Ryan stood frozen against his locker, Coach Harlan’s warm hand still pressed firmly against his chest. The empty locker room suddenly felt too small, too quiet. Only the distant hum of the vending machine and the sound of his own heartbeat filled the air.
“Coach…” Ryan’s voice came out rough. “What are you doing?”
Harlan didn’t pull his hand away. Instead, he looked Ryan straight in the eyes, calm and intense. “I’m helping you relax, like I said. You’re carrying too much tension. Your body is tight. Especially here…”
His hand slowly slid down Ryan’s chest, over his abs, stopping just above the waistband of Ryan’s shorts. Ryan’s breath hitched. He knew he should push the hand away. He should tell Coach to stop. But his arms wouldn’t move.
“I’m not… I don’t…” Ryan swallowed hard. “I’m st
