Page 37 of Father Figure

We tied the Harlowe Two to a mooring buoy and approached the Dry Tortugas National Park in our dinghy, landing on the east side of the dock.

“This place is sick,” Nicky cried. “Waltham University has a summer study program for their marine sciences program, and they spend a week here, exploring the reefs and marine life.”

I knew he would love it. The magnificently colored coral and fish, the Loggerhead turtles, and exotic birds were a marine scientist’s wet dream.

“Did you know there is no anchoring inside the Research Natural Area?”

“I did.” I smiled indulgently. “Boating 101: Know the rules before you go.”

“And you can’t take any shells from the water or beaches.” Nicky shaded his eyes from the sun, looking out over Fort Jefferson. “I can’t wait to tour that. Then we’re snorkeling!”

He bounced off in a flurry of excitement, quickly making his way to the abandoned fort.

“We should have stayed a few extra days and picked up some extra charters. Do you know what they’re charging to run people to this island? The sunset champagne cruise? We could clean up.”

“Sam, we’re on vacation. Even we deserve a day or two off.”

“The Harlowe One would be better suited for this. I might make a run back before the summer is over.”

“That sounds like a great plan,” I agreed, hurrying to catch up with Nicky.

Two hours later, I’d had enough of exploring the seabed, and I plopped my ass down in the powdery-white sand and watched Nicky continue to snorkel. No doubt he would be at it all day, and I would have to drag him from the water kicking and screaming. Not long after, Sam joined me. He reached into our insulated cooler bag, retrieved two icy cold bottles of water, and handed me one.

“He’s having the time of his life,” Sam remarked, watching Nicky splash around.

“I missed so much time with him over the years because I was here, with you, but now he’s here with us, and it feels… It feels so right.”

Sam covered my hand with his, studying my profile. I know what he saw—my eyes glued on Nicky, a fond, goofy smile stretching my lips. There was no point in even trying to hide my growing feelings from Sam; he could read me like a book.

“How much time are you gonna waste before you go after what you want? Don’t let this summer pass you by, Cass.”

Why does he do that? Why does he say the things I want to hear and make it sound like it’s okay? Like it’s so fucking easy?

“He only asked for one night, not the entire summer.”

“You and I both know that’s bullshit. That boy would say anything to get you to agree to put your dick in him. He doesn’t just want one night from you, Cass. And from the way he looks at you, he wants more than one summer.”

“Cass, look!” Nicky held up a starfish, not much bigger than his hand, and waved it in the air before diving back under the surface to return it to the sea floor.

“You want the boy? Go get the boy. Make him yours. He wants this, Cass. I’ve never seen someone more in need of a Daddy than him. Hell, with Nicky, it’s not just a role he would play, it’s his identity. It comes so naturally to him. It’s just who he is. He's a boy at heart, and he looks up to you. It would be so easy.”

So easy. Make him mine. One summer. My boy.

“Holy shit-kabobs!”

His expletive was preceded by a loud thump, possibly his body hitting a wall or the floor. I hadn’t done us any favors by leaving Key West late in the day, as we were now stuck in the thick of the storm.

“Just sit down and stay still,” I called down to him before climbing above deck. I shielded my face from the pelting rain as I made my way to the flybridge.

Sam had the plastic flaps zipped closed, but they were getting beaten by the wind. “Come inside,” I yelled, waving madly to get his attention. He set the boat on autopilot and climbed down after me, taking refuge one deck below.

“That’s some squall kicking up,” he barked, reaching for a towel to dry off.

Surrounding the captain's chair and controls was a padded, semi-circle seating area. I sat down and kicked my feet up as he got comfortable at the helm.

“How’s Nicky? Is he prone to seasickness?”

For all his challenging and teasing the boy, it was obvious he cared about him. “I guess we’ll find out.”

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