At twenty-four I worked as a parts-runner for a truck shop that serviced rigs for a nearby lumber mill. I spent most of my time fetching parts, sweeping the shop and doing miscellaneous tasks. The shop, with three pull-through bays and some office space was relatively small and filled with the usual clutter of tools, work benches and 50-gallon drums.
Classic rock bellowed from an old stereo, resting on top of Mike's beat up toolbox. Mike, one of the day-shift mechanics, was a medium framed man in his early forties with short black hair and intense hazel eyes. A well-trimmed mustache covered his upper lip and extended down the sides of his mouth to a chiseled jaw. His smile never failed to brighten my mood and fuel an inferno of lustful thoughts. I assumed he was straight; suppressing my impulses to protect our working relationship.
Summer months in the shop were stifling. On this day all six bay doors were open in a vain attempt to channel a nonexistent breeze. The useless ceiling fans pushed the hot air around, providing little relief.
During the hottest days Mike would often open the zipper on his coveralls to let some air in. He always wore a white tank beneath, hiding what I imagined was a muscular chest adorned with hair the same color as that amazing mustache.
I returned to the shop after fetching parts Mike needed to complete his current repair. He was working behind the open hood of a Kenworth tractor, wedged in between the out-turned tire and frame. A storm of obscenities echoed through the shop as Mike's wrench slipped, bashing his knuckles into hard steel. His wrench clattered, bouncing across the concrete as I rounded the open hood. His shirtless back, glistening with sweat, halted me in my tracks.
He had lowered the top of his coveralls to his waist and tied the empty arms around to hold them up. His white tank was torn and tossed over the rig's steering shaft. His skin, covered with sweat and grease, highlighted well-defined muscles as he bent to retrieve his tool. I watched him, mouth open, until he realized I was there and turned to accept the parts. His chest was covered with black hair, drenched in sweat, beautiful and intoxicating. He had an old scar above his left peck and a thin trail of hair leading all the way down, disappearing below his belt buckle.
I handed him the parts but continued looking at his naked torso for just a moment too long. When I finally met his eyes, he peered right back with a wide, shit-eating grin. I shifted awkwardly, moving to walk away when he grabbed his torn tank and tossed it to me.
"Here, get rid of this for me," he said.
I snatched it out of the air and hurried to the shop's locker room. I knew I'd been caught. He knew he'd caught me, but he wasn't disgusted or pissed-off. He looked amused, if not pleased. I pushed the door open and sat on the bench below my locker. Taking a breath, I looked down at the tank in my right hand. It was soaked with sweat and stained with grease from whatever had torn it.
This piece of cloth had been where I longed to be; wrapped around that sexy man, basking in his body heat and soaking up his scent. I pressed the cloth into my face and inhaled deeply. Fuck, I was so turned on.
"I have to stop. Can't do this here," I thought.
Opening my locker, I threw the tank in and closed it again. Composing myself with a splash of cold water, I returned to the shop.
Cleaning, I stole glances when Mike wasn't looking. I wanted to burn his image into my memory; not knowing if I would have this chance again. A few hours past and Mike finished his work on the tractor. He signed the work order, reviewed a second and entered the locker room.
Minutes later the door opened, and he stepped out again. He looked as if he'd soaked his hair under the tap and wiped his face. His coveralls were pulled back up over his shoulders, but the zipper was still down, just above his navel and showing hints of hair but hiding his belt and jeans. He looked up and met my gaze, giving me another broad smile. Horrified, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
"Did he know I kept his tank? I didn't throw it away; the empty trashcan would attest to it."
Sensing my fear, his face softened as he picked up some keys and walked back to the truck. Climbing into the cab, he gestured for me to take the other seat as the Cummins engine thundered to life. After a brief hesitation I ran to the passenger door, pulled on the handle and opened it up. Hoisting myself in and quickly slamming it shut as Mike blasted the horn and reversed out of the bay.
"I need to park this one and grab another. Since you were just gawking, you clearly have time to help me out," he said with that grin.
"Thought I was being subtle."
"Like a whore in church," he replied, laughing. Embarrassed, I turned a little pink.
"Don't worry about it" he said, as he pulled the truck into its spot and killed the engine.