The Wrong Man (12 page)

“I’ve never heard him bark so much.” I observed as we crossed the wide boardwalk. “He’s so quiet usually.”

“Yeah. He’s excited.” Jake grinned indulgently at the prancing Lab beside him. “He’s like a wise old man who doesn’t need to say much to get his point across anymore. He’s learned over the years when to make a big deal and when it’s best to stay silent.”

“We should all be so wise,” I mused as I took in the scenery.

Seagulls dotted the sand, squawking as they foraged for dinner. There were a few joggers, walkers, and bicyclists on the path but like the parking lot, the beach was largely deserted. When we approached the sand, I stopped.

“Wait.”

“Take them off.” Jake advised, instantly cluing into my distress. “You can take off your socks too, roll up your pants, and voilà… good to go.”

“Uh….”

I bit at my lip and looked out at the endless stretch of golden sand. I hated the beach. Hated it. I may have lived in Southern California for years, but in no way had I become a fan. Most people found the ocean to be soothing, and the powerful waves to be a thing of beauty and a source of fun. They loved the feel of warm sun and the hot sand while they cavorted joyfully in the water with loved ones. Not me. I would never deny the primal beauty of the ocean, but it was far from relaxing to me. I wasn’t a strong enough swimmer to enjoy body surfing, so I stayed away from the water. Plus I was a skin-care fanatic and listened to every health advisory official who suggested it was best to stay away from the sun’s ultraviolet rays for extended periods. And let’s be honest, sand was a menace. The smallest contact ensured you’d be bringing it home with you. In places you least expected. Don’t even get me started on eating at the beach.

I took a quick glance at Jake and Mack, and all my well-thought protests fell away. It was a pair of shoes, for fuck’s sake. Expensive but not priceless. I sighed heavily as I bent to remove them and my socks. When I lost my balance as I took off one sock, Jake steadied me, giving me his arm for support.

“Stay still. I’ll help you.”

He bent down on one knee and yanked my sock off before shoving it in my shoe. I was going to make a wisecrack about the care and treatment of fine things when I felt him fussing with the hem of my khaki pants. I watched enchanted in spite of myself as he inexpertly folded the fabric over a couple of times and then did the same to the other pant leg. The gesture made me grin like an idiot. When he finally stood in front of me, we were inches apart, smiling at each other.

“Thank you,” I said, feeling a little shy suddenly.

“You’re welcome. C’mon, let’s go. Mack only has an hour before it gets dark. Let’s let him play.”

The second Mack was off-leash, he made a mad dash toward the ocean. I was mesmerized by his graceful gait. I’d never seen the dog move so fast, and it was a thing of beauty.

“He looks five years younger.” I cast my gaze between Mack bounding gleefully away and the uneven sand I was attempting to carefully traverse. I did my best not to allow my facial features to contort and show my true feelings at having the tiny gritty grains between my toes. Ick.

“I know. He’ll pay for it tomorrow but—”

“How so?”

Jake’s glanced at me briefly before turning his attention back to Mack, who was inches now from the water’s edge.

“It’s the same as with humans. It hurts when you run around trying to keep up with people half your age. I’m going to be thirty soon, and I know for a fact I can’t play with the same intensity I did ten years—hell, even five years ago, without paying for it the next day. Eventually you clue in and slow down a bit. Mack’s the same except his memory is shit. He never remembers how sore he’ll feel in the morning.” Jake chuckled softly.

“I forgot you’re older than me.” I kept my tone conversational, but Jake wasn’t fooled.

He nudged me playfully with his elbow and gave me a mock dirty look.

“Yeah, by what? A few months? Yours is in October, right?”

“You remember that?”

“Of course. October 21st.”

He remembered my birthday? I’m sure I looked like an idiot with my mouth wide open. I don’t know why but that seemed extraordinary. We hadn’t seen each other in over a decade. How could he possibly recall a significant day for someone who hadn’t been important to him in years?

“Am I right?” His tone was neutral. Purposefully casual.

“Um… yeah. How—why do you know that? It’s been eons. I forgot what I had for breakfast this morning already, but you can pull the date of my birthday out of nowhere. It’s….” I shook my head incredulously, looking for the proper phrase.

“Weird?” He supplied with a chagrined expression.

He called to Mack, who stopped mid-run with his ears cocked, awaiting Jake’s instruction. When he saw the tennis ball Jake had brought with him, he went nuts. He shifted from paw to paw like an overexcited kid choosing a prize at an arcade.

“Watch this. There was a time my arm would be killing me, and he’d still want more. Now he can do this twice, maybe three times, before he poops out.” Jake cocked his right arm back and threw the ball over Mack’s head. It landed in the wet sand and was instantly sucked into the ocean.

“Is he going after it in the water? Oh shit. Not only am I barefoot in the sand, but I’m going to be stuck in a car with a smelly, wet dog for the half-hour ride home!” I couldn’t suppress the shudder this time, which only made Jake laugh.

“You’re particular, aren’t you?”

“Hmph. At least you didn’t say peculiar. Are you going to answer my question?” I grimaced at his blank stare. “About my birthday. You sa—”

“October 21. The Battle of Trafalgar. Remember that day we were in the library studying for a history exam? We had to memorize all these dates having to do with Napoleon. When we came to October 21, you told me it was also your birthday and we should call it Brandon Day so we’d both remember.” He shrugged as he watched his dog retrieve the ball from the ocean. “I never forgot.”

Jake’s handsome face broke out in a wide grin when Mack ran back in our direction with his prize in his mouth. I looked on, amused by his enthusiasm. But my mind traveled back in time twelve years ago, picturing two teenage boys, one a star athlete and the other the fabulous gay kid, sitting at a wooden table in the library surrounded by books and notes as we crammed for a test. Back then we’d used our common classes as a ruse to spend time together. Jake had played up his role of the dumb jock in need of some extra tutoring while I pretended to be the guy for the job.

It was so many years ago. A lifetime really. But Jake’s casual mention of our shared past made it seem like it wasn’t so distant after all. I’d done my best to forget my past. I hated being reminded of things I couldn’t change. I didn’t do well processing sadness and loss. It’s why I hadn’t wanted anything to do with Jake. He represented a naiveté I’d happily shed.

“Again? Okay, here you go. Ready? Get it, boy!” Jake chucked the ball in the same direction he had before, and Mack chased after it merrily.

And as simple as that, I was back in present time.

Mack pounced on the ball before a large wave sent it into deeper waters. Then he paddled in the shallow depths before standing on the wet sand to shake off the excess moisture on his coat and make his way back to us. I noticed immediately he moved slower. Definitely more of a walk than a run.

“See? He’s feeling it already. Want to sit for a couple minutes while he catches his breath?”

I looked up and down the wide swath of sandy beach. The Queen Mary was docked to the north and behind us the golden coastline glittered in the waning light. The sun would be setting soon, and the sky was resplendently gorgeous in shades of pink, red, and orange. It was a lovely night.

“Sure. Where?”

“How about here?” Jake plopped down on the dry sand and patted the area next to him.

“Here? What?” I narrowed my eyes at him over the rims of the sunglasses I no longer needed.

“Sit.”

“On the sand?”

“Yes.”

“Are you joking? It’s bad enough I’m carrying my loafers but—”

“Save it, Bran. Sit and enjoy the scenery. It’s a beautiful night and Mack’s tired. Let’s give him a chance to regroup.”

I snatched my sunglasses from my nose and hooked them in my shirtfront pocket. I glowered at Jake, who pointedly ignored me, choosing to coo at his dog instead. I overheard him telling Mack what a good boy he was. So brave and strong. And yes, there was a fucked-up part of me that wanted a piece of his attention too. I glanced down at my fabulous khaki trousers and sighed. They were going to the dry cleaner anyway.

I hiked up my pants and gingerly took my place on the sand next to Jake. He leaned back on his right hand and gave me a megawatt grin. I rolled my eyes.

“Make sure to leave me your address for my cleaning bill,” I snarked as I turned my gaze toward the ocean.

“You got it,” Jake cheerfully replied. “C’mon, admit you like it. A little.”

“I like it. A little.” I glanced at him noting his peaceful countenance. “Not the sand part, but the sunset, the ocean. It’s very….”

“Gorgeous?” He supplied in a husky tone.

Jake’s blue eyes darkened seductively. He leaned into me slightly but the gravitational pull was strong. I licked my lips and swallowed hard as I moved in. Jake closed the short distance and gently kissed my mouth. His lips were soft and inviting. I heard myself moan as I deepened the connection. He kept the kiss light and tender, a prolonged leisurely meeting of lips that left me wanting. I wanted the heat and desire I’d felt the other night when we made out on my front porch. The temptation to probe his lips with the tip of my tongue was strong, but I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. And then I figured, what the fuck? Nothing about me spending time with Jake was a good idea. Why not give in to temptation and stop analyzing? I’d do that later anyway.

I tentatively stuck out my tongue and traced a sensuous line across his bottom lip. I heard Jake’s sharp intake of breath before he groaned into my mouth and took over. He cupped the back of my head and thrust his tongue inside in a forceful, needy move. He massaged my neck before gripping my shoulder, hugging me close. There was something about the combination of the forceful kiss juxtaposed with his affectionate embrace I found hypnotic. I could have stayed in the protective circle of his arms, making out like the teenagers we’d once been, all night long.

Of course, it ended too soon. The sharp bark of another dog passing by on his way to the water startled us. I pulled away abruptly and scooted back a few inches, feeling clumsy and uncertain. I looked at Mack, who gave the terrier a bored once-over before sighing heavily and lying on the cool sand. A bubble of laughter escaped at the dog’s casual demeanor. My heart was racing, but Mack was completely unfazed. I adjusted my position and had to scramble to get a good hold on my shoes so they wouldn’t tumble into the sand.

“It’s a good thing you’ve got your priorities straight,” Jake teased, noting how I cradled my Pradas protectively in my lap.

“Damn right I do. I don’t know how people live at the beach. I know I’m in the minority. I just don’t get the appeal.”

Jake glanced heavenward. “I’m not going to bother responding.”

“I don’t expect you to. I’m the odd man out. Even my best friend has defected to the dark side.”

“The dark side? I don’t think referring to sun, water, and sand works with your reference, Bran.”

“Whatever. Luke lives at the beach, and he—”

“Luke? Luke….” He snapped his fingers as though the name had been on the tip of his tongue.

“Preston.”

“Luke Preston. I remember him. You’re still friends? You guys were best friends in high school.”

“We still are.”

“That’s great. You lived with him and his mom, right? She was cool. Is she still—”

“Mara is alive and well. She lives in Brentwood now. And yeah, I lived with them my senior year. I’m astounded by your memory. Very impressive.”

“I loved high school. Things were simpler then. When life was at its most craptastic, I’d go back to those years in my head. In a strange way, thinking about the past served as a reminder to hang in there. Things would get better again. Eventually.”

“Talk about taking the opposite approach. Most people walk away from high school with the hope things will
eventually
get better. I know I did,” I scoffed and looked at the horizon. The present conversation was making me uneasy.

“Hmm. I get the feeling I’ve been trying hard to remember the best things from my past while you’ve been trying hard to forget.” He put up a hand to stop my certain retort. “It’s not a negative observation. It’s a different viewpoint. That’s all.”

I eyed him warily before inclining my head in agreement.

“As I was saying, Luke lives in Corona del Mar now with his man. I was surprised he took to beach living so easily. It never seemed like his thing before. I suppose that’s what true love does to you.” I sighed theatrically.

I couldn’t help it. Those two words together—“true love”—brought an automatic sigh of longing to my lips. It didn’t matter if I was watching a Disney movie or heard the magical phrase in song lyrics. I was a sucker for the ridiculous romantic notion there was someone special out there for everyone. Maybe even me someday.

“True love, eh?” Jake smirked. “What’s that?”

Another subject I didn’t want to discuss with my original heartbreak. I gave him a perturbed stare and folded my arms over my knees.

“Hush. Luke met “the one.” Someone special. That’s all.”

“Do you believe in that sh—I mean, you didn’t ever think the guy I met the other night at dinner, your ex, was “the one,” did you? That guy was a total creep.”

Jake’s tone was derisive and mocking. I bristled though I agreed with him wholeheartedly.

“No, I never thought Trevor was the right man for me. He was someone whose company I enjoyed for a while and hey… the sex was good. I wasn’t under the assumption we were a forever thing. We were always temporary.”

“Do you believe there is such a thing as a ‘right man’ or a ‘forever thing’? I’m not sure I do.”