38. Sal
Thirty Eight
Sal
Being a bummer. I think that’s what people call it when they bring the whole mood down.
Has my dread of being out on a date caused me to bring Cole’s excitement to a complete halt?
The moment I saw him in that dressy outfit, my mind couldn’t stop undressing him.
Yet, the restaurant and the drink and the food, it’s not him. It’s not us.
We both sip the wine and I have to hold back laughter as Cole tries not to cough.
He sets it down and wipes his face with a napkin. “That is disgusting.”
I drop my head and shake my head in laughter. “You’re silly. You learned all about it but I bet you didn’t read how it tastes, did you?”
“Tonight’s not about me, it’s about you, remember?”
“Sure.”
Dinner is placed in front of me after half my glass is gone.
Cole has sipped his here and there, but can’t stop making the face as if he’s sucked on a sour lemon each time.
Cole digs into the food and I do the same.
The sauce is creamy and the chicken is tender. My mother had me biased, but the food is actually brag worthy.
“Holy shit,” Cole says, food stuffed in his cheek.
My god, he’s not even drunk.
“This is so good!”
Chugging half his wine, he takes another bite.
“Cole.”
“Oh,” he says looking around. “Sorry.”
He’s normally not like this at home but between the nerves and addressing my attitude, he’s doing better.
We take the extras in a box and Cole pays for the entire dinner, which is easily $300.00. I don’t say anything, though.
When we’re in my car, he snakes his hand over into my lap. “Let’s go to the beach next!”
A drunk Cole at the beach?
Sounds messy. And hot.
Turning on the radio, he bobs along to whatevers playing.
Driving past rows of perfectly placed palm trees, I park in an open spot along the sidewalk. The sun is still hovering above the horizon.
“You’re still dressed,” I say to Cole as we get out of the car.
Never would I have imagined him dressed as nice as he is and on the beach.
“For now,” he grumbles.
We remove our dress shoes and socks and stick them in the car and end with rolling up our pants.
Hovering over to me, he grabs my hand and we walk hand in hand to the water.
Thoughts pester me, like are people watching? Do we look like an interesting pair?
As if reading my mind, as we dodge sand castles, Cole asks, “Does Oliver remind you of anyone?”
Ugh.
“Not really.”
The suggestive snicker he gives me makes me narrow my eyes at him.
Wait.
“I mean, I wouldn’t say you’re twins…”
That’s it because he’s laughing harder now.
“You and Ace look nothing alike, though.”
My arms prickle with goosebumps. It’s not from the ocean breeze. I wish my stomach didn’t lurch the way it did.
Children run past us and several people walking by smile at us. Their opinions don’t matter, but I can’t help but wonder.
“That’s a good thing right?”
“Of course.”
To the right of us is the pier and a bunch of shops. I pretend to scan them when I’m really trying to check Cole out and see that little smile.
“So, dinner was amazing.”
He beams at my compliment.
“Though I think you could do it better.”
I love the way he bites his bottom lip. If there weren’t so many damn families here as well as the fact that we’re not dressed for the beach, I’d tackle him in the sand right now.
Pin his arms above his head.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.” Glancing at him, there’s trouble brewing in those eyes. “Be explicit.”
Sucking in a breath, I search to see who’s around us. We’re in the clear. The tide slapping the shore helps.
We’re leaving the bustle of the main beach area and approaching the homes that line the northern part of the bay.
“I’d love to pin you down and fuck you as the sun set.”
His smile grows. “And?”
I think about Cole. This date was for me, he says. However, he’s been severely romantically neglected. This should have been done for him, not by him.
Guilt pricks my chest. I can do better.
“First…”
In one fell swoop, I pull him close to me and kiss him.
At first he’s stiff, then slowly he melts in my arms.
Grabbing his back pocket, I slip his phone from his pocket. One thing i noticed when he showed me that sexy video, was his lack of photos. He’s never admit it, but I think he’s secretly sentimental.
“…I’d take a picture of us kissing.”
Swiping at the screen, I try to open it, only for it to jolt and display the passcode option.
“Well, if I knew how to open your phone.”
Cole snickers. “It’s okay grandpa.”
That earns him an ass flick.
“OW!”
Kissing his cheek, I whisper, “You like it.”
He shrugs.
Once the camera is open, I wrap my arms around him and he holds the camera up. Resting my chin on his shoulder, he leans his head against mine and snaps the photo.
We do a series of different poses. I’ve taken photos with other boyfriends. But none of them out like this so openly.
An older couple passes and the lady offers to take photos. The man holds their little dog on a leash and even suggests we jokingly do one of the pregnancy poses with the heart over the stomach, then seriously suggests we do a photo of me dipping him and kissing him. First on the lips, then on the cheek, and lastly, tickling him.
Those ones turn out the best.
“Congrats on the engagement,” the lady says, handing the phone back.
Cole sucks in a breath, as if he’s going to give a detailed report.
“Thank you,” I say simply.
The couple and dog walk away with beaming smiles, likely proud they helped someone.
Pulling him in close, I lower us to the ground and set him on my lap.
“Can we look through the photos?”
Cole nods and we swipe through the photos as the last bit of the sun dips into the horizon.
Gently kissing his neck, I take in his scent. It’s a new one. Orange and lime. It’s nice, though part of me hopes it’s only for one night.
“I love this one,” he says, holding the phone closer to my face.
It’s the one of him being dipped and tickled, his mouth wide open in laughter.
“I love how much you’re laughing too.”
My eyes bounce over my face in the picture. I don’t think I’ve ever looked so damn happy.
“Would your mom like me?”
The question comes out of nowhere. Usually when people ask and find out about my dead mom, they offer condolences and dance around the subject.
Not Cole. And it doesn’t bother me, it’s actually a relief.
For so long she died and I lost my dad and I’ve felt alone.
“She would rival you in feistiness.”
Cole is quick to add, “We’d probably team up against you.”
That thought makes me bark out in laughter. “Oh god, you’re right. I would be screwed.”
His laughter vibrates into my chest.
Sure, sex on the beach would be sexy, but this is better by a longshot.
Turning around so his legs hang over my left thigh, his arms wrap around my neck and he leans in and kisses me.
One hand runs along his thigh and the other runs along his back in slow circular motions.
“I love you Sal,” he says, pulling his lips away.
“I love you, baby.”
Our foreheads pressed together. It’s a strain to see his eyes in the growing darkness, but it doesn’t matter. There’s tangible love and connection binding us together.
“I know this is supposed to be romantic,” Cole whispers, “but I really want to push you into the sand…”
We both laugh at his confession.
Glancing around, there are a few people down the beach from us. The wind whips around us and Cole shudders.
“Or,” I offer, “we could race back to the car and make out in your bed.”
Pressing a soft kiss to my lips, my dick twitches against his ass.
Then, he’s launching himself from my lap and tearing across the sand.
“Then it’s a race!”
Little shit.
Standing in the sand, I take off after him, trying to hold my composure instead of laughing the whole way down the stretch of beach.
* * *
With a long pull of my dick, I slowly ease it in Cole’s ass.
Rather than needy and rambunctious, he’s on his knees and watching me with a new fondness. There’s a gentle warmth in his features I’ve never seen.
When his eyes roll to the back of his head and he lets out a soft breath that sends heat from my cheeks to my balls and I can tell I’m not going to last as long as I normally do.
We haven’t been at it long, but something feels different, in the very best way.
Chasing him back to the car was exhilarating. Driving home holding hands and kissing passionately in the bed for almost an hour has sent my heart soaring.
“Ohhh, Torrey!”
Freezing, I check to make sure he’s okay.
“Don’t stop!” He orders.
Oh, so that was good.
“Don’t forget the safe word!” I bark, trying to get back into rhythm.
I hadn’t been doing anything in particular, just letting my dick take the lead.
“Fuck me!” Cole orders.
That earns him an ass slap.
“Okay!” He whines, then gives me a dark eyed glare. “I know it’s waffles, but I think you should spank me again to make sure I’ve learned my lesson.”
“I’ll make sure you never forget, baby.”
Slapping his ass harder, he sucks in a breath. The sight of my hand print eggs me to keep going. I use my other hand on his other side.
“Misbehave and I won’t go easy on you,” I whisper.
It’s nonsense. The thought of marking Cole besides a little slap and hickey makes my chest ache as if someone stepped on it.
“Oh Torrey!” He’s desperately tugging his own dick now. “I’m not gonna last.”
Pulling out from his tight hole, I flip him onto his back and grip his chin with one hand.
He doesn’t have time to pout because he’s taken by surprise.
Pressing a hard kiss to his lips, I keep my hand tight around his jaw and we continue kissing.
Eventually my free hand grips his dick and he audibly sighs into my mouth.
Tugging several times, I break away for a moment to lean and grab more lube from the night stand.
Lathering my hand, I resume what we were doing and stroke him up and down several times.
“I’m gonna…”
Cole starts cumming and I try to catch as much as I can in my fist.
With a sigh of relief he sags into his bed.
“Lay still while I clean you up,” I whisper against his lips before pecking them.
“Okay,” he says, smiling against my lips.
After I’ve cleaned him up and turned off the lights, I curl against him in bed, holding him tight against my chest.
“What about you?” He asks.
“I’m good for tonight.”
Cuddling him is all I need.
Or so I think.
After a few minutes he’s sound asleep in my arms and I’m wide awake.
I figure I’ll eventually drift off, but twenty minutes pass and I can’t keep my eyes closed.
Gently easy out from under him, I pull on my silk pants and grab my phone.
Out in the living room, I flick on the lamp beside the couch and make myself comfortable.
It’s odd sitting out here without him, but there’s peace. I can imagine myself living here. Is that strange? Would he rather live up on the tenth floor with an ocean view?
The night plays through my mind again and it fills my chest with a fondness I haven’t felt since I was with Andy. We were together for seven years. However, my relationship with Cole is different, despite him working for me, and despite the age gap, there’s a connection I’ve never had before.
And for some reason, my father springs to mind and all those good sentiments are washed away to sea replaced with a bubbling anger.
Opening my phone, I pull open his contact.
I click on the call button and hold it to my ear, my heart hammering in my chest.
I’m not normally one to do this, yet I can’t help myself.
“Hello?” His voice is groggy. “Sal? Is everything alright?”
Hmm, it is late. I should feel bad.
“I wanted to call and talk for a minute.”
On the other end, I hear another man’s tired voice and my father telling him it’s alright and to go back to bed. Then the shuffling of feet. I can picture him putting on his slippers and robe and rushing to a more private place to sleep.
So, he’s not faking being gay, or bi, to irritate me.
Somehow that’s not comforting at all.
“What’s up, Sal?”
“I should have sent a letter,” I begin, realizing how ridiculous this is. “But I called on an impulse.”
“I’m all ears.”
His temperament reminds me of when I was a teenager. He’d always been fairly reasonable growing up. Truthfully, we always got along, until I came out to him.
“I know I’m supposed to be grateful your accepting now, and even part of the community now, but I’m not.” I wait for him to say something. He remains quiet. “There’s this rumor going around that I moved to Italy with mom…”
“What?!”
The outrage in his voice makes me jump.
“I was shitty to you Sal,” he stops talking for a moment and I wonder if he’s trying to come up with some excuse. “However, I would never do something so cruel to your mother.”
It’s not enough, though. It doesn’t put out the fire raging in my chest, my heart, my mind.
“I’m supposed to go to this gala and tell everyone how great of a father you are? Where do they think I’ve been? What have you been telling people?”
I half expect him to tell me it’s late, and we can talk about this another time. On the other end, I hear chair legs scrape against tile. It’s an awful sound. One that promises time.
“That’s a big ask. And maybe I should have met with you one on one, rather than at work, rather than with your adorable boyfriend…”
Silence.
Shit. That was confirmation.
“I figured you two would be a good match.”
His words make me smile! No! I’m supposed to be angry with him!
“If anyone asks, you tell them the truth, Sal. Tell them I was unaccepting! Tell them I was cruel to you. Just please, tell me what I can do to actually be in your life in a way you want me.”
The plea is genuine and it hurts to hear. I don’t want a father who has to beg for a spot in my life.
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“I understand.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Torrey.”
Hearing the nickname given to me by my maternal grandmother and carried on by my parents and Cole, causes huge tears to stream down my cheeks.
Ending the call, I leave my phone on the couch and shuffle to the bedroom, flopping onto the bed and wrapping my arms around Cole. Sleep finally finds me.