Page 4 of Restoring Faith

“He can keep it in his pants. I don’t want to be surrounded by overly macho men anymore.” I try to convince myself. Victor is just so different from what I’m used to in every way.

Massey just shakes her head. Knowing me since we were kids, she knows when to push and when to leave things be. At least, I thought she did. “Yeah, well, we will see.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

We drag our bags to the edge of the water and slowly saunter in until we are knees deep. We stand holding our boards, about to jump on, when I feel a tug at my board. I look back to see Victor with his hand on the foot of the board.

“So, um… I don’t surf,” he shyly says.

“Then stay out of the water,” I respond. I’m confused about why he would be in the water and holding my board while telling me he doesn’t surf. I mean, the pressed shirt and shorts weren’t already a dead giveaway that this isn’t his thing.

“Why don’t you tag up with me? We usually just sit out there with the glow sticks and paddle around. The surf isn’t anything to ride. Just help me paddle?” Massey interjects.

Victor lets go of my board and splashes toward Massey. “Thanks. I’d like to get to know the locals more. You know, for research.”

“Yeah, that’s nice. Like I said, just help me paddle,” she says as she flops down on the board.

I drop onto mine and take a few strokes before the foot of the board drops to the water. “Why are you tagging?” I question my brother Lawson over my shoulder.

“Hush!” He shushes me.

“God! You are such a baby. Help me paddle fatty.” I tell him.

Lawson huffs, but he helps paddle out beyond the reef. He’s propelling us closer to Massey and Victor. My brother is really falling into this alpha male watching those two together.

The ocean is full of surfers holding or wearing glow sticks. We paddle through the crowded waters, finding an open spot. I snatch my glow stick necklace and bracelets, crack it open, and secure the two items around my wrist and neck. I settle my hands on my knees, tipping my head back to the star-filled-sky. The crashing waves, the crackling of the bonfires, and reggae music pumping through speakers settle into the background. These are the nights I live for that give me an escape from working and visiting my mom at the assisted living facility.

“Take your paws off her dog,” Lawson screams, pulling me from my tranquil thoughts.

One douche to another. “What is your deal? I was helping her with her necklace. It got caught up in her hair.” Victor defends himself.

“Don’t touch her!” Lawson continues.

“Hey! I am right here.” Massey points to herself, shocked by Lawson’s outburst.

“Are you dating her?” Victor tries to bait him, and it’s working.

“Well, no.” Lawson pinches his lips together. “Still, you can’t touch her!”

I am so fed up with this behavior. “Technically, he can,” I pipe in.

“Shut it, Collins,” Lawson lashes out at me.

“Woah! Dude, you need to calm down.” Victor holds his hands toward Lawson. That was a big mistake. Never tell someone who is that hot-headed to calm down.

“I’m going to rip you to shreds, dude,” Lawson threatens.

“Come at me,” Victor challenges.

And that does it for me. “Oh, fuck this!” I scream as I roll off the board. I swim toward shore to get away from this pissing match.

“Collins!” Lawson yells after me.

“Wait,” Victor groans.

I stop and turn to face them, bobbing in the water. “No! My night off to relax and you two pull this crap? Shit or get off the toilet, Lawson! You like Massey and Massey likes you. Just fucking go on a date and end this parade of pride. Hell, give her a ride home tonight and sort your shit.” I yell.

“Collins!” Massey gasps. Narrowing her eyes at me.

Shit, I outed her. I dip my head completely under the water to gather my thoughts. Popping out of the water, I apologize. “Sorry for outing you! Forgive me? I’ll make it up to you.” I wave and continue to shore. As I trudge up the sand, I’m met by Leland. He takes a gulp of his beer before stopping before me.

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