42. Gage
GAGE
The wharf is busy; tourists and boaters coming and going.
This morning it’s clear, only a few clouds dot the sky.
It’s low tide, so the air is thick with the smell of seaweed.
Even though I know it’s risky, I sit outside the marina shop as I wait for Cap and stare at the pictures Charli sent me when we went for sushi.
My mind is in a haze. I can’t believe she was such a tease.
After we ran into her ex, I was keyed up anyway.
Seeing him made me possessive of her and I wanted to make sure he knew she was with me now.
It did make me worry that Charli was going to be upset after she froze when she spotted him.
The way he acted, I’m not sure he’s over her, or trying to stir shit up between us with his comments.
There’s a pit in my stomach though. She’s going on her trip in two weeks, and to be honest, I’m really dreading it. What the hell am I going to do without her for those days?
I haven’t been this close to someone, ever.
This is so much more. Being in bed with her every night, waking up together every morning, and sharing small moments each day of the week is a dream.
I didn’t know it could feel this good inside, like she fills me with such light.
I starved myself of these feelings for so long, it made me forget.
Cap emerges from the shop and we head to Port City for the day to go to the Boat Show. I quickly shut my phone down and stuff it in my pocket. I don’t want him to see me drooling over his half-naked granddaughter like a pervert.
The Port City Boat Show is the big daddy of them all.
Cap told me to wear one of my Wanderlust shirts, to be my own advertising.
He’s wearing a Boat Building Academy Shirt himself.
Christ, the guy knows someone at practically every booth.
And each time we stop, he introduces me as his granddaughter’s boyfriend and tells them about my charter business and that I’m such a talented young sailor. I can’t help but grin at the praise.
There’s so much information, it's an overload. There’s training, seminars, demonstrations, new products, new boats, an eco-station about conservation and clean boating practices, a brokerage area with boats for sale, and YouTubers who run their own boating channels.
One of them actually wants to meet me later to do an interview about private custom charters and running the waterway.
My mind is racing with ideas. I can’t wait to tell Charli.
Of course I’ll let Uncle Bill, Mom and Gabby know. But I want her to be proud of me.
We stop in the food tent, where the band plays. After ordering some beers, chowder, and lobster rolls we sit near the railing at a high top table.
“So what do you think?” Cap asks.
“This is a lot. It’s overwhelming, but really exciting.”
Honestly, I can’t believe the business opportunities in the boating world that I’ve been ignoring.
Uncle Bill tried to get me to go to different industry events numerous times, but I was never motivated to attend with him.
I was content to skate though the days, enjoying life on the surface without going deeper.
There’s more risk in that, both professionally and personally.
Cap sips his beer and levels his eyes at me. “You could make yourself quite a good business through so many different avenues, Gage. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”
“Thanks, Cap. It means a lot coming from you.” It really fucking does. Cap is a professional in this industry and he’s admired.
Since, I’ve been with Charli, I keep imagining more for me, for us.
He takes a few bites of chowder and glances out across the harbor. “Even though you took a different path than attending the Academy, I think that you’ve done well for yourself, made good choices, and worked hard. Your Uncle Bill is a good teacher.”
I gulp my beer and nod appreciatively. “Thanks.” I take another sip, needing courage. “He’s selling the boat,” I blurt.
Cap gives a noncommittal grunt. “You could always come back and take the boat-building program at the Academy. All your work with the campers has been great. You could get a tuition discount or scholarship.”
Fuck. It would be coming full circle. But it’s not what I want anymore.
I have to be honest with him. “Actually, boat building was more of my dad’s dream.
I think I want something else, but I’m not sure what.
” A chill runs down my back despite the warm weather.
It feels cathartic to admit this to Cap, a man I respect.
“Have you and Charli talked about it?” A cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck. He’s not backing down here.
“We have a little. I don’t want to be in an office and I like being my own boss.” I pick at my fries, avoiding his eyes.
He looks down and stirs his chowder before taking a bite. “Are you going to buy Wanderlust?”
I rake a hand through my hair. “Maybe, but . . .”
He nods and changes the subject. “So, you’re going to do an interview with those YouTubers?”
Thankful, I raise my eyebrows. “Yeah, how about that?”
“You’ll get some great exposure. Have you thought about your next steps?”
“Honestly, my mind is spinning right now.” I bite my roll -damn, that’s good.
“I’m thinking about taking some business classes online while I travel.
I want to get bigger, but I want to be smart about it.
I don’t know that much about the back end of running a business.
Especially if I were to buy the boat and hire more employees than a couple of young deckhands for a season. ”
He drains his beer and folds his hands on the table. “That’s a smart idea, kid.”
* * *
Charli was having a girls’ day with her grandmother while I was at the show with Cap.
When we return to Seascape, I stop by the boat and check things over before driving to her apartment.
I ordered a pizza from Nonno’s to be delivered to her place and pick up some beer at the liquor store.
I can’t wait to share this news with her.
She is my person now. It’s surprising, but comforting.
I didn’t realize it was happening this summer, but I’m okay with it.
I enter and she’s in the kitchen washing some dishes at the sink, wearing tiny shorts and a t-shirt with her hair up in a high bun.
“Hey, how was your day?”
“It was good, Mimi and I got lunch and then did some shopping. We got pedicures too.” She takes a big breath. “And my mom texted me today, but I stayed detached and made it through.”
I put the beer in the fridge and reach for her, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her neck. “That’s so great.” I nibble the delicate skin at the hollow of her collarbone and press into her backside. “What did she say?”
Resting her hands on the edge of the sink she exhales. “She said she was on her second interview for the new job and was looking at places here.”
“And how did you respond?”
Turning her head, my lips graze her cheek. “I just told her good luck.”
I snort. “That was it?”
“Well then she went on about the long weekend coming up. But I said, ‘See you soon.’”
“I’m proud of you,” I say into her ear.
“Then I got a big ice cream and bought a new outfit.”
I look down to see her bright red toenails. “Your toes look cute too.”
“Thanks. How was the Boat Show? Pop was so excited to go with you.”
I sit on a stool and watch her. She turns and smiles at me as she finishes and dries her hands.
“It was actually really amazing. There are so many opportunities out there. I have tons of ideas for my business.”
She smiles broadly and comes to stand in between my legs, taking my mouth in a kiss before hugging me. I squeeze her back.
“I knew that it would be good for you.” She leans back and presses her palms to my chest. “So tell me all about it.”
I stroke my hands up and down her back and settle them on her hips.
I bite my lower lip. She raises her eyebrows at me.
“Well, tomorrow, I’m going to be interviewed before the races by a YouTuber with a boating channel.
His name is Calvin Jacobs and he hosts CJ Sailing.
He’s going to ask me about my private chartering business and going down the waterway. ”
Her mouth hangs open in surprise and then she jumps up and we practically topple over from the stool. She’s hugging me around my neck and jumping at that same time while screaming in my ear. “Oh my God, I’m so happy for you, baby.”
I stand up to keep us safe and she wraps her legs around my waist. I cup her ass and walk over to the couch, sliding onto the cushions as she straddles me. Breathless, she keeps kissing me, her body igniting a wave of feelings inside.
“Tell me all about it.”
”Well, we visited all the booths and your grandfather knows everybody.”
“Yeah, I know,” she says, rolling her eyes.
She cups my face and pulls me into a kiss. I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Will you come watch the interview?”
“Of course. This could be so big for you. I’m so happy for you. Your hard work is paying off.”
I shift, and she scoots beside me, so we’re tangled on the couch.
Her eyebrows lift and a softness comes over her face.
She pulls me in again, this time lacing her hands into my hair and deepening the kiss.
Her tongue sweeps over mine and I open to her.
I lift my body up and she tucks her legs so that I can press my weight onto her.
She arches into me and I get hard right away for her.
She kisses down my neck and nibbles under my ear. “I’m so proud of you,” she says as her voice breaks.
“Thanks, that means a lot to me.” I slant my lips over hers and I can’t get enough of her sweet mouth. Maybe kissing her will pull her from her mood.
“Could that mean you might be able to stay here or come back earlier?” she asks, her tone soft.