Surf's Up!

“Now that’s what I call relaxed.” I said after a few minutes.

James kissed me lightly on my cheek, and hugged me to him. “How about we get to bed now, darlin’?”

“Now he wants the bed!” I exclaimed, rolling my eyes at him as I stood up.

James winked at me playfully. “It’s just the next comfortable place”

We dried off and went to bed, making love once more before drifting off to sleep.

I woke up the next morning in a tangle of warm sheets and James. Watching his face, peaceful in sleep brought a smile to my lips.
Eventually I did have to get up, but as I started to roll away his arms tightened around me.

“What’s the rush darlin’?”

“Well, tempting as is it to just stay here all day, I do need to go to work James.” I said smiling.

He let go of me to stretch out his back, and then sat up. We both got up, dressed and headed downstairs. The kitchen was empty when we got there, but there was coffee. James poured us both a cup, and sat down next to me.

“Got any plans for tonight?” He asked me.

“I don’t know...after work I’m going to go and buy a bed for my house, oh and get some paint. Just so you know, you’re coming over to my house tomorrow morning to help me paint.”

“I am?” He asked, his eyebrows rising.

“Uh huh. Rob and Kirk are coming, and afterwards, there will be burgers and beer.”

“What about hot tub time?” This with a grin.

“Well, me and the guys might go in, but I need you to grill the meat.”

He finished his coffee, gave me a kiss, and said “Darlin’, if you think you’re getting wet without me, you got another thing coming.” He winked playfully. “Gotta run, but I’ll call you tonight, ok?”

“Ok, bye babes.”

After he left, I called up a friend, set up an appointment for noon, and left for work. When I got there, I put of a ‘Help wanted’ sign in the window, and hoped for the best. It was nice of Simone to help me out like this, but she did have a job of her own, and I needed somebody else around.

There was a steady stream of customers all morning, but none who asked about the job. By noon it was much slower, so I left to see a friend of mine, who worked at a piercing and tattoo parlor a few blocks away. Steve had always said tattoos were childish and stupid, and I shouldn’t get one. Well, I had finally decided to get the tattoo I always wanted. An hour later, I emerged with a tattoo of a snake going up my calf, and a naval piercing. The piercing had been a last minute decision, but I saw an emerald on a small chain, and I knew I had to get it.

“Check it out!” I said to Simone as soon as I got to the shop.

“Wow, Val that’s awesome!” At first she just saw the piercing, but then I showed her the tat, and she leaned in for a better look. “He did a really great job with his face, the red tongue and red eyes are a good touch.”

I had opened my mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the chime over the door, a tall lanky boy with sun streaked blonde hair and hazel eyes came up to the counter.

“Hello. I’m here about the job?”

We went into my office, and I learned he was 20, a high school graduate but preferred surfing and computer repairs to collage. I hired him after I explained the salary, and he had to be at work promptly every morning regardless of the waves. He agreed to that with a smile, and we agreed on Monday morning would be a good time for him to start. I was going to have the shop closed tomorrow anyway; I’d be way to busy painting.
I told Simone she could go, no need for her to spend her afternoon with me when there were no orders or anything to do. At 5, I locked up and headed to the mall, where I picked out a queen size bed, and yellow and blue pillows and bedspread. After we agreed to have it delivered the following day, I made one more stop to pick up gallons and gallons of paint, along with brushes and trays. I decided to leave it in my car, and headed to Kirks. I really needed to chill for the rest of the night.


I found Kirk and all the dogs in the kitchen, eating dinner.

“Hey babes, you’re home. Have a good day?” Kirk asked between bites of the noodles he was eating.

“Had a pretty good day, yeah. Hired a guy to help out at the shop, bought a bed. Oh and the paints in the car, waiting for you guys.” I said grinning.

“Good to know.” He said sarcastically. “Hey! What’s that?” He had noticed the naval ring as I walked past him to get myself a dish.

“I got a piercing, and a tattoo.”

He checked out the ring, and then said. “Ok, show me the tat. I hope it’s someplace decent though.”

I put my foot on his knee, and pulled up my pants, exposing the tat.

“Oh, nice! Very cool. Why did you get it now?”

“Well, I just thought no time like the present, Steve didn’t let me get a tattoo. I guess I’m rebelling.” I said with a laugh.

“You must have been a little terror as a teenager.” He chuckled.

“Not really a terror, but when I was 16, I decided I was all grown up. Got myself a man and set up house.” I rolled my eyes. “My poor mother, she was so worried at first.”

“I can imagine.”

After we had finished our meal, Kirk turned to me with a serious look in his dark eyes.

“Uh oh” I said.

“What?”

“I know that look! What did I do?”

“Nothing.” Kirk laughed. “But we do need to talk. What’s up with you and James?”

“Why does everybody ask me about that?” I said, a little irritated.

“Cause we care? Anyway, I’m not going to butt in or anything, just wanted a little friendly chat.”

I nodded “Ok. It really isn’t a big deal, just a little fun.”

“Is this a girl thing, when you pretend things are cool, and then start crying that he’s a bastard if it doesn’t work out?”

At his long-suffering expression I burst out laughing. “What? That’s insane. Anyway, things are really not serious. I’m not ready for that right now, with anybody.”

“Good. Because I doubt James is. Did you know Fran cancelled her lawyer?” I shook my head slowly. Kirk sighed, and ran his fingers through his long hair. “Listen babes, I’m not saying I know what James is thinking, and right now it’s you I’m worried about.”

“You don’t have to worry Kirk, really. I’ve had a really shitty few years with Steve, and James made me smile again. He reminded me how good it is to hold somebody, and to be held. I’m not in love with him, and I know he’s not right for me long term, but he is special to me. He taught me how to feel again, which is a good thing. And if he goes back to his wife.... that’s something that only he can decide.” I shrugged.

Kirk stared at me thoughtfully. “I find it hard to believe after that little speech that it’s not serious.”

“Kirk, before James I hadn’t slept with a man for a little over a year. I hadn’t felt desire for a man for three years. Sure, James did turn all that back on, but I’m not so naive I fancy myself in love just because the sex is great.”

“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” Kirk said quietly.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, that’s usually how a relationship starts out.”

“I’m not going into another relationship for a long time Kirk. Just because I want to stay single doesn’t mean I have to swear off men, right?” I gave him a grin to try and lighten the mood. What was it with him, getting all serious?
Kirk seemed to realize I really was fine, because he smiled back at me and ruffled my hair.

“True. So tell me babes, what time is the painting thing tomorrow?”

“Round 10 maybe. Guess we’ll just see when we got up. I asked James to come and help, so we’ll have an extra pair of hands. Crap! I was gonna call James!”

I went off to get my phone and saw that he had tried to call me earlier, so I hit redial.
When I got through, I heard a bunch of noise, loud music and talking.

”James?”

“Yeah hi baby. Whas up?”

I frowned slightly, looking at my phone. James slurring?

“Just got home. What about you?”

“Me and Lars are hanging out, there’s this band that’s supposed to be really good.”

“Ok, how about I just call you tomorrow, ok?”

“K babes, g’night.”

“What was that all about?” Kirk asked me. “He’s been practically living here. What’s he doing?”

“Him and Lars are at some club. Pretty drunk from the sound of it.”

Kirk rolled his eyes. “Babes be glad you’re not there. Lars and James always rub each other the wrong way when they are drunk, not real fun.”

“I’ll bet. Got any plans?”

“Not really. Want to do something?”

“I don’t know, how about we crash in front of the TV or something?”

“Good idea. I’ll even let you pick out the movie.”

We went into the living room, I picked out the first Lord of the Rings, and we settled down on the couch together in comfortable silence.