Page 46 of Poolside

Keaton shot him a sharp look. “She’s rude, she insults me to my face, and her hair is always the color of candy. It’s childish.”

“You sound like a teenage boy with a crush,” Chuck mused, nudging his friend with his hip.

Keaton scowled at him. “I’m with Samantha, asshole.”

“Oh, it’s Samantha now?”

“Fuck off.”

A commotion under the house drew their attention. Hissing, then a series of dull thuds, muffled cursing, then another bout of hissing.

“Do you think she’s?—”

Keaton’s question was cut short by Maggie wriggling out from the crawl space. Dead leaves and cobwebs were stuck to her hair, and her face was streaked with dirt. With David’s help she got all the way out and then slumped back on her heels, shaking her head. “I had him! I fuckin’ had him and the slimy little weasel got away.”

Chuck sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. “I really appreciate you trying.”

“You should probably get a tetanus shot,” Keaton drawled, looking down at Maggie with his tan arms crossed over his chest.

Maggie rolled her eyes, and, to no one’s surprise, stuck her tongue out at him. “Bite me, rich boy.”

Scoffing, Keaton shook his head. “Wouldn’t want to put my mouth where a creature that commonly carries rabies has already been.”

“Okay!” Sage jumped to her feet, brushing her hands off. “Maggie, what’s the game plan for catching the little fucker?” Her eyes slid over to Keaton briefly as she added, “Just to clarify, I am talking about Leonard, here.”

Maggie snorted, and Chuck bit back a smile. Keaton did not look amused.

“We should get some traps set up. He likes the meat sticks, so I’ll leave some here with you.”

“Where the hell am I supposed to get opossum traps?”

“Lowcountry Ace.”

Everyone went quiet for a moment, looking back and forth between Keaton and Maggie, who had somehow managed to speak in perfect unison. The two of them glared at each other, like they were each waiting for the other to back down.

“Uh,” David started, clearing his throat. “Chuck, should we go to Lowcountry Ace to grab some traps then?”

CHAPTER13

JUST PEOPLE

TOMMY

Tommy opened the door toSazònand was immediately greeted by a sharply dressed maître d’. The tapas restaurant was new, and its modern interior was trendy without trying too hard. Light fixtures like woven baskets hung above the dining area and bar. Rather than a formal dining room, high tables were spread around a central, circular bar, giving the restaurant a more casual vibe. A band was setting up in one corner, and he could make out a cleared area on the other side of the bar that was most likely a dance floor.

He found Wade easily, and was glad he’d taken the time to put an outfit together. Tommy took pride in being well-dressed, and he’d put some thought into his long-sleeved white button up and slim fit jeans, and had taken extra time styling his hair.

He’d also been sucked down the internet rabbit hole when it came to responsibly (and safely) navigating the world of dating as a queer man. He’d started taking PrEP earlier that week, and had adjusted his shower routine to include someverythorough cleaning. While he had no plans to jump right into the world of sex, he figured it couldn’t hurt to be prepared.

“Tommy,” Wade greeted him with a handshake, gesturing to the seat across from him.

Tommy grinned. “Wade Johnson,” he replied.

A waiter approached them. He was slender, with a tight black t-shirt and skinny jeans that left very little to the imagination. Tommy let his eyes trail over the man’s body, searching for a reaction. Forsomething.

“Can I get you gentlemen something to drink?”

“I’ll take whatever Pilsner you have on tap.” Tommy said, and then turned to Wade.

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