Seaside Entries - 4. Such a dumb question

Today was a little windy, but still pleasant. The perfect weather for being outdoors. I had a constant stream of customers for a few hours, but now there was finally a lull so I decided to do some cleaning up. I cleared out some of the stuff lying around, then grabbed a broom and started sweeping the floor. When you’re so close to the beach, sand always finds it way in.

In the middle of all that, I barely heard my phone buzz. Good thing I did, because it was Leo.

“Hey, what’s up?” I put my phone on speaker and set it down on the counter so I could continue cleaning.

“Hey man, you sound cheerful.”

“Do I?” I stopped for a moment. It was just another day so far. I sent Cassie home as soon as she woke up, did some chores around the house, then came to the shop. I guess knowing I was going to hang out with Leo and the others later that night gave me something to look forward to. “What can I say, I’m living the dream.”

“You’ve just got it all figured out, haven’t you?” he hit me right back with the sarcasm, making me laugh.

“You know it. If you need a life coach, I’m your guy.”

“I hope I can afford you.”

“We’ll figure something out, don’t worry.” I put the broom away and sat down, taking the phone in my hand. “What are you up to?”

“Ah, just getting ready for work. I was supposed to have the day off, but one of the chefs is sick so I have to work today,” Leo explained. “So yeah, a little change of plans for tonight. I’m still coming, but I might be a little late. So you go ahead without me, and I’ll join you guys at the beach once I’m done with my shift.”

“OK, but you’re definitely coming?”

“Yeah, promise.”

“Alright. I’ll make sure the guys don’t drink all the beer before you get there.”

“Thanks.” I could practically hear the smile in Leo’s voice. “See ya tonight then.”

~~

It was a little past eight when I saw Jay approaching me on the beach. He was barefoot, dressed in loose shorts and a tanktop. In one hand he carried a bag that I assume was full of beer cans, while in the other he had his flip-flops.

“Hey, is Fabian not coming with you?”

“He is, he just stopped by the store to buy cigarettes,” Jay explained as he came over and stood next to me. We were at a secluded part of the beach, tucked just out of sight from the boardwalk where most people wandered. It was our hangout spot. “Ah, there he is.”

Fabian strolled over to us, a lit cigarette already in his hand. His shirt was open, fluttering in the breeze.

“Do you think it’s gonna rain?” he asked, settling down on a rock right next to me.

“Nah, I don’t think so,” I shook my head. The night was pleasant, the wind carrying the smell of salt and seaweed all around us. I looked up at the sky, but it was still too early to see many stars. It was mostly clear, though, with just a few stringy clouds in the distance.

Fabian and I opened a beer each, taking a sip. It was still cold, hitting just the right spot.

“I should’ve brought a football… or a frisbee.” Jay was kicking sand around, not settling down yet. He was always full of energy.

“Who’s going to play football drunk?” Fabian asked. “Come, sit down with us.”

“Yeah, let’s just chill tonight,” I agreed. It was a long day, and I wasn’t in the mood for running around.

“Fine,” Jay relented. “Next time, though.”

“We can play beach volleyball on Saturday,” I suggested, suddenly getting the idea.

“Can’t. We’re both working on Saturday,” Jay pointed at Fabian and himself. “Afternoon shift. Maybe Sunday?”

“Works for me,” I replied as I lay down, putting my hands behind my head. “Look at you being all responsible now that you’ve got a job. How is it working together?”

“It’s good. It turns out I have a knack for landscaping.” Jay had a proud smile on his tanned face. “It’s actually been fun so far.”

“Of course it’s fun when you’re working with me.” Fabian was quick to jump in. “When is Leo coming, by the way? When I texted him earlier, he said he wasn’t sure.”

“He said he’d come right after work. He wasn’t supposed to work today, but had to fill in.”

“Ah, ok. Good.”

“Why?” I was curious.

Fabian just shrugged as he took a sip from his can. “Just asking.”

We were all on our second beer. It wasn’t enough to get us drunk, but we were starting to feel the effects. As usual, Jay started yapping about Riley, a girl he’d been trying to date. He was a good guy, but more like a puppy. It was hard for girls to take him seriously.

“Who broke your heart this time?” I heard a voice behind me. I turned around and saw Leo walking over, a bag in his hand.

“Leo! You’re just in time,” Jay waved him over, patting the space next to him. “Now I don’t have to tell the story twice.”

Leo gave me a smile as he settled down next to us, and I handed him a beer.

“Here ya go. I knew you’d make it.”

“Thanks! I brought snacks,” he said, opening the bag and taking out leftovers from the restaurant.

“Nice! You’re the best, man,” Fabian clapped him on the shoulder. Looking at him start to devour the food, you’d think he was being starved.

Jay talked too much to eat, but I happily helped myself to some fries and chicken.

“Is it good?” Leo leaned over to ask me.

“Dude, it’s amazing,” I replied honestly. Suddenly, Fabian’s appetite didn’t seem so strange anymore. I don’t know if it was the beers we’d had, or the fact that the food was free, but it was delicious. It seemed like everyone was suddenly in a much better mood, me included.

Until Fabian ruined it.

“Hey, Leo,” he lay on his side, facing the rest of the group. The food was all gone, and we were all on our third beer. “You know my cousin Luisa? You guys met a few months ago when she came to visit.”

“Yeah, I think I remember her.”

“She’s cute, right?”

“Uh, I guess.” Leo shrugged. “Why?”

“She’s back in town and wants to go out with you. What do you say?”

I felt like I’d been half-asleep and was suddenly rudely woken up with a bucket of cold water thrown in my face. I lifted my head, staring at Fabian like he just accused me of murdering his family. I must’ve misheard him. Leo? Go out with Luisa? That didn’t make any sense.

“Wait, what?!” I asked before I could stop myself. “Go out with Leo?”

I must’ve been louder than I realized, because everyone turned to look at me. Fabian and Jay looked straight up confused, but Leo seemed as if he was about to burst into laughter.

There was nothing funny about this. I wasn’t the one who asked such a dumb question! Fabian did!

“Yeah, why not?” he asked. “What’s wrong with my cousin?”

“Why aren’t you setting her up with me?” Jay asked.

“Because she asked for Leo, dumbass. So, what do you say, man?”

I gazed at Leo like I was paralyzed. I had no idea what was happening, whether he put something funny in the food, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away. He wasn’t saying anything. Why was it taking him so long to say ‘no’?

Wait… He wasn’t actually considering it, was he? And why did I care so much? If he wanted to go out with Luisa, or anyone else for that matter, no one was stopping him. He had all the right to do it.

Finally, he looked at me, then turned to Fabian.

“Sorry, man, but I’ll pass.”

I felt like I could finally breathe again. It was weird.

“Really?” Fabian seemed genuinely surprised. “Give her a chance, dude. I think you two would really hit it off.”

“Nah.” Leo shook his head. “I’m sure she’s great, but I’m just not interested.”

“Wait, are you seeing anyone?” Jay gave Leo a curious look.

Another dumb question. Of course he wasn’t. If Leo was seeing someone, I’d be the first to know about it. Right?

“I’m not. Like you guys wouldn’t know if I was,” Leo rolled his eyes.

“Exactly!” I had to gloat. That was just what I was thinking, and it felt good to be proven right.

Leo’s eyes flicked to me for a brief second. For some reason, he seemed to find my excitement funny.

“OK… I just thought since you’re single, I’d hook you up with Luisa,” Fabian shrugged. “Nevermind then.”

“I’m single too,” Jay reminded him. “Why don’t you bring her over next time?”

“And what about Riley? Weren’t you just telling us how into her you are?”

“Well I’m not getting anywhere with her, am I?”

“Any more beers?” Leo moved closer, leaving the other two to bicker. The bag was empty though, the only remaining can the one in my hand.

“Here, you can have some of mine,” I offered. I grabbed his empty can, trying to pour some beer into it, but ended up spilling all over my hand.

“Dude, what are you doing?” Jay laughed. “You’re drunk.”

“No, I’m not. Just a little buzzed. Like you,” I shook my head, then offered my drink to Leo. “Here, you can finish this.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” I thrust the can in his hand with a smile. He deserved a reward.

~~

I took my clothes off as soon as I got home that night. It was too hot and the alcohol I’d had wasn’t helping at all. I opened my bedroom window, then plopped down onto the bed, grabbing my phone.

It was only one in the morning. Was Leo still awake? Maybe. Probably.

Opening the messages app, I tapped on his name. My thumbs seemed to move on their own.

“Shes not even taht cute u knnow”

“Good thnig u said no”

I fired off the texts and set the phone down, not waiting for a reply. My head dropped onto the cold pillow and I closed my eyes, the events of the day finally catching up to me. Before I even knew it, I felt myself slowly drift off to sleep.