Talk with Coach Joel

Joel went to the fridge, pulled out two bottles of water, and tossed one to you.

"You don't have anything stronger?"

"It's not even 10 am and you're in training."

"I'm just messing with you. I am not even 21."

"Oh shit, that's right. How old are you?"

"Don't worry, I'm 19. I'll be twenty in two months. How old are you?"

"Twenty-seven."

Joel sat down on the sofa, and you laid down and put your head in his lap. He caressed your chest. "Are you going to get in trouble because of us?"

"I'm not sure. I'd rather we keep this secret and not find out. I am not a university employee, so there is no conflict there, but I doubt Coach would keep me around if he learned about us. Is there an 'us'?"

You chuckled.

"Let's just enjoy one another and figure things out as we go. You don't work for the University? I thought you were the team's assistant coach."

Joel explained that he had an arrangement with the University. He helped with coaching various teams and offered discounted physical therapy services to University athletes. In return, the College gave him access to their equipment and facilities for training. A consensual relationship with a student was not a violation of any agreement but best to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

"Training?"

"I do triathlons."

"Hot. It's no wonder you are in such great shape."

"Thanks."

Joel talked about running track in college and then getting into triathlons while attending med school specializing in sport's medicine.

"Wait, are you Dr. Joel?"

He chuckled.

"I am, but I rarely use my title. I find patients follow my advice better if they think of me as a fellow athlete."

He got up from the sofa and showed you some medals and photos from when he was in college. One photo caught your eye. You picked it up.

"Who is this other guy in this picture? He looks like you, only more jacked."

Joel took the picture from your hand and set it back down. You felt as if you had crossed a boundary.

"Cole. That's my twin brother Cole. He played football."

You waited for Joel to say more, but he was oddly quiet. Joel reached up and stroked your hair.

"You remind me of him. Not in a sexual way, obviously, but I feel this connection to you that I only ever felt with him. He died a few years back."

He abruptly stepped back and took a long drink of water.

"Sorry, didn't mean to go dark there. Full disclosure, I am not looking for a boyfriend. In college and med school, I was so education-focused that I never made time for anyone. Since graduating, I have focused on career, triathlons, and Grindr. I like being out on my own. I am not looking for a boyfriend, but I would like a friend. I think we could be good for each other."

You grabbed him and kissed him.

"Shut up. I need a shower."

You smacked his ass, and he led you to the bathroom. You tried fooling around in the shower, but it was too cramped for anything more than soaping each other up. You dried each other off and got dressed. Joel drove you back to campus. You both agreed that this was going to be more than a one time fling.

Just before leaving Joel's you got a text from Drew.

Bro, look at what I found online. Bro bump is going viral.