Page 22 of Hot Stuff

“No, Jesus, you always worry about he worst-case scenario.” He laughed. “No, man, it sounds solid, and honestly, it fits you. But I gotta ask you something, and I don’t want you to take it wrong.”

“What?”

“You staying here because you like it here or because of Karol?”

“Can it be both?” I asked. “I mean, if this shop doesn’t pan out when I talk to the owner, I can always check nearby beaches, see what's around, but this works for a bunch of reasons, man. It’s the only one on the boardwalk, and other than that skate shop at the end of Main Street, it’s the only one like it.”

“I know. I live here, remember?” he muttered. “You can keep staying in the condo if you want. I can pull it off VRBO,” he offered, and I grinned.

“So, you don’t think it’s a stupid idea?”

“Not even a little bit.” Relief hit me. “I’m not gonna lie. I like the idea of you staying in town, being able to see you like I was supposed to, but for some reason, I can barely get you on the phone.”

“We’re going to that game, right?”

“Right,” he muttered, but I could tell from his tone he wasn’t angry. If anything, my best friend was happy for me and more than likely smiling. “I’m guessing this means things with Karol are going well?”

“Better than well, man. I think I’m in love,” I shared and waited for something inside of me to recoil, maybe want to take the words back, but nothing did. It was the god’s honest truth. I wanted a future with her. I was in love.

“Love, huh? This quick?”

“What can I say, Abe? When you know, you know.” I grinned. “She’s the one, man… She’s the reason shit never made sense before. Why I couldn’t get close to other women and why… I don’t know, why shit never stuck, ya know?”

“I get it.” His tone changed, and the smile died. He got it because he was in love with someone.

“Wanna talk about it?” I offered.

“Do I ever?” He scoffed.

“Man—"

“I promise when I’m ready to spill, I will… it's just… let's focus on you. For now? Yeah?” I didn’t like it, but I understood.

“If you’re sure, but you know if you change your mind?—"

“I know,” he cut me off. “You got my back like I got yours.”

“Always.”

“Hell, yeah,” he grunted. “So, you ready to call Poppy Beach home?”

“I really believe I am.” I grinned and looked at the beach. It was beautiful, but all I could see was the life I’d build there. With Karol by my side.

Karol

“The baseball game was fun.”

“It was.” Dan smiled as he opened the door. “Thanks for going and meeting Abel.”

“He’s your best friend.” I shrugged, and my smile faltered at how distracted he seemed.

He’d been that way for the last three days. Maybe he was bored of me already and didn’t know how to shake me off?

“You sure you don't want me to go home?” I asked, and he frowned.

“Home? Why?” He frowned, snapping out of whatever he had been thinking.

“I just… I don’t know. Never mind.” I shook my head and watched him cross the living room and making his way toward the kitchen.

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