Page 8 of The Man on the Beach
“It’s fine.” Nathan squirted yellow mustard onto the white bread and reached for a package of ham.
“Did you sleep on the beach?” Aiden asked.
“No, actually. I met someone.” Nathan allowed himself a small, self-satisfied smile. Then men had been talking relentlessly about finding women on the beach. Nathan wasn’t surprised to see that no women appeared to be in the beach house.
“Bullshit! Really?” All the men in the room were paying attention now.
“Yeah, I’m going back for tonight. I have a date.” Nathan looked at his stepbrother, who was glowering at him.
“Does she have friends? Sisters?”
“He’s a man. And no, no friends or sisters.”
“Oh, damn. I didn’t know you were gay.” Justin said from his spot on the floor. He had finished his sandwich and was eating a pile of red chips.
“Bisexual, I think,” Nathan answered. He piled ham onto the bread and picked up the sandwich. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was.
“Oh, alright.” Justin fit a whole red triangle in his mouth.
“You’d think if a guy was bisexual, he’d just choose to be with women. Wouldn’t it be easier?” Nathan’s stepbrother spoke. Nathan assumed he was annoyed that Nathan hadn’t been miserable all night.
“Obviously not, since it doesn’t look like any of you hooked up last night,” Nathan retorted.
“You hooked up with this guy?” Aiden asked. “And you’re going back tonight?”
“Yep,” Nathan replied. He tried to look casual. He took a big bite of his sandwich. It was the best ham sandwich he’d ever had.
“You like him?” Aiden raised his eyebrows.
Nathan felt a little fluttering in his chest when he responded, “Yeah. I do like him.”
???
After lunch, most of the men went back to the beach. A few more burnt men, including Nathan, stayed at the house.
Nathan’s burn ached. He stripped off the shirt he had borrowed from Adam. He lay on his stomach across the couch. He orderedDaughter’s Curseand began to read.
SIX
Adam struggled to get his writing flow going. His mind kept wandering back to the sweet man who had slept in his bed the night before. Nathan had looked so good wrapped up under his covers and in his clothes. Talking with him, and touching him, had felt effortless. He hoped Nathan would come back, but he wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t. Adam was much older. Divorced. And Nathan had family obligations he needed to tend to. Even if he didn’t come back, he had a great memory.
Adam wrapped up his mediocre writing session at 6pm. He showered and changed into fresh clothes. He labored over his options and settled on a pair of khaki colored shorts and a black t-shirt. He shaved his face again. His stomach turned as he watched the clock. He tried to read, but had to reread the same passages over and over.
At 7pm, there was a light tapping on the door. He jumped from the sofa. He stopped and took a slow breath before going to the door and opening it.
Nathan stood in the doorway, wearing athletic shorts and a university-branded t-shirt. He was holding Adam’s shorts and shirt in his arms. He smiled when Adam opened the door.
“Nathan! Good to see you. I wasn’t sure if I was going to see you again.” Nathan looked confused. “Because of the bachelor party. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“What?” Nathan waved it away. “Naw, fuck them. I like you way more than I like them.” Adam felt a squeeze in his chest.
“I’m on page 240 ofDaughter’s Curse.”
“Wow!” Adam felt flattered. “You must have read all afternoon.”
“I did! I didn’t mean to, but I couldn’t stop.”
“Can I get you a beer? Water?”
