"Tyler." He is holding out a hand. He is standing right in front of me.
I had no idea he was going to stop where he did. There was this flash of beefy legs going from left to right, and then, well, he stopped. I slowly looked up from the book was reading. I always bring a book to the laundromat to pass the time...and to not look so lonely. For a split second I take him in. It only takes the mind that long to make a snap judgment about someone. Besides, the view from his bulge to his face, and that friendly smile, well...Zach.
The bench is wide enough for three people, and I'm on the left side. Tyler sits down. Close. It's disarming that a guy can be so open and unafraid. His bare leg is touching my jeans. His left hand is resting on the back of the bench, right behind my back, and I can feel it there. I have no place to move. Not even if I wanted to.
"Watcha reading?"
With my head turned to the right to face him, I am lost in his gaze. Manly stubble, open mouth, nice teeth, cute nose, earlobes - really like earlobes - and though not quite a true ginger, there is enough red in his hair to start the blood flowing down there. Which makes me muddleheaded for a moment...What?
"The book - what is it? I'm a reader too, mostly true stories."
Oh...what kind?
"Gay ones." His eyes widen a bit and as his pupils dilate, I can see into his thoughts.
Oh, I...uhh...yeah. This is a book about keeping body and mind in top shape. A guys book. Holding the book up so he can see it, Tyler reaches out and takes it, like it was offered to him. I suddenly feel exposed, not just because of the rise in my jeans. I no longer have a prop; and don't know what to do with my hands. I fold my hands over my crotch. I am mouth breathing. Nervous habit.
"Sweet. You follow any of these tips?" His look is friendly, yet there is a hint of something more in his face and his tone.
Sure, the grooming ones are easy. It's the relationship ones that can be a challenge! I rise to the challenge myself and throw a card into the game. Tyler purses his lips, and just nods. The buzzer on the dryer goes off. Damn. I jump up and head for it with my basket. He follows.
"Red bikini briefs! Nice!"
Blushing sucks. Yeah, you know, gotta give the 'boys' some support! I...I feel uncomfortable. I like him. Instead of folding everything the way I usually do, I just throw it all into the basket and turn to leave. I quickly turn back for a moment. Nice to talk with you, Tyler. Maybe...
He really is cute. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Tyler is cute. His open mouthed grin is so damn inviting. I clutch the basket under my arm and head out the door. It only takes five minutes to drive to my place. It's close. So close.
Ring...ringggg. Yes?
"It's Tyler!"
Hi! My heart is racing. Wait. How did you...
"Your book - you left it with me on the bench. Found a letter in it with your return address, so here I am. Oh, I mailed it for you."
I push the buzzer. Come on in, man, I live on the second floor. A frantic glance around my apartment and I race to pick up a few stray things and chuck them into a closet. As I close the closet door, he knocks. Be right there!
"Hey!"
Come on in, man. Thanks for the book...and...
"I know. It's okay. Gotta pee real bad. Over there?"
Yeah, first door on the right. The seat hits the tank. His stream sounds like a race horse. The flush. The sink. At least he is clean. Tyler, the clean and very hot guy I just met in the laundromat, is now in my apartment. On my mind. And the day is still young!
"Thanks. Been holding it in since we met. Mind if I sit a minute? Got a sore foot."
Before I can say anything, He plops down on the couch and man spreads. The one foot is hoisted onto his other knee, and off goes that shoe.
"Got a sliver yesterday barefoot on a buddies deck. Thought I got it all, but its hard to see."
I know what your thinking. Tyler is baiting me. I hesitate until I see the slightly red and swollen mark just under his arch. I have a really good tweezers, Tyler, that'll be out fast. The bathroom. It has his scent. I pause and breathe it in, deep as I can.
Sitting on a chair as close as I can get, it only takes a moment to pluck the bit of wood from his foot. i squeeze some antibiotic cream on a band-aid and place it over the area. I could just look him in the face now, but why waste the opportunity. I slowly gaze at his body, starting with the large muscular calf of his leg. Wisps of reddish brown hair float on the tight skin of his thick thigh. Tight shorts would show a better bulge, but his loose ones tent at the hem and...commando! Just enough of a view to put a check mark on the list - crotch hair.
"Hey, thanks. Feels a lot better. Look, I would like to see you again, but I have a date for dinner, so I need to get going."
Oh. Okay. Sure.
"Not like that." His smile lifts me again. "It's my sister - she's in town for the weekend and we like to catch up."
Blushing again. I can feel the heat redden my face.
"I know. It's okay. What's your number?"
My what?
"Your number - cell number!"
He puts me in his contacts. I do the same. He turns to face me before heading out the door. No toothy grin this time, just a Mona Lisa smile. His eyes penetrate mine; and my soul is his to see. He turns again and leaves. I feel good. Very good.
I've dated before. Not much to tell. The guys were usually either into a hookup, or they showed their emotional fangs before too long. I really wanted Tyler to call me. His vibe seemed to fit. We had met at the laundry on Sunday around noon. As I was headed to my car for work on Tuesday morning, my phone rang. Tyler.
"Hey. Are you busy tonight?"
Gotta food shop. Is there a plan? He chuckles.
"Food it is. I can pick you up at five thirty. Is that good?"
