35. Gage
GAGE
My mom FaceTimes me Friday morning when I return from the gym. It’s too hot to be in the cabin right now and I’m sweaty from my workout. So I sit under the solar panels to get out of the sun.
“Hey mom.”
“Hi, Honey. How are you? I’ve missed you.”
“I'm good. Working and spending time with Charli.”
“That’s great to hear. I know Gabby is looking forward to visiting you soon.”
“Yeah, I’ve missed her. It’s been a while.”
“Are you going to introduce her to Charli?”
I give a tight smile. “Yes, we’ll spend some time together for sure.”
“Oh good.”
I inhale. “I’m meeting her dad, stepmom and younger brothers this afternoon. They’re coming to visit for the day.”
She claps her hand across her mouth. “I’m happy for you. That’s a big step.”
“Yeah, she asked me to. I want to be there for her. She doesn’t really get along with her stepmom.” I scrub my hand across my face.
My mom frowns. “That's too bad. It sounds like things are getting more serious with you two.”
I swallow. “Well, I like her a lot and, uhh, uhh . . .”
“Honey, you don't have to say more, I can see it on your face when you talk about her. I’m just happy for you like I said before. You’re an amazing person and should share that with a woman.”
“Mom.” I can’t help but roll my eyes.
“Gage, you haven’t told me about anyone special in a very long time.”
“No, you’re right. She’s important to me.”
“What’s she like?”
I run my hand through my hair. She’s mine. That’s all that matters now.
“She’s from here and owns a café. She’s athletic and we work out together. Her mom was a professional sailor, so she’s really good on the boat. Plus, she’s beautiful with green eyes and long wavy hair.”
“It sounds like the right match for you. Remember, I was young once too. Being in a new relationship is fun, exciting, and pleasurable.”
“Oh my God, Mom, stop.” Sometimes she’s just way too into her feelings, and she doesn’t need to be into mine. She finally backs off and tells me about her garden, her yoga classes, and her new friends. I promise to send her a picture from my visit with Charli’s family this afternoon.
Charli picks me up to go to the town beach just after lunch to visit with her family for a while before we go to dinner.
I tease, “You didn't want to wear your purple bikini today?”
“Uh, no, I don’t need my family seeing my tits and ass this afternoon.” She shakes her head at me.
“You can’t not be sexy in a bathing suit.”
“Thanks.” She smirks at me. “Thanks for coming today. You’ve been inundated with family this summer.”
“You’re welcome. Anything for you.” I squeeze her knee. “Did you tell them I was coming?”
“Yeah, I said my boyfriend would be there too,” she gushes. “You know we didn’t finish talking last night.”
“No, we got busy with other things.” I rub her thigh as we drive toward the beach.
“Can we talk more soon, then?”
“Yeah, of course.” Was I avoiding it last night? Maybe a little. Things are so good now, I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. I want it to last a little longer.
We find a spot to park and walk quickly through the hot sand to the shoreline, with our bag, and a couple of chairs.
It’s hot and sunny with a light breeze, a few clouds dot the sky.
The beach is crowded with vacationers, big groups of families, ladies set up in chat circles, teenagers blasting music, and elderly couples reading their large print books.
We find her family a short walk from the concession stand.
They have a mini camp set up with an umbrella, chairs, toys for the kids, and a big cooler.
Her dad has salt and pepper hair and is about six feet tall and in fair shape.
Her stepmom is blonde and all done up for the beach.
She’s got a polished look: perfect hair and makeup, a tasteful white swimsuit, and gold jewelry.
The kids are running around in the waves.
One has dark hair like Charli and the other is blonde like the mom.
They spot Charli and run over to us, splashing in the water.
The little one wraps her in a bear hug around her middle.
“Hi Charli, can you swim with us? Mommy doesn't want to get wet and Dad hurt his knee.”
“Sure thing, buddy.”
He turns to me and asks, “Who are you?”
I lift my eyebrows and answer, “I’m Gage, Charli’s boyfriend.”
“I’m Carter. Can you play with us too?” he asks.
I laugh. “Sure, can you swim by yourself?”
“Yeah, but my mom won’t let me go over my head alone.”
The older one approaches us. “Hi Charli, the sandwiches you made us were really good, and Dad said you can take us to get ice cream at the concession stand after.”
“Sure, Connor. This is my boyfriend Gage,” she responds.
He looks me over, giving an approving nod. “Hi. Do you want to play catch with me?”
I glance at her and she smiles. “Con, first we’re going to say hi to your mom and dad.
” She extracts herself from Carter’s grip and they run back into the waves as her dad and stepmom walk toward us.
I feel a pang of anxiety. Kids just go right for it.
I was never that guy who went to family dinners and barbecues with whoever I was seeing.
I’m out of my element, but I’m glad to be here with Charli.
They meet us at the edge of the water. Her dad leans in for a big hug. “Thanks for coming out with us today, Charli. The boys have missed you.”
They separate and Charli gives her stepmom a kiss on the cheek. “Hi, Daphne, good to see you.”
“Same, Charli. I love your new coverup.”
Charli smiles tightly at her.
Her dad and stepmom look expectantly at me, so she introduces me. “Dad, Daphne, this is my boyfriend, Gage. We met this summer and he’s running his uncle's charter boat for the season.”
Daphne’s face lights up at the mention of my boat, just like Charli said she would. Her dad reaches out to shake my hand. “Nice to meet you, Gage. I’m Mike O’Brien.”
Daphne leans in and gives me a quick hug. She smells like sunscreen and perfume. “It’s a pleasure.”
We set up our stuff and after some basic chit chat we take the boys out into the waves. I can’t help but look a little too long when Charli takes off her cover up to reveal her sporty blue suit. The same one she wore when we went paddle-boarding.
In no time the boys are climbing me like a jungle gym only to be tossed in the water time after time.
They squeal with delight and try to outdo each other with bigger splashes.
We duck under the big waves and Charli practices doing handstands with them.
They run ashore to get their boogie boards while we bob in the water.
Daphne’s busy reapplying sunscreen and her dad has his nose in a book so I reach out to pull her into a hug and her legs wind around me. We share a salty kiss and I cup her ass under the water.
She snickers as I nibble her neck. “Are you having fun yet?”
“Is this part of boyfriend duty?”
Her eyes dance around my face, nervously. “Yeah, you’ve got excellent skills.” She grinds her center over me and I start to harden immediately.
“I enjoy this part of the job.” The water laps at us as we hold each other’s gazes. I press my lips to hers for a long slow kiss. Her thighs tighten around me and she leans closer to me, flattening her chest against mine. I groan into her mouth.
We pull apart as the kids approach us. “The kids are fun.” I keep my hand on her back under the surface. “How are you feeling?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. I just wish my dad would have done stuff like this with me and Ian.” She sighs before her mouth forms a frown.
It makes me think of the great family times I had with my own dad. And her father is just sitting there reading when he could be playing with his kids.
We’re disrupted by the boys kicking out to us on their foam boogie boards and we separate. Carter announces, “We saw you kissing.”
Connor whistles and they both say, “Ooohhh,” like kids do. I can’t help but chuckle.
Carter props himself up on his board. “That’s okay, he’s good at swimming and playing with us.”
Quite the judge of character. The boys ride the waves and try to beat each other to shore first. We leave them out there to go to sit with her dad and stepmom.
Daphne guides the conversation like an expert, asking Charli about her summer, the café, my sailing business, and my family.
She’s a great buffer. Her dad nods along and interjects when appropriate.
Daphne tells us about the kids’ activities and camps.
I brush over the real stuff and focus on my uncle, mom, and sister.
She’s pleased that Gabby will visit me soon.
The boys trudge up from the water and plunk down their boards.
Their energy levels have finally subsided momentarily.
“Ian was so upset that he couldn’t make it down today. But he really wants to see you soon. His new condo has a pool,” Charli adds.
The boys hoot and jump up and down. “Can we go to see Ian and swim in his pool?” Carter begs.
“I’ll send him a message,” Daphne beams.
I give Charli a look like I know she just threw her brother under the bus on that one.
Connor asks, “Mom, can they take us for ice cream now?”
Our group makes the trek to the concession stand for fries and ice cream cones. We eat on the deck so that the seagulls don’t barrage us with dive bombs, but we take the cones to go and stroll back slowly.
Charli’s right, the kids are super nice and Daphne is a good mother.
She’s attentive and caring. It makes me miss my own mom, especially after our call this morning.
It makes me wish that she could meet Charli.
I know my mom would like her. But right now, that’s nearly impossible unless my mom makes the trip up here.