Chapter Five
“It feels weird now that it’s over,” Ben said as he and Jason walked up Eighth Avenue after the ride’s closing ceremonies and after-party. It was a clear, mild fall afternoon in Manhattan. People enjoyed a late brunch outside at the many restaurants along the avenue, and pedestrians jammed the sidewalks as everyone wanted to enjoy the weather.
Jason and Ben each had backpacks on, the extent of their luggage from the weekend, and walked their bikes while dodging the foot traffic.
“Yeah. It’s odd when you end up back in the real world after three amazing days of the physical challenge and camaraderie.”
“So the letdown is inevitable?”
“I’m afraid so. It’s like vacation afterglow, only the ride’s is more intense and much harder to hold on to.”
Ben made a squinty, frowny face.
“Awwww. None of that. It’s only been a couple hours. I can help you keep it going, at least through tonight.”
That instantly brightened Ben’s expression.
“So, we’re in my neighborhood. Do you want to come to my place? We can clean up and then go eat. Or do you have things you need to do before we go out?”
“I’m starving. The little bit of food at the party only made me hungrier. Your plan sounds perfect.”
“Great.” Jason stepped off the sidewalk, mounted his bike, and strapped on the helmet that had hung off the handlebars. “We’re six blocks away. Up to Twenty-Fifth Street and then a left to the middle of the block. Race you there!”
Jason took off before Ben knew what had happened.
“Shit. Not fair!” Ben moved quickly to secure his helmet and get on his bike.
Jason had a half-block head start by the time Ben got going. He pedaled with everything he had. A car making a turn cut him off, and Jason’s lead opened up. Jason stole a look back and saw Ben pushing to catch up.
“Come on, slowpoke!” Jason called back as he ended up a block and a half ahead.
“Jerk!” Ben grinned as he shouted.
Jason glanced toward Ben again and saw the determined expression. He’d guessed right that Ben wouldn’t be pissed about the impromptu race.
“I’m coming for you!” Sure enough Ben had closed some of the gap.
Jason stood to push harder to increase the distance, but his legs weren’t having it. He added the slightest amount of speed, and it was all he had. That was okay. He didn’t mind if he got caught.
At Twenty-Third Street, Ben called out from just behind Jason. “Told you I’d catch you. Now you need to be taught that it’s not nice to unfairly start a race.”
Jason looked at Ben as he shifted gears and passed him.
“See you at your place.” Ben pulled into the lead.
“Oh, no you don’t!” Jason struggled to find the extra speed, and Ben maintained the lead. This stayed close enough that as they turned on to Twenty-Fifth Street, they could’ve been on a bicycle built for two.
Jason pulled even with Ben in time to announce they’d arrived at their destination.
“And the winner is Ben Stewart.” Jason sounded winded. “Well done.”
“I couldn’t let you win after that sneaky start.” Ben took off his helmet and wiped sweat from his forehead.
“All in good fun, of course. Come on in. You can bring your bike up. There’s plenty of room for it.” Jason took Ben through the outer door of the building and unlocked the inner one. “The only problem is that we get to walk up three flights of stairs with all this stuff.”
“I just won a race. I’m sure I can do that,” Ben said with a trace of snarkiness that made Jason laugh.
After the stairs, Jason used his keys on the door to his apartment. Inside it was a juxtaposition of warm colors on the walls, mostly browns, and sharp, clean lines of modern furniture. From the front door, you could see the entire apartment—the galley kitchen, the living room, and, through a doorway, the bedroom.
“Nice place.” Ben parked his bike next to Jason’s, which leaned against the wall just inside the door.
“Thanks.” Jason dropped his backpack to the floor. “I bought it a couple years ago and recently finished getting it exactly like I want it. You can hit the shower first. It’s through the bedroom. Make yourself at home. I’ll bring you towels.”
“Great. I need a proper shower so bad.” Ben put his pack next to Jason’s and headed for the bedroom. “The one this morning was crap.”
Jason’s mind reeled. He was more excited about Ben than any man he’d seen in years. The mix of anticipation and nervousness told him how much he was captivated by this handsome, smart man.
Ben was getting naked in his bedroom.
Right now.
Before dinner.
He didn’t want to make the wrong move with Ben, but he wasn’t sure he could play it cool either.
Entering the bedroom with the towels, Jason caught Ben’s long, low moan. He recognized exactly what that was—the sound of warm water hitting a sore, exhausted body.
“Here are the towels.” Jason placed them on the counter by the sink. He didn’t have a view into the shower, and that was probably a good thing. He remembered the view from the hot tub, and got semi-hard remembering how the droplets of water looked streaming down Ben’s torso.
“Thanks. Is there any soap? I see shampoo, but not regular soap.”
“Oh shit, sorry.” Jason went to the cabinet under the sink and got a new bottle of body wash.
When he turned to pass the bottle inside, he met Ben’s gaze as Ben peeked around the curtain. Jason’s mouth went dry. He only saw Ben’s head and neck, but it was enough to send chills through his body.
“Here you go.” He tried to sound composed as he handed over the soap.
“You know,” Ben said, as he took it, “there is room for two. If we clean up together, we eat sooner.” With a sly grin on his face, Ben disappeared behind the curtain. “And if you’re worried about coming in here with a hard-on, don’t be. It’ll match mine.”
Fun fact: Jason’s comment about the ride’s afterglow comes from personal experience. It’s difficult to put into words what it’s like coming back to the real world after the days of being on the road with the loving, caring ride family. It’s a small utopia where everyone shares the common goal of raising money and awareness, where everyone takes care of one another and you can truly be in the moment. I usually took at least one day off after the ride to not only allow my body more time to recover, but also to keep the good feelings just a bit longer. I couldn’t think of a better way for Jason and Ben to spend their time immediately after the ride than for them to simply stay together and build on their new relationship.
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