Swim Coach: A Novel

by Sam E. Kraemer

  Our tongues caressed each other, and I could detect the faint taste of mint and coffee. It was the best taste in the world.

  I closed the hairsbreadth distance and placed my hands on his hips, squeezing a bit. It was a heavenly kiss, and when we pulled away, we were both breathing as though we'd just finished the four-hundred-meter breaststroke.

  I didn't open my eyes immediately, just in case it was a dream and when I opened them I'd discover I was making out with my pillow. His quiet laugh made it real all right.

  I opened my eyes and dropped my hands to my sides, but he didn't let go. "Why, um, your girlfriend's a very lucky girl. I doubt she'd be thrill with you kissing a boy," I whispered, not wanting to break the intense silence of the room.

  He moved his right hand from my shoulder and placed it gently on my cheek, brushing his thumb over my cheekbone. "That girl isn't my girlfriend. I don't do girlfriends, Colton. I would have thought you'd have picked up on that by now. How many guys have you dated?"

  Surprisingly, I wasn’t as stunned as I should have been. "I, actually, haven't ever dated anyone. There was a guy in high school who I used to do stuff with, but it, uh, it wasn't anything really. We messed around some, but he, uh, he ended up outing me in the cafeteria after Christmas break.

  "All we did was kiss, and I…uh…gave him a few blow jobs but he kept telling me he wasn't gay. He gave me a hand job at a party on New Year's Eve, and then when we got back to school, he didn't want anything to do with me. That's why I hate parties and haven't really wanted to try to meet anyone," I explained, feeling my face flame at the admission. He seemed pissed off, and I wasn't sure why.

  "Who was it? Was it someone I'd have met when I was there?" Andre snapped at me. Damn, he’s really a hot head.

  "No. He was older than me and he came for his senior year the year I was a sophomore. His parents moved to Unionville from Seattle. He was really cute, and we used to play video games together. We took turns playing at each other's houses, but his parents were gone a lot, so we mostly went to his place. One afternoon, we were playing CoD, and he just kissed me. I was pretty sure I was gay before that because I had a crush on someone a few years earlier, so I wasn't surprised it turned me on." I am absolutely not going to admit Andre was my fucking crush. One boy can only take so much humiliation over a lifetime.

  "He was a fool, Colton. Who was your crush?" Oh, hell no.

  "Enough about me. What did you mean you don't do girlfriends?"

  He stepped away and took my hand, pulling me to sit on my bed. Hell, at that point, I had no free will whatsoever, so I allowed it without a second thought. He continued to hold my hand as he said, “Colton, back in high school, I dated girls."

  I chortled. "Back in high school, you dated a lot of girls." That was a fucking understatement.

  Thankfully, he snickered as well. "I had a lot of first dates between Unionville and Vancouver, but yeah. You're right. Anyway, I just never found a girl anything clicked with but when we moved to Cali for my senior year, I was surfing at Venice Beach and met a guy while we were waiting for the swells to come in.

  "We started meeting there regularly on weekends that summer, and one night, we were at a party there and we'd both had a little to drink. When he kissed me, it just felt right. We dated until he had to go back to college, but he was the guy who made me realize what was wrong with all the girls I'd dated."

  I sat back and looked into his eyes. "You're…you're gay?"

  Andre laughed again. "Yep. I honestly didn't know you were when I first ran into you, and yeah, initially, I was looking out for you because I knew you when you were a kid and I knew how sheltered small-town life could be, but when you told me you were gay, everything changed."

  Ho-ly shit! Knock me over with a fucking feather. "You didn't say anything."

  He sighed. "I know, but it was because I kept telling myself you were young and you needed to feel your way through things without my interference. You needed to meet guys your own age, and you should have the typical college experiences.

  "Unfortunately, I couldn't stay away. I went to that party last night because Lance text me you were there. That was why he and Juan offered to look out for your friends. I wanted to be sure nobody took advantage of you, and maybe, talk to you a little bit.

  “No offense, but I could tell you were pretty inexperienced, and I don't want you to get hurt. A young guy got attacked last year by some dickhead after a party, and I didn't want that to happen to you. That's why I called Ahmed and told him to get that crazy fuck out of your room. What happened with that guy?"

  I didn't want to tell him what happened with Turner, but something in me couldn't keep my mouth shut. "After the puking incident, I wanted him out so I told him I was gay and if he was uncomfortable with it, he should request another roommate. The prick asked me to give him a blow job and when I said no, he kneed me in the eye after he locked us in the shower room. He was prepared to force it, but I didn't back down," I stated proudly.

  Then, something else occurred to me. "Did you date Ahmed?"

  He looked down at his feet, and I had my answer. "Are you still dating him? I don't think he'd be too happy knowing you kissed me, and he's a big son-of-a-bitch."

  "No, no. We dated a couple of years ago for about two weeks while I was tutoring him. It was before he met someone who was interested in something more serious than I was considering with Ahmed. I'm not that guy and he knew it, but we stayed friends. I dated a guy last year for a month, but he transferred to UCLA at the winter break. I saw him a little bit over the summer, but it wasn't anything serious."

  So, to recap, he’s a serial dater who wants nothing serious, not that I’m ready for anything serious, but could I date him…if that’s what he’s proposing anyway…and be fine when it ends in a few weeks? Would we be friends like he is with Ahmed and then I go off and find another guy to date? Where would one even find other guys to date? Lots of questions. Not a fucking clue where to get any answers.

  So, my genius response? "Oh."

  "I know, it makes me sound like a slut but I'm really not. I mean…I don't know what the hell I mean. Anyway, I need your help. Your friends, Amanda and Bryana are currently sleeping in my bed. They were too drunk to tell Lance and Juan where they lived so they brought them to our house. Since they're your friends I gave them my bed and took the couch in the living room. I was hoping you could wake them up and get them to vacate my room so I can get my laptop. I've got a project I need to work on."

  I took my hand from his and looked at him. That was the last thing I expected to hear from him. I thought he was asking me out or something, but he just wanted me to get Bryana and Amanda out of his place? What the fuck was all that other shit?

  I grabbed my phone from my desk and dialed Bryana. When she didn't answer, I called Amanda, knowing she couldn't resist answering her phone. "'Lo?" Her voice was hoarse and I wanted to laugh but I was too pissed off at Andre for the whiplash I was experiencing. I rose from the bed and began pacing.

  "I leave you and Bryana at a frat party with two of the biggest guys I've ever met, and you go home with them? You hooker." I was trying to hold the laugh when I heard the groan over the line.

  "I don't remember what happened. We're…we're in some bedroom somewhere. At least I'm waking up with Bryana and not some strange guy. Where are we?" she asked. I was very worried about the two of them going forward. They were just as fucking naïve as me, but I'd had that illusion shattered by a knee to the eye in the shower room. I could take care of myself. The two of them…not so much.

  "I'll tell you where you are, but new ground rules going forward. You two aren't going to any more parties. I'm not going to any, and if you go without me, I'm calling your dads. I doubt the Right Reverend Burns and Sheriff Wynn would appreciate knowing their virginal daughters were becoming sluts after just a month into their college experience," I teased. Well, kinda.

  "You remember how repressed our lives were in Unionville, don't yo
u? That's why we're rebelling. You should do a little of that yourself, Colt." I glanced at Andre and saw him studying me. I wanted to get him the hell out of my room so I could actually form a coherent thought.

  “I'd love to, but I've got to watch out for you two idiots. Anyway, get out of the man's bed and go to the bus stop at the end of the parking lot. Get the shuttle to bring you back to campus and head to the food court. I'll buy you two hussies lunch. I've got someone I'd like you to meet." I turned away from Andre when I saw his lips thin out.

  "Ugh. Fine. Give us a few minutes. Bye." I hung up and turned to look at Andre.

  I steeled my face to show no emotion…no confusion…no attraction. Well, I hoped I did. "So, problem solved. I need to get going so I don't leave Nick hanging. Thanks for the kiss. It was nice."

  I went to the bathroom and closed the door. I combed my light blonde, curly hair and decided to pull it back because I really needed a haircut. It was bothering the shit out of me, so a ponytail was necessary.

  When I came out of the room, I was sure I'd be alone. Apparently, he had other ideas. "What's the deal with you and Nick?" he asked.

  "I don't see where that's any concern of yours. I'm leaving," I stated firmly. I opened the door and extended my hand for him to leave. He got up, reluctantly, and walked into the hallway. I closed and locked the door and turned to him.

  "Have a great weekend, Coach." I didn't wait for a response. I walked to the stairwell and hurried down it, and I'm proud to say I didn't look back. He could send all the mixed signals he wanted, but I wasn't going to pick up on them. I had ideas about what I didn't want in a boyfriend, and I wouldn't waiver. Andre Dupree made it clear he wasn't the type of guy I was looking for as my first, so it was time to move on.

  Chapter Six

  An Unexpected Date

  with the Swim Coach

  "Babe, these are my friends, Bryana Wynn, Amanda Burns, and Colton Wixsom. Everyone, this is my guy, Damon Jennings." The giant man extended his hand and kissed Bryana's and Amanda's before shaking mine. He was a really good-looking guy, all six-foot, six-inches of him. He smiled at Nick with genuine affection, and I was happy for my new friend.

  Nick and I had been hanging out and he'd prompted me to join an LGBT group on campus. We were making friends there, and I was actually having a really great time. The only dark spot was I hadn't met anyone who I felt was dating material, and I hadn't heard from Andre Dupree all week. I chalked it up to the fact maybe I didn't kiss as well as he'd expected or he figured out I didn't want just a week of fucking, so he didn't bother. I wasn't an easy lay, and I guessed he'd figured it out and decided to forget about me.

  I felt a large hand on my shoulder and turned to see Lance and Juan standing next to us. We were waiting for a table at an Italian place off campus, and I was surprised to see them. "Hey, guys."

  "Ladies, Gents, Undecided," Lance greeted with a bright smile. We all laughed because he was obviously referring to Nick's tight fuchsia shirt and guy liner.

  "You guys want to join us?" It was Amanda, and she was a little too excited for my taste. Suddenly, I felt another hand on my shoulder, and the scent was completely familiar and knee-buckling.

  I turned to see Andre standing there with a smirk on his face. "Squid, introduce us."

  I looked at Amanda and mouthed, "Fuck you." She giggled, as did Bryana.

  "Andre Dupree, Lance O’Day, and Juan Ortiz, this is Nick Tran and Damon Jennings, Nick's boyfriend. Guys, these are three pains in the ass," I introduced.

  Damon laughed. "If it's a pain in the ass, you're not doin' it right. Nice to meet you all," Damon greeted. He was quite the charmer and Nick was definitely charmed.

  "Burns party of eight," the hostess called. I looked at Amanda and saw her face was red and she wasn't meeting my gaze. I'd deal with her later.

  We followed the hostess as she placed menus at each chair around the table. Much to my surprise, Andre pulled out two chairs across from me. "Ladies." After Bryana and Amanda sat down, he sat between them. The fucker knew how to woo the ladies, and I could see they were both under his spell.

  I sat down next to Damon who'd pulled out Nick's chair as Lance pulled out Juan's. I, however, had pulled out my own chair.

  I picked up my menu, ignoring the chatter, especially Andre's scintillating conversation with Bryana and Amanda. I turned to Damon, determined not to let Andre's presence bother me. "So, Damon, how does the season look for you?" I asked. I knew a little about basketball and I knew he was the point guard, so I was sure he and I could have a decent conversation.

  "Pretty good. We've got a couple of Freshmen who hold some promise, but we don't actually start preseason practice for two weeks. We've been doing minicamps all summer. If you want to come with Nick for a game sometime this winter, let me know. I'll get ya tickets," he offered.

  "WHOA! Hang on a minute. Does that count for all of us because I know Juan and I wouldn't mind seeing the KSU game? It's in January, right?" Lance asked.

  After that, I was ignored as Lance, Juan, and Damon began discussing the previous year's season. The waiter walked up and stood behind my chair. "Hello. Welcome to Momma Melina. What can I get everyone to drink, and I'm going to need IDs if anyone is drinking alcohol?”

  Well, I was fucked, yet again. I didn't have a fake ID but I knew Bryana and Amanda did, so I gave them the evil eye. We'd walked to the restaurant, so driving wasn't an issue. The two of them getting hammered and behaving like stupid college girls…that was the crux of the problem as far as I was concerned.

  Everyone except me was scrambling. I saw hands moving under the table. From Andre to Amanda to Nick who laughed, then to Damon who hit me on the leg. I held out my hand and felt him press something into it. I looked down and saw I was suddenly twenty-one. I looked at Andre and saw him wink, which made my heart skip a beat.

  IDs were handed over, and after they were passed back, the waiter smiled. "Okay, so what to drink?"

  A bottle of Soave Tedeschi and Chianti Classico Petroio was ordered, along with two beers. We also ordered appetizers for the table. The waiter left, and I was still surprised at my sudden possession of a fake ID.

  "Ladies, this has been quite lovely but I need to actually move if you don't mind? Lance, can I have your seat? Amanda, if you'll shift over, this can be done without causing a scene." Suddenly, the scrambling began, and when the smoke cleared, Andre was sitting next to me.

  He turned to me and smiled. "If you'd only told me Nick was the boyfriend of the power forward for the Morehouse Tigers, a lot of shit could have been avoided. From here forward, let's be honest with each other, shall we?" I turned to look at him and saw that sexy smile on his face. God, I wasn't going to be able to keep equal footing with him. He completely overwhelmed me.

  Before I could answer, the waiter showed up and opened the wine. After Andre tasted both, it was poured and the waiter disappeared. I'd chosen the red, though I wasn't sure why, but I took a sip and didn't hate it.

  I turned to him and let out a huge breath. "How'd you get me a fake ID? Actually, why did you get me a fake ID?"

  "The how is easy. I asked Bryana to get me a picture of you and called in a favor."

  "Oh, from an old sex partner?" I laughed to myself at my quick retort.

  He snorted a little and chuckled. "No, from the campus extortionist, but it was worth it. The why of it is simple enough. There are things I'd like us to do, and you'll need an ID for a lot of them. It's more selfish than anything else," he responded as he sipped his wine.

  "You made it perfectly fucking clear you're only interested in a short-term fuck-buddy, and while I'm not looking for marriage or anything, I'm also not looking to be a booty call." I’m standing my ground, goddammit.

  "So, are you ready to order?" the waiter asked as the appetizers were delivered.

  After we ordered, the waiter left us again. "Will you excuse us?" Andre asked the group as he jerked my chair away from the table.

  "What?" I ask
ed.

  "We need to talk." He took my hand and dragged me out of the restaurant, much to my surprise.

  Once we were outside, he led me down the block a bit and stopped in the doorway of a jewelry store which was dark. I stood in front of him with my hands shoved into my pockets, waiting.

  "You seem to have gotten the wrong impression from our discussion on Saturday. Have you kissed any more frogs?"

  I weighed my options, and based on what he said earlier, I decided to be honest. "No, not yet. I had high hopes for the weekend."

  "Yeah, well, I do too. Why in the fuck are you so goddamn…" he trailed off before he kissed me again. It was just as wonderful as the first time and I couldn't deny the man had me sprung in record time. When he rubbed his crotch against mine, I felt he was hard as well. Jesus, I’m about to die.

  I pulled away and looked at him, trying to gather my wits. The hold he had on me had me crazy, and I knew in my heart he wouldn't be good for me. I'd walk away from the relationship…ha! It wouldn't be a relationship…I'd walk away from it a broken-hearted fool and I was only eighteen. If longevity was any indication, I was fucked. My grandparents on both sides of the family were still alive, hovering around their seventies, and from eighteen to seventies was a hell of a long time to live with heartbreak.

  "Andre, you are a handsome, sexy man. I'm just me. You could do a lot…" I didn't get to finish that sentence. His mouth sealed over mine, and he kissed me senseless. Our tongues glided together, and we both moaned at the contact. My arms were around his waist, and his were around my neck. We were grinding against each other, and I wasn't able to form a coherent thought to stop it.

  Andre pulled away before I was ready, but when I looked to my left, I saw Lance standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, a grin firmly on his face. "If you plan to eat…food…it's still hot. If you two wanna slip away, I'll bring home your entrees and you can eat later."

  I looked at Andre and hell if I didn't wanna leave, but he laughed as he looked at Lance. "I have some self-control, fucker. We just needed to get a few things straight." He led me back to the restaurant, and my mind was spinning because I didn't know what we needed to get straight or if we'd gotten it straight. I laughed at the term "straight" because we weren't, and well, I was eighteen after all. It was damn near required of me to laugh at that kind of shit.