Chicago’s Finest Joggers

I paced around my empty apartment one last time and ended up facing the living room wall. I traced my fingers over the textured paint I had used to sketch the words: If you can’t find a way. Make a way. I took one deep breath and tried not to cry.

“It’s only an apartment Lillian; it’s not that big of a deal. You’ve only lived here for two years. Keep it together.” I scolded myself.

I stepped back into the doorway and took one last glance into my small studio apartment, taking in all the memories I had. I looked around one last time to make sure I didn’t forget anything and closed the door.

Time to move in with my stepbrother.

* * *

I got to Chicago an hour earlier than I expected. I had no moving boxes or luggage, which made the move even easier. I still couldn’t believe he had paid for everything. My plane ticket, moving fees and he even gave me a monthly pass for the local trains and buses.

He’s only doing this because he feels bad about never spending any time with me. I mean for crying out loud, I haven’t seen him in eleven years. I don’t even remember what he looks like.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Nate.

I saw that your flight got here early. Take the Blue Line Train all the way into the city and don’t forget to use the pass I gave you. Make sure you get off at Washington and then just go to this address. -Nate.

I don’t understand why he writes his name after each text. It’s so weird. Like he’s sending an email to a co-worker. My phone buzzed again, it was a link to his address.

I texted.

Thanks.

I found my way to the Blue Line train and took a seat next to the door. My phone buzzed again.

It’s about a 45-60 min train ride. I think I’ll be home before then, but if not, I’ll text you. Make sure you don’t talk to strangers. -Nate.

I responded back.

No promises.

I looked back into the messages and all my answers have been short and to the point compared to his long-winded texts. I should be more grateful, but it wasn’t my choice to live with Nate. My mom and Mickey were the ones that suggested I moved in with him after I graduated college. The next thing I knew, Nate was offering his spare room, rent free, no utilities. How could I say no?

* * *

His apartment was only five minutes away from the train station, which was extremely convenient for commuting to interviews or maybe my future job. Thanks to the express train I was early… again, which meant that I still had a few minutes to kill. There was a coffee shop right under his apartment building.

Coffee sounds good.

It was late, but I probably wouldn’t be sleeping too much tonight. I had too much unpacking to do. I waited in the surprisingly long line for my coffee. I looked around the coffee shop and noticed that it was filled with a standard palette of dull, dark brown and tan shades. The majority of the men looked like they could blend in with the color theme, except for him.

He was one short man ahead of me and he was…fine as hell.

His fitted gray joggers hugged his muscular legs, which left far too little to the imagination. His tight black t-shirt stretched over his sculpted back and arms just right, and his dark hair was fashionably styled, which made sense looking at the rest of this godly figure. I could feel my body overheat with the thought of him taking me. I bit my lip just thinking about all the fun we could have.

“Are you kidding me? That was our most valuable client!” The short man in front of me whispered while still yelling. “I’m leaving now! Get him on the phone and I’ll fix the damn problem!” I watched the short man storm out of the shop, his bald head turning all shades of red.

A devilish smile spread across my face while I took one step forward, replacing the short man in the line. I stood just a few inches away from the fine-as-hell man and I couldn’t help but start to undress him with my eyes. I just couldn’t help myself. I should savor this moment. You know for memories. I need to take in Chicago and its finest… joggers. I lied to myself, trying to make myself feel better about what I was going to do.

I took out my phone and turned on the camera. I triple-checked the flash to make sure it wasn’t on. There is nothing more embarrassing than taking a picture of a stranger’s fine ass and having the flash go off.

My heart was pounding in my chest. I checked my flash one more time and took the shot. I took a deep breath and went to my gallery.     I looked at the photo admiring my sneakiness but mostly admiring this stranger’s ass.

I let out a little chuckle and put my phone back into my pocket. When I looked back up, I was staring straight into the piercing green eyes of the finest jogger in Chicago as he looked over his shoulder and gave me the smirk of a thousand troublemakers.  

My body sunk to the ground and my stomach twisted in a ball of shame. The heat in my body bottled up and I was afraid I would explode with embarrassment.

Could someone die from embarrassment? Did he see the picture of his ass on my phone? He is a foot taller than me, it would be so easy for him to hover like a giant and see what I was doing. If he had been shorter he wouldn’t have even been able to look at my phone! Goddammit-

“Hi, I’m Nathaniel. I couldn’t help but notice your phone.”

I was busted.

Fuck! Why couldn’t you be shorter! If you were shorter, your fine ass wouldn’t be so all up in my face! Omg, stop thinking about his height! His height is NOT the problem it's you, you horny pervert!

“I’m a huge phone nerd and I haven’t seen that phone in years. Is that the third generation?” He tilted his head to the side.

“What?” I blinked, feigning confusion. “O-oh yeah, it’s the 3G.” I blankly looked at him blankly, trying to read his face.

What just happened? Maybe he didn’t see the photo… OMG! He didn’t see the image!

I relaxed out of my stiff, military-like stance and inhaled deeply.

“Nice,” he nodded, “I, uh, didn’t catch your name…”

“Elisa. I’m Elisa.” I extended my hand towards him.

His large hand wrapped around mine as he shook it firmly. He made me feel so dainty and delicate. I know I probably shouldn't have lied to him about my name, but what did it matter? It’s not as though I’ll ever see him again. Plus, he was way out of my league.

“Hmm…” he furrowed his brow. “You don’t look like an Elisa.”

I chuckled nervously while swirling my hair around my finger. “Yeah, I get that a lot.”

He walked up to the counter and ordered: “the usual” and something else that I couldn’t pick up. One of the workers in the back handed him his coffee before he had even finished paying. The fine stranger took a sip of his coffee and checked me out, up and down. He didn’t even try to hide it.

“It was nice meeting you. Elisa,” His eyes landed on mine, and then he winked and headed for the door.

“You too,” I whispered, feeling my face burn up. I watched him walk out of the coffee shop. Towering over everyone like he was a king amongst his people.

God, he’s so hot. But he was also a little odd.  Then again, this is coming from a girl who took a picture of a stranger’s ass and then lied to him about her name. Yeah, I think I win the weirdo contest.

“Caramel mocha with whip cream for Elisa.” The barista called out.

The cashier looked at me, “Ma’am.” Then darted her eyes toward the drink. I inched toward the counter.

“I didn’t order anything yet,” I said shyly.

She arched her eyebrow, “Nathaniel paid for it and said it’s for you.”

I picked up the drink and saw the name Elisa written on it.

“Nathaniel...?”

“The guy that was in front of you.” She looked past me to the next customer. “Next.”

I grabbed my drink and moved aside. I guess I was going to have a caramel mocha. I didn’t remember hearing his name. Hmm. He doesn’t look like a Nathaniel.

My phone buzzed.

I just got home. -Nate.

I got into the elevator with my fancy coffee and double-checked to make sure I was going to the right floor.

Make sure you take the second elevator, not the main one. It’s closer to my apartment. 11th floor, suite 15. -Nate.    

I sipped my mocha as Nathaniel popped into my mind. His dimples and his piercing light green eyes that complimented his olive skin tone. His deep harsh voice echoing through my head while he talked dirty to me. And his body. Ohh. His body. What I wouldn’t do to that body. I took a deep sip of my coffee. I felt a little woozy. I pulled out my phone to look at the photo again. I couldn’t help but smile at my little victory.

BING!

The elevator loudly alerted me that I had arrived.

What the fuck!

I read a sign that said “Right: Suites 1-12. Left: Suites 13-15.” I took a left and walked all the way to the end of the hall.

I checked the suite number again to make sure I wasn’t going to knock on a stranger’s door. Before I could even raise my fist to knock, the door flew open. It was him. The man from the coffee shop. Standing in the doorway.

“Come on in. I heard the elevator and figured it was you.”

“I’m sorry… I must have the wrong-” My voice wavered uncertainly as I stared at him blankly.

The elevator’s BING rang inside my head.

Is this one of Nate’s friends?

I coughed, trying to clear my thoughts. “I’m looking for Nate Atom. My stepbrother.”

He took a sip from his coffee and gave me a wicked grin.

“That’s me.”