Hot Showers

The locker room was already deserted, but the air still smelled of sweat, and steam from the showers clung warm and heavy to Jacob’s skin. 

“They sure get out of here quick,” Seth commented. “Do they even wash up?”

Jacob laughed. “Sort of.” He winced as Seth helped him to sit on a bench. “It’s more of a rinse.” 

Seth kneeled down and began unlacing Jacob’s shoes. 

“You don’t have to do that,” Jacob argued as he put a hand out to stop Seth.

“I said I would help.” Seth removed the ice pack from Jacob’s ankle and set it on the bench. 

Jacob glanced down at his boyfriend, curious what Seth was thinking, but a curtain of curls hid Seth’s face as he worked. His boyfriend. Was Seth his boyfriend, though? They hadn’t yet had that conversation.

Jacob peeled his jersey off. He was still swe