Then, without a word, Mike storms off, back to his zone and continues finding trash, and Aaron follows him, shaking his head. Wes snorts a laugh. “Told ya.”
“He was just helping me.”
“Uh-huh… Keep lying to yourself. He’s more awkward than usual around you.”
“Don’t make me wrestleyouin the sand now.”
He laughs again as my eyes trail back to Mike, who’s removing his shirt. His tight body, all golden and glistening from the sweat, is a fucking revelation before me. My gaze coasts down his body to where his swim shorts end, revealing thick, sturdy thighs dusted with dark hair. His muscles flex when he moves, and my thoughts drift to images of Mike’s strong legs wrapped around me, my body aching with the phantom feel of his body pressed against mine. It’s like I can almost feel it, the physical weight of him on top of me, the pressure as he locks his thighs around me, squeezing me until there’s no air left in my lungs and I feel lightheaded. Fuck, am I having a heatstroke? I think I must be because it feels like my body is burning up from the inside. I rub my hands against my face, trying to focus. How can someone be this pretty and sexy, and not even know it? As much as I’ve tried to fight it and pretend that it’s all in the past, I’m starting to feel those old emotions again from when I was younger, before I left for college—those oldunrequitedemotions.
“Try talking to him again about it. And this time, don’t just molest him with a kiss.”
I playfully punch his arm. “Ass.”
No, there won’t be a ‘this time.’ Not any time. Mike deserves someone special, not someone all messed up. I’m not what I used to be. I lost a part of myself I fear I’ll never get back.
“You’ll never find out if you don’t try.” Wes shrugs.
“Yeah, maybe,” I say absently to get him off my back.
I bend to grab my hat sitting in the sand, brush it off, and put it on before going back to work.
After we dispose of the trash we collected and toss the other items into the recycling bins, I chug back some water. The day has been long and hot, and the hair under my cap is soaked.
Wes and Aaron have already left to get cleaned up. Wes has a date, and I have no idea what Aaron has planned. I think about what Wes said earlier. Should I try again? No, no trying again. I still need to regroup mentally. I’m just not in the right headspace, though I’m feeling a little better than I did. It helps, being surrounded by my family and friends, not to mention having a great job. But every once in a while, I slip back.
My eyes keep pinging to Mike’s chest, and I have to force myself to avert my gaze so I’m not staring like some creeper. God, why do his muscles have to be so definedandfucking glistening?
“Hey, wanna grab a bite to eat?” I ask him.
He smiles sheepishly and shrugs. “Can’t. Mom wants me home for dinner. You and I seem to be eating out a lot lately.”
“Oh… cool. Next time.” I guess it’s just me, then. Even Mom and Dad have a date tonight.
He stares at me for a beat, his eyes glancing down at my bare chest before he looks at me again. Then he quickly shifts his sights to the blue water in the distance.
“Why don’t you come over? I’m sure Mom would love to see you. I think you’re her favorite.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “Am not. But yeah, sounds good. Thanks. You sure you’ll have enough food and she won’t mind?”
“Mom always makes too much food. I think she still sees me as a growing boy or something. Anyway, we always have leftovers, so I’m sure there will be enough.”
We walk to our cars, and Mike gets into his truck as I sit in mine. Then I follow him home to his place.
Because we’ve been friends for so long, I’ve thought about asking him if he wants to be roommates. There aren’t any apartments in Cannon Beach. You have to go to Seaside to find them. Even then, there aren’t that many. But then I nixed that idea. Living with Mike would be another level of hell. I would be constantly surrounded by him, his smell, and his shy smiles… No, that’s a bad idea. Besides, he’s still taking care of his mom.
Mike and I walk inside the house to the smell of baked fish and garlic. My stomach instantly growls loudly, making Mike laugh.
“Ignore him,” I say, and he laughs harder.
I like his laugh. He doesn’t do it enough. He’s too chill, which I really like about him, but his laughter is something else.
“Hey, Mrs. T,” I say, kissing her cheek.
“Dennis! I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I was stalking Mike. I followed him home like a lost, hungry puppy.”
She giggles, sautéing the garlic before dumping fresh green beans into the pan.
