5. Gage
GAGE
Once I step back onto the Wanderlust, I check everything over and make sure that she’s secure. I unlock the bulkhead and Harvey and I have the part installed in no time. After thanking him, he leaves me with my thoughts.
I relax on the cushions of the cockpit. The night air is humid and light flashes from a lighthouse in the distance. I’m tempted to grab another beer, but after those margaritas at the restaurant, I should just chill. I’ve got work in the morning.
A seagull caws loudly and flies low over the docks, perching on a piling near the Wanderlust. Tonight, I can sit back and enjoy the early summer from the cockpit of the boat and not stress about responsibilities, like student loans, rent, and utilities like some people my age.
My life is simple and that’s good for right now.
Anything that the boat needs gets charged to the business. Uncle Bill lets me take a percentage of all charter profits after the boat gets paid. My hustle determines how much I make this summer. And if I meet a woman here, all the better.
That’s how it’s been for the last seven years and that’s how it'll be for me. Why get into a relationship if I could get burned or it could end anytime? Hell, I might have an accident on the boat and be done for myself. It’s better to enjoy the little moments for what they are, pieces of happiness.
Gazing at the cloudless night sky, I can easily spot Ursa Major and the bear driver. My dad taught me many of the constellations when I was younger and I kept at it when I traveled with my uncle. It still makes me miss him. Would he and my mom be retired now and sailing themselves?
I check the status of the charters on the Wanderlust website and send out the confirmation texts for the ones tomorrow. Then I cave and do a search for The Sweet Spot in Seascape. Charli’s website pops up on my phone. Fuck. Am I a stalker now? Who cares? Everyone does it at some point, right?
I tap on the About tab, which brings up a picture of Charli and a man named Oliver.
They’re side by side, and arm in arm in front of the counter.
Charli took over the café from when it had been the Seascape Bakery and Oliver has been there since the beginning eight years ago.
So, she owns the place and he works there.
That must make her a little older than me.
Hmm, I wonder if those two ever had a thing.
Probably not. It'd be tough to smile through long work days together.
There are more photos from over the years, the old shop, their renovations, and pictures of food.
They source locally when they can and bake nearly everything in house.
I pause on a shot of her holding a tray of bagels.
She’s tilting her head slightly to the side with her hair piled up on her head, and she's got on a tight pink Sweet Spot t-shirt that hugs her amazing tits perfectly. Damn, I’d love to have a handful of those right now.
I shift in my position and adjust myself.
A text comes through as I’m staring at her picture with my hand down my shorts. It’s from my sister, Gabby, a mood killer right there.
Gabby: How’s Seascape?
She’ll probably FaceTime me if I don’t answer, she’s like Mom in that way. I can’t face her in this mood that I’m in right now. They check up on me out of worry.
Me: It’s cool- should be a busy summer. How’s Boston?
Gabby: Same, work kind of sucks right now. My boss is a total dick.
Me: You should come down and visit sometime. Plenty of room on the boat for you.
Gabby: I will for sure. I’ve got some plans coming up, but I’ll get there next month.
Me: Try to come down during the week, because the weekends are busy with charters.
Gabby: Well, I can help you work on the weekends, dumbass, I know how to sail. Duh.
Me: If you work, I’m not going to pay you.
Gabby: Then I’ll tell Uncle Bill.
Me: Don’t be such a baby.
Gabby: I’m not a baby, I’m older than you. Glad it’s going well for you there.
Don’t fucking say it Gabby.
Gabby: Have you been to the school?
And there it is. Gabby, my mini mom asking about boat building school and my forsaken dreams. Instead, I just sail around and take people out for cruises.
Me: Nope.
Gabby: Are you going to go?
Me: No.
Gabby: I just want you to be happy.
Me: I’m fine. Gotta go. Text me when you think you might come down.
Gabby: I will. Love you, bro.
Me: You too, sis.
Fuck it. I head down below into the head cabin and grab a cold can of beer and pop the top. Something is off with me though and I can’t figure it out. I thought I was ready to return here and face the changes in my life and the ghosts that exist here for me, but maybe I’m being too naive.
I get ready for bed and lay in my cabin, trying to sleep; that last beer made me tired, but I’m still restless.
But I can’t get Charli out of my mind. She’s the one who has me so turned on.
Images of her naked on my bed run through my mind.
I reach down into my shorts and stroke my cock, rock hard again just thinking about her curvy shape.
A light sweat breaks out on my temples and I imagine how our bodies would stick together in the thick summer air.
Her hair spread across the pillow, her tits in my hands, my lips on her nipples, the little sounds she would make when I touched her.
Her mouth would be hot when she took me between her lips.
The pressure builds quickly. She’d beg me to touch her, to give her what she needed.
She’d be so wet and ready for me. I’d grab her round hips and take her.
I stroke myself faster. I reach for the tissues and come hard into my own hand.
Disappointing, but it’ll have to do for now.
If only she wasn't with that other guy.