Chapter 13 #2
Danielle flops down on the bed, playfully kicking her feet. I settle down right beside her and give her squinted eyes. “What are you thinking about, bestie?”
She slowly looks at me with an enormous grin stretched across her face. “I’m thinking I can finally throw out my nun outfit. Things just might get hot and heavy tonight!”
Without thinking, I slap her arm. “Oh my gosh, you freaking perve!” I can’t help but bust out laughing.
“At least one of us might get some action finally. I’m still rocking cobwebs down there.” Danielle snorts loudly. “I saw how Theo was ogling you when unloading the car. That man is feeling you, Olive.”
Before I go to speak, someone clears their throat near the door. I pop up from the bed, seeing Theo standing in the doorway. His face is slightly flushed, and he’s rubbing the back of his neck.
Holy fuck he heard everything, or at least the parts he didn’t need to hear.
“I wanted to see if you were hungry or wanted to meet us in the backyard. Chase has some hamburgers on the grill. I’d also like you to bring the rodent down to meet Leo.”
I nervously clear my throat while rubbing my hands together. “Uh, yes, sure we’ll be right down.”
One side of his mouth quirks up. “No, please take all the time you need. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation. It sounded pretty action-packed.”
Before I can respond, he gives me a quick wink, then turns on his heel to go downstairs. I immediately look at Danielle, and we both bust out laughing.
We walk out the back door into a small, enclosed deck with wicker patio furniture. On the deck’s right side, there is a hot tub that can accommodate up to four people. The backyard is fairly small and fenced-in, which is relieving since I have Lottie with me.
In the corner of the lot sits a small fire pit with a few lawn chairs. My eyes light up when I see the two big palm trees with a hammock resting between them. I will spend some time in that hammock while here.
As soon as Leo spots Lottie and me, he trots over to us. I decided before coming downstairs to carry her just in case. Their size difference is by a lot. Once Lottie notices Leo, she barks a few times, and he cocks his head from left to right like he’s trying to figure her out.
Theo reassures me that Leo is just a big harmless teddy bear. I believe him, as I’m pretty good at reading animals’ demeanor. I gently place Lottie down on the ground. They immediately start circling each other, sniffing their rear ends. A typical meet and greet for dogs, if you will.
Within a couple of minutes, they are chasing each other around the fenced yard.
Lottie hasn’t been around another dog in a while, so it makes me happy to see her run around and play with one of her kind.
The size difference is sort of funny. I’ve never pictured a Pomeranian and a Lab playing together.
Chase made some pretty good cheeseburgers. Theo was a little concerned that I asked for mayo. I don’t see any other way to eat a cheeseburger, and everyone else seems to play it safe with ketchup and mustard. Fucking gross.
After we finish eating and chatting with the boys for a bit, Danielle and I head upstairs to get our bathing suits on.
The boys asked if we wanted to head out to the beach.
I may or may not have yelled yes out of sheer excitement.
I am eager to get my feet in the sand. I haven’t been here since the fall of last year with Nora.
This is my first official beach trip of the year. Never would I have thought I’d be here with a man I hardly know. This is so unlike me. I just hope I haven’t made a mistake coming here.
I ended up picking my new cheetah print two-piece; it was on sale during the fall months.
I’ve only gotten to wear it once. It’s a little revealing, but not too extreme.
Danielle is wearing a hot pink one-piece that shows her every curve.
It compliments her body type very well. I’ve never been able to wear them because of my long torso.
My ass either eats the back end, or it aggressively rides up my lady parts.
It took me a long time to appreciate my body, and the curves finally given to me.
I think with being a female we’re hard on ourselves in different areas.
Social media constantly reminds us we have imperfections and will never be happy with our natural bodies.
It’s a sick generation we’ve grown up in.
Females compete with their image, instead of lifting each other up.
I’ve gotten a lot better at loving myself in certain ways. It took many years to get past the bullying and body shaming. Broken things can’t be repaired in a day. And truthfully, I don’t think they can ever be fully whole again.
Coming down the stairs, we catch the boys waiting on the living room couch.
Sitting in the kitchen area is an oversized cooler for the beach I’m assuming.
Probably packed with beer and snacks. We brought two cases of White Claws, but they insisted we save them.
Since we’re guests, they’re supposed to host for us.
Before reaching the last stair, I catch Theo scanning me from head to toe. I keep my eyes on the floor and try not to hold eye contact for too long. This man can take one look at me and my body temperature immediately skyrockets. This can’t be normal. Noah never made me feel this way.
Chase lets a drawn-out whistle leave his mouth. “Damn, I think hot pink is my new favorite color.” Danielle and I look at each other, and I give her a dramatic wink.
She’s going to eat the fuck out of his compliments all weekend. She tells him thank you and gives him a small playful curtsy. These two are going to be trouble, I can already sense it. Theo heavily shakes his head at Chase’s attempt to flirt with Danielle.
I can’t help but let out a small giggle at his reaction. So far, I feel pretty damn comfortable with the four of us spending time together.
I give Lottie and Leo generous amounts of head rubs and kisses before we walk out the door.
“You’d assume they’ve known each other for years.
” It gives me another reason to continue down the road of exploring Theo.
Maybe now I’m fishing for any reason to be around him more.
I can’t help that I’m drawn to him, and I refuse to back away without knowing what this is between us.
I did not realize we were that close to the ocean. Chase says we’re only two streets back. We could have walked and made it there within ten to fifteen minutes. But with the huge cooler, and Danielle’s human-sized beach bag, the boys decided we should take his grandparents’ golf cart.
Danielle and I hop on the back together. I feel like a kid right now, excited to get on the beach to build sandcastles and run after seagulls. As broken on the inside as I am, being here gives me a sense of peace.
Riding along the streets, I gape at all the colorful beach houses.
The streets are adorned with vibrant shades of blue, pink, and green.
People here really take care of their properties.
I love how every yard has its own unique characteristics.
But each represents the qualities of this place.
The gentle breeze tousles my loose ponytail, lightly whipping small strands around my face.
Passing cars with their windows down, fill the air with upbeat music.
In this moment, happiness courses through me, but in the back of my mind, I know these feelings will be overshadowed once this temporary paradise ends.