Drew opened the gate to the pool area, carefully walking along the tile to avoid slipping on the puddles of water that dotted the deck. He went into the locker room, taking off his clothes and storing them in one of the grey metal lockers, securing it with a padlock. A white towel wrapped tightly around his waist, Drew made his way to the sauna, flipping on the light in the small room.

The hot coals filled the room with dry heat, and Drew closed his eyes for a moment. Once he had adjusted to the change in temperature, he walked to the bed of coals, pouring some water over them before quickly walking to one of the wooden benches that lined the wall, sitting down before the steam obscured everything from view.

Drew rested his head against the wall, his tense muscles relaxing as the steam and heat enveloped him. He breathed deeply, closing his eyes and letting his mind wander.

This is complete insanity. I have a wonderful woman in my life, yet I can't stop thinking about someone else. My life, my career, everything is going exactly as planned, but I want to change everything because of the way one person makes me feel. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Drew smiled slightly as a face entered his mind. Those eyes...that hair...not to mention that amazing body...no, stop it. Stop thinking these things. You could lose everything if you even attempted to pursue what you're thinking right now. Just drop it, pretend it doesn't exist, and move on.

Drew was so lost in thought that he never heard the door to the sauna slide open as another man joined him. He didn't acknowledge the other's presence until he felt a hand touch his shoulder, causing him to jump.

"Hey, Drew, I didn't mean to scare you." It was Jeff, one of Drew's best friends and groupmates.

"Jeff, what's up?" Drew asked, glad the steam helped hide his face from view. Don't let him get a good look at your face, he'll know something's going on and if he asks, you know you won't be able to lie. Then all hell will break loose.

Jeff shrugged. "Just needed to get away for a few minutes. Figured I'd come down here and relax. Didn't expect to find anyone else in the sauna...is everything alright with you?"

Drew laughed, hoping it didn't sound forced. "Yeah, I was pretty much doing the sme thing really. I was hoping the heat would help get these kinks out of my neck." And clear my head, but I don't think that's going to be an option now.

"Turn around so your back is facing me," Jeff requested. Drew did what he was told almost without thinking, and he bit back a groan as he felt Jeff's hands begin kneeding his shoulders.

"Damn, you are tense," Jeff commented, using more pressure to loosen the muscles. "Is there something on your mind?"

Oh, there's definitely something on my mind, but nothing I can tell you. How in the world am I supposed to say that I'm infatuated with someone I can't have? When it's the last person anyone would expect me to want? Especially when it's you?

"Yeah, but I'd rather not talk about it, if you don't mind," Drew answered.

The massaging of his shoulders stopped, and Jeff pulled his hands away. "Sure, I understand. But you know where I am if you need to talk, or anything." Jeff's voice had a slight tinge of hurt to it, and Drew silently cursed himself as he turned back around to face his friend.

"Jeff, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just...I can't tell you. Not right now. I'm not sure if I ever will be able to, actually. It's nothing you did, I swear. It's completely me, it's something within myself that I'm scared to tell anyone."

They were sitting close enough to one another to see each other clearly, and Jeff put an arm around Drew when he saw the pained expression on his face.

"It's okay, Drew. Whatever it is, if you want to tell me or one of the other guys sometime, we'll be here for you. At least, I know I will be." Jeff pulled Drew into a hug, growing even more worried when he felt Drew trembling in his arms.

"Drew, you're really starting to worry me, man, but I'm not going to pressure you or force you to let me in on what's going on," Jeff continued. His own mind was racing, trying to fight back the feelings he had been harboring for a very long time.

Drew needs a friend right now. Don't you dare take advantage of the situation by providing more comfort than necessary. That will only complicate things more, and leave you stranded in the end. Just be a friend, that's what he needs right now.

Drew could have sworn he felt Jeff's lips graze his cheek, and he groaned aloud. "I should probably go, head back to the room and take a shower, get some sleep and all that stuff," he said, starting to move away from Jeff's embrace.

"Wait," Jeff replied, and Drew froze. He looked at Jeff, his eyes widening with curiosity and a slight sense of fear.

"Don't leave," Jeff said softly, before placing a light kiss to Drew's forehead. Drew shuddered, his eyes closing as Jeff pulled him near again, using one hand to stroke Drew's damp dark hair.

"Wha...what are you doing, Jeff?" Drew questioned, biting his lip.

"I'm going to kiss you, unless you tell me right now that you don't want me to," Jeff responded.

Drew felt a flush rise to his face that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room, and he smiled. "I want you to," he replied, nodding his head to emphasize his approval. "Please."

Jeff closed the distance between them, kissing Drew's lips tenderly. The kiss was slow and gentle, and they were both breathless by the time they broke apart. Drew opened his eyes to find Jeff studying him intently, and he chuckled nervously.

"So what does this mean?" Drew asked cautiously.

Jeff smiled. "I guess this means we need to talk. What do you think?"

"I agree. But let's do it in my room, it's starting to get a little too hot in here for me."

They both laughed as they got up from the bench, holding hands as they walked out of the sauna, getting their clothes from the locker room and going upstairs to spend some more time alone together.