Page 12 of Keeping it Local

“I’m here. I’m here,” I said.

“Well, you better act like it!” Max yelled. He was competitive as hell, usually hiding behind a desk, but the guns were out blazing today.

“Do you guys play volleyball a lot?” Beth said, closer to my side of the court this time.

“Not as often as I’d like. But I’ll take what I can get. Tough to get time all together,” I said, jumping and spiking over the net.

“Yeah, I—” But she couldn’t finish.

“I swear to God, Lane if you come into my space one more time to take that ball from me, you’re going to get it!” Megan yelled from across the net. She and Lane had been going back and forth the whole time, and I had been waiting for a blowup.

Beth and I shared a knowing smile.

The next few hours went by in a blur, with the drinks pouring, more volleyball, and swimming out to the big rock in the middle of the sandbar. I couldn’t have asked for a better day, and I felt more relaxed than I had in weeks.

The sun was starting to get low in the sky, and everyone put on their sweatshirts because of the cool breeze coming from the lake. As we all packed up, I walked with Beth back to the cars.

“How was your first beach day?” I asked.

“Definitely can’t complain,” she answered, beaming a big smile at me. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to just lay down and chill out until I got here.” She looked down at her legs. “I think I got a little too much sun, but it was worth it.”

She was already glowing red. She was going to feel it tomorrow.

“Have any aloe at home?” I asked.

“Probably not. Megan might have some though.” She shrugged.

“I have some in my truck. Come with me.”

She held up a finger to Megan, letting her know she’d be a minute and followed me to my truck. I carried everything with me since I lived farther out of town and never knew when I’d have to bounce in and out of the rentals.

“It’s in here somewhere,” I said, reaching into the cab. When I found it, I pulled it out and looked at her. “Take off your sweatshirt.”

“What?” Her eyes went wide.

“Take off your sweatshirt. If your legs are that fried, your back is too. Let me help.”

She looked at me sideways but obliged, pulling her gray hoodie over her head.

“Ouch,” I said. Sure enough, her back was nearly as red as her legs. “I’ll do your back for you, and then you can just have the bottle. That way, you don’t have to stop at the pharmacy tonight.”

She looked at me with her big brown eyes, and biting her lip, she turned around. “Thank you.”

As I slid the aloe over her back and shoulders, I could feel the heat from her skin burning my fingertips, not sure if it was the burn or her. I kept going as she did her arms, then pulled her hoodie back on.

“There,” I said. “As long as you keep applying it, you shouldn’t peel.”

“Thanks,” she said. “I’m outside all the time, just not in a swimsuit. I wasn’t really thinking.”

“No problem.” I gave her the bottle, still remembering her warmth on my hands. “So, I was thinking we could get together this week and work on donations. What about heading out to the wineries on Thursday?”

“That should work,” she said before walking away.

“See you then!” I called out. And when I was about to turn, she looked over her shoulder and smiled at me.

My jeans tightened as my cock grew hard in my pants. I knew I was in for it.

Chapter 7