Page 14 of Unexpected Boyfriends

Soon the rocks give way to sand, and we head to the car to grab our towels, dropping them on the sand above the waterline.

“Food or swim first?” asks Axel. “There’s a kiosk down the end there next to the restaurant.” He motions towards a bunch of buildings half concealed by the trees.

“I’m starving, but I’m too hot after that walk. Let's have a quick swim and then get something to eat?”

“Sure.”

We pull off T-shirts and race each other into the water. The first splash of ocean temperature water makes me gasp. We dive under a few waves and muck around splashing each other until we’ve cooled off. It’s fun, but when the hunger pangs can no longer be ignored, we head in search of food.

The kiosk makes the best burgers and we eat them sitting on our towels. They’re tasty and juicy, and it’s disconcerting when Axel licks the sauce running down the side of his hand. I turn away. I can’t watch that.

We end up spending the rest of the day there, swimming, talking and just hanging out. We sit on the beach until the shadows of the pine trees start to grow long and there’s no longer any reasonable excuse not to go home.

Suddenly Axel turns to me and says, “There's a live band playing at the local hall on Saturday night. Do you want to come along?”

“Um, yeah. Sure. I guess I should check my grandparents haven’t got anything organized that I have to be at, but I’m pretty sure there’s nothing happening.”

“Cool. Starts at 9pm. I can pick you up at 8.30 if that works?”

“Perfect.”

“Heads up though, it’s not a city concert. Everyone will probably be in beach wear.”

“So… t-shirt and boardshorts? Or budgie-smugglers?”

Axel makes a choking sound. “Definitely the former. Shorts, or jeans if you prefer, but don’t dress up.”

Axel checks his phone. “Time to go,” he says, though he keeps sitting there and doesn’t seem in any rush to move.

I’ve enjoyed our day, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome with him, so I scramble to my feet and shake the sand off my towel.

“Thanks for today. It was awesome,” I grin at him. “I feel like a local now.”

“Ha!” he says, “You’re only halfway there. Not a local until I’ve taken you to Jump Rock, and you’ve, you know, jumped.”

“So, that’s your plan? Initiate me in all the local ways?”

Shit. I’ve just done it again.

Axel doesn’t react to my flirting. Maybe he didn't notice.

“We’ll see.”

When he drops me off at the house, I ask if he wants to come in, but he shakes his head.

“I’ve got some work to catch up on at home,” he says.

“Still okay for dinner tomorrow night?”

“Yep. Just text me the time.”

I pause for a minute before getting out of the car.

“Umm…” I flick a glance at his lips and I nervously chew on my own, but I lose my nerve, and get out of the car.

“See you tomorrow.”

“See ya.”

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