Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
I hate to admit that Adrian might have a point.
Maybe I need something to care for that doesn’t come confined in a clay pot.
But tonight, my focus is elsewhere. My eyes skip over the crowd for that kid again with no luck. Why does it matter anyway? He can’t possibly be the thief. How would he get into my inventory, anyway? Maybe he’s just another bored teen separated from his pals, likely staying at one of the cheaper hotels at the north end of the island. It’s the last week of June, and there are tons of Pride events all over the island—as well as the boys that come with them.
“You coming to the bonfire thing after the weekend?”
Adrian’s question pulls me out of my thoughts. “Nah.”
“Don’t know why I asked. You never come anyway.”
“I see my fair share of people every day. No need to stand around a fire on the beach drinking beer until three in the morning bitching about the latest wave of vacationers.”
He snorts at that. “You need some rest and relaxation, my man. Running this bar seven days a week doesn’t do you good. I don’t care how old you are, no one deserves to be alone forever. Hey, just a few hours ago, I served this lovely couple of men in their fifties. They fed each other bites of buttery lobster. How fuckin’ adorable is that?”
Hmm. Adorable …
I glance at the window, the boardwalk visible in the far distance across the sand, with all its glittering lights against the waning early evening sunlight. I always had this vision of walking along that boardwalk hand-in-hand with a man I love—whoever that is. Every time I imagine it, I feel just a little happier.
And every time I imagine it, I feel a little emptier.
I’ll be damned if I ever admit that out loud.
“Hey, Adrian, have you seen a teen around here?” I ask between customers, shifting gears back to a more pressing matter at hand. “Eighteen. Smallish guy. Sweet-faced …”
He quirks an eyebrow. “You’re not really narrowing it down much. That’s half this weekend’s twink population.”
“He looks like he doesn’t belong here. Out of place.”
“No one belongs here.”
I’m letting my imagination go wild. I probably just miscounted my items or typed something into the computer wrong. It’s all in my head. “Never mind.”
“Crap. Lost track of the time, break’s almost up.” He slaps a hand on my back. “You got this, right?”
Just then, I spot the kid again on the other side of the room. He’s got a drink in his hand, and he—
Wait a second. That’s not a drink. That’s a can of nuts.
My nuts.
As if sensing me, the kid looks my way.
Our eyes lock.
His reflect curiosity.
Then fear.
Then outright defiance.
Before I can flinch, he takes off out the door, flinging it open so hard, it smacks against the wall with a noise that draws startled looks.
I’m not letting him get away.
Not this time.
“Watch the bar,” I say quickly before rushing around the counter and tearing after the kid. I’m pretty sure Adrian lets out a protest, but I don’t hear a word of it.
I fly through the doors and onto the porch. With a glance either way, I don’t see any sign of him. I make a snap decision and head toward the beach, figuring if I was a thief, I’d be headed into unlit, crowded areas to hide. My eyes scan the cuddled couples and clusters of men scattered all over the shore, laughing, drinking, and hanging around in the fiery orange sunset that sets the beach ablaze.
Couples everywhere.
Lovebirds everywhere.
Happy men holding hands. Happy men kissing. Happy men with arms around each other’s backs. Throuples, too.
Yet no sign of the thief.
I could easily just let this go. It’s just one can of nuts, right? Maybe a few sodas this past week. I shouldn’t make a big thing out of it.
But I apparently can’t help myself tonight. Something has come over me. Aren’t I generous enough to the people of this island without having to have my nuts stolen out from under my damned nose? There’s nothing I hate worse than being taken advantage of.
Those are my nuts that little thief has in his hands.
Chapter 3 - Seany
I press my back flat to the wall and wait.
My stomach growls.
I wrench open the can, scoop out some salted peanuts, and pop them into my mouth. Rejuvenation pours into my body like sweet love, all the way down to my bones, as I chew and taste the flavorful, seasoned goodness on my tongue. I slowly slide down to the ground as I hug the can, then scoop another generous helping into my mouth.
I’ve been watching him for days. I’ve seen how he is with people. Caring. Compassionate. Giving. I was almost certain he wouldn’t care about one measly can of peanuts going missing—until I caught his eyes across the room and realized he wasn’t having it.