What To Do When He's Got a God Complex

I walked with Tom out to his car to say good-bye.

It was almost midnight, and it had been another date filled with the kind of conversation that was always more interesting to him. I held open the gate that separated my apartment complex from the street, and we walked in silence to his Prius. He was on his phone, texting one of his clients, but I was grateful for a moment to take a cleansing breath of balmy air.

I gazed up at the sky. Even snug in the center of the suburbs, beyond the lights and commercial airliners and police helicopters, I could see some stars. Taurus twinkled in his curved constellation, stamping across my neighbors’ rooftops toward the western skyline. According to Greek mythology, Taurus represented Zeus when he transformed himself into a bull to win the affections of princess Europa. He tricked her into sitting on his back then swam to the island of Crete, where he revealed himself to be a god and showered her with gifts until she fell in love with him.

I’m not sure who was most at fault for believing this was a romantic gesture, Zeus or the ancient Greeks. Despite what the stories said, I could only imagine that Europa let him sweep her away because she was flattered by his attention, then stayed because she didn’t know how to swim.

I'd only been dating Tom for a month, but I'm pretty sure he would have approved of Zeus' plan to woo the princess. He too was hot-blooded, impulsive, and oblivious to the fact that maybe he should have asked the girl if she wanted to be swept away in a whirlwind romance in the first place.

“Just give me one more sec. This is the guy I've been telling you about. He's still giving me trouble about my prices even though I told him I’m the best personal trainer around.”

He ran his fingers through his dark hair, which only made it look more wildly romantic. I’d thought Tom was a good looking boy when I met him. He had hints of the gods about him: sculpted body, great bone structure, passionate expressions, and soulful eyes. Whenever we went out girls watched him as we walked by, and he pretended not to notice. I used to appreciate that about him.

"Done," He slipped his phone into the front pocket of his jeans. “I sent him a higher quote. If he’s serious about his health he’ll pay my rates, but even if he decides to pay, he’s been such a pain that I’m not going to go easy on him in the first session.”

I nodded. We'd had this conversation before.

He smiled and folded me against his chest. It was a stiff, awkward experience, almost like hugging a marble statue.

"Have you thought about where you want to transfer to next year?"

I held back a sigh. We'd had this conversation before too. "Boise, probably. I was offered a spot on the swim team, and I have friends out there who said that I could stay in one of their spare rooms for free."

"I heard Tennessee State has an amazing women's swim program. I'm sure you would make it on the team no problem, and an added perk is that it's closer to me. I'm talking to a guy down there who's renting out his house. It's got a great garage, perfect for setting up a squat rack and punching bags. And don't even get me started on the basement. It was made to be a dojo."

"That's great."

"Yeah. It's been a struggle for so long, but I just feel like it's finally coming together for me, you know?"

"I'm happy for you."

He squeezed my arms then slid his hands around my waist. I was confused when he didn't immediately let me go, but then his eyes traveled down to my lips.

He wants to kiss me. I thought.

The idea sparked a panic that spread through my body like wildfire. We'd never kissed before. He hadn't tried, and I'd been perfectly happy taking it slow.

I floated out of my body as he pulled me against his hips. I had the strangest sensation that I was looking down from above, watching Tom hold a different girl. A girl who would thread her fingers through his soft, curling hair and lean closer with a teasing smile. A young couple holding each other beneath the moonlight, losing themselves in a romantic fantasy.

As he tilted face down with a confident smile, I considered letting myself be that girl. I tried to imagine what it would feel like to have his lips pressed against mine, and shuddered at the thought. With a jolt I came back to reality.

I patted his chest. "Well, I've got to get up early tomorrow so you should probably go."

He blinked in surprise. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I wanted to hit the gym before I go to work. I open at the pool, so I really need to get some sleep if I'm going to make it happen."

"If I was your trainer, you wouldn't have to do all this extra work just to make it to the gym."

"We've talked about this Tom. The gym is my personal therapy time."

“I know, but I like bringing it up because you're so cute when you're annoyed."

I tried to wrestle myself out of his arms as he laughed. "I'm sorry, calm down! Just let me give you one more hug, and I'm out of here. Promise."

He gave me a squeeze, and before I could stop him managed to plant a quick kiss at the corner of my mouth.

He grinned, either oblivious to my annoyance or enjoying it. "Night babe.”

I didn't wait to watch him drive away. I let out a huge breath as I passed back through the gate and took the winding path that branched through the complex. I was too riled up to go back to my apartment, so I took a detour by the pool. As I dropped onto a lounge chair, I felt my pocket buzz.

“I miss you already.”

It took every ounce of self control not to throw my phone into the water. I rolled my eyes skyward, unconsciously seeking out Taurus. Of all the gods, I always thought Zeus was the worst.

After a moment’s deliberation I slipped out of my flip-flops and stepped to the edge of the pool. It was a brightly lit, aegean green. I jumped in feet first and gasped as the cold water shocked my warm skin. When I resurfaced among the frothing bubbles I swept back my hair into a bun, and with a deep breath began to swim.