~*~Tracie~*~
"That was amazing gobs of fun." I was still laughing miles down the road.
"I’m so glad you are happy. You were great. You got me a great deal."
"I can’t take credit. You’re idea. I caught that look you threw me when he called me your wife. I just took it from there."
"We make a great team." He plowed onto the highway, "I love this car! I love this car! I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!" He was screaming.
I put my hair in a twist as we hit 75 mph. The stereo was blaring. Kevin was in heaven. That made me very happy. "Where are we going?"
He turned down the radio, "Clearwater. Can not have a car like this and not go to the beach. There’s a great seafood restaurant right on the water for the dinner I owe you, then I figured we could hang out on Pier 60, and the beach. I love sunset at the beach. I haven’t been there in a long long time."
"Me either. Great idea. Actually, I haven’t ever been to a beach." I almost flew out of the car when Kevin pulled into the emergency lane. "What the fuck?"
"You’ve never been to the beach?"
I shrank into the seat, "No. Well, in New York, but it’s not really a beach. I settled in Orlando. That’s the closest I’ve been."
"That is disgusting. We’re definitely fixing that." He put it in first gear then looked over, "Wanna drive?"
I smiled and hopped out of the car. I drove us to the restaurant. I loved this car. It handled great and speed is a wonderful thing.
~*~Kevin~*~
Where did we miss that she had never been to the beach? Screwed that one up. I love the beach. I guess I figured that since she worked at a pool relaxing on a beach wouldn’t really be relaxing. Didn’t even think to ask. Clearwater is a good first beach. I’d think on this.
We were seated immediately at a table in the farthest corner of the deck over the beach. While she went to the restroom I ordered wine and some appetizers. She came back and had taken her hair down. Looked kinda cute all wind blown. The wine came, "This is a good Florida beach. Not the best, not the worst."
"This is gorgeous. Sunsets are my favorite. What’s the best? This wine is good."
"Thank you. I don’t know. I’m thinking about the best. We might have to explore that one. I feel shitty that you’ve never been to the beach. I just assumed. Everyone has been to the beach."
"Sorry. I’m a loser." She was laughing.
"Na, I’d never marry a loser. Well, twice anyway." More laughing.
Dinner was great. Tracie went for steak and lobster tail, and I did all you can eat crab legs. We shared. We finished off the wine and headed out to the beach. The sun was just hitting the water. I led her out to the waters edge, the dry sand and sat down, "This is my favorite time."
"I love the color of the sky at sunset, the water just makes it better. This is great. Must come back and spend all day here. I think I could watch the waves hit the sand all day. And the sound. It’s so loud. It’s amazing. Thank you."
We sat there awhile before I pulled her up, "Let’s get away from the lights of the Pier, it’ll get dark fast. The water kind of glows. I wish it was a full moon. That’s the best." We walked about a mile down the beach before it was dark, there weren’t many people on the beach. Tracie kicked off her shoes and headed to the water. We had been walked on the hard packed sand, now we were in the water. She was kicking it up and watching the waves roll across her feet. "Fascinated?"
She broke out of her trance, "A little. It’s kind of a spiritual thing. Peaceful. One with the universe. Watching the footprints disappear. It’s a very sensual experience. Sight, sound, smell, touch."
"Exactly. I feel that way about the mountains too. Beach is second, but a very close second."
"I can see that. Best of both worlds." We walked along quietly for a little while. Both of us thinking. "Kev, ready to head back?"
"Yeah." We turned around and headed back. I put my arm around her shoulder.
"Thanks for dinner." She put her arm around my waist.
"I owed you big. One dinner doesn’t cut it."
"Maybe the beach though."
"Nowhere near."
~*~Tracie~*~
We were about half way back when I spoke again, "Penny for your thoughts." I can’t explain it, but I could ‘feel’ him drifting off.
"I am happier right this second than I have been in . . . years, I think."
"Good."
"Very good. I have so much right now. A career I only dreamed of. A set of friends that I work with, and can count on to support me and kick my ass. Enough money to take care of my family, friends, and get me the car I want. A great house. The freedom to be creative. A best friend who I love to spend time with even doing nothing. It’s all fun."
"Thank you. I know what you mean though. I’m not sure it gets much better than this. Talking with you, hanging out. Parties, friends. People I love all around me. And that love me."
"Now if we could just find long term mates." He laughed, "You know, I don’t know that I want that anymore. At least right now."
"Kevin, don’t do that to yourself. Things aren’t even final yet."
He was shaking his head, "I know. That’s not a sad thing. I mean that things are good. Sure, I want all that, but I’m not gonna rush it, or push it, or even try to find it. It’ll find me. For now, I’m content. That’s a good feeling. If I need a date for something, I always have you. I could do a lot worse."
I kicked his ass behind me, "You certainly could. I am always up for dinner, dancing, movie. And it’s pretty cool to be the envy of all the ladies with you nearby."
He kicked my ass, "Yeah, the jealousy factor when the men think you’re with me is pretty damned gratifying. And getting laid when you’re a Backstreet Boy isn’t hard."
We were laughing as we got in the car, "Neither of us have problems getting those sexual needs met. I don’t mean that badly."
He closed my door and walked around to the driver’s side, "I know. Me either. We enjoy each other’s company and we’re single. I love you, you’re my best friend. Sex is sex. It can be more, it can be less. I don’t have the trust for it to be more."
"I hope you get that trust back. Hell, I hope we both find what we want. No matter what we have each other. Ok, enough serious shit. Crank up the volume and lets jam."
"Trace, I meant what I said. I am happy. Very happy. I refuse to feel slighted when the only thing I’m missing is a girlfriend. That’s bullshit."
"Kevlyn, I agree. I’ve always felt that way. When you’re not looking is when you run into the good stuff."
He glared at me, "Why didn’t you pass this knowledge onto me, how to be happy without looking."
"Something you have to learn yourself. I am simply more evolved than you."
"You are simply more full of shit than me. Which I didn’t know was possible."
I found an all 80’s station and we sang and laughed all the way back to my house. It was nearly four in the morning when we got there. It was always four in the morning when we had our best talks and most fun. This had been a great night.
~*~Kevin~*~
It had been a great night. It hit me again exactly how blessed I was, and how happy I felt. I guess I didn’t realize how unhappy I’d been lately. So realizing I was happy felt great. I want to keep this feeling. Keep the happy. I wanted to go home and let it all sink in, finish thinking it to death. "I’ll call you tomorrow. Will you go with me to pick up the SUV? I’ll even let you drive the Z back to my house."
"Woo hoo! Can’t resist that one. Night, Kevlyn."
"Night, Trace."
We met in the middle for our normal hug and kiss. That’s where normal stopped. We both backed up and stopped a few inches from each other. My eyes caught hers. We moved together again. Next thing I know one of our mouths opened, one of our tongues touched the others’, one of us put their arms around the other, then our tongues are rolling over each other. I have no idea how long this lasted, but I don’t think it was nearly long enough.
We backed up again and stared at each other. Tracie’s fingers were touching her bottom lip, like she was checking to see if it was still there. She licked her lips, "I’ll talk to you tomorrow." She was out of the car and in the apartment before I realized I wasn’t at my house.
