The last few months have been a dry spell for my personal life. Over the past year, I've been out on dates with guys who are really smart to the point that they're snobby, really hot guys who are complete narcissist, a few who are appealing on the outside but have nothing inside their heads, and one that was more into the hot-hook-up-night scene than an actual relationship.
Knowing that I'd be home for the summer before classes start again in the fall, I secured a job with a local family friend to open and work the morning shift at his workshop during the week, then work at least one afternoon and close and the weekend. Coming back home after such a demanding semester is a great change of pace, especially because my parents hired a new pool guy to come by every Tuesday and Friday to clean the pool.
I don't think they realized that hiring such a handsome, young, strong, attractive man is just what I need after my weirdo dating spree. I've been home about a week and a half and haven't gotten the chance to talk to him yet but any time I get the opportunity, I sneak a glance and watch (gawk is probably a more accurate description) him scoop leaves and twigs from the water, change the filters, test the ph levels; anything really. The best part is that this summer is reported to be one of the hottest this area has experienced in decades, and he consequently spends more time shirtless than with it on.
One day as I get back from my shift, I pull in at the house and head inside, grabbing a cold bottle of water from the fridge. Out of the corner of my eye I notice something in the backyard and turn to see Aquaman (as I nicknamed him in my head). He is typically gone for the day before I get home from work and seize the opportunity.
I removed my work uniform shirt, leaving myself in just a soft blue camisole, clean up and tighten the high ponytail on my head, grab two more frosty waters from the fridge, and head outside.
The warm concrete of the back patio has a strange calming affect on my nerves as I stand under the awning and call out "Hey. It looks like you could use some fresh water out here," innocently smiling as he sets down the net and comes around the pool to me.
"Thanks," he says, a masculine gravelly tone in his voice. After a rather long gulp, he lowers the bottle, extending a hand and tells me "I'm Everett. I'm the summer pool cleaning guy,".
I can feel the blood creeping up into my cheeks as he speaks, and reply, taking his burly, warm, tender hand in mine "Thea,". I watch his eyes as he tries to hide that he's looking me over, tracing my figure.
By no means would I say that I'm a stand-out beauty or have modeling potential, but I do take care of myself and make it a point to keep myself in shape. I have a large B, at times small C cup, set on my chest and I consider myself thin, in more of a healthy and fit manner than a sickly way. My legs are, at least in my opinion, my best feature, having been an avid runner for as long as I remember.
Now that I'm seeing Everett closer than usual, I see the muscled silhouette, the thin layer of perspiration glistening on his tan skin, his dark oak hair, and warm mocha brown eyes. I don't know what I'm trying to say next, but I know I'm stammering as I do so, almost intimidated by his manly beauty. I'm pretty sure he can sense that he's making me nervous because I can see the hints of a smirk on his very smooth lips.
"So, your mom and dad have told me about you," he says.
I wince replying "Nothing too embarrassing I hope."
"No, no, no," he chuckles "Just that you were a big soccer player growing up and a track star in high school before you had an injury that kept you on the bench for the rest of the season."
Blushing a little again, relieved by the short synopsis, I explain "Yeah, I got my foot caught in a weird sink hole thing stepping off the track one day and tore a couple of ligaments. The surgery was quick, but the physical therapy kept me out of competition for a number of months."
Everett subtly, though I still notice, checks me out again and mentions, "But your back to running?" taking in more water.
"Yeah" I answer, feeling a bit more confident, "I try to get three or four miles in before work, then six on Saturday and Sunday."
I learn that his mom had an early doctor appointment this morning and her ride fell through so driving her there and back is what made him late today.
"Well, I should probably be getting back to..." and points toward the pool "But really, thanks for the waters."
Smiling, I nod and turn to leave when I hear "Nice dragonfly by the way."
I twist around to see the tattoo I had forgotten I got on my waist and say "Hey, thanks. Mom used to tell me dragonflies were magic and took your wishes to the wishing stars when I was young. I always liked the idea and I never wanted to forget so when I turned 18..." gesturing to the winged critter "ta daaaa!"
He flashes a heart racing smile, amused by my story, and gets back to work. Again, I turn toward the house and head in, feeling myself smile like a giddy child and biting the corner of my lip.
******
After a few more flirty run-ins with him in the hot afternoon summer heat, I couldn't tell you what's come over me, but Everette is all I can think about. Blame it on my single status, blame it seasonal atmosphere, blame it on a very twisted cosmic force driving my hormones crazy; all I know is every time I pass a window and see him by the pool or walk through the house and see him talking with my parents, I can't help but smile, and all of my blood can't seem to go anywhere but my cheeks, though some dives in the opposite direction!
One particular day is exceptionally hot and rather humid thanks to last night's humungo thunderstorm. The rain was so bad that there was some kind of water leak or flooding at my grandparent's house and Pops only found it this morning when he went down there to pull out that new tea brand his doctor recommended he start drinking a month ago! They called this morning so my parents are up there now, about three hours west, and said they're likely to be back late tonight, or might even stay the night and be back tomorrow.
Having had my morning coffee before my early run, I am happily wide awake, and notice a certain store opening as I go past. Reaching the end of the block, I recall a particular email I received the day before about a certain weekend sale event, then recall Everette's shapely toned figure, and circle back.
Thirty minutes later, I leave, a dainty yellow shopping bag in hand, and begin my trip back home.
******
I take a quick shower and pull on this morning's purchase; a retro high-waisted bikini set with a squared red top and black bottoms with white polka dots. I also throw on a pair of jean short shorts that typically require a belt to sit on my hips but today happen to hang a little low, showing off a polka dot or two...or six.
Downstairs in the kitchen, I stir up a fresh pitcher of cold ice-tea, setting it on a tray with a few empty glasses, secretly thanking my dad in my head for making take that waitressing job back in high school. I balance everything on one hand then walk to the back doors.
Stepping out, the humidity hits me like a stone wall right away, the already chilly drink jug now sweating bullets. The sight of Everette shirtless almost stops me in my tracks! I recover a calm demeanor as quick as I can and call out "Hey, I thought you might like a fresh, cold drink out here". Turning, he flashes that great smile that wakes up the butterflies in my stomach and stirs up things between my thighs.
Everette puts down the pool net, having cleaned most of the debris from the storm out of the water, and steps toward me. Taking a glass from the tray, I offer "Here, let me..."and I fill his cup of tea, ice escaping the pitcher, splashing him a teensy bit. I pour a glass for myself and set the tea on our patio table in the shade in case he wants more. Then I walk over to the poolside, crouching down, and swishing the water around with my fingers. "How is it that the pool is so much cooler than the rest of the outdoors, despite all the heat today?" I call back to him. Standing, I step back over, plucking a cube from the pitcher and rubbing it first slowly on the back of my neck, then continue the gradual ice-rub all over my neck, rubbing the last of the rapidly melting cube along my collar as he tries to remember why.