Sometimes life can surprise you.
It was a nice day..that perpetual afternoon that comes with Fall. I had just finished at the gym, driving home on the quasi country road that led to my neighborhood.
I saw a car in the shoulder..slowing down, I saw a flat tire. A young guy, on the phone, looking distraught.
I pulled over and got out of my truck.
"Hey, need some help?" I said, walking towards him.
He turned to me..I noticed immediately his soft features, almost feminine. Blond hair, longish, tussle. He waved his phone. "Triple A..put me on hold."
I smiled. " Yeah, they tend to do that. " I walked to the car and looked at the tire. Looked like a thick bolt sticking out of it caused the flat. "I'll give you a hand. Pop your trunk, we'll get you going."
I walked back to my truck and grabbed my floor jack.
"Thank you so much..I'm helpless when it comes to stuff like this. I'm Tyler, by the way."
I walked over to him..the contrast was noticeable. I was 6'2", 56, broad shoulders and big..my belly was solid, but big, my head shaved. He was short..probably 5'7", very slight build, thin arms, small hands, delicate fingers he would use to brush his hair out of his eyes.
I smiled. "Not a problem, Tyler." I set the jack down and held my hand out. "I'm Grant."
Our hands touched..he almost blushed, his smooth skin made me feel..something. The little smile on his face made me grin.
I nodded and got to work. I made short work of changing the tire, but the soreness of my shoulder from the gym flared up.
I packed his flat tire in his trunk.
"You can get it plugged at any tire store..pretty cheap fix and you will be set." I stretched my arm out, my hand on my shoulder as I rotated it.
"Oh, I hope you didn't hurt yourself changing the tire," Tyler said, genuine concern in his voice.
"Oh, nah..I just pushed myself a bit too hard at the gym..I keep forgetting I'm an old man, now." I chuckled.
"Oh, you aren't old..just seasoned. " He giggled and I smiled..something was happening here.
Tyler walked over and looked up. "Do you mind.." He said as his hands slowly began working the muscles around my shoulder.
I should have been freaked out, but I wasn't. The fingers kneading into my shoulder felt good, and I felt my muscles loosen.
"Ahh..wow..that's great..feels a lot better."
He smiled..beaming. "Part time massage therapist. "
"Let me give you my number, in case you need any help with your tire getting fixed." I almost blurted it..I'm not sure why I did that.
Tyler smiled. "Yes! That is so nice of you!"
I gave him my number and he put it in his phone. I heard my phone chirp..a text message from him..a smiley emoji. I grinned and returned the message with a winking emoji..not sure why, just felt..right.
He looked at his phone and smiled..his finger on his lip. He looked up at me, almost giddy.
"Well, I should be going..I have some yard work to finish up..you let know if you need anything. It was really good meeting you."
"Oh, it was great meeting you! Thank you so much! You'll have to let me fix you dinner one night to pay you back."
"That is a great idea..I never turn down a meal. You got my number..just text or call anytime."
His eyes looked me up and down. "Yes..same to you. I'm new here, so it's good to meet new people."
I nodded and walked to my truck. Driving past, I waved..Tyler waved back, the way a cute girl would wave to their crush.
The next few days were uneventful; work, gym, relaxing with video games with the occasional scotch.
I couldn't get meeting Tyler out of my mind, though.
I was alone partly by choice; the last marriage ended because I couldn't take the craziness anymore. After that, I took a look at myself and went on a diet..exercise..living better for myself, no one else.
I never had feelings sexually for men, but I couldn't help wondering what my arms would feel enveloping him in an embrace..or his lips on mine.
I shrugged it off..but I couldn't stop imagining it.
Finally, on the third day I sent him a text..casual, "Hey, how are you" kind of thing.
He replied with a smile emoji and "I'm so glad you reached out! I want to cook you dinner tonight!"
I looked at the message..my heart beating faster. What was happening? I breathed in and out..fuck it..I'm the man. I take care of things.
"Perfect. I'd like that."
Another emoji reply: heart. "Great! See you at 7!" He sent his address. I put the phone down. For some reason I had a huge grin on my face.
I arrived at Tyler's around 7..I wore a nice polo shirt and khakis..nothing too fancy. I brought a bottle of wine with me. I knocked on the door.
Tyler opened up, a big smile on his face. He was wearing a pink tank top..almost like a woman's top..and tight shorts that definitely looked off the rack of a ladies section.
I have to admit..he pulled it off.
"Wow, you look great! Please come in!" He walked, leading me into his house..my eyes glued to his incredibly round ass. What was going on with me...
"I brought some wine, I wasn't sure if you drank or not."
He beamed. "Oh, that was so sweet! I will get us a couple of glasses, why don't you have a seat?"
I took a seat on a stylish modern sofa. I looked around..tasteful art on the wall, the living room was decorated and furnished well.
"I love what you've done with place."
Tyler giggled as he flounced back into the room, holding the wine and two glasses.
"Thanks, I try..decorating is a passion." He poured the wine and handed me the glass. He sat down about an arms length from me..his legs under him, casually, like a girl. What was I thinking..
I sipped the wine, broke the ice.
"What brings you to our sleepy little town?" Corny, dude, so corny..
He tittered: hee, hee. "Work, transfer offer, and since I just had a horrible breakup with my now ex-boyfriend..may worms grow in his brain..I decided it was time for a change."
I laughed. "Yeah, I'm 3 times divorced..I know the feeling."
He smiled. "Three times? You a glutton for punishment?"
"Ha, some say that..I guess I'm a romantic."
Tyler looked over his glass at me with lidded eyes.
"Are you? You must have a full dance card."
"You're a flatterer, but not really. More by choice..the women my age are fine, but many are jaded and angry at being single in their 50s. I tried online dating, but all the women who messaged me were young..in their 20s."
I paused, sipping the wine. "On a lark, I did go out on a date with one..whoo, boy. It's like she had no filter and twenty minutes into the date, I realized she had more issues than Action Comics. After that, I just decided I'd let fate take the wheel."
Tyler laughed. "More issues than Action Comics..oh, I HAVE to use that."
I liked hearing him laugh.
I leaned back on the sofa..relaxed.
"How about you? Single, attached?"
Tyler drained his glass, poured another. "Single, very single..dating apps are full of horny..which I appreciate, but, stereotypes aside, I don't just jump into bed on the first date."
I nodded. "We are alike there..I mean, yeah, I did when I was in my 20s, but I figured out quick it wasn't for me..I wanted more."
"I'd say three marriages qualifies as more."
"Har de har, funny guy."