This is a continuation of my experiences from my first year out of College. There are references to the previous story but aren't necessary to enjoy this story. I hope you enjoy.
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It was the first week of June and it was beginning to look like it would be a long hot summer. My friend Tomas was gone until Labor Day and I had no prospects for a girlfriend. I thought about making a booty call to an old girlfriend but I was afraid my visit would be misinterpreted.
Work was getting grueling and I was thankful Friday had finally rolled around. All I had to do was last 8 hours. I poured myself a cup of java and sat down at my desk. I didn't have any plans for the weekend but I knew I would come up with something.
That morning Ben, one of the VPs I often took to the airport etc. came in and said, "Hi, how would you like to help me launch my new sailboat today?" He had just purchased a large sailboat and he was eager to get on the water.
"I'd love to, but will the office let me off with no notice?" Since I was new I didn't like asking for favors.
"I'll take care of that." Inside of an hour I had changed and was waiting in front of my apartment for him. He pulled up, his boat followed. Andy, another executive who was also going along followed along in his company car. I hopped in the truck with Ben and we were off to the lake.
The lake was 90 minutes away and Ben talked about how excited he was and how much he planned to use the boat this summer. The boat had a small cabin with a berth and kitchenette. It was almost self-contained.
"This should be a real babe magnet for you, huh?" I said
"Sure enough, but I don't have much problem finding women even without the boat." Ben was handsome, he was in his mid 30's (which seemed old to me at the time). "Are you interested in women?" He asked.
I was taken aback with his question. Why would he ask that? Did he know something? I had been very careful to conceal my relationship with Tomas, but did I slipup somewhere? "Well yea!" I stated a little too defensively. "Why would you ask that?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I simply had not seen you with a woman and thought you might swing in another direction." "It's ok if you do, I don't judge. I've had friends who were gay and I've even taken a 'side trip' or two with a man during dry spells."
My mouth had suddenly gone dry and I took a long drink of my Coke. My mind was racing. Should I come clean? Should I deny? What would be the consequences of my answer? "Well I consider my self sexually flexible." I said swallowing hard and watching for his reaction. "But I keep my dalliances quiet for fear of the rumor mill." We lived in a pretty small and conservative Kansas town and I didn't want to be a topic of discussion.
"You have nothing to fear with me." Ben said. "People who live in glass houses ... as they say."
The conversation became somewhat awkward after that and I couldn't wait to get to the lake and launch this thing.
When we finally arrived at the lake I jumped out and helped launch his big beautiful new sailboat. I was glad there were three of us because it took all of us to get it out in the water and it took an hour or so.
"OK guys, jump in and let's see what it's like 'underway'!" Ben said.
"Oh, I can't." "I promised my wife I would pickup the children from day care and by the time I get back into town it will be time." Andy said.
"Well, would you like to stay? It's still early and we can get in some sailing. I'll be heading back in the morning and you can ride along with me." Ben asked.
Without giving it enough consideration I answered. "Sure, that sounds like fun." I immediately wondered if I had made a mistake, considering our brief conversation in the truck.
Andy said his goodbyes and left. Ben and I boarded his new boat and without much effort we were underway.
The wind was just right and we were gliding across the water. It was still early enough that there wasn't much traffic on the lake and we felt like we owned it.
