Chapter 8: "Playa del Muerto"
ERIC:
I stood alone on the balcony, soaking in the Spanish sun shining on the coastal town of Sitges, trying to do math. With the time difference, and sleeping before and during the flight, how much sleep did I even get? Oh who cares, I felt great! No signs of jet-lag, and I'd do my best not to crash in the middle of the day.
I heard the door behind me open, and turned to see my dad Sven walk out to the small balcony. He was naked and dripping wet, probably just out the shower.
"This place has no towels," he said, referring to the Airbnb we'd rented for a few days. "I figured I'd just dry in the sun instead of wasting one of ours."
I looked at the windows and balconies of the building facing us, just a few yards away across the narrow alley. I smiled at Dad and he winked at me.
"Will's in the shower now," he said, referring to my boyfriend. "You can go next and then we can all go down for lunch."
I noticed he'd brought out a pack of cigarettes as he lit one and inhaled.
"Dad, speaking of Will... He told me what happened a few weeks ago."
He looked at me quizzically.
"That you guys kissed," I told him.
"Ah, that," he said, tapping ash off his cigarette. "Is that all he told you?"
It was.
"Why, is there more?"
He inhaled again, ignoring me.
"Maybe," he answered mischievously after a second.
"C'mon, tell me. Or I know how to get it out of you!" I grinned and wiggled my fingers in the air threateningly.
"Don't you dare!" he pointed a finger at me.
I leaned forward and started ticking his sides. He tried to fight me off but he was extremely ticklish and not in control anymore. Water was dripping off his body as it squirmed, trying to resist me.
"Okay, okay, okay, you win!" he yelled. I noticed a woman across the street look at us and close the drapes over her window.
We calmed down, both laughing softly. Sven kneed my ass gently as a playful punishment.
"Will asked me something that night," he continued. "Asked if he can call me 'Dad.'"
"Oh. Interesting. I wonder why he didn't tell me that part."
"He's probably too embarrassed."
"I think he might have a crush on you," I noted.
"Well of course, who doesn't?" Dad said and pointed up and down at his body, then flexed his bicep and pecs.
"Of course, everyone in the world does," I said sarcastically and rolled my eyes, but I knew he wasn't all wrong.
His body looked better than I ever remember seeing it. Plus, being blessed to be as tall as he is and with a dick as big as his, he had no problem attracting attention. But somehow I thought, if Will does have a crush on him, it wouldn't be just because of Dad's appearance.
"How are you guys doing?" he asked, suddenly sounding more serious. "Are you happy with Will?"
"I am," I answered. This was my first time talking to Dad more seriously about my first boyfriend. "We had lots of fun at college, everything was much better after I met him. I'm not sure how things will go after we move in together on our own, but I'm sure we'll both give it our best."
"But?"
I looked at him, taking a second to register the question.
"I can hear it in your voice there's a 'but' coming up," he explained.
"But, it sometimes feels like he's too... naive. Like too innocent, if that makes sense? He can surprise me sometimes, but most of the time I feel like I'm the one showing him the ropes. And I'm not sure I want that. When I picture myself being with someone long-term, I kinda want them to be, I dunno... Stronger? More experienced? More assertive? Someone more like you."
I surprised myself with my level of honesty.
"Don't be fooled, I'm scared shitless plenty," he said, taking a last drag of his cigarette. "I'm just better at hiding it than most. Plus, if you really love him, you should help him become the person you want him to be. Assuming that he also wants to become that person."