CHAPTER 5

nick

So, Ajay had a girlfriend. I had gleaned as much. I had gleaned another few interesting facts about my gorgeous Ajay as we shared a beer on the deck last night.

One, he was still the most adorable thing I had possibly ever laid eyes on.

Two, he was sweet and kind and oh-so sexy and not at all stuck up or entitled.

Three, my dear Ajay was far from enthused about the prospect of his girlfriend coming to Espy for a visit.

Interesting.

There had been that one brief moment when my stomach dropped out of my body when Ajay admitted he had a girlfriend. It was swiftly replaced with fresh hope when I'd seen the look in his eye after Dane dropped the news of her visit. The one that told me he didn't want her here. Hell, maybe he didn't even want to be with her at all.

If so, I had a nice warm bed that was more than willing to take him in if he needed a pair of strong arms to comfort him. Hopefully through the night.

But right now, I had a date with a boy and the ocean that I was looking forward to with an inordinate amount of excitement, enough that I'd ignored the pressing needs of my cock so that I could go and spend time with the boy who was solely responsible for its current predicament.

Ajay had finally managed to do the impossible and push Mateo clean out of my thoughts. It had been a while since I'd had any other face pop into my mind while I worked myself over but Ajay had done a thorough number on me.

A thorough number indeed.

Mum and Dad had already left for the long drive to the airport by the time I made my way downstairs and a sudden zing of anticipation hit me. The entire vibe of the house felt different knowing it was just me, my brother and Ajay.

My board was leaning up against the outdoor boat shed, the one that also acted as my little home gym. I unlocked the door and rifled through our collection of boards for the one I thought would best suit Ajay. He had said he was still a relative beginner so I chose the one I thought would make it easiest for stability and balance.

We had a fairly decent collection even though it was only Dad's and my boards in here. Dane had never caught the bug for the ocean, preferring to spend his days indoors playing on his computer or practicing his music.

Not like me. Nope, I spent all of my free time outdoors, had always felt way more at home out in the fresh air or on the water than I did anywhere else. I couldn't live without a healthy dose of vitamin D every day.

My heart jolted when I heard the backdoor close and I stepped out of the shed just in time to witness the vision that was Ajay climbing down the steps to the lawn. My prayers to the universe had been answered as my eyes slid down his slender torso, gloriously naked to the waist and the black boardies he wore which only served to make me greedy for more.

He was slimmer than me but he had a little definition to his arms and his pecs. A beautifully flat stomach I wouldn't mind running my hands over. I had never really had a specific type. I'd been with all sorts of guys in the past. Mateo's body was both slender and chiselled with definition to cry over, but I couldn't say Ajay's body didn't do it for me just as much. Nope, I could certainly not say that.

I cleared my throat as my mouth dried out a little.

"I was hoping I wasn't too late," Ajay announced, a spring in his step as he came to stand beside me.

I shook my head and plastered on my usual grin. "Never too late for you, Tassie boy," I returned. The corner of his pouty red lips tugged up in a smile at my words as I handed him the board. "This was one of my first surfboards and has seen more than its fair share of beautiful rides. It's a Zimmers and probably my favourite board ever."

"Why don't you use it anymore?"

"It's more of a beginner's board," I explained. "Plus I recently bought myself this beautiful newer model. Guess I've always been a bit of a sucker for a sweet body."

"Does that about sum you up then? Always looking to upgrade to the latest model?" Ajay grinned at me.

"Are you calling me shallow, Ajay?" I gasped, pretending to be shocked.

"I would never."

"Good. Now how about we go see about those waves?" I returned, knowing I needed to get this show moving. I was pretty sure I could have stood there all day flirting with Ajay but he wanted to surf and who was I to stand in his way.

We made our way out to the sand and stopped in the shallows, boards resting under our arms as I sucked in a lungful of pristine dawn air. I loved this time of the day when everything felt so new and golden and full of hope and optimism. Like a secret or a promise just between me and the universe.

And maybe the gorgeous boy standing by my side, his arm just brushing mine. There really was something special about sharing the dawn of a new day with someone.

I cleared my throat. "You want to come out with me or would you rather just familiarise yourself with the board today?" I asked, turning to glance at Ajay.

Big mistake. His big brown eyes were on me, reflecting the hint of golden sun rising on the horizon and I swallowed as I got a little lost in them. I never actually thought it was possible to get lost in someone's eyes. But there you go. Maybe you did learn something new each day.

"I might just take the easy road today. Maybe tomorrow you can show me your break."

"Say the word and I'll make the introductions," I grinned. He just smiled back at me until I realised I was just standing there staring at him. The guy must have thought I was a total weirdo by now what with how often he caught me out just looking.

I cleared my throat again, did some weird head bob at Ajay and then ran out into the water, ducking under the first wave as it rolled to the shore. The waves were pumping this morning and it wasn't long until I got the drop on a gorgeous curving wave and I was right where I belonged.

I caught a few more sets, riding them out until they died in the whitewash and then I caught a few more. I kept one eye on Ajay the whole time, watching him navigate his board in the shallower water. He caught a couple of easy waves and I sent him a fist pump when he looked my way. The smile on his face just went and hit itself right into my guts and I found myself grinning back at him, completely missing the awesome set of incoming waves as my board bobbed helplessly over the edge.

The call became too hard to ignore and I eventually paddled in closer to Ajay.

"You look like you're doing all right over here," I said to him as I dropped to my feet.

"I'm doing okay," he shrugged. "Better than I expected. The board's great by the way."

"Yeah, she sure is," I sighed, glancing at the board underneath Ajay.

"Let me know if you two need a moment," he returned. I glanced up at him as he grinned back at me.

"She looks perfectly happy with you on top," I noted. "Not that I'm jealous or anything."

That faint flush was back on Ajay's cheeks and God help me how I wanted to lick it up.

"Well, you did leave her for a newer model," Ajay helpfully reminded me.

"True. But we were so good while we lasted," I returned solemnly. Ajay laughed and I made myself a vow that I would do everything I could to make him laugh like that again. He looked so free when he let himself laugh, lifting those cares that seemed to weigh his perfectly trim shoulders down.

I knew another few useful tricks to loosen a guy up but I decided to keep those ideas to myself for now.

I stayed in the shallows with Ajay while we surfed the whitewash until we both seemed to decide it was time to go in. The sun was up and was already warming the air, a hot day in the making and the break was getting crowded.

Ajay planted his board in the soft sand in a spot not far from the path back up to the house. I followed, unsure why I was so pleased that he wanted to stay out a little longer. I expected it was past nine already and Dane would be up soon but I was happy to volunteer as tribute to entertain his best buddy a little longer.

Ajay sank onto his elbows, his smooth stomach snagging my attention momentarily. I could just make out the shape of his muscles there, couldn't help wondering if his skin was as soft to touch as it looked.

"So, what's the story with you and your girl?" I ventured to ask, pulling my eyes away from his stomach to his eyes. I wasn't sure which was less distracting.

"What do you mean?" Ajay asked, one quizzical eye on me.

"Just wondering why you looked about as excited as a trip to the dentist about her coming down?"

Ajay bit down on his lower lip, a scrutinising gaze on me. "Was I that obvious?"

"Dude, you looked like you'd just been told your favourite pet had died."

He barked out a laugh. "Me and Kira are kind of complicated," he finally ventured.

"Complicated how?" I pressed. Nobody could ever call me shy. Ajay said nothing for a moment but I could see the thoughts parading across his face.

"Just not quite sure if we still fit. Or if we ever really did." I admired his honesty. I admired the sentiment even more.

"That doesn't sound so complicated to me," I offered instead.

"Trust me. It's complicated."

"Sounds to me, Ajay, like you don't really want to be with her anymore. That's where the uncomplication lies. Just tell her and move on."

Ajay barked out another laugh, this one not so happy. "I feel like that would cause more drama than my life is worth. And it's also … well, I feel like if I break up with Kira, I'm breaking up with Dee and Dane too."

"Wait. You're dating my brother?" I asked. I knew what Ajay had meant but I wanted to see that delicious flush on his cheeks again and my boy did not disappoint.

"That's not what I meant," he huffed. "It's just, the three of them are really hung up on the whole high school glory days. They call us the awesome foursome you know."

Now it was my turn to laugh. "Sorry. That's kind of lame."

"Right?"

"Seriously, Ajay. You're way too young and far too pretty to be wasting your youth away on someone you don't want to be with. You're what, how old?"

"Twenty."

"Aw, you're such a baby," I grinned, using the opportunity to tug on one of his gorgeous curls. He batted my hand away but he was smiling. "Life's too short, man. She doesn't sound worth it."

I knocked my head back to soak in the sun's rays. When I opened my eyes again, Ajay was watching me.

Those eyes. Fuck me.

"Yeah, you're right," he finally agreed.

"Course I am. Be brave, my friend," I replied, sending him a wink to reiterate my point.

"Mmm," is all he said. I watched from the corner of my eye as he closed his eyes, letting the sun beam down on him and giving me a chance to check him out properly. Damn this boy was cute. And maybe a little helpless too and damn if those two attributes didn't call right out to me.

I let him be until he eventually glanced up at me and I took that as my cue. We made our way back up to the house and I showed him the hose to wash off the boards and the freezing little outdoor shower that never saw the light of the sun to wash off the sand and salt. I respected my mum well enough to follow her house rules even knowing she'd be gone for the next three months.

And if it just so happened that Ajay might have used the opportunity to check me out while I washed off under the cold water, well then who was I to stand in a guy's way, especially one as pretty as Ajay Olivier.

Dane was quick to reclaim my new favourite toy and I soon agreed it was probably for the best. Obsession never did anybody any good. Even if I did shed a little fake tear when they headed out together later that morning to do their best friend stuff together alone. Best friend stuff that didn't involve me.

I was just about to start some reps in my home gym that I'd set up in the boat shed when my phone pinged with a text. I jumped at the offer when I saw it was from Rob texting to meet up with him and Mateo for a drink. Guess I could do with some best friend company for myself too.

I'd overheard Dane mentioning something about taking Ajay out to see the town but I was certain he'd take him somewhere wanky and overpriced, the type of place designed just for tourists. In other words, somewhere I would never accidentally run into them.

Never let the visitors see the real side of town, right?

I parked my motorbike down a back alley and chained my helmet to the bar. I knew better than to take my Jeep Wrangler out to town during tourist season. I had better things to do than park three miles away.

Our usual haunt was as dingy as ever and packed with locals. Rob, Mateo and I favoured Paddy's for its long list of Irish whiskeys and good old fashioned décor. It was a no frills pub of the best kind with friendly, unfashionable, unpretentious bartenders and the rugby or cricket guaranteed to be playing on the large screen televisions while locals talked trash or played pool. Just my kind of place.

Rob and Mateo were there already, commandeering our usual spot and I upnodded them as I beelined for the bar and ordered myself a schooner of pale ale from Terry. The three of us had claimed the battered velvet sofa by the unlit fireplace as our own. It was in good walking distance to the bar, right next to the pool tables and was good for the one or two occasions in winter when the fireplace had cause to be lit.

Rob was already chalking up a pool cue which I knew meant Mateo and I would soon be teaming up to try and take him on, our very own resident pool shark. I had known Rob forever and been best friends with him even longer. Never had beaten him at pool.

It had been many years since Rob, Mateo and I became an inseparable trio. It had started out just me and Rob and then Mateo had expanded our little friendship group at the start of high school when he had moved out to Australia from Italy with his family. His parents still spoke Italian exclusively at home while Mateo spoke English with an accent. I used to think it was cute.

I pulled up alongside my best friends, that little flicker passing between Mateo and me that we hadn't quite been able to put aside yet. It was not that I wanted to be with him anymore but it was difficult at times pretending we were just friends when I knew the exact sound he made just before he came.

Rob tried to avoid all mention of our little tryst but he was also well aware of his role as our buffer. Mateo and I no longer met up alone unless we knew Rob was going to be there to stand in the middle. It had not been easy but Mateo and I had made a pact that our friendship would always come first and we were both trying our darndest to make that happen.

Even though sometimes it was hard to remember what we used to be to each other before we decided having sex with each other was a good decision.

"Boys," I said, holding out my beer as we clinked glasses.

"How was your Christmas?" Rob asked easily, taking a long sip of his drink.

"Actually pretty good."

"You get some nice presents under the tree?" Rob chided.

"Something like that," I grinned.

"Oh that's right, you have that house guest staying with you," Rob suddenly recalled. "So, what's he like?" I had mentioned to the guys a couple days ago about Dane's best friend crashing my summer home for the whole uni break.

"He's all right," I admitted with a nonchalant shrug.

"And by that you mean he's hot and you want to fuck him," Rob guessed, knocking his elbow against mine.

"Wow, you must think I'm just a walking ball of hormones," I returned.

"That's because you are," Rob returned. "So, I'm right, aren't I?"

"Well, you're not wrong," I admitted with a grin. I carefully avoided Mateo's eyes. He often let Rob and me do the talking in social settings but I knew we were skirting around a fairly touchy subject.

"Does he play for your team?" Rob asked, a curious smile on his face.

"Ah. That would be sadly no," I returned. "He's got a girlfriend. Although I'm pretty sure he hates her. So there's that."

"I'm sure you'd be the first to make your shoulder available if he needed one to cry on," Rob grinned.

"I'm nothing if not a reliable shoulder to cry on."

"So kind. Always thinking of others is our Nick," Rob laughed. I flicked a glance at Mateo and was relieved to see him smiling along at our banter. He was good like that.

"You know me well."

Yep, it seemed I definitely was always thinking of others these days. Well, a specific certain other at least. Even here, at my little escape with my best friends, at our sanctuary in our busy little town, I still couldn't get a certain someone out of my head.