..."