Actually, it's Coach

"Jodi!" My name rang out in the lobby and I turned, stopping to wait for Jimmy and Brady to catch up. He threw his duffel bag over his shoulder and reached for mine. "Let me get that for you."

I let him grab the bag and smiled, leaning forward to press the elevator button. "What floor are you on?" He flashed me four fingers and I stepped in, pressing the coordinating button. "Good flight?"

Jimmy nodded and leaned against the back wall, looking up to see a hand push between the doors. "You guys mind?" Chris slipped in and stepped in front of me, purposefully avoiding eye contact as he pressed the '5' button. I watched his broad shoulders as he sighed heavily, his body tapering in at his waist in a harsh v. His ass was... an experience and, as hard as I tried, I couldn't pull my eyes off of it. Jimmy jammed an elbow into my side and I cleared my throat as he and Brady stifled their laughter.


"You guys alright back there?"

I nodded furiously and looked up to see what floor we were on. The ancient elevator had barely reached the second and time seemed to slow. Jimmy reached forward to punch Chris's arm and grinned.

"All good back here buddy. Up for a drink tonight?" Chris nodded and he looked at me, raising an eyebrow in excitement. "What about you, Jo? Think you can party with us?"

"Vesey, I know I can party with y'all, I just don't think I will."

"What? Why not?"

"I'm the boss. I won't be any fun."

"Oh, that's bullshit." Brady chimed from the corner and I leaned forward to look at him. "C'mon Jodi, we always go out as a team."

I rolled my eyes and he insisted. "You drink with your coaches all the time?" he nodded and I continued, "So if I asked Alain-"

"Except him."

"Yeah, he doesn't go out with us."

"He used to." Chris said, turning to look at us. His body stiffened when he looked at me and I fought a smirk. "Up until a few years ago when Brassard tried to kiss him on New Years Eve."

"You fucking serious?" Jimmy broke into a fit of laughter and I blushed at the thought. A loud 'ding' rang through the car and the doors slid open. Chris hoisted his bag onto his shoulder as I leaned forward to grab mine, stopping short when his fingers brushed my hip.

"Oh, sorry." He shied away and I tugged my bag out from under Jimmy. "You're on three?"

I nodded and he reached to lift my duffel. "You guys know I can carry my own bag, right?" Chris mumbled incoherently and I smirked, following him into the hall and stopping to turn back. "Have a good night, fellas."

"You're not coming with us?" I shrugged as the doors slid shut. I was alone with Chris, standing in the empty hall and staring hard at his face. His big brown eyes were blank until he turned to me and grinned.

"Let me grab that." I mumbled, sliding my hands over the strap on his shoulder. He tensed under my touch but held tight to the bag.

"I got it. What's your room number?"

"Uh, 3425."

"So you're really not coming out with us tonight?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure yet. Gotta know if it's worth my while."

He nodded and turned down the hall. I followed suit, hearing the click of his dress shoes echo off of the hardwood. His long legs carried him quickly and I found my eyes falling to his ass again. His thigh thighs pulled at the seam of his pants and my mind wandered as I watched his body flex. He stopped short in front of me and I put my arms out to stop.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I said it is- worth it, I mean. The guys are a good time. It looks like we're neighbors."

"Y-you're next door?" I asked, stepping forward to slide my key card into the door. I pushed it open and he followed me in, flipping the light on and setting my bag in the closet. "Oh, look at that." I pointed at the joining door and he nodded, keeping his eyes on me.

"Hey Jodi, can I just- I want to apologize for the plane." I shook my head and he nodded, dropping onto the end of my bed and leaning back on his hands. "No, I'm serious. It was inappropriate and I... when you started rubbing my back, I just lost it a bit."

"Chris," I stepped between his legs and looked down at him, noting how deep his brown eyes actually were, "it's alright. Seriously, shit happens."

"I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"Not at all. I just won't rub your back anymore."

He laughed and stood up, his body a few inches from mine in the stagnant hotel room. The air was cold and still but I felt the heat radiate off of his body as he smiled at me. He bit his lip and spoke after a moment, stepping towards the door that joined our room. "I'm glad you're good."

"Me too." I watched him grab his bag and reach for the knob, stopping when I called his name. "Is that your thing?"

"What?"

"A back rub? Is that what gets you... you know?" His cheeks burned a bright pink and I laughed when he nodded coyly, turning back towards the door. "Rolled up sleeves." I blurted out.

"What?" He asked, shooting me a quizzical look.

"When guys roll up their sleeves... that's my back rub." I could see the realization as it hit him and he bit his lip again, taking a moment to process before meeting my eyes again.

"That's uh, that's good to know. I'll see you later, Jodi."

Notes