18. Greg

I'm sitting at a coffee shop with a large, iced tea, sipping at it while I wait. It's been two days since Sam, and I had our date and things are going… slow. Like snail on tranquilizers slow. Every so often, I get a text from her but anytime I try to see her or call, she's ‘busy.'

This is exactly why I have called in reinforcements. Since Tommy seemed to be okay with our relationship, I was up at the crack of dawn to find him at the most popular local surf spot. Five men were in the water, and I am smart enough to know, I wasn't allowed in. I might be able to catch a green wave, and bottom turn, but there are some places that don't let anything less than a pro into the lineup.

If I did try to paddle out, its entirely possible that I would end up with a cut leash or black eye. So instead, I played the part of fan boy. Waiting on the beach and watching. When Tommy came out of the ocean, I quickly asked if we could meet for a coffee. Though Tommy furrowed his brow at the question, he eventually agreed.

And now I'm here, my foot tapping on the ground as I try to let the beautiful ocean breeze calm me. The coffee shop is a few blocks from the beach, but not far enough that the cooling effects of the ocean are lost. The rest of the shop is empty, even the cashier went to the back when she figured out I wasn't going anywhere.

I see Tommy through the large front window, sunglasses on, hair still damp. When he steps through the door, his eyes land on me and he gives me a nod. My nerves skyrocket at the sight of him. So maybe I wasn't playing the part of fanboy while watching him surf. The guy is a total natural and his aloof nature is addicting.

He takes a seat next to me. "Hey, man."

"Hey," I say back, lamely. Tommy picks at a chuck of surf wax on his elbow for a moment, and I remain silent.

"So?" he asks.

I fluff the hair on the back of my head. "So…"

When Tommy lets out a booming laugh, I narrow my eyes his way but he just waves his hand at me. "God, this is awesome. Dude, you're like, smitten."

My face heats. "Yeah, okay, no need to celebrate it."

Reaching out, Tommy snags my ice tea and takes a drink. Didn't know we were there yet, but I say nothing. He sets the cup down and smacks his lips before leaning back with a smug expression. "Alright, I'm ready. Hit me."

Hit him is right. He's far too amused by my suffering. "It's been three days and she hasn't said anything."

"And?"

"And I'm fucking dying over here!" I say, the words coming out louder than I want.

He arches an eyebrow and sits up straighter. "So, what are your moves?"

"Moves?"

"Yeah! How have you been wooing her?" he asks, and I can see that he's in serious mode now.

I rub my palms on my jeans. "I, uh, text her—"

Laughing again, Tommy slaps me on the back. "Texting? Oh shit, let me get Cosmo on the line. They need to hear about this new form of sweeping a chick off her feet."

I can feel the tips of my ears burning. "I didn't say it was good. Why the fuck do you think I begged you to come steal my drink?" I gesture at the cup that's oddly on his side of the table. His brow lowers and he looks from me to the drink before sliding it over. "Alright, not a sharer." He twists in the wooden chair, and yells over his shoulder, "Raquel? I need a coffee." Then he turns to me, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "My man, before we can continue, I gotta ask, how were you?"

"As in?"

Tommy sits up straighter and wiggles his brows. Oh. "Shit man, I'm not telling you that." To my utter surprise, Tommy gets up. "Then we have nothing to talk about. I can't help if I don't have all the info."

Panic takes hold. "Wait! Sit," I demand. Chuckling, he thankfully does just that.

He arches an eyebrow and I rub the back of my neck. Talking about my sexual prowess with a new acquaintance isn't my idea of easy. But for Sam, I need to try. "It was good."

"Like, she finished?" I nod. "How many times?"

I flop my hands onto my thighs. "Dude, I thought you said she was like your sister?"

"Well, yeah. Not my real sister though. Friends make sure their friends are satisfied." Still seems weird to me, but I try to suck up my nerves.

"Once," I say, quietly. Tommy's face turns solemn, like I just announced the country is under attack.

"What?" I ask while Tommy shakes his head.

"Bro, twice is the minimum. What's the issue? Can't get it up? Small penis? First timer?" I can see the amusement on his face, and I am not into it.

"Everything works perfectly fine and not small," I growl out. He's smiling, but thankfully doesn't laugh again. "So, has she said anything about me?" Maybe she did think I was small. The idea seems preposterous. Not to toot my own horn, but I've been in a locker room, I'm not working with a small boat. No, I'm a cruise ship in a sea of dinghies.

"Not to me. Maybe to Til. But uh, Til's not really talking to me." His face falls for a split second but I ignore it. If he wants help with that, I'm the wrong guy. Tilly is not a fan of dear old Greg. He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Have you tried seeing her?"

I shake my head. When she's barely answering my calls, I doubt cornering her is the best move. Tommy crosses his legs, lost in thought. "And you swear that physically everything was fine."

"Fuck. Yes, dude." That seems to be the answer he wants because he leans in closer.

"Then you need to remind her of that. Sammy is a little bit skittish. Maybe she's cooling things off. You gotta swoop in and make her regret two days without you."

This is the good stuff. The answer I wanted to hear. At least she hasn't told Tommy I'm an idiot and she never wants to see me again. "How so?"

He shrugs. "Beats the hell out of me."

I slap my thigh. "Bro, does she like flowers? Chocolates? Tacos? Gimme something for chrissakes."

Just as I finish my demand, the coffee shop attendant comes over with a steam paper cup. "Hi, Tommy. I made it just the way you like," she says in broken English.

He takes a sip before smiling and smacking his lips. "It's perfect, Raquel. You make a damn fine…" he stretches the word out before giving her a wink. "cup of coffee."

Raquel giggles, her face growing two shades darker red. "Uh, thanks. Anything else?" Tommy shakes his head, his grin still working magic on Raquel. "Okay, let me know if you do."

After she walks away, I'm still looking at Tommy in awe. "Girlfriend?" His face scrunches before he shakes his head. "Nah, just Raquel." He stands and stretches his back with one hand still cradling his cup of coffee. "Alright, well, I'm gonna head out then."

I get to my feet in a hurry. "Wait, you gave me nothing."

He smooths his hair into place. "Bro, just… I don't fucking know, kiss her or something."

Pulling his sunglasses out of his pocket, he puts them on and walks out. Well, this was a mistake and unhelpful. Except for one thing; Tommy absolutely is a ladies man and seeing his confidence with Raquel, I do feel a little more swagger in my step.

Just walk up and kiss her. So simple, yet maybe he's right. Show her how much she misses me. Yeah, I can get on board with that.