Page 33 of See You at the Finish Line

I clear my throat. “In full disclosure, I thought you were someone else,” I tell her as the music transitions to something slower. My fingers loosen reflexively on her waist ready to let her go and not feeling an ounce of disappointment. But instead of backing away like I expect, she steps closer.

“Is that so?” She eyes me with what looks like amusement.

I only nod.

“Hm. Someone who broke your heart?”

“Something like that.”

“Well, Adam, I appreciate the honesty.”

“You do?” My eyebrows rise as high as they can go and she laughs again, showcasing the long column of her throat.

“I do. And even though I’m not who you wanted me to be, I really don’t care.”

This time it’s my turn to laugh, relief hitting me, easing the guilt. “I thought you were going to say something like, ‘I’ll be whoever you want me to be, baby,’” I joke, and she laughs again.

“Too cliche for me, unfortunately, but I do want to know just one thing.”

“Sure,” I say, curious as she shifts to place one of my thighs between her legs so she’s straddling me.

“Areyou married?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll be whoever you want me to be,” she whispers, bringing her face close to mine. She’s pausing, letting me decide if I want this. I push the image of blue shorts on a red-dirt trail out of my head and press my lips against Grace’s. A chaste kiss. When I pull away, she smiles deviously.

“A bed or the bathroom?” she asks boldly.

My eyebrows are permanently fixed to my hairline. I look over her shoulder at Mateo still sitting at the bar scrolling on his phone. I’m not going to ditch him.

“Bathroom.”

It’s raining. Again. It’sbeen raining since I got here. But at least today is not as dreary. Plus, I get to start my new job this morning.

Three outfits lay on the sofa, still sprawled from my restless first night in my new place. I unpacked all my things in one go, unable to sit still. Broken-down cardboard boxes sit in a pile by the door, the only sign that someone recently moved in.

I’ve been here for a week and couldn’t bring myself to leave my safe apartment. Since I’m subletting, unpacking everything I brought made the space feel a little more like home. If I keep the curtains closed and raise the thermostat, I can almost believe I’m back in Utah.

Except it’s wet here. Everywhere. I feel the dampness on my skin, seeping into my bones. It’s not even winter yet, but the late stages of summer have ushered in more and more rain as the days go by.

I pull up my phone and reread the welcome email I received from my new bosses like I haven’t memorized every word. Maxim and Demitri are the lead massage therapists and co-owners of the athletic company that works for the NHL team.

Recruits,

Welcome to the Wonder Hands Team(barf). As you know, you three have been selected to serve as massage therapists for the best team in the NHL(debatable)after a three-month probationary period.

Your orientation starts Monday, September 12th. Please arrive at the offices listed below at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Dress like you would at any massage job, comfortable but professional. Remember, this is a position working with ATHLETES(does he think we’re idiots?)so you will remain respectful and relatable. The players will feel uncomfortable being massaged by someone they do not thinkfits, if you can understand what I mean(um, excuse me? Talk about body shaming).

You will each be required to demonstrate your massage ability and knowledge over the next three months, so make sure you come prepared to impress, as we reserve the right to let you go at any time during this trial period.

We look forward to meeting you all in person.

Maxim Petrov and Demitri Kuzmin

Wonder Hands Massage Ltd.

Here’s the thing, I didn’t exactly tell my sister this wasn’t a guaranteed job. She wouldn’t have let me pack all my stuff and move to a different country if she had known about the probationary period.But I used to believe in manifestation, and I’m trying to get back to who I was before shit hit the fan. I shake my head and bury my guilt once again.

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