Torin Colter was never one to make waves. He follows rules and regulations, doesn’t smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs. And after many months of Marine Corps boot camp, he’s looking forward to leaving New York and spending the next two years in Tokyo. But before he goes, he wants to spend his last summer as a lifeguard at Coney Island.
Mercer Easten grew up in rough circumstances. To avoid his abusive father, he lands a job at a beachside food stand selling hot dogs on Coney Island. Mercer doesn’t know what he wants to do with the rest of his life, but he knows he can’t go on being a punching bag for his alcoholic father. He craves adventure and some excitement.
Then he nearly dies on his birthday while swimming and a lifeguard has to saves his life. Call it love at first sight or finding his lucky charm, because after meeting Torin, Mercer’s humdrum life suddenly turns interesting.
It was very early the next morning when Torin left Mercer and went to his parents’ house where he was staying for the summer. Had this thing with Mercer happened earlier he would have made other arrangements. But to up and change now would lead to too many questions he didn’t want to answer. Just because they knew he was gay, it didn’t mean they liked it or approved of his lifestyle. They were both gone to work by the time he arrived. He was sure his whereabouts last night would come up in conversation later.
After showering and changing into something presentable. He threw his clothes from yesterday, including his swimming trunks into the washing machine. Today he wanted to look into some type of permanent housing for Mercer. The motel was close to the boardwalk. It was okay for short periods of time, but not a permanent solution. Then transportation was another factor. Mercer didn’t drive so he was limited to catching a bus. Torin had no problem driving him where he needed to go, but starting Saturday he would be working at the beach. Maybe they could ride to and from work together, depending on their schedules. He’d forgotten to ask Mercer if he needed a ride to work this morning, or if he even had bus fare. Torin felt bad. A top should take better care of his boyfriend.
Torin looked down at his phone. It was ten A. M. He dialed Mercer’s number.
Mercer answered quickly. “Hello?”
Torin put him on speaker phone. “Hello, boyfriend. Were you still asleep?”
“No, I’m up,” Mercer answered. “Where are you?”
“At home. Do you have to go to work today?”
“Yes,” Mercer answered. “At noon.”
“Do you need a ride?”
“Yes, but you’re already done enough for me. I’ll just catch the bus.”
“Do you have bus fare? I’m not trying to be nosey. I’m making sure you have everything you need.”
“Yes, I have a bus pass,” Mercer explained.
“What is that?”
“A card I pay for once a month for unlimited rides.”
They didn’t have things like that when he rode the bus to from school. And his parents drove him anywhere else he had to go until he got his driver’s license. “What time do you get off?”
“Nine,” Mercer answered.
“Then I’ll pick you up and we can grab some dinner if you don’t have any other plans,” Torin said.
“I’d like that,” Mercer said. “What are your plans for today?”
“I have some business to take care of since I’ve been away at boot camp. But nothing too strenuous. I’m washing clothes at the moment and trying to figure out what to eat for breakfast. What are you doing?”
“Soaking in a hot tub of water. Imaging waking up and not being able to feel anything below the waist.”
“Huh? Oh, the first timer’s ache. That’s not a myth?”
“No, it’s very real,” Mercer said.
“Who taught you about that?” Torin asked.
“Romance books,” Mercer answered.
“Your mother reads gay romance books?”
“No. I got them from the library.”
“So, what else do you have to do to help with the discomfort?” Torin asked.
“Take aspirin or Tylenol,” Mercer answered.
“Eat something first, or aspirin will tear your stomach lining up,” Torin told him.
“Thanks for the warning. Are you sore?”
“No,” Torin answered. “That’s not true. My hips hurt a little from thrusting.”
He heard Mercer chuckle.
Torin chuckled, too. “I’ll see you at nine. I’ll call when I’m on my way.”
“Okay,” Mercer said.
Torin disconnected the call. He fixed himself a bowl of oatmeal, a couple of pieces of wheat toast, and some juice. He wanted coffee. He made some, then started making phone calls.
