Page 105 of Poolside

Chuck’s expression turned fond, and he combed his fingers through Tommy’s floppy hair. “No one has ever been as good at loving me as you, T.”

Tommy stopped breathing. He saw the exact moment Chuck realized what he’d said, his eyes widening. “Wait, I didn’t mean—” Chuck started.

Tommy surged forward, silencing him with a kiss. He kept it brief, only taking a quick taste before drawing back and looking deep into Chuck’s blue eyes. “I’m going to love you for a very long time, Chuck.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Really.”

“I love you too,” Chuck replied with a smile so big it looked like he was on the verge of laughter.

CHAPTER30

ARE YOU WITH ME, BABY?

CHUCK

Chuck woke first. He took a moment to enjoy the soft tickle of Tommy’s breathing against the back of his neck before rolling over to face his sleeping boyfriend.

His boyfriend wholovedhim.

Half of Tommy’s face was smashed into the pillow, his mouth slack, showing off the crooked line of his bottom teeth. With a smile, Chuck leaned over to kiss Tommy’s cheek.

Grumbling, Tommy freed a hand from under the covers and gently swatted at Chuck’s face.

“Fine,” Chuck said, laughing as he dodged Tommy’s hand. “No birthday kisses for you.”

Thatwoke Tommy up. Brown eyes blinked blearily at him, and after a moment of confusion, he reached for Chuck. “Wait, come here,” he mumbled, rolling onto his back.

Chuck disentangled himself from the blankets and climbed up to straddle Tommy’s waist. Tommy stared up at him with the hazy morning softness that looked so good on a man.

“Happy birthday, T.”

Tommy brushed his fingers over Chuck’s bare hip bone. “Best birthday ever.”

“You ready for your swim?”

“Fuck no,” Tommy groaned, shaking his head. “Do I have to?”

Chuck laughed, bending down to press a quick kiss to Tommy’s lips. “None of that. Just think about how amazing it’ll feel when you’re done.”

Tommy sighed, his grip on Chuck tightening. “Have I told you that I love you?”

“Not today,” Chuck replied, kissing a wrinkle on Tommy’s cheek and pushing up from the bed. Tommy needed to eat breakfast soon if he wanted to avoid puking in the middle of his swim. That would put a real fucking damper on a guy’s birthday. “Get your ass up, T. It’s go time.”

* * *

Chuck gave one last shove with his foot against the dock before climbing up onto the pontoon boat. From his spot behind the wheel, Keaton slowly turned the boat around, the motor quietly gurgling in the late morning.

“Good luck, Tommy!” Sage yelled from where she sat on the dock.

“Don’t drown!” Maggie sat beside her, a well-worn, white trucker hat pulled down on her head.

Chuck sat on the padded bench across from Tommy, who was wearing his Speedo with his goggles gripped in his hands, his knees bouncing up and down as he stared blankly into the air in front of him.

Everyone else was at the dock. Most of them were already drinking beers in their swimsuits, lounging on towels or plastic deck chairs. Miguel had made deliciouschilaquilesfor the group that morning, complete with tortillas they’d brought from a localtortilleriain Charleston.

Chuck directed Keaton until they reached the marker he and Tommy had used the last time they’d attempted the swim. The pontoon idled about thirty yards from the shoreline, gently rocking up and down.

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