Chapter Three #3
“Stupid system printed it out in reverse alphabetical,” Teddy muttered. “Why is there even a setting for that? Alright, Lachlan Yang, a.k.a. the Shark or Sharky. Well, you already know him.”
Stop thinking about his mouth around your cock and his cry of release when he came and—
“Not really,” Tim protested too forcefully. He cleared his throat. “Just that it’s been, what, fifteen years? A lifetime.” The nervous man he’d met in Bali hadn’t seemed like a shark at all, but apparently he’d been acting the whole time, so that tracked.
“Right.” Tapping a pen, Teddy glanced up from the roster. “Come to think of it, I’m surprised you haven’t kept up with him since he and Ry are such good mates.” He frowned. “Though it seems like maybe things between you are worse off than I thought.”
“Reckon they are.” As far as he knew, Teddy and the boys didn’t know about the money, which was a relief. “I was hoping…” He rubbed his face and scoffed. “Hoped he’d missed me as much as I’ve missed him.”
“He has. I’d bet on it. You’re sure you can work together?”
“Positive.”
“Maybe Maria can have a chat to him.”
“Maybe.”
Teddy winced. “How is it between the two of you?”
“It’s fine. Look, Maria and I have known each other too long for hard feelings. We grew apart and wanted different things.” That was enough of the truth.
“Sorry, mate.”
“It was for the best. Honestly.”
“Are you seeing anyone new?”
Tim shrugged. “Dated some women here and there.” Fucked some men. “One for a few years, but it didn’t work out.”
Nic was a lovely woman, but he’d stayed with her too long because he hadn’t wanted to be alone. He’d gotten better at it. The split with Sarah at New Year’s had been fairly amicable, and it had just seemed like too much work to get back on the apps.
“Right person could be just around the corner.”
Tim forced a smile. “Maybe.”
His arsehole brain coughed up memories of Bali. Not that Lachlan Yang was the right bloody person.
Sure, the moment he’d walked into the bar, Tim had wanted him. Why not? He’d found no-strings sex easier with men. It wasn’t like he was going to date a bloke. It was a bit of fun. Release the pressure valve.
“So, how about that roster?” Tim asked.
“Yep, back to it. Lachie. He left for a couple of years after he became a lawyer, but he came back last month. He’s gotten into the swing no problem.”
“He’s quit being a lawyer, then? What happened?” Christ, why did he ask that?
Teddy didn’t seem to think the questions were odd, at least. “He’s tight-lipped about it.
Something went wrong but not sure what. None of our business, I reckon.
” He tapped the list with his pen. “Damian Williams—Damo. He’s the wise-arse with long blond hair.
Local born and bred, and he’s a damn good surfer as well as lifeguard.
Started seeing another bloke recently—a clubbie.
Early days, but it feels like he’s really coming into his own. Less of a kid, you know?”
Tim nodded and asked Teddy for a spare notepad and pen to borrow. He could use the notes app on his phone, but he’d never been fast typing with his thumbs.
“Mark Ward. Not as up for a laugh as most of the other fellas. You’d never catch him pulling a prank on a trainee or anything. He’s a full-time ambo and casual lifeguard. Top bloke—just quiet. Some people think it’s because his partner was killed, but he was quiet before that too.”
“Christ. Sorry to hear about his partner. When?”
Teddy sighed. “Probably four or five years ago now? She was a lovely girl. A nurse at RPH. She and her brother were up in Geraldton when a drunk driver mounted the curb and hit them. Her brother survived, but Natalie didn’t. It was a real tragedy.”
Tim blew out a breath. “Can’t imagine.”
“Why is it the worst fucking dickheads of the world seem to live to old age and the rest of us—” Teddy grimaced. “Not that I’m putting myself on a pedestal. And I’ll be fine. Doc says the odds are good.”
“You’ll be right, mate.”
“Yep.” He puffed out a breath, shaking his head. “Sorry. Most of the time I’m fine, but sometimes the fear just sneaks in there.”
“’Course it does. But no worries. Will it help if I say you’re far too much of a dickhead to go out this early?”
Teddy’s laugh echoed. “Thanks, mate. I needed that. Okay, where were we? Mark. Couldn’t be more dependable. Obviously great to have around in a medical emergency.”
Tim jotted down notes as Teddy gave him an assessment of the boys’ strengths and weaknesses, going down the list.
“Ronnie—you’ll know him from his toothy smile and Ronald McDonald hair.
Not always as assertive as I’d like, but a solid waterman.
Cody Grant—” Teddy glanced up with a smile.
“Soon to be one of your landlords if all goes to plan. Canadian, and he’s Liam Fox’s partner.
You remember Foxy’s a good mate of mine?
I was at school with his older brother, Greg. ”
“I remember. How’s Greg getting on?”
“Good, good. He and Cora have a little boy and girl. Working on number three. Where was I? Cody. He’s keen as.
Won’t hesitate to help someone else, even if it means putting himself in danger—which you need to be aware of.
And on a personal note, he’s done wonders for Liam.
Can’t tell you how much. He was so sad for far too long, and none of us could work out why.
” Teddy shook his head with a laugh. “Shit, I’m gonna get emotional in a minute! ”
“Can’t have that,” Tim joked.
“Definitely not.” Teddy cleared his throat.
“Let’s keep going. Then we’ll finish the paperwork and I’ll hand over the keys.
” He glanced around the office’s beige walls, which were only decorated with a corkboard and generic Aussie calendar that looked like it was a Woolies freebie. “It’s grand, I know.”
“I’ll try not to scuff it up too much. And don’t worry, mate. You take care of yourself. And Jill and Gracie. I’ll keep things running smoothly around here. Promise.”
“Thanks, Bull. I know I can count on you.”
Teddy needed his help, and Tim wasn’t going to let him down. First order of business?
Deal with Lachlan Yang.