I got to the sports med office a bit early. I'm always early because of my deep fear of letting people down, but on this day, they booked me in the 6pm slot, the last one of the day. I had time to kill after training, so I went straight to the office.
I also just liked hanging out with everyone there. All the physical therapists are really friendly and fun. I'd also been going there for years, so I knew everyone's relationships statuses, the gossip about the newest personal trainer, and all the drama with the office manager.
One of the personal trainers, Jane, was working reception.
"Hey, Jane -- 6 with Ben. I know I'm a bit early," I said.
"Hey, no worries. He should be ready soon. How's training been?" Jane used to compete in powerlifting too.
"It's been good. Nationals is next month, so we'll see how we go. The work is all there, but I just need this shoulder to cooperate."
Jane nodded, "I hear ya. Well, hopefully we can get you sorted out today."
I smiled, and she checked me in and then switched off the training studio lights.
"I expected it to be busier here this time of day." I said, wondering who else might be in.
Jane was shuffling some papers around and had started packing her bag, "Yeah, most of our clients come during the workday or lunch. Not like your late-night lifting crew. A few of the therapists are off too. Actually, I think you're the only one booked in."
"Wow, special treatment," I joked lowkey wondering if I was going to get murdered tonight. I could put up a good fight against Ben, but I'd probably still bet against myself -- I saw him power clean 170kg on Instagram last week.
Ben came out of his cubicle with his 5pm client whose arm was covered in cup marks. Ben gave me a nod and a big smile.
"I'll have what he got," I joked.
Ben laughed, "Oh yeah? Well, if you've been skipping those accessories like I hear, then you'll be in for it today."
I cringe-smiled. Caught. Who's been telling the guys I've been skipping my rehab exercises?
Probably Eli. He knows too much, and he can't keep his mouth shut. Since we'd been hooking up, I bet he gets off on divulging my secrets to Ben.
Were those new shorts? It looks like the therapists all got new shorts, or maybe just Ben. He bent over the desk to rebook his client, and the shorts had to stretch around his ass. They were short enough to see his quads flex too.
Ben's not super tall, but he has the best posture of anyone I've ever seen which always makes him seem taller. He's a weightlifter which means thick traps and legs like tree trunks. I always thought he should wear tighter shirts with the way his upper body is built, but I think it leaves just enough for the imagination. Plus, the tattoo peeking out under the sleeve of his polo paints a pretty good picture.
As his client left, he used me as a warning about what happens when you skip your exercises. He promised Ben he'd do them.
"Come on back, M."
I led the way to his cubicle, and he shut the door behind him.
I took off my shirt and began updating him on my rotator cuff.
"I really think it's connected to internal rotation. I'm not getting pain in overhead as much as I do with that banded exercise..."
I was demonstrating the exercise when I noticed his eyes on my shoulder - or maybe my breasts. I continued explaining the pain, as he started setting up the table.
"Sweet, let me just do one quick test. Have a seat here..."
I sat down on the table, and he held my shoulders, rotating me side to side.
"Cool, that's not too bad. Alright, face down please." He turned to the corner of the room, signalling me to get situated on the table.
I always thought I was quite badass for not turning away to take off my bra with him. I doubt he ever actually saw anything - he's a professional and all - but it still made me feel sexy. I climbed onto the table, peeking my face through the hole, and letting my arms dangle off the edges.
He rubbed his hands together with that gel that smells like icy hot and began massaging my back. This was always my favorite part. No pain, just relaxing.
"Joints feel good," he noted.
"Mm, upper traps are good too, I promise."
"Likely story," he grabbed my upper traps which felt like ropes and rubbed them down to my shoulder.
I winched.
"Yeah, OKAY. I'm adding those to the list too." He said laughing.
There was a knock on the door, and Jane cracked it open.
"I'm off," she said, "you all good to close up?"
"Yeah, no worries," Ben said, "have a good night."
"Wow, I didn't realize I was the only one booked in this late. I could have done an earlier time," I said, suddenly embarrassed that I was the reason he had to be here late.
"No, no. I always work this slot. I start late on Thursdays." Ben said, sliding his forearm down my back extensors.
"Oh cool. I didn't want to make you stay late."
"You're not making me do anything," he said, "but I am going to make you do that pull-up challenge at some point."
"I will!" I promised, "just as soon as you fix my shoulder."
We laughed.
"Okay, deal."
He put cups all down my back, and I zoned out for a bit watching his feet through the hole as he worked around me. He set the timer and leaned against the wall.
"So... how's Eli?" He asked.
I was pulled back to reality. "What kind of question is that?"
"Ha. Well, he talks so much about you behind your back to me that I thought I'd give you a chance to talk behind his."
Okay, maybe he doesn't actually know anything. And - wait - who even cares if he did?
"That's fair. I appreciate the offer. He's good," I started. "Um, yeah - we're fucking, and yeah, it's good. Things are good."
He was laughing, "Wow, okay, he did not share that with me. Damn, I don't even have to try to get information out of you."
I turned my head, so I could see him. "I've always been an open book." I smiled, "now, what's the dirt on you?"
"You know me, a little bit of this, a little bit of that." He trailed off and started taking off my cups.
"What does that mean?" I put my face back in the hole in the table.
I felt his hip against mine as he collected the cups.