Taste Test: A Day at the Beach Read online

  Edited by Mychael Black

  Table of Contents

  Nevermore by Addison Albright - 2

  Chasing Sand by Ava Matthews - 10

  Surf's Up by Zoe Nichols - 22

  Author Bios - 30

  Nevermore

  by Addison Albright

  Ted sat cross-legged on the rough, sand-covered beach towel as he watched Madelyn and Harris run toward him, dripping wet, sand covering their little feet. The sun was still high and bright in the western sky and he reached for a bottle of SPF 50 to reapply to their pale skin.

  “Aw, Dad, again?” whined Madelyn.

  Ted laughed at her. “Again and again and again.” He ruffled her hair as she sat down beside him. He squeezed some of the sunblock onto her outstretched hand and she rubbed it onto her legs while Ted worked on her back and arms.

  “Close your eyes, sweetie,” he told her. She did, turning her scrunched up face toward him. He carefully rubbed some of the lotion onto her face and neck, then gave her arm a light squeeze.

  “All done, toots.” He smiled at her. The six-year-old affected a dramatic ‘oh-I-am-so-put-upon’ sigh, and then scooted off to shovel sand into one of the buckets.

  “I can do my own, Dad,” claimed eight-year-old Harris. He was growing up fast and insisted on doing as much as he could on his own.

  Ted winked at him. “Except for your back, kiddo. I’ll do that for you.”

  Harris turned around for him. Ted rubbed the sunblock onto his son’s back, and then handed over the bottle so Harris could finish on his own.

  “Daddy, will you help me build the castle? It keeps breaking.”

  “Your sand is too dry, Maddie. Fill the buckets with water first and dump them out in the sand you’ll be using.” She jumped up and ran back toward the water with a bucket in each hand. Ted smoothed out a base for their castle and Harris joined him to dig the moat that would surround it.

  Madelyn returned with the water buckets and began mixing the sloppy sand. Harris and Madelyn were happily forming sand bricks and building up their castle walls, so Ted lay back on the towel and closed his eyes as he listened to his children chatter.

  “Mr. Rhoads?” It was a young female voice. Damn. Ted sat up to see which of his former students had discovered him. There were two of them. They had been in his third period history class the previous year.

  “Rhonda, Megan, how are you girls? Are you looking forward to high school this fall?” He smiled at them. They’d been good students. They always got their work done, although they did like to prattle on in class when they were supposed to be working together on group projects -- typical eighth-grade girls.

  “Yeah,” replied Rhonda. “Sort of. It’s kinda scary, you know?”

  “You girls don’t have anything to worry about. You’re both excellent students. Are you enjoying your summer break?”

  “Oh, yeah, lots!” Rhonda spoke up again. “We love the beach. Megan’s dad brought us here today.” She glanced over at the man. He was standing a little behind Ted, out of his range of vision.

  Ted stood up and turned, putting out his hand, to introduce himself. “Hello, I’m Ted Rhoads. Pleased to…” He froze. Oh, shit. There was a reason he drove an hour each way to a neighboring city when he felt like cutting loose for an occasional night of fun and debauchery -- and it was standing right in front of him with a knowing, shit-eating grin spreading across his face. It wasn’t quite the same as the grin the man had been wearing just last night.

  ***

  Ted felt loose as he danced with the lanky redhead. The crowd was rowdy that night. The song was wild and his dancing untamed. His dark brown hair was gelled and spiked, and dark eyeliner edged his soft brown eyes. His low-riding jeans were worn and snug. His red T-shirt hugged his lean torso tightly. His underwear was nonexistent. He wasn’t Ted Rhoads here -- he was simply Raven.

  When the song ended, Ted wove his way through the thick crowd to the bar. He found an empty bar stool and sat down.

  “Another ginger ale, hun?” Wayne was huge, hairy, and called everyone ‘hun.’

  “Thanks, Wayne.” Ted smiled at him, then turned and looked around the dance floor, still hoping to see Caesar tonight. Caesar was his favorite hookup. He was three inches taller than Ted at six feet, with short, dark blond hair and deep blue eyes. But he didn’t seem to be there.

  Ted sighed and turned back to cover his tab when Wayne returned with his drink. The ginger ale was cold and Ted downed it quickly. He never drank when he came here. He had a long drive back home and it would be bad enough for him, as a teacher, to get pulled over for a DUI even without being dressed like this. He also preferred to keep his wits about him when he was making decisions regarding sex. It was too easy to get lax on safety when drinking. That was always a factor in his hookup decisions, too -- he never left with a drunk.

  Ted felt a hand at his shoulder. He turned and Eddie was standing there with a smile. “Dance, Raven?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  Eddie would be a good fall-back if Caesar didn’t show up. He smiled at the man, who was so much like himself except for his lighter coloring. Eddie took his hand and led him out onto the floor. The song had a solid beat and Ted once again lost himself in the dance. His movements were abandoned and free. He didn’t have a care in the world -- he was Raven. No ex-wife to deal with, no rowdy school kids or their parents, just Raven and the music, which always ended too quickly. Eddie gave him a quick, hard kiss when the dance ended, then a wink before they separated to search out new partners.

  Ted made his way to the edge of the dance floor and looked around. He saw a man staring at him from the other side -- tall and muscular, just like Ted preferred. The man smiled at Ted. Ted smiled back and started to walk around the room to join him when he heard a voice, low and sensual, right behind him.

  “I was hoping you’d be here tonight.” That voice always sent a jolt straight to his prick.

  “Caesar.” Ted turned around and smiled. “Always good to see you, babe.”

  “Darling, you are breathtaking as always.” Caesar looked him up and down with a saucy grin spreading across his face. “Shall we dance?”

  “Of course.” Ted put out his hand. Caesar took it and led him to the middle of the floor. Ted’s dancing turned more sensual with Caesar, and Caesar pulled him in close so their bodies rubbed as they danced. Ted closed his eyes. His arms went up around Caesar’s neck and Caesar held him snug against his body. Caesar’s hands moved down to Ted’s ass and gave his cheeks a squeeze. Ted ground his pelvis so Caesar could feel his hard-on.

  Ted felt Caesar’s chuckle vibrate across his broad chest, but heard the low voice at his ear. “Is that for me?”

  Ted smiled and nibbled at Caesar’s neck. “It’s all yours, babe.”

  The music changed and a slow song started. Caesar tightened his embrace and Ted found himself molded against Caesar’s powerful frame. He nipped and licked along Caesar’s neck while Caesar kneaded his ass cheeks. He could feel Caesar’s arousal pressing back against him and knew this would be their last dance. They were going to be bouncer bait if they didn’t stop, and neither one of them wanted to stop.

  When the song ended Caesar smiled down at him. “Comin’ home with me, sweetheart?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Ted grinned. “Let’s go, babe. Did you drive here tonight?”

  “Yeah. Just follow me -- you know the way.”

  Caesar didn’t let go of Ted’s hand until they were outside in the parking lot, and then he gave Ted a quick kiss before they got into their separate cars to drive over to Caesar’s apartment. They walked up to the second floor landing and Caesar let them in and locked the door behi
nd them.

  Ted had been there numerous times in the past. Caesar was a regular and much-welcomed hookup. He was clean, he always played safe, and the sex was phenomenal. They passed through the living room and down the hall to the bedrooms. Caesar’s room was at the end. There was a second bedroom along the way, but the door was always closed.

  His bedroom was simple and masculine. The king-sized bed had an iron frame and a simple blue spread already pulled back, revealing the clean sheets underneath. Caesar opened up the top drawer of his dresser and pulled out a couple of condoms and a bottle of lube. He tossed them on the bed as Ted toed off his shoes and pulled off his socks and T-shirt. Caesar lost no time catching up and pulling Ted back into his arms.

  Ted immediately met Caesar in a hungry kiss. He cupped Caesar’s face as their mouths pressed together and Ted’s tongue sought the welcoming heat of Caesar’s. Ted moved his hands around to the back of Caesar’s neck and head as Caesar’s hands slid down to the fastenings of Ted’s jeans. Ted’s cock was full and pressing hard against his zipper. He groaned as Caesar released him. His jeans fell to his ankles and he stepped out of them.

  Ted pressed his torso against Caesar’s broad, hairy chest, rubbing against him and relishing in the abrasion across his raised nipples. Caesar’s hands were on Ted’s ass, mashing him against the hard bulge in his jeans. Ted ground his aching cock against him, shamelessly humping before breaking the kiss and stepping back to drop to his knees and unbutton Caesar’s jeans.

  Ted opened them up, slowly, one button at a time, and then carefully pulled the jeans and briefs down to Caesar’s knees. Caesar’s cock felt heavy in Ted’s hand as he nuzzled at its base then took one of Caesar’s balls into his mouth. Caesar groaned and twisted his fingers in Ted’s spiked hair. When Ted brought his mouth back up to lap the underside of Caesar’s cock, Caesar started pumping his hips and scrunching his fingers in Ted’s hair.

  Ted released him and leaned back to pull Caesar’s pants the rest of the way down. Caesar stepped out of them and looked down at Ted. “Raven… on the bed -- hands and knees.”

  Oh, fuck, yes. Ted climbed onto the middle of the bed and into position. He spread his knees apart and felt Caesar moving behind him. He heard first the crinkle of the condom wrapper, and then a pause before the snap of the lube top. Ted felt the cool wetness of the lube as Caesar applied it at his entrance, and then pressure and a slight burn as first one finger, and then two penetrated him.

  Ted groaned and pushed back against Caesar’s hand. Caesar’s other hand was all over -- his ass, his back, his shoulders -- massaging his muscles. Then the hands were gone and the pressure Ted felt at his entrance was Caesar’s cock as he lined up. A warm hand was back at Ted’s hip and he relaxed as Caesar slowly pressed in, until he was full, and he could feel Caesar’s balls against him.

  Caesar’s hands moved up Ted’s back to knead his shoulders before trailing back down to grasp his hips. Caesar moaned as he pulled back then plunged in with a grunt. He gave Ted’s hips a squeeze and set up a rhythm, pumping into him. Ted groaned and rocked back. His prick was aching and dripping, but he didn’t want to touch it -- not yet.

  “Oh, fuck -- Caesar -- babe -- damn.”

  Caesar grunted and thrust forcefully. He stabbed at Ted’s prostate and Ted cried out. “You like that, Raven?”

  “Oh, fuck.”

  Caesar jabbed Ted’s gland again. Ted dropped to his elbows and moaned. Caesar squeezed Ted’s hips then reached around to pump Ted’s aching prick. “Fuck yes, you like it.” Caesar kept one hand on Ted’s hip as he continued to thrust and trailed his other hand up Ted’s tight abs to his nipples. He pinched one and gave it a twist.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Ted chanted. The intense sensations in his nipple shot straight to his prick. Caesar groaned and pounded into him. Caesar’s hand moved back down to Ted’s cock and pumped him.

  Ted felt Caesar’s body fold down across his back and he heard the low voice growl in his ear. “Now, sweetheart. Come for me.”

  He gave Ted’s cock a squeeze and Ted shot. Hot come spurted over Caesar’s hand and onto the sheets. Ted moaned as his cock jerked in Caesar’s hand and his ass tightened around Caesar’s cock.

  “Oh, fuck yes, Raven.” Caesar moved both hands to Ted’s hips and his thrusts turned erratic. He grunted and thrust in deep. Ted felt Caesar’s cock pulse in his ass as he came with a roar.

  They held there a moment as their breathing calmed and their cocks softened, and then Caesar pulled out and tossed the condom. They rolled to the side and Caesar pulled Ted into his arms. He petted Ted’s back and kissed his forehead, and then around the side of his face to his mouth. They kissed softly with their legs tangled and their arms wrapped loosely around each other. Then Caesar pulled back and looked into Ted’s eyes.

  “Will tonight be the night, Raven?”

  Ted sighed. He was pretty sure he knew what was coming. “The night for what, Caesar?”

  “The night you finally give me your phone number.”

  Ted was silent for a moment. He wished it was just that easy, but it wasn’t. “I’m sorry, Caesar. If I was going to tell anyone, it would be you, babe. But I can’t. I just can’t.”

  Caesar just sighed and held him tighter.

  Ted whispered, “I look for you.”

  “I know. I look for you, too.”

  ***

  It wasn’t quite the same as the grin the man had been wearing just last night. No, last night the grin had been full of desire, and then contentment. Now it was what -- amusement? It was certainly a cat-that-ate-the-cream grin. At least Caesar now knew why Ted had guarded his privacy with such tenacity, although even Ted hadn’t known that Caesar’s own daughter had been in one of his classes last year. Hell, he hadn’t known that Caesar had a daughter anymore than Caesar had known about his own two children.

  Jesus, he remembered he was standing there frozen in mid-sentence. He coughed to cover for the gap. “Hello, I’m Ted Rhoads,” he repeated. “Pleased to meet you.”

  Caesar took his proffered hand and shook it warmly. “I’m pleased to meet you, Ted,” he replied. “I’m Caesar Edwards, Megan’s father.” Jesus, his name really was Caesar. Ted had thought that was as fake as Raven.

  “Are those your kids, Mr. Rhoads?” Megan asked.

  Harris and Madelyn looked up. “Oh. Uh, yeah. Girls, these are my children, Harris and Madelyn. Kids, please meet Rhonda and Megan, they were in my class last year, and Megan’s father, Mr. Edwards.”

  The kids all smiled at each other and said a simple ‘hi.’ Caesar expanded on that. “Good afternoon, Harris and Madelyn. Are you enjoying your day at the beach?”

  Madelyn piped up, “Yeah, my dad teached me how to swim, and we’re making a sand castle.”

  “Oh, can we help you?” asked Rhonda.

  Everyone looked at Ted. “Sure,” he said as he smiled at them. “Go ahead, have fun.”

  The girls joined Harris and Madelyn. With the kids’ attention occupied by their project, Ted turned back to face Caesar. They sat down together on the towel and spoke softly.

  “You know I didn’t plan this, right?” asked Caesar. “I didn’t even realize it was you until you sat up and answered Rhonda.”

  “I know. I’m kinda glad, though. Now you know I haven’t been blowing you off without a reason.”

  “You know, don’t you, that the school can’t fire you or treat you any differently just because you’re gay, even if it’s fairly common knowledge.”

  “I know, but there are a lot of very conservative parents around here. They could certainly make things difficult for me.”

  “Maybe, maybe not -- but is it worth it? That closet is pretty dark.”

  “I know,” Ted sighed. “It’s very dark sometimes.”

  “And your ex-wife -- I’m assuming there’s an ex-wife involved here somewhere -- she wouldn’t have a leg to stand on either if she tried to use it in a custody battle.”

  “I know. She’s not a ba
d person. I don’t think she’d try to take them completely away from me. I don’t think she’d really try to turn the kids against me or anything, either.”

  “So, why the big, gloomy closet, then?”

  Ted pondered the question for a moment and then sighed. “I guess it’s not any one thing, but more a combination of everything put together. It just seemed so overwhelming. I’ve felt pretty alone.”

  “You don’t have to be alone, Ted.” Caesar smiled at him. “It’s pretty bright and sunny out here. I can’t say there haven’t been some battles to fight, or that you won’t have any -- only that it’s worth it, sweetheart.”

  “I want to come out. I really do.” Ted paused. “Caesar, does Megan know about you? Is she okay with it?”

  “Yeah, she knows. She’s known since she was young enough to not really understand it. As she’s grown older, there have been a few questions, but yeah, she’s okay with it.”