Page 5

5

MASON

A s I pulled away from the curb, having left Connor on the sidewalk, backpack at his side, I was at odds as to why I felt the flutter of infatuation after having just met him and given him a lift. It wasn’t like me to feel that way about anyone, even the few women I’d spent time with over the years. The pull was off-putting. The young man had caught my attention, and it made me wonder if it was only natural to find youth more appealing—even if it was another man.

I knew sexuality was fluid, and people could slide on the spectrum—some more fixed on where they landed than others. I guess I’d always leaned strongly toward heterosexual. Perhaps not now, as I thought about Connor. It could be a scary process, but as an overthinker, I tried to evaluate all sides and eventually find clarity.

A relationship wasn’t in my future. Years ago, I shut my heart off to the idea of romance and relationships and intended to keep it that way. It felt safer not to feel that deeply again. Excruciating heart hurt was something I never wanted to experience a second time.

What surprised me most was that my sudden infatuation wasn’t for a woman. Yet the man had the exact same eye color as someone I once loved deeply. A love I wasn’t sure I’d ever experience again. It was painful to think about, even after all these years. But the funny thing was I wanted to see Connor again and hoped our paths crossed in the future.

I finally shook the thoughts from my head as I arrived at the mom-and-pop convenience store not far from the university. I needed to unload and check the few boxes off my manifest before heading to my last delivery just outside town.

I parked and headed to the back of the truck, unlocked the latch, and pulled one door open. The boxes were just inside the door. I was proud of being a planner, and at each stop, I rearranged the freight in the truck so the next deliveries were close to the door. It sped things up.

“Well, there’s our ever-efficient delivery guy,” I heard from alongside my truck, along with the crunch of gravel. The distinctive, friendly voice belonged to Elmer, the store owner. Years of smoking, and I’m sure an occasional scotch, had infused his voice with a deep resonance.

Elmer and his wife, Ruthie, had owned the store in La Grande since the early 1950s. It was an easy convenience shop for local students and residents. Ruthie also served a mean Cappuccino from the espresso machine they’d invested in last year. I assumed many students frequented the place because of that contraption.

“Hey there, Elmer!” I exclaimed with a cheerful smile. “How’s business been over the summer?” I took his hand to shake it solidly. I hadn’t been on the route since spring, and I missed seeing them when months slipped by and I hadn’t passed through town.

“Pretty slow,” he said with a slight frown. “With the term finishing this month, there didn’t seem to be as many students as past summers. We’re hoping for steadier business come fall.”

I unloaded a dozen boxes and stacked them on Elmer’s hand dolly, which was by the back door. As I worked, I listened to him boast about new developments in town and their expanding flock of grandkids.

Elmer was never at a loss for words, and seeing a friendly face every so often engaged his mind and mouth, which could be entertaining. Ruthie was the observant type, his opposite. Not in a judgmental way, mind you, but she was a smart cookie and often challenged me on a few of my life choices.

Once there was a break in Elmer’s monologue, I asked, “Is Ruthie around? She’s normally out here to greet me with a hug and ask if there’s anything she can get me from your beverage coolers.”

I maneuvered the dolly with half the boxes to the shop’s back door as he continued, “Not today, unfortunately. She’s playing grandma to a couple of the grandkids.” I uprighted the dolly by the door and turned to face him.

“She’s doing good, though?”

“Oh yeah, she’s been good. She’s just been busy with family stuff, mainly the grandkids. I think she’s got a lot on her mind now too, especially with the fall term approaching. Business will pick up with students coming through the door,” Elmer said with little conviction.

“Okay, well, give her my best, and I’ll see her the next time I have a delivery for you guys. I’ll expect my regular hug,” I said with a smile, which Elmer returned.

I finished grabbing the other boxes off the truck and loaded them into the storage room. I liked to put the deliveries in the storage area so they didn’t have to work too hard to unload and shelve items.

I left the hand dolly by the back door and said goodbye to Elmer as he handed me my favorite soda from his cooler. “I’ll forgo the hug Ruthie gives you, but here’s to keeping you hydrated,” Elmer said with a laugh. I chuckled as I reached out and put my hand on his shoulder.

Taking the soda, I hopped back into my cab and got ready for my final delivery, which was an easy one. I waved to Elmer as I pulled out onto the street.

I headed down Highway 30, not too far from La Grande, and parked at the Flying J Travel Center. It was my last delivery, and I planned to crash there for the night. The facility had showers and a restaurant where I could grab some dinner. Having my sleeper cab had its advantages, and I wondered if an opportunity might arise for some female companionship for the night.

I rummaged behind my seat to pull out my toiletry bag, a clean pair of jeans, a comfortable T-shirt, and athletic shoes. I placed them in my duffle bag, grabbed my cell phone from the dash, and left the cab, essentials in hand.

I walked leisurely to the main complex, knowing the drill and where to go. I’d been there many times. I walked up to the counter where a young, good-looking woman I’d never seen before operated the register.

“Just a sec, I’ll be right with you,” she said, not looking up.

“Take your time,” I replied, leaning on the counter and glancing at the book she’d laid facedown. I noted that the ratty edges had seen plenty of use, and by the image on the cover, it was one of those romance novels that involved a shirtless pirate and a bosomed maiden.

She looked up, her wide eyes briefly locking onto mine before a sly and seductive grin formed on her face. Her expression seemed lifted from the pages of the romance novel.

“Hey there,” I said, rather non-plussed, but I returned her smile. “I’d like to get a shower room if one’s available.”

She didn’t immediately answer but asked, “Been a long day on the road, handsome?”

“Yes, and I’m tired, hungry, and in need of a hot shower,” I said, not taking her bait.

She didn’t push the flirty tone, sensing my need to take care of business. She rang me up for the shower, and I paid with my credit card, taking the fifteen-dollar receipt with the door code on it. I thanked her as I picked my duffle from the floor.

“Enjoy pampering yourself, Mr. Hardy,” she said teasingly, with a suggestive tone, as I stepped toward the hallway where the shower rooms were. Her calling me Mr. Hardy took me back, but then I realized my name was on the credit card. I would hardly call taking a shower ‘pampering’ though.

I smiled as I walked down the hall and felt her eyes boring into the back of my head. I guess once confronted with the possibility of female friendliness, I was just too tired to care. A part of me felt guilty not engaging with her, but maybe I’d rethink that once I’d cleaned up and felt more like myself.

Entering the shower room, I noticed the facility had undergone some upgrades. The walls had a fresh coat of light blue paint, the white quartz countertop and toilet were brand new, and the open shower stall featured updated white subway tile. A new rain showerhead hung from the ceiling, and the chrome hardware looked new. Two plush bath towels and a washcloth were neatly folded on the counter. “Nice,” I said.

Travel centers like this were a godsend for semi-truck drivers. Many offered amenities like gyms, which I used regularly to stay in shape, and most had restaurants that served surprisingly good food. My life on the road revolved around these establishments. Remembering that this travel center had a restaurant made my belly rumble in anticipation since I hadn’t eaten for a few hours. A nice meal after my shower was definitely in order.

I set my duffle on the luggage rack across from the counter and pulled out my toiletry bag. I removed my shirt and looked in the mirror. My memory returned to the rest area earlier in the day with the sheet metal mirror. That same rest area where I’d connected with Connor and those green eyes. Damn! I shook the thought away, pulling out my beard trimmer and razor.

I finished brushing my teeth and stripped, glancing at my naked self in the mirror and feeling pretty good about barreling towards fifty. I’d been blessed with the perfect amount of body hair, yet I took the time to manscape it short, which helped me stay cooler during the hot summer months. I’d maintained a flat stomach, a trim waistline, and a nicely defined ass that had just the right amount of peach fuzz. Although I had some grey at my temples, I hadn’t seen one chest hair take on a silvery hue—yet.

Stepping into the shower stall, I flipped on the water to get the temperature to my liking. Its heat was exactly what my body and soul needed. I placed my hands on the cool tile, letting the water pressure massage my scalp and soothe my shoulders. Leaning close to the wall, I slowly stretched my calves. I turned, stood tall, and then bent over, letting the hot spray caress my lower back as I breathed deeply.

Suddenly, my thoughts drifted to Connor. What is he doing right now? Is he getting settled in his dorm? Had he already showered, or is he showering?

I remembered his athletic build and those low-slung cargo pants that hugged his hips and butt perfectly. But it was those deep green eyes I couldn’t let go of. My mind wondered what his body looked like without the constraint of his clothes, and my body began to respond. I felt my cock thicken at the thought of him, imagining how smooth his perky ass would feel under my touch.

I’d always been an ass man. A shapely butt was a major turn-on for me. I’d just never paid attention to a man’s backside before. But my mental image of Connor’s had me surprisingly aroused. Never having had sexual thoughts of a man, there was something about Connor that had me second-guessing my straight orientation.

I grabbed the body wash and caressed my arms, shoulders, and chest with a generous amount of lather, and languidly reached between my legs with both hands to stroke my uncut cock. It had been over a week since I last took care of myself, and the sensation of my hands around my dick felt amazing. I knew I wasn’t going to last long.

I gripped my balls firmly with one hand, giving them a steady tug, while my other moved in slow, even strokes back and forth along my cock. I slide the foreskin back, giving the sensitive crown more attention. I rested my head and shoulders against the tiled wall, closed my eyes, and spread my legs, wondering if Connor did the same when he showered.

Lust-filled moans echoed off the tiles as I let go of my balls and brought my hand up to pinch my nipples. Nipples were my hot zone, magically attached to my dick, sending intense, shooting sparks of pleasure south. My balls tightened with each stroke. My precum slicked my shaft, and I savored the sensations as my breath became more labored.

I removed my hand from my left nipple and reached behind me to run my fingers through my butt crack, eventually finding my hole. I’d been introduced to butt play by an experienced partner and had enjoyed it. She introduced me to that special nerve bundle that curled my toes when massaged just right, and the effects of that orgasm had been mind-blowing.

This time, my fantasy played out with the handsome college student in front of me, watching as my finger sought out the entrance to my hole. I envisioned him caught up in his own pleasure, stroking his cock, but staring into my eyes as he neared his release. The thoughts were intense, and I welcomed them.

I continued to pump my dick, working up a faster rhythm as I slowly circled my hole with a soapy finger. My legs tensed as a tingling wave ran up my spine. All I needed was to insert my index finger into that first ring of muscle, and the first pulse of my erupting cum flew into the falling water. My ass squeezed tight around my finger as I kept it there. What followed was a seemingly endless cascade of my release.

I felt my dick soften as I continued to milk it. My heart slowed, coming down from that pleasurable high. I slowly removed my finger, pulled my body off the wall, and stood under the warm spray.

My breathing finally leveled out, and I finished showering, turning off the water. While drying, I couldn't stop my thoughts from wandering to Connor.