32. Gage
GAGE
When Oliver texted me to go find Charli, I didn’t know what to expect.
He said that she heard from her mom and she might be feeling bad.
Even though she runs her own business and has amazing grandparents and friends like Oliver, it’s sometimes not enough to prevent her from falling apart.
Her mom seems like a real piece of shit.
She’s only recently let me in. I’ve seen glimpses of how she protects herself from inner turmoil by shutting down. Hopefully she feels better after a hot shower, an orgasm, and a nap.
I sneak out of her bedroom and see what I can make us to eat. There’s not much food here, since I was going to take her out in Port City for sushi tonight. Searching through the refrigerator, I decide I can make us brinner, as my mom used to call breakfast for dinner.
Maybe she’ll open up to me later about what’s going on with her.
Still, her reaction has got me thinking about my own issues.
I’m not much better. I haven’t really told her much about my family.
I don’t talk about my dad to anyone. My family brings it up once in a while, but I usually close up when they do.
Since he passed away, I’ve kept people at a distance or ghosted others who I used to be close to, too painful to be surrounded by so many memories.
When I’m sailing I feel like my dad is with me, reminding me about each step along the way. I can hear his voice in my head. It’s part of the reason I don’t want to work in an office. I would miss my dad even more.
Being on the boat for years with Bill has changed me.
It’s who I am now. Putting on a carefree and easy-going front helps me avoid anything serious with commitments, both with work and personally.
Chartering keeps me moving around from place to place, never in any one location long enough to build anything real.
Charli shuffles into the kitchen looking cute and rumpled from her nap. “What are you making?”
“Some eggs, sausage and toast.” She stands behind me and gives me a hug as I stir the eggs in the pan. “I cut up some grapefruit too.”
“Thank you for taking care of me.”
I set down the spatula and turn in her embrace. “I’m here for you whenever you need me.”
“How did I get so lucky?”
“Maybe it’s meant to be.” Fuck. Did I really say that out loud? It feels like it’s meant to be.
“Maybe it is.” She distracts me with a sweet kiss, sealing her mouth to mine as she lines herself up with me.
We eat our food while we watch a movie and have a quiet night together. She doesn't bring up her mom again and I decide not to press her. We can talk more when she’s ready.
Later, I lay awake as she sleeps with her head on my chest. This town clearly means a lot to her. I wonder if I would fit in here too, but I try not to let my thoughts drift there. I made the choice years ago to not get too attached anymore. That line has already been crossed with Charli.
Once Charli and I got together around the beginning of July, the weeks have flown by in a blur.
It’s a series of working, being with her, sleeping and doing it all over again.
It’s like we’re in a bubble of summertime bliss.
And working and sleeping come in second to her.
She has a hold over me like no one ever has.
She’s so genuine and sexy, so fucking sexy.
I get turned on just thinking about her curves and how she takes me.
When she begs me to make her come, it puts me over the edge.
It’s like we read each other's minds when we’re in bed together and it makes me want her more.
Besides all the amazing sex, I’ve been so into her that I haven't given much thought to my future plans past leaving here in early October. I don’t want to think about the lonely sail south ahead of me.
Being with her has been different for sure. She’s smart, fun, adventurous and so sweet. This was only supposed to be for the summer, but I don’t want the summer to be over. I don’t want to end things with her, but I don’t know how to make it work.
I was shit at being long-distance with Emily and can’t imagine going down that path with Charli.
Daily calls that fade away to once a week.
Pictures and text messages that can’t sustain the miles.
Being separated for weeks at a time at the minimum.
A lump forms in my throat at the thought of not being with her for all of the little things, stopping by to have lunch with her, going to the grocery store, working out together at the gym, or laying next to her every night.
Enjoying all the small moments with her will have to be enough for now.
She shifts in her sleep, rolling to her back. I tuck in beside her, nuzzling against her. I know my dad would have liked her a lot. I wish that I could ask him for advice on what to do right now.
* * *
In the morning, I’m at the pier early doing my daily monitoring of the boat systems before the heat of the day sets in.
Since Cap hurt his back, I’ve been having Owen and Teddy do some extra work to check on Serenity every other day.
They make sure the mooring is secure and everything is locked up.
They also do any light cleaning in case seagulls have crapped all over the deck.
Charli gives them a free lunch whenever they go check the boat. It’s been working out for us all.
Steady footsteps on the pier alert me, I look up to see Cap carrying two coffee cups. Wearing a navy blue Marina raincoat and shorts with his boat shoes, he looks grumpy.
“Morning.”
“Morning. May I come aboard?” he asks gruffly.
“Sure.
“Here.” He passes me a hot cup of coffee from The Sweet Spot.
“Thanks.”
He lifts his eyebrows at me. “So . . .”
I sip my coffee and burn my tongue. Damn that’s hot. “Yeah?”
“I like you, Gage, you’re a smart kid and have a good head on your shoulders.” He glances around the wharf, then looks back at me. “You and Charli make a nice couple, and my wife Margaret and I want to get to know you better. We’d like you both to come to dinner this week.”
Holy shit. “Oh, sure, that sounds nice. Thanks.” I sip again and fuck, I think it’s hotter if that’s possible. At least my burning tongue distracts me from the panic I feel about having dinner with her grandparents.
A couple. I’d love it if she called me her boyfriend, but we haven’t had that talk yet. I’m a mess of emotions. My stomach sinks and the hairs on my neck raise.
I haven’t been in any type of relationship for years. This is why I do no strings attached. Getting attached fucks you up. Now I’m completely attached to her and this wasn’t supposed to happen. I’ve been ignoring the fact that I’m not staying here long-term. But I haven’t given her any promises.
Cap clears his throat loudly, “Gage.” I snap my head in his direction after being lost in thought. “Now that that’s all set, let’s talk about this week with the campers.”
This week, I’m doing some sessions with the kids at the Academy with Cap. This group of young boaters are a little older, probably middle school age. Their questions won’t be as goofy and we’re going to take them out for sails in two smaller groups.
After Cap leaves, I shoot her a text.
Me: So your Pop just invited us to dinner next week.
Charli: Ok. Mimi is a great cook.
Me: Did you tell them about us?
Charli: They know we’re a couple.
Me: And?
Charli: It’s not a big deal. Mimi said that I should go out with you if I thought you were cute weeks ago.
Me: Ok.
Charli: Don’t worry about it. It’ll be fine. Probably everyone in town knows we’re together.
Me: See you tonight.
Charli: Can’t wait. I picked up cannolis for us.
Me: Mmm.
Licking cannoli cream off Charles tits while she rides me makes me forget about my angst about eating dinner at her grandparents house.
We don’t discuss anything serious, we just enjoy being together.
We shower before bed and she gives me such an amazing blow job that I get lightheaded and nearly slip on the wet floor.
She insists that I lay down and makes me drink a juice before we go to sleep.
The next day is a busy day with the campers. We stop at Seal Rock Beach for swimming and the kids have a blast, and so do I. By that afternoon, all the parents have booked cruises on Wanderlust and I’m psyched.
Harvey stops by in the evening, when I’m whistling as I work on checking the lines on the sails.
“You seem to be in a good mood,” he calls to me from the dock.
“Hey, man. What’s up?” I stop and approach the deck to pull the line for him to board.
He steps on the deck and settles in the cockpit in the shade. “How’s it going with Charli?”
I grin. “Well, we're something. I’m just enjoying it for now.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Anything new with you? Have you thought more about grad school?”
He nods and slips his sunglasses up on his head. “Well, I told my parents that I’m going to defer school.”
I lift my eyebrows. “How’d it go?”
He bites his lip. “It was pretty awkward, but they relaxed a bit when I told them I had a short term plan.”
I lean in. “And that is what?”
He taps his leg. “I’m going to get my captain’s license and I’ve already been accepted to a program in Florida. Then I’ll get a job on a boat for the winter, and probably work in the boating industry for a few years.”
I shake his hand. “Alright man, that’s cool for you.”
“Are you still leaving in October?”
I fold my arms across my chest. “That’s my plan right now.”
“Do you want help on the waterway?”
I’m surprised. “Yeah, for sure. I’d love to have you, bro.”
“Hey I have to get back to work, but let’s talk later.”