Page 15 of Mouth to Mouth

Brad let his gaze fall to the burns that he tried not to notice. Cal’s scars ran up the left side of his hand, arm, and across his shoulder onto his back. Whatever fire that had caused the wounds had been white-hot. Evil. Yes, fire could be evil.

“Scott should turn his attention to someone his own age,” Cal said.

“Or Scott is an adult who can make his own decisions. Scott is smart and driven. Way beyond the guys his age. It might be possible that he wants you because you are you. That he sees something in you that calls to him. That your experience in life is what Scott is looking for.”

Cal shook his head as he opened his mouth to respond. Brad could guess more arguments were on the way.

“It’s just something to think about.” Brad repeated Cal’s words to him. “You know, if you truly want what’s best for Scott.”

“Smartass,” Cal mumbled.

“Maybe.” Brad laughed. “Must be something in the water here.”

“Just don’t start calling me Gramps. I’m going to throw James over my knee the next time he pulls that shit,” Cal threatened.

“I don’t think his Daddy would like that much,” Brad joked.

“Daddies,” Cal repeated. “This is where I end the conversation. Try to get some rest. You’re going to need it.”

Brad waited until Cal had left the kitchen before gently closing the lid of the laptop. He had time to complete the paperwork. Cal was right. If this was the calm before the storm, then he should rest.

Cal had also given Brad some things to think about.

Luca was going to be in his life for the foreseeable future. Brad’s plans kept him here until he found a permanent position somewhere. Surf City was the place where he belonged at the moment. His career path had brought him there. Everything that he’d fought to get back had led Brad to that moment. It wasn’t going to be Luca or anyone else that knocked Brad off the course he’d settled on.

He’d apologize to Luca. Make a real connection with his friends. Start living the life that he was meant to lead.

This was Brad’s second chance.

And he wasn’t going to let anything stop him from reaching his goals again. Not ever again.

CHAPTER THREE

Luca

“Are you sure that you don’t want me to stay?” Dawson asked quietly.

“Bro,” Luca drawled. “I’m fine. Go up and shower. Or hell, take a hot bath, whatever. Just relax. We worked our asses off today.”

“Yeah, but you have to be up early for the surf competition. I could close tonight,” Dawson offered.

“You opened and worked a double,” Luca pointed out. “Go! That’s an order. I’m your boss, remember?”

Dawson snorted. “Sure, boss.”

Luca could only grin in response. He didn’t often pull the boss card. It never worked well for him. Being friends with all his employees kind of sucked at times like this. Yes, Luca was tired, but he had another reason for wanting Dawson to leave. The coffee shop was scheduled to close in five minutes. Brad had been nursing a cold cup of coffee for an hour now.

Cutting his eyes to the back table and then to Luca again, Dawson grinned. “Oh, I get it.”

“It’s not like that,” Luca argued.

Walking to the back area, Dawson grabbed his backpack off the hook. “I won’t wait up.”

Pushing his friend, Luca tried not to blush. He and Brad weren’t going to do anything close to what Dawson was thinking. It was time that they talked though. Or at least Luca had run out of time putting off the talk that they were going to have.

Dawson was gone a minute later, leaving Luca alone in the shop with only the one man that Luca didn’t want to be alone with. He sighed but lifted the apron he wore over his clothes off.

He hung up the apron then marched back to the front of the shop, nearly tripping over his feet when he saw Brad locking the front door.