Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“I’m pretty sure I had no choice.” He snickers. “You probably would’ve wanted to keep this on the down-low.”
“There’s nowhere to hide from my family in Aqua Vista. Plus, they love being in my business. Otherwise, it’s cool.” I lean toward him. “And I would…meet your mom.”
“Yeah?”
“Definitely,” I say, just as our food comes.
“She’s heard all about you and Aqua Vista, which is why I thought of it.”
“Uh-oh.” My gaze shoots toward the door. “You sure Rocco isn’t gonna show up and try to get me to sell?”
“Nah, I think he’s done with that.” He pops a fry in his mouth. “Besides, he’s got his own shit to worry about.”
I set my chicken wrap down and wipe my mouth. “What do you mean?”
“Just…he’s getting married soon and needs to focus on that.”
I nod, remembering that detail. “Well, good for him.”
“Yeah, I don’t expect him to bother you anymore.” He arches a brow. “Frank is another story now that Rocco knows someone as obsessed with cars as him.”
“Right? Frank’s already mentioned some car show around here. Apparently, they’ve also been texting.”
“I’m not surprised.”
After dinner, we walk around the square filled with shops and restaurants, which is no doubt only one of many in town. Aqua Vista’s nightlife pales in comparison.
Aaron pauses near a doorway where a bouncer is checking IDs. “This is a gay bar. Wanna have another drink?”
I’ll admit I haven’t been to many, and not in a long time. “Sounds good.”
As soon as we’re inside, a couple of men call out to Aaron, and it strikes me that this is his life. Friends, work, and bars in the city. Though I am surprised they just happen to be here. It must be a place they all frequent.
“How’s it going?” one of them asks.
“Good. This is my friend Jack. He’s visiting from Aqua Vista,” Aaron says, then introduces them to me.
Chase arches a perfectly sculpted brow. In fact, everything about him seems chiseled out of stone, from his cheekbones to his hairless thighs. “Not sure where that is.”
“About halfway between San Simeon and Big Sur,” I tell him.
“That’s how I came across the town,” Aaron adds. “Only gas station around for miles.”
Chase looks between us. “Ooooh, is this a love connection?”
“You dog,” Spencer says. “No wonder you haven’t been around lately.”
“No, I…I’ve been busy with work and stuff…” Aaron turns to me and mutters, “I’m sorry.”
I find myself disappointed in his response, but what was I expecting? A declaration of feelings? He likely thinks I wouldn’t want the scrutiny, and he’d be right. I certainly don’t.
But when it comes to Aaron, there have been plenty of leaps of faith.
Spencer motions to two empty chairs. “Join us.”
“Do you mind?” Aaron asks softly. “We can always—”
“No, it’s okay.”
Aaron nods, and we take our seats at the table.
“So, how small a town are we talking?” Chase asks.
“Oh, I don’t know…” I shrug. “Aqua Vista is probably less than point five percent of San Jose’s population.”
Chase whistles.
The truth is, we’re not even considered much of a town. More like a village. Our mayor is also a full-time plumber, and most other government and emergency services are volunteer.
“But it’s a cool little coastal town,” Aaron says in my defense, which I don’t actually need. It’s not like I’m embarrassed of where I live. Hell, getting to the beach or hiking trails from San Jose is likely a car ride away.
“It suits me just fine.”
When the server is nowhere to be found, Aaron stands and asks what I want to drink before making his way to the busy bar. I almost want to escape with him, but I hold back. Instead, I people-watch and note the differences in patrons from bars I’ve frequented. For one, most seem younger than me. And given all the cropped shorts and shirts, I must’ve missed an important gay fashion trend memo.
Spencer taps my arms to get my attention. “You must feel overwhelmed.”
“What do you mean?”
“Plenty more men to choose from, no?”
I look around the room, and though there are several pairs of eyes glancing in our direction, I try and avoid eye contact.
“Have you had much opportunity?” Spencer asks.
The question grates on me, though he’s right. But it’s not like I live in the wilderness. I’ve frequented bars to hook up, but only when in the mood, which in the scheme of things hasn’t been a lot—something Johnny’s been teasing me about.
“I’ve had enough opportunity,” I tell Spencer, trying to be heard over the energetic song the DJ is playing. “But I’m not interested in anyone tonight.”
“Not even Aaron?” Chase pouts. “He’ll be disappointed because unless I’m imagining it, he cannot take his eyes off you.”
My face heats, and before I can respond that it’s mutual, Aaron returns with our drinks. We tap our glasses together and take a swig. It feels good going down.