Page 30 of For the Win

“Chill, dudes.”Wyatt also stands but stays on his mat.

Harrison is giving Archie a stare down and I’m a little worried he’s going to punch him.This is not good.

“It’s okay, Harrison,” I say in a soothing tone.“It’s actually a legitimate question.”

“Not the way he asked it,” Harrison growls, not looking at me.“Apologize.”

“Sorry, Arya,” Archie says.

I try to act unfazed.“Of course yoga can help improve your sex life,” I say, as if this is a natural topic for me to be discussing with twenty-some men.If better sex convinces them to participate, fine.“Not just the flexibility, but energy levels.Being present in the moment.With a clear mind, it’s easier to be truly intimate with someone.All right, let’s begin.Harrison, you can return to your mat.”

Still frowning, he sits on his mat and we start the class.

Now I’m really going deep for focus.I need to compartmentalize and set aside what just happened to think about later.Yoga has helped me do this in the past, paying attention to my body, being in the moment.

We end with reclining Bound Angle Pose.

“This is great for opening up the hips,” I tell the men, padding between mats to observe them.“If you have a groin strain or this feels hard on your knees, just slide your feet out and make the diamond a little bigger.”I adjust one player’s feet.“Can you move them in a little closer?”I help him with that.

I slide blocks under Archie’s knees to support them.

“The longer you lie like this, the more your body will relax into the stretch.You can also use some blankets under your back and head to make it more comfortable.”

Today’s music is classic rock, so I let them relax into this pose to “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones.

I pass by Harrison and crouch beside him.I shouldn’t look, but I do.There’s a lovely bulge in his shorts.I yank my gaze away from there.“Okay?”I murmur.

“Yes.”His eyes remain closed.

We end the class with Jeff Buckley’s rendition of “Hallelujah.”

“When you feel ready, get up slowly and continue your day.Namaste.”

I remain in Savasana a moment longer, then roll to my side and rise.Some players are rolling up their mats, other still relax on the floor.Harrison is lying, eyes closed, his face peaceful.

I breathe in slowly.I was attracted to him before, but that was nothing to how I feel now, having seen him confront his teammate about his somewhat inappropriate comment to me.He defended me.I want to jump him.

Sweet jumping Jesus, what is happening to me?

I had met briefly with Gary before class to see if I needed to make any changes to what I’m doing, so I can leave now.I store my mat in the special pouch of my yoga bag.

“Arya.”

I look up to see Archie.

“I hope I didn’t offend you,” he says, not making eye contact, all awkward.“I apologize if I did.”

It’d be easy to say “it’s fine” or “don’t worry about it.”But I’ve learned some lessons.“I guess you didn’t think that I might feel uncomfortable talking about sex in a room full of men.”

His cheeks redden.“Uh, no, I didn’t.”

“Let’s keep the class to more appropriate topics.”

“Yeah, yeah.”He nods and bolts.

I pick up my bag and start out of the room.Harrison steps in front of me.“Thanks for a great class,” he says.“Sorry about Archie.”

“He just apologized again.I clarified my expectations.”

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