Page 7 of Resting Beach Face
“Stop jerking off in there already and come out!”
Katelyn’s screech snapped me back to reality. I poked my head out of the shower curtain to shout at the door. “Oy! Since when do you talk like that?”
“Since I’m about to pee my pants! Hurry up!”
There was a clatter of aluminum beer cans hitting the floor, then a snort and a grumble from Dad. He was passed out on the couch, and I’d like him to stay that way. At least until Kat and I were out of the house.
“Okay,” I called quickly. “Give me a minute.”
I glanced down at my flagging cock. “Sorry, buddy, no happy time for you today. Not even with my hand.”
You could get laid anytime you want…
The thought crept across my mind, tempting. I was a grown-ass man. A single, unattached man. There was nothing to stop me from hooking up with anyone who was interested.
I twisted the knob to cold, dousing that thought in its tracks as I rinsed quickly, shivers overtaking the burn of arousal. Yes, I could find a hookup—but I already knew I wouldn’t. I’d made a promise to myself. Not to be celibate or anything wild like that, but simply to have sex with someone only when I really wanted it. Only when I felt a spark and a connection.
The only trouble was…once I started paying attention? Well, I only sparked with one man. Too bad he didn’t spark back.
I turned off the shower and did a quick rubdown with a towel before knotting it around my waist. Katelyn charged past when I opened the door, nearly knocking me off my feet.
“Get out,” she ordered.
I cast a glance in the mirror. “I need to shave. Just?—”
She threw a roll of toilet paper at my head, and I laughed. “Okay, okay, I’m going.” I scooped up the toilet paper. “I’ll just take this with me since you obviously don’t need it…”
“Cash!” she called desperately.
With a grin, I tossed it back to her before stepping out and closing the door. I headed for my bedroom at the other end of the hallway, passing by the kitchen. Mom was carrying a trash bag that clinked enough I could tell it was full of Dad’s empties.
She looked up from the pile of mail she was sorting into bills and junk she was adding to the trash bag. “Cash, honey, can you take this out? I’ve got to go.”
She crossed to the hall and thrust the trash bag at me. I grabbed for it with my right hand while holding up my slipping towel with the other. “Now? I’m kinda?—”
“Yes, please!” She strode for the front door without looking back. “Love you!”
The door closed behind her.
“Naked,” I muttered. “I’m kinda naked. But sure, taking out the trash.”
I considered leaving it in the hallway, but something was dripping from the bottom. Best to just give Miss Mable a thrill. She was always peeking through her window or peeping over the fence, hoping for a bit of juicy gossip. With my family? She got more than enough. Sadly, it was usually the same old story over and over.
That poor Mr. Hicks, she’d say. He just hasn’t been the same since that work injury to his back. He drinks too much to drown the pain, poor dear. And the yelling and the fighting? It’s downright shameful. Poor Mrs. Hicks works nonstop and the good-for-nothing son, well, hestillmooches off them. I just feel bad for the girl, little Kat. She’s a good girl.
I opened the back door and went down the steps to put the trash into the bin. I nearly lost my towel when I lifted the lid.
“Oh my! Cash Hicks, what are you?—”
I shot our neighbor a big grin. After all,mostof what she said about us was true. Except for the bit about me mooching off my parents. I’d have left years ago if Kat didn’t need me. I also paid some of the bills since Mom struggled to do it on her own with her housekeeping jobs—even taking overtime as often as she could.
“Morning, Mabel! Beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
“Well, I…” Her gaze raked over me, she clutched at her non-existent pearls, and to my great delight, her cheeks pinked. “Why yes, dear, averylovely day.”
“Are you all right, Mabel?”
She fanned her face. “Wh-what? Oh. Oh! Yes, just fine. Yes, indeed. You know, my granddaughter, Sadie, is visiting this summer and?—”
