Please Wait for Me

“They’re not someone else’s. They’ve never been worn. They’re for guests who don’t have or forget their trunks.”

Luke didn’t say anything. He just shifted back and forth, as if he was trying to decide something. Finally, he turned and headed into the house. He returned a few minutes later in red board shorts and his black Hollister shirt.

“There’s sunscreen in the cooler,” I said, pointing to the Yeti. I liked to keep sunscreen on ice so it was cold and thick when reapplied.

“I’ll just keep my shirt on,” he said, slowly descending the stairs into the pool. Most non-swimmers were afraid of water. Luke did not appear to be. He glided in and went under before standing up. His shirt, already too big dry, hung around him like a mumu wet. Luke realized it wasn’t going to work at the about the same instant I did. I climbed out, grabbed the 50 and a beer from the cooler, and tossed the 50 to him. I started to stir watching him smear the cream on his face, neck, arms, and chest. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have suspected him of wanting me to watch him. I returned to the pool to conceal the effect he was having on me. Without a word, I took the tube, filled my left hand, rubbed my hands together, and coated Luke’s shoulders and back. He tensed when I touched him, which only made the muscles in his back more taut as I quickly but thoroughly coated them.

When I was finished, I let him know he could relax. “That should do it.”

“Thank you.”

“Can you return the favor?” I asked.