Chapter 40: Coming Down the Mountain
Despite only being in the Eastern Time Zone for an afternoon and evening, I still woke early. Who knows? Maybe I’m somehow immune to jet lag. Or maybe I just couldn’t sleep without Riley’s furry tummy rising and falling against mine as the sun came up.
As expected, my love was softly - and adorably - snoring as I quietly slipped out of our bed to splash some water on my face and dampen my recently trimmed curls.
Corey’s contented slumber was fine with me because I had decided I really needed some quality one-on-one time with Grandma. I pulled on a fresh pair of tighty-whities and started my trek down to the kitchen.
My stroll through the villa’s outdoor spaces quickly confirmed that our early morning ocean views were every bit as spectacular as the ones from the evening before. I paused along the railing to take in the panorama. From the rays of light beginning to brush the tops of the hills and cays around us, I guessed that the sun was just starting to peek up over the far eastern shore of the island.
To my surprise and delight, when I finally made it to my destination I found that Grandpa Joe and Grandma Laura had already emerged from their suite and seemed to be waiting for me, coffee in hand - in the still-sleeping kitchen.
Joe immediately bellowed out his morning greeting as soon as I entered their coffee-sipping sanctuary in my traditional morning attire. “Ollie! I absolutely love how openly your new family lives their lives. Your father would have probably fainted seeing you walking through the house with nothing but your undies on!”
My lurd, I’m pretty sure I just saw my grandmother smirk. “Come on, Joe. There are only two reasons why that man was so uptight about nudity. He was either a closet case himself.” She took her husband’s arm as she started chuckling. “Or he was very insecure about how he filled out his own undies.”
My blush threatened to burn my ears more than the tropical sun ever could. Before I could stop any additional awkward commentary, Grandpa Joe gave a knowing smirk of his own.
“According to our recently revived Susan, it was probably a little of both.”
Then, looking directly at me, he added, “Ollie, you’d be an amazing man no matter what, but your soon-to-be Detective Kevin was right yesterday. It seems you inherited more than a few key genes from our side of the family.”
That’s all I could handle. “Well guys, I’m going back up to our bedroom to soak my brain with bleach until the memory of this conversation fades away. I mean, I was gonna start cooking breakfast with Grandma, but right now I don’t think I could even scramble water without burning it.
Grandma rushed over and hugged me before I could even think about leaving the room. “Ollie, you’re just so much like your mother was before Richard - it makes my heart swell with joy. I’m sure you have no idea, but please believe us. It’s not just your new dads and husband who are helping you live more openly; Susan was always a free spirit too. And we love seeing that bloom in you.”
I hugged her tightly back. “Did she tell you about our final goodbye after the reception?”
Grandpa Joe beamed brighter than the sun rising outside our villa. “Ollie, you probably also have no idea how happy you made her. She was in a very dark place after your confrontation with Richard last year. Laura and I had a very hard time convincing her - and Jordan - to come to your wedding. She just wouldn’t accept that she deserved to be there. Or that you would even want her there.”
Laura concluded our unplanned emotional conversation. “Ollie, YOU brought our daughter back to us, and we can never thank you enough. We haven’t seen Susan this happy since the day you were born. She told us about your offer to be her best man, and I have a feeling she’ll be taking you up on that before this time next year.”
I couldn’t stop a few tears from falling after that little reveal - and I didn’t even try. I just looked at two of the people I cherished most and started directing our morning tasks despite my watering eyes.
“Grandpa Joe, please show me where the coffee mugs and sugar are, and Grandma Laura - do you want eggs and bacon duty, or would you rather be responsible for hash browns and pancakes?”
I was wrapped in a warm hug between them before anyone could take my commands too seriously.
Our wonderful embrace was interrupted by Kevin and Anna as they sleepily padded their way into the kitchen, yawning and stretching as they entered the room. Joe quickly called out, “Kevin! After all this time of being part of this family… you’re still sporting baggy boxers?”
Grandpa shot me a mischievous look. “Ollie, isn’t he about Corey’s waist size?”
Noting Kevin’s barely amused smirk, Grandpa Joe quickly added, “Hey, you wanted to gather evidence on what I’m working with, so it’s only fair if I wanna investigate the same about you.”
Lurd… yeah. It was gonna take a lot of bleach…
****
With our first villa breakfast unanimously declared a success and happily on the books, we all briefly retreated to our rooms to ready our backpacks for our first beach excursion. Anna, Laura, and Ted were in charge of packing the drinks for the day along with our picnic lunch. Everyone else was responsible for towels, beach chairs, and plenty of sunscreen.
I assumed that all the day’s drama was already behind us with my unexpected heart-to-heart with my mother’s parents. But as soon as we assembled in Hakuna’s parking lot to start loading the Jeeps, I slowly began to realize that the real spectacle was only about to start.
Chris confidently took command of our excited little beach caravan. “Okay y’all, as everyone knows, Ted and I have been here a few times before, and we’ve had plenty of time to adjust to what St. John loosely labels ‘roads’ - or in this case, even ‘highways.’”
His expression shifted into something I’d seen many times before… Chris the Showman was about to take center stage. “So listen, there are three ways to get down this over-sized hill to enjoy those amazing North Shore beaches we’ve been admiring from our mountaintop roost. And two of them are basically the same.”
He offered his first smirk of the morning before continuing. “We can either be good boys and girls like Mr. Dale suggested and take Centerline Road all the way back into Cruz Bay, then drive all the way back out along North Shore Road to eventually reach Hawksnest and Cinnamon Beaches.”
Chris dramatically grimaced and shook his head. “Or we can continue on Centerline east to where it finally meets the far end of North Shore Road. Both of those options mean at least forty minutes of slow, curvy driving - both ways - and that’s a lot of lost time every day.”
He gave a second head shake and grimace before…
Oh my Riley! My Dad Two had an evil smirk every bit as mischievous as his son’s.
“Or,” he said with a wink directed squarely at me - one that was obviously intended as a wicked dare instead of the gentle glimmer of his usual well-ordered, fatherly demeanor - “we can take the road our villa just happens to be on, which I swear really is called ‘highway’ 206, and be down to Cinnamon Bay in less than ten thrilling minutes.”
He masterfully scanned our reactions like the professional he was. “Before we commit, I need a sincere show of hands. Because… this won’t be a journey for the weak, the meek - or the sane.”
I honestly wasn’t sure if he added that last part for comedy or drama. But I was absolutely sure he was finally about to reveal the purpose of his most recent secret plan - the one I was convinced I had uncovered yesterday. I quietly anticipated that we were about to discover why he had insisted we rent all-wheel-drive vehicles.
Everyone - including my anxiously skeptical self - pensively voted in favor of following Chris and discovering exactly what traversing the forbidden parts of Highway 206 - those past Justin Dale’s stern warning - really meant.
After the vote easily went his way, Chris gentled his eyes, took my arm, and gave me a smile that finally allowed his face to morph back into one of his most fatherly looks. “Ollie, please don’t get too upset or too nervous about being a ‘bad boy’ this morning, but I’m going to need you to ride with me, Ted, and Laura.”
He looked over to Grandpa Joe. “Joe, I’ll need you and Kevin to back Corey up for this first trip - without his sweet pup distracting him.”
Returning his loving gaze to my totally nonplussed face, he tried his best to explain his mandate. “Ollie, I know you and Corey are perfect soulmates, but I also understand that you’ll always be his biggest concern.”
I couldn’t believe he thought his statement was important enough to actually cup my cheek with his hand for emphasis. Still, I decided I liked his dramatic presentation and just let him go with it.
“And I don’t want him to be distracted by thinking about protecting you right now. So I’m going to be your protector for our next little journey, and Kevin and Joe are going to bolster Corey with all the confidence he’ll need.”
I almost couldn’t contain my chuckles - or my underlying… well, growing terror. But I understood that my Dad Two was being absolutely serious about whatever we were getting ready to boldly attempt. “Seriously, Dad Two - what the heck are we about to do?”
“Nothing unsafe in the least - I swear, pup - but listen to me, you’re really not going to like what’s waiting for us around that first bend. So at least for our inaugural trip, just keep repeating, ‘this is Highway 206 - it says so on the map,’ and we’ll all be okay.”
He gave me a reassuringly stern look. “Okay?”
Corey had been paying close attention to our conversation. He walked over to my side, wrapping his big arm around my shoulders as he reassured me with those impossibly kind eyes of his - just as he had done in a urology clinic that was now thousands of miles away, and an entire year and a half of a wonderful life behind us. My inner monologue nearly exploded while writing that.
“Ollie listen, I got to make this trip a few times fifteen years ago - as a passenger. It’s pretty, er… thrilling, but you know you can trust Dad to never put any of us in any real danger. Right?”
I could only nod and trust them both in return. And then… do my best to keep my still-disbelieving chuckles at all their seriousness - at bay.
****
As we started down the mountain, the gravel and dirt road we’d all jokingly agreed to call a “highway” suddenly seemed to lose all faith in itself the moment we passed that last villa - the line we’d been warned not to cross.
We rounded the first sharp turn, and I immediately realized that Chris had been absolutely justified in his concern for me. My good-boy brain simply couldn’t accept what our failed thoroughfare had let itself turn into. All my repressed chuckles were instantly replaced by unrestrained, very sincere gasps of genuine terror.
My eyes widened as I looked down at our certain death. I could barely keep my scream to an acceptable volume.
“Hey Zeus Chris Two! This isn’t even a dirt path anymore! Chris, you know I love you, right? You can always be my Dad One - believe me. I’m sure Ted will be cool with that!”
Dad Two immediately patted my knee. But still, all I could see was an overly steep, dry creek bed with delusions of grandeur - a dead-end road somehow clinging on to far too many unattainable life goals. Goals it had maybe once fantasized about reaching as an earnest young pathway growing up in a much flatter Midwest pasture before foolishly moving to a mountainous tropical island and completely losing its way.
As I regarded the literal boulders in the recklessly steep downhill path before us, I quickly added, “And damn! I think this ‘highway’ somehow has aspirations of being a halfway house for wayward landslides.”
Chris proved that he was still the master of our family’s smirk. “Don’t worry, Ollie. This is why we rented all-wheel-drive Jeeps that can go off-road.”
Ah ha! I knew it. Not that my impeccable intuition gave me any consolation or reassurance at the moment.
Even worse, I simply couldn’t allow myself to accept his all-too-pat reassurance. I belted out a stern, “But Dad! SUVs have notoriously high centers of gravity. You realize this road is like… what? A 50-degree angle to the horizon, right?”
I gave Chris a truly terrified look before I could stop myself from trying one more attempt at talking some sense into my usually most sensible parent. “Are you sure this doesn’t violate our rental car agreement?”
Chris only renewed his smirk, chuckled, and urged Ted to rub my shoulders as we continued our descent - swinging wide around another multi-ton boulder. “Oh, it definitely does, pup. No question.”
I finally accepted the unexpected truth that my most grounded dad was somehow reveling in living out his own version of one of his son’s unbelievable “Corey’s Stories.”
Reading my face and quickly deciding I needed even more intensive care, Chris added, “Ted, I think you should probably hug your pup right now. Laura - maybe rub his paws or scratch behind his ears.”
His absurd command finally broke my tension and made me laugh through my terror.
A few far less dramatic switchbacks later, and despite all my fervent disbelief, we somehow safely made it down the rocky gully of doom to intersect with the real - paved and sane - North Shore Road.
As my relief washed over me, I found that we were all suddenly chuckling like a group of rebel school kids who had just somehow cleanly gotten away with skipping a boring class.
And even I had to admit, it was pretty cool that we were now just a few hundred yards west of the entrance to Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campgrounds.
I glanced down and realized that I maybe hadn’t escaped quite as scot-free as everyone else. Looking at my hands, I worried that blood may never fully return to my possibly permanently white knuckles.
****
After finding adjacent spaces in the beach’s large parking lot, I was amused but not even remotely surprised to watch Corey and Kevin bound out of their Jeep and immediately start giving each other a few airborne chest bumps, followed by several expertly choreographed high - and low-fives - complete with a hearty, harmonized declaration: “Man! That was awesome!”
Kevin concluded their testosterone-drenched bromance love scene with a sincere, “Corey! You gotta let me drive on the way back up.”
I couldn’t help but wonder how much of their display was really about making up for yesterday’s little arachnid embarrassment. Instead of voicing any of my thoughts out loud, I decided that a tight hug with an equally white-knuckled Anna was far more important.
We embraced as I muttered knowingly into her still slightly twitching ear, “Watch out for that huge spider on your shoulder blade there, our big brave daredevils.” Her soft chuckle was the only reply I needed.
Chapter 41: Cinnamon Beach
Just like everything else I’d seen on this enchanted island, even a simple parking lot was somehow beyond my ability to properly describe. I swear, we could have been parking for a hike into the Great Smoky Mountains. The surrounding trees, while definitely tropical, were huge and gave absolutely no hint that we were about to spend the day on a sunny Caribbean beach.
Even more surreal, Ted came over - mostly to make sure I’d really recovered from our harrowing descent - and gently directed my view back up the mountain. “See that villa way up there that looks like it’s broken in two?”
I nodded.
“That’s Hakuna Matata, Ollie!”
He gave me a proud, fatherly hug. “You did good, Sport! Now let’s go see the beach!” He looked into my still-wide eyes with a warm smile. “I’m guessing this will be the first tropical one you’ve ever been to, right, Sport?”
I nodded into his reassuring embrace. His loving smile effortlessly washed away the last of my nervous jitters. “Believe me, Ollie, this is absolutely the best ‘first beach’ on the planet. It will instantly make you forget that little thrill ride we just survived.”
I still wasn’t completely sure about that. Nevertheless, I happily fell in line as we all followed the obvious path out of the parking lot and down into another patch of deep jungle darkness. I honestly had no idea where any part of this expedition was heading. We were - I assumed - walking to a beach… Along a path covered by hundred-foot-tall, old-growth trees. Moments later, I finally caught the sound of a gentle surf just before we suddenly emerged back into the blinding sunshine, our eyes scrambling to adjust.
And as my vision focused, I was able to make out the broad strip of light golden sand that was Cinnamon Beach - joyfully welcoming us into a scene I’d only ever imagined in my dreams. There were far too many new hues of blue, green, and gold for me to come up with proper names to label them, let alone clever adjectives to describe them. I realized that my sense of “magical” was about to be completely recalibrated after staying here for the week.
Chris happily took control again as we all spilled out onto the warm, soft sand. “Laura, Joe! Are you two okay with us hiking all the way over to the far end of the beach?”
We all watched him confidently point toward the black lava outcroppings defining the end he was recommending. Everyone was quickly on board, and we giddily started our trek along the beautiful, wide strip of sand.
Our dads started their tag-team travelogue as we slogged along, taking turns excitedly pointing out all the interesting features of the beach, its little offshore cay, and the promise of a coral reef that would make the hike to our destination more than worth the effort.
We boys were carrying most of the burden, but everyone was doing their fair share. Everyone quickly found that sandy sweet spot between the too-soft dry sand that slowed our march and getting our sandals too wet from the occasional overzealous wave as we continued along the beach toward our destination.
Just before we reached our chosen spot, I noticed a group of local guys setting up a very professional-looking volleyball net. I’d never played, but beach volleyball had always looked like a blast in the movies.
When we eventually rounded the first black outcrop of stone, those of us who hadn’t been here before discovered that what we assumed had been the end of the beach secretly opened into a final little swatch of nearly private sand before truly ending at a sheer black cliff. Claiming this spot as ours for the day was already worth the hike.
After setting my load down onto the sand, I allowed myself to slowly rotate in place, taking in all of the impossible beauty surrounding me - the calm, crystal-clear water, the black cliff, the green hillsides, the little island just off the beach.
This wasn’t just beautiful… it was the kind of moment you only get to experience when everything somehow perfectly aligns - and you’re lucky enough to be there when that happens. Paradise just kept getting better and more unbelievable with every moment.
Aside from being anywhere with my sweet Riley Boy back home, this might be my new favorite spot on the planet.
****
While we were spreading our large beach towels out, anchoring the chairs in the sand for anyone who wanted to use them, and strategically placing our coolers in the shadiest spots possible, I noticed the most striking caterpillars I’d ever seen - happily living their lives in the leaves of what I assumed was a common beach bush. They were large and predominantly black - an impossibly velvety black - with alternating bright stripes of yellow and white wrapping around them. They were the most beautiful “bugs” I’d ever seen.
I started to innocently touch one before Kevin - instantly snapping into his guardian mode - snatched my wrist.
I didn’t flinch. I just patted Kevin’s back while I looked at Corey, still caught up in my wonder. “Have you ever seen these guys before?”
Corey glanced over, a sudden wry smile forming. “No, I haven’t. Um… but all caterpillars turn into some kind of moth or butterfly, right?” He let the thought linger just long enough before solidifying that smirk. “So maybe this is where your butterflies are born before flying all the way to Texas to live in your tummy - so they can give you all the feels during our special moments together.”
If Kevin hadn’t still been holding my wrist, I definitely would have punched Corey’s shoulder again.
Thankfully, Kevin gave me the perfect out by dramatically rolling his eyes at his blood brother’s cheesy speech and finally releasing my wrist - right before adding, “And maybe these are the guys who squirt acid all over your fingers if you touch them.”
****
Acid-squirting worms be darned - I had kept my excitement at bay for as long as I could manage. After making sure our little camp was organized and secure, and that all of our elders were happy, comfortable, and settled in, I finally lost myself as I bolted out into the impossibly gentle - and even more impossibly clear - warm, inviting water.
Losing myself in the sea was more comforting and grounding than I’d ever imagined, as if this were the place I’d been meant to live all along. Forgetting my traditional howl, I simply shouted, “Corey! This is AMAZING!” right before I plunged back-first into the surf and blissfully floated in the little waves for a few precious moments, letting my gaze drift up into a sky-blue that matched Corey’s eyes perfectly. And in my unimaginable joy, I allowed my “all the feels” butterflies to do their job - whether they really originated from this beach or not.
On a much more practical note, I was completely taken by surprise by how much better I floated in the salt water than I ever did in our pools back in Texas. I mean, none of us were skinny by any definition, but we all knew that muscle doesn’t float nearly as well as fat does. So I was used to having to dog-paddle just to stay afloat at home. But right now, all I had to do was relax and take in the view.
Corey and Kevin quickly joined me - at first I thought to reverently share in my bliss, but as I quickly found out, it was actually to drag me back out onto the sand, arm in arm. My husband sweetly explained, “Ollie, we’ll have plenty of time for just swimming and splashing around later, but right now, we need to introduce you to your newest passion… reef snorkeling.”
Upon donning our recently purchased masks and snorkels - and our rented swim fins - I quickly discovered that it didn’t matter how gifted or graceful you might be while diving for a thrown football or mastering the Texas Two-Step for a very special Saturday night. As soon as you strapped those awkward rubber flippers to your feet, you instantly became a drunk penguin at best - and more likely an embarrassing TikTok video just waiting to go viral.
Kevin, Anna, and Corey carefully escorted me back out into the surf - shuffling backwards - before we were in deep enough water to finally plunge our masked faces beneath the gentle waves and begin kicking our way out along the submerged volcanic rock outcrop…
It was all just an interesting new experience until the underwater vista suddenly opened up into my first true undersea wonderland. A sight I’d never imagined I’d ever see in person. There were fish of every size, shape, and color imaginable darting past us. Somehow, Corey kept redefining my sense of paradise with every new experience he shared with me.
After a few basic tips on using fins and a dry snorkel, Corey led us out and around the first lava outcropping. The less lava and more coral the reef became, the more miraculous the underwater show grew. I still don’t remember all their proper names, but there were half-purple and half-yellow fish, shimmering silver ones - lime-green, flame-orange, electric-blue, and cherry-red ones. And then there were the huge schools of beautiful fish with a name I could remember… purple tangs.
I was completely overwhelmed again, dangerously close to finding out if it was possible to cry from joy and amazement while wearing a snorkel mask - all just before Corey urgently pointed down at a pair of stately, gray, platter-sized fish, each adorned with beautiful yellow scalloped scales.
As soon as we surfaced, he couldn’t keep from pulling the snorkel out of his mouth and almost shouting, “Ollie! Those beautiful gray fish are French angels. They mate for life, and I swear they’re the same pair I saw here fifteen years ago. I mean… what are the odds?”
I had no idea how to respond, so I gave an excited thumbs-up as we slipped back beneath the surface and continued along our underwater wonderland trail. And for at least a few flipper kicks, I made sure my hand was securely in his.
****
Each new reef we swam around and explored led us into deeper and deeper coves - all still perfectly accessible from the shore, which had gradually narrowed into a rugged walkway of bare, weathered ancient lava rock.
I noticed Grandpa Joe watching over us as we ventured into the final, deepest cove.
Anna hung back as she watched her three boys be confronted with an immensely dense - almost impossibly beautiful - column of tiny, silvery fish. Back home, I’d probably just call them… well, minnows. Corey motioned for Kevin and me to follow him across the top of the shoal and then straight down through its center.
It was incredible. There were thousands of little silversides circling us, reflecting the sunlight all around us as we pushed deeper into their swarm. They parted instinctively, forming a living tunnel for us to pass through…
Until - much more abruptly than any of us could have predicted - the dense cloud of fish simply ended, about fifteen feet below the gently lapping surface.
And between that sharp boundary and the white sandy bottom - maybe ten more feet below - we found ourselves unexpectedly facemask to fish-eye with several giant predator fish.
I had zero idea what the large, almost regal-looking silver behemoths were, but the equally silver - and far more sinister looking - ones with all the sharp teeth were definitely barracudas. No question.
In another primal act not entirely unlike yesterday’s embarrassing spider dance, all three of us manly men bolted back up through the school of minnows to the somehow-assumed safety of the surface - only to be greeted with laughter from Grandpa Joe and our dads.
Ted shouted out, “I can’t believe you didn’t remember our advice from your last visit here, Corey!”
Corey’s dripping face was as clueless as the rest of our - once again - totally surprised party.
Grandpa Joe took great pride in continuing, “Just remember, boys - tarpon and barracuda are only down there because they’re looking for a meal. So… maybe just try your best to not act like food, and I’m sure you’ll all be fine.”
We all spat our snorkels out so we could join our elders in appreciating the joke at our expense before slowly kicking our way back along the chain of reefs toward the main beach.
Chapter 42: In Your Face
After our simple but satisfying lunch of sandwiches and chips - washed down with a few Solo cups filled with vodka mixed with a local carbonated drink called Ting - Corey, Kevin, Anna, and I decided we wanted to join the locals playing beach volleyball just a few dozen yards from our encampment. Everyone else decided that simply relaxing in the warm sun on the soft sand was, by far, the wiser activity.
In retrospect, I was finally - almost - starting to understand that age truly does bring wisdom…
The eight local guys were more than happy to let us join their match - especially since we made for an even number. But after noticing that Kevin and Anna - and then Corey and I - were obvious couples, they quickly informed us of a very important rule: couples weren’t allowed to play on the same team.
So Anna and I split off to join one side, while Corey and Kevin confidently strode to the other.
Anna took my hands as I sheepishly admitted that I’d never really played volleyball before in my life - well, at least not since grade school P.E. class. She grinned confidently as she quietly assured me, “Don’t worry, pup. I’ve got you.”
Oh lurd! Did she ever.
Corey was first up to serve after our little team reshuffle. And my “love,” my “protector,” the caring co-parent of all our current and future puppies, decided to elevate his position in his new pack by completely destroying my position in mine.
I had absolutely no idea that Corey was a near pro-level beach volleyball player. I mean, he grew up with the perfect backyard and pool to hone his skills - while I grew up on a football field. Who knew?
His first three serves were virtual lightning bolts, expertly directed squarely at my total cluelessness. After his third deadly strike, two of my suddenly very sympathetic new teammates walked over to me with amazed looks on their faces.
“Listen, man… I swear we make that no-couples rule so that - sorry - straight newlyweds can kinda help each other out. You know? By not doing exactly what your husband is currently doing to you - right now.”
The second guy quickly jumped in. “So… that guy loves you, right? I mean, you’re here on your honeymoon, yeah?”
My first teammate gave me a sympathetic smirk and added, “I mean, he has got to know that after those three serves, he’s definitely not getting any more sex for the rest of the trip… right, mate?”
I could only smile and chuckle out a sincere, “Au contraire. Believe me, guys… after this, he’s going to be treating me like a king when we get back to our villa. I think he already knows how much trouble he’s in for later tonight. I may not be able to counter his killer serves - but I swear… I’ve got this.”
All of our teammates stopped laughing and stepped back the moment Anna confidently strode over to add her opinion to our little team talk.
“Ollie, believe me - forget tonight! Corey has absolutely no idea how much trouble he’s in right - frakking - NOW!”
She rose up and shouted a commanding, “Let’s do this!” across the net.
I watched Kevin’s smirk evaporate as his face paled. Corey, however, still seemed blissfully clueless - completely locked in his zone.
Once again, as if on cue, my wolf sent his killer serve straight at my incompetence. Only this time, Anna was ready, having already predicted his obvious strategy. She was exactly where she needed to be - to not just block the point - but to expertly spike the serve right back in his face.
Corey was completely dumbfounded as the leather of the volleyball smacked him square against his beautifully bearded jaw.
While he was still trying to recover from his sudden smackdown, Anna once again confidently shouted her declaration across the net:
“I can’t believe my big, burly husband never told you that I almost made the Olympic beach volleyball team when I was in college. Damn, boys! Do y’all ever talk about anything other than how well you two fill out your little itty-bitty speedos?”
She looked at our stunned - and suddenly very stoked - teammates. “Come on, guys! Serve to the man with the perpetual five o’clock shadow and that hopeful new mustache. I promise, he has absolutely no idea what he’s doing. We’ve got this!”
Anna caught each of us in her commanding gaze before confidently clapping her hands. “Let’s go!”
Corey looked at Kevin. Kevin looked at Corey.
With an expression I could only describe as two Labrador retriever pups - one yellow, one chocolate - who had just realized that the mailman not only had a black belt, but also a shock collar.
I caught my quickly deflating Norse god mouthing something to his bro that looked an awful lot like, why didn’t you tell me?
Kevin’s helpless shrug was the most honest thing either of them had shown since the match started.
Anna was already calling out our next play, completely in control - exactly like she was still directing her team back in college. And when the next serve managed to come sailing back at me from over the net, I did the only thing my volleyball-illiterate body knew how to do - I flinched.
Somehow, my completely involuntary, self-preservation hand movement sent the ball on a perfect arc back over the net, dropping it just inside the back line - right between Corey and Kevin.
Both of them helplessly looked at the other before simultaneously whining, “Dude! I thought that was yours!”
My teammates erupted like I’d just made a seventy-yard touchdown run. I stared down at my hands as if they somehow belonged to a stranger.
Anna just nodded at me like she’d planned it all along. “See? I told you I had you.”
From that point on, it wasn’t even really a competition. It was more like a very public, very sandy lesson in humility and betrayal - lovingly administered by my unexpected, pro-volleyball-player, wonder-woman of a best friend. All I had to do was stay out of her way… and try not to trip over my own feet.
In the end, we absolutely slayed our romantically-connected opposing team. I was almost starting to feel sorry for Corey and Kevin - until I remembered my own initial embarrassment.
****
As we repacked our Jeeps for the impossible climb back up the mountain, Anna enthusiastically clapped both of our bad boys on their slumped shoulders.
“Good game, guys! Oh - and hey, Corey? I guess that spider bite lasts just a little longer than Google said.”
****
After we arrived at our ever-commanding villa and started unpacking, my humbled wolf immediately began bargaining over his penance.
“Ollie, come on… we were just having a little fun this afternoon, right? And I mean, y’all won. You two totally kicked our butts - over three sets.”
He blinked, his sullen eyes searching my own deliberately unreadable ones. “You forgive me, right? Pup? Please?”
I finally gave my full attention to my moderately - wait, nope - make that my completely and desperately worried wolf. I casually patted his broad shoulders before simply saying, “Oh, my sweet clueless love… let’s not worry about your punishment just yet. At least not before you get to enjoy your last meal…”
I let that hang for just a second before finishing, “… Of the stunning meatloaf that Grandma and I took the time to lovingly prepare for y’all late last night.”
Once more, I let that sit for a masterstroke of a moment before continuing, my tone just sweet enough to be dangerous.
“Just so it would be the perfect first home-cooked meal for all of our loved ones tonight - after our first amazing day together in paradise - celebrating our love for each other.”
Guilt. Knife. Twisted.
I could see my smirk had once again absolutely slayed my man - for the second time today.
I gently added, “I mean, you and Kevin could maybe help out with preparing the sides for tonight’s meal… but there’s still a very real chance that you’ll both be bunkmates on the living room couches tonight. Unless…”
Corey immediately jumped on my offered path to redemption. “What, my love? I’ll do anything. I swear!”
I flashed him my best devious smirk.
“Oh… you’ll see.”
Chapter 43: Retributions
I swear I’d never seen Corey and Kevin be more dedicated in a kitchen.
I mean, as we’d grown closer as friends, we’d quickly discovered that our serious-looking, Mr. Five O’clock Shadow patrol officer was actually the brilliant cook of his family. And both Corey and I - as well as Chris and Ted - had benefited from plenty of creative recipe swaps and even more grill mash-up masterpieces.
But it was painfully obvious that both of our favorite class clowns were desperately hoping for simple forgiveness from their partners for their recent transgressions.
By the time Grandma’s meatloaf was filling our Caribbean villa’s dining room with its decidedly Midwestern aroma, both of our wayward husbands had somehow convinced themselves that their early evening efforts in the kitchen had gotten them off the hook for their volleyball shenanigans.
I gave Anna a sly side-eye, and she returned a subtle nod. I had no idea what she had in store for Officer Kevin, but I had a very specific plan in mind for my Corey’s atonement.
****
It really had been a long and exciting day - the first of several, I hoped. So tonight, there were no fun and embarrassing family games around the table after we cleared the dishes. Instead, we all slowly paired off and drifted toward our respective bedrooms for an early night.
All the while, Corey kept pensively shooting me looks that practically screamed: We’re good… right, pup?
I kept my face perfectly blank and calm - as if carved from stone.
As soon as our bedroom door was shut, Corey raised his hands in surrender - enticingly exposing his pits under his tank top.
“Ollie, I’m so sorry. I was just showing off in front of a bunch of guys I’d never met before. I know it was stupid, and I swear I don’t even feel worthy of asking for your forgiveness tonight. But I can still give you my sincere apology… and respectfully wait for you to accept it when you feel like you can.”
I couldn’t help my small smirk that formed at his surprisingly heartfelt - and honestly elegant - apology. Still, I chose to press my advantage. Because somewhere during our day, I’d realized I wanted something far more important than a sincere apology from my wolf.
While his arms were still up, I confidently strode over and took a commanding, even dominating, deep sniff of each of his exposed pits. Savoring his scent as much as I enjoyed the little involuntary shiver that my subtle act of dominance had sent through his body.
I held the moment just long enough to make it clear that I would only accept him as mine again - under the conditions I was about to set.
I hadn’t even fully composed my inner monologue before I started my declaration. “Oh my dear, older-but-so-definitely-not-wiser ‘mentor’ gay… What did you do today? What the heck were you even thinking - my Corey Allen? I mean, come on… we only had a couple of drinks during lunch, so don’t you dare try to blame it on the alcohol.”
Corey stammered, arms still raised - almost involuntarily - as if he were hoping I’d simply move back in close, take another breath of his exposed pits, or even a lick, and then somehow decide to forgive him. “I really am truly sorry Ollie. It was a jerk move and I’ll never do anything like it again. I promise.”
I smirked. “Oh, I know you won’t.” I reached out and deliberately lowered his arms, making it clear - without a saying single extra word - that he wasn’t getting off that easily. Not tonight. “But don’t worry, we’re going to have some fun… and do something you’d never expect - or even… ever… want… to… do…”
I saw his eyes widen and his pupils dilate, and I couldn’t stop the soft chuckle that escaped as I realized I couldn’t sustain the tension in our grand suite for much longer, because I didn’t actually want this to be cruel. I wanted it to be something more - something special, and something very meaningful for us.
I continued, “Corey, in addition to me being the absolute worst volleyball player on the beach today - well, except for maybe Kevin - did you notice that all the other guys we were playing with were pretty much my age… and totally smooth?”
I pressed on, not giving him time to overprocess my words. “After my notoriously late start to puberty, I’ve been practically forced to be hairy for my whole - okay, short - adult life. And most of that was during a time when nearly every high school boy couldn’t wait to get pubes and body hair, just so they could immediately start bragging about having to shave it all off.”
I searched my wolf’s face. I needed him to be sincerely on Team Ollie tonight as I continued. “I mean, forget about even having the choice of caving in to peer pressure… My own father practically forbade me from ever shaving anything - anywhere.”
I gently cupped Corey’s perfectly bearded - volleyball-slapped - cheek. “It’s not that I don’t like and appreciate being hairy… but I’ve never been allowed to experiment with being anything else. And after today, I’ve decided that I want to find out what it feels like to be smooth.”
I let a small, gently-evil smirk form.
“And lucky for me… I’m married to a very naughty nurse who knows exactly how to shave me… and who also happens to owe me a pretty big favor.”
I allowed my growing smirk to completely break any remaining tension. “So, my Naughty Nurse - Corey…” I boldly flashed my pits and gently - but unmistakably - guided his stunned face toward my left one, reinforcing my current advantage. “After you take that final sniff, I want you to first trim, and then shave my chest and abs - completely smooth…”
I turned my stunned husband’s face back to meet mine and used a couple of fingers to playfully close his slack jaw before continuing.
“I also want you to trim my pubes short - as well as my pits. And I mean short… as in barely-there short.” I held his gaze and saw his eyes shift, caught somewhere between shock and a sudden, unexpected spark of desire.
“After all that, I want you to buzz my beard down to a one guard before slowly - very slowly - shaving it completely off, with lather and your best razor.”
I studied his still-processing expression. “I’m a lucky man. I know I can be furry… I just also want to know what it feels like to be totally smooth. And I happen to be married to a man who can make that happen - with confidence.”
After all that seriousness, I couldn’t help but break character with a soft chuckle. “Well… except for my taint and butt cheeks. I mean, we’ve already done that once, and I definitely didn’t enjoy how that felt growing back in.”
Corey just stood there in my arms, still completely frozen - barely even reacting to my chuckle. “Ollie, I swear it was just a few overzealous serves during a meaningless beach volleyball game.” He almost whined, “I love my furry otter pup. Are you sure you really want me to do this? I promise I’ll get up early and make an incredible breakfast with Laura every morning for the rest of our trip.”
I gave him a smile that I hoped made it clear this wasn’t really about his afternoon antics. “Corey, your little beach volleyball victory dance just gave me the leverage I needed to get you to help me out - to push me over the edge and commit to something I’ve been wanting do for a while. You’re an amazing nurse… a total pro at shaving patients. I’m just taking advantage of that.”
I smirked, twisting the knife one last time. “You know… kind of like how you took advantage of me this afternoon.”
Corey’s grimace and blush were both genuine - and full of remorse. In that moment, I could see his resignation finally settle in.
He wasn’t getting out of this one.
I pressed on. “And hey, even if we both regret the results of what we’re about to do, we can look at it like this…”
“Having you shave my body and face finally frees me from my father’s biggest mandate.” I pointed to my furry chin. “This is Richard’s beard - the one he always wanted to see on my face. Let’s get rid of it… in a way that would totally freak him out.”
I couldn’t help but let my mood brighten as I continued, “And if we decide to let it grow back - because we know it will… um, probably by Friday at the latest - then it’ll be our beard. Well… mine, but you know what I mean.” I winked.
Corey’s nervousness finally began to fade. “Damn, Ollie, I still can’t believe you’re mine. Or that you so selflessly volunteered to play volleyball today just because I really wanted to. I swear I don’t deserve you.”
I managed to stifle my blush - but not my smirk. “You don’t… but I’m willing to let you try your best to correct that tonight.”
My Corey’s typical bravado finally returned. “Ollie, go grab the clippers and razor from my bathroom kit. I’ll find a spare sheet.” He grinned. “Lurd… there’s about to be a lot of hair falling on our bed tonight.”
Chapter 44: A Different Skin
By the time I’d returned to our bed side, Corey’s confident nurse mode had fully returned - with a vengeance - clearly eager to make up for his earlier schoolboy blunder.
“Ollie, I swear I’m going to repay you for every stupid serve I aimed to you today. Lurd, I’m so…”
I stopped him at the perfect moment. After a whole year, it was finally my turn to say the words he always said to me - only now with a delicious twist.
“Shhh, Corey… you don’t need to say you’re sorry again. Just… make it up to me with your touch.”
At that, his classic smirk returned in full. “Oh, I will, baby boy. Now come here.” He opened his arms to me. “You know, as a medical professional, I should probably only do this after a hot, steamy shower…”
I melted into his embrace as he continued, his voice lowering with his familiar warmth. “But I’m happy to strictly follow your orders and do it right now… because as you might already know, I love my pup’s scent…”
His look suddenly shifted into something playful, “In fact, lurd, let me make sure I say this next part right.”
Corey paused, as if reaching back into our past for something important. “Way back in that urology clinic chamber of horrors, I think I told you something like…” He flashed a sweet smile. “Ollie, right now your pits are absolutely man-candy material. Furry, fragrant… with just the right balance of ‘woof’ and ‘mmm.’”
He leaned in and basked in a quiet, deep breath. “Did I remember it correctly, my love?”
I could only nod, unexpectedly pulled into our shared memory as well, just before Corey gave me his first command of the night.
“My pup… arms up. Present yourself to me… please. And let me unwrap my favorite gift once more.”
That’s all it took to make me completely lose my ability to maintain my stern, dominant… well - act. So I pivoted and decided to simply enjoy the little bit of chaotic, erotic energy I’d somehow managed to summon.
But before we continued, I needed to share my own memory that Corey’s had just inspired. “Corey, before we start, it’s my turn… Remember our first bike ride? On our very first whole day together? You explained why you and the dads kept calling me ‘pup.’” I nearly choked up as I vocalized one of my most precious memories.
I locked eyes with my love, nearly begging him to fully understand the weight of what I was feeling. “It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.”
I took a breath, steadied myself, and continued - with a clear point to make. “During that incredible explanation you gave me… you also said something like, ‘I could shave you down and make you into a twunk - a muscled-up twink.’ Remember?” I let a small, knowing smile form. “So now… I think that’s exactly what I want to be. At least for a little while.”
I held his astonished gaze for just a moment longer before I stepped back and finally presented myself to my wolf - arms up, spirit willing - then confidently giving my final instruction…
“Twunk me, my wolf.”
I was rewarded with a low, sultry growl as Corey gently - yet unmistakably - pushed me back onto the sheet protecting our bed. In a playful echo of our second intimate moment together, he raised my shirt just enough to blindfold my eyes and trap me with my arms above my head, refusing to let it go any further.
His growl deepened just before I assumed he was going to lose himself in my pits one final time before trimming them. Instead, he decided to offer his own perfect addition to my little fantasy. Corey suddenly pushed my shirt up just enough more to let me to gaze upon his beautiful face. A face that… was currently showcasing his sweetest evil smirk.
“Ollie… I have an idea.”
I watched him slip off the bed and hurry over to our small pile of already-dirty laundry. After a quick search, he returned with both of our undershirts from yesterday’s long journey, tossing them beside me. Then he said the three simple words that always sent the most incredible shivers through me.
“Trust me, pup?”
I couldn’t resist one final jab. “Right now? Sure… as long as there’s no volleyball around.”
I was immediately rewarded with an unexpected tickle attack that only subsided when he shifted his attention to my right pit this time. His licks and kisses there grounded me in the moment again.
I happily gave in with a soft breath. “Yes, my love… I trust you.”
That was all he needed to hear. My shirt was quickly removed and - much to my surprise - repurposed as my blindfold. I started to raise my arms in protest, only to have Corey gently catch my right wrist first and tie one of our t-shirts around it. The other end was then secured to one of the headboard’s carved posts. I instantly understood the new level Corey was urging us toward, and I eagerly allowed his work to continue.
My left arm was bound and anchored in the same careful way. “Sorry, pup. We’re out of dirty laundry for your ankles, but I’m going to trust you to go peacefully into the adventure you’ve so boldly asked for.”
I maybe giggled just a little, but Corey could tell by the erection that my tented shorts that I was completely on board with his enhanced determination. And he wasted no time removing those shorts and briefs before unexpectedly pausing.
After releasing a long rumbling sigh - nearly a growl - that somehow sounded gentle and loving, yet also resolved and driven, Corey placed his big hand firmly on my chest. Letting his fingers move slowly through the soft field of blond hair there, while his other hand slowly traced lower, down along my treasure trail.
Those fingers finally reached the lowest stop on their journey - gently rolling my testicles over and between them before moving back up and running a final time through my thick, curly bush. “Ollie… damn. You are the most beautiful man I’ve ever had in my bed. One I could never even imagine myself deserving.
“You’re still sure about doing this, right?”
My sudden growl - low and nearly desperate - was the reaction he now seemed to be hoping for. A second later, I heard the unmistakable thick click of the electric trimmers coming to life.
“Okay, my love… here we go, pup…”
****
Being deprived of my vision heightened all of my other senses - exactly as Corey knew it would. Even more titillating, there was no way for me to easily interrupt him if I suddenly decided I didn’t like the initial results.
We were both fully committed now… to this daring, deeply personal adventure we were choosing to share.
Corey was a pro. Having shaved hundreds of patients before me. The gentle touches of his hands guided me. Quietly preparing my body for where the next pass of his trimmers would fall. And the closer the buzz of those clippers got to my erect nipples, the more my aching hardon dripped its precum into my pubes.
Even my wolf couldn’t keep his commanding persona intact when he finally reached my blond pubic curls, “Ollie pup, you have no idea how much this is killing me - well and I guess also keeping me rock hard.”
He took a moment to gently cup my blind-folded cheek in his palm, “Here we go my love. Your beautiful curls are about to be curtailed.”
I let another chuckle slip out before I felt Corey’s hand leave my face and lift my erection up above my soon to be shorn pubes. I felt the clipper’s buzz just a moment before I unexpectedly felt his lips wrap around my leaking cock.
Dayam! That was a surprise. “Corey! I love that! But be careful. There’s a lot left to shave and I don’t think I can keep going if you make me lose it right now!”
I felt Corey’s chuckle vibrate through my erection before he finally rose up. “It’s okay, pup. I’m just keeping you dedicated to our task at hand.”
****
If I thought my pubes were the most dangerous part of our journey, it only meant that I had somehow forgotten about my pits. Lurd. Corey alternated between slow, sensual, clipper strokes and long licks with his tongue. Once again, I had to warn my new husband to curb his enthusiasm if we were both going to make it to the finish line I’d demanded.
****
After what felt like a blissful eternity, we’d made it through most of my shearing, and I’d never felt more satisfied - or more alive - in my newlywed life. Corey gently removed my blindfold and restraints, then leaned back just enough to take in my reaction as I was able to look down at my nearly smooth body.
I was in total shock - well beyond my usual deer-in-the-headlights state. And I’m absolutely certain that my reaction had to be entertaining to witness as I blurted out - with complete and unapologetic enthusiasm - “Corey! Look at me! I’m ripped! And damn… My dick is huge!”
My wolf’s laughter was immediate, warm, and never the least bit condescending. “Pup… is that what this was really all about?” He grinned. “Yes, my husband. My man. You are definitely ripped. You earned that designation somewhere around six months ago - and I’ve been enjoying it every single day since. But if this is what it finally took for you to see it… then I’m happy - even grateful - to have been a part of it.”
He reached up and gently held my cheek again before continuing, his voice softening just enough to pull me back into him. “And as for the rest of your newfound, um - confidence… I thought I’d already made my appreciation of that aspect of your body pretty clear from all my moans when you take the lead.” His smile deepened. “But I’m always more than willing to remind you of it again… Whenever you want.”
He leaned back in, just slightly, eyes steady on mine. “In fact, for the final part of our little adventure, I think we should take this back out to the shower.”
****
Corey grasped my hand and pulled me up from our heroic sheet of excess hair protection, leading me back into our still mind-blowing ensuite. It turns out that showering outside at night, under silvery moonlight, is every bit as magical as showering under golden sunlight.
Only this time, after Corey had finished tenderly gliding his precise blade over my chest and abs, it was my turn to gently turn him around and instruct him to place his hands to the cool masonry railing.
“Corey…” I murmured, unable to hide my growing smirk, “I can’t believe I’ve been waiting all evening to say this…”
I stepped in closer, letting the heat build between us before delivering the line I’d been saving.
“My wolf… now it’s my turn to serve.”
I leaned in just enough for him to feel my erection between his cheeks, my voice dropping to a playful whisper.
“So grab that banister tight, my volleyball god… because I promise - the next point you’re about to feel… is mine.”
****
After our intense volleys - and, well, equalizing - experience in the shower, Corey gently coaxed me into position in front of his vanity mirror - the one located in our fantasy bathroom - on a mountain top, on an island, in the Caribbean. Lurd, as if either of us actually had any say in the magic that was still unfolding around us.
He moved in behind me, his still-damp, solid warmth pressing against my back, grounding me in a way that felt every bit as powerful as anything we’d already shared tonight.
“So, Ollie,” he uttered softly, his voice steady once more after the intensity of our coupling, “we’ve come a long way tonight and I think you already know you’re my favorite twunk…”
His hand rose, brushing gently along my cheek. “But, my pup… are we still going to finish the transformation you asked for?”
I lifted my chin into his touch, then turned just enough to meet his lips with mine before answering, quiet and certain, “Let’s get rid of my father’s beard. Right here and now.”
As our lips met, I realized I had no idea how important saying those words would mean to me.
I’d once thought that Ricky’s first trim last year had given me all the freedom I needed. But this - this moment, tonight - was something else entirely. This wasn’t just a simple reshaping. This was a release. A bold reclaiming. This was my christening, my rebirth - my clean start as Corey’s husband.
I leaned back into the man I loved, letting him lead me through our final steps. Each careful pass, each gentle scrape, wasn’t just removing hair - it was lifting away something heavier, something darker, than anything I should have ever been asked to carry.
Standing there, wrapped in his arms, task completed. I experienced a clarity that I’d only hoped tonight’s adventure would bring: I couldn’t imagine a more intimate moment than this. And I knew I’d never need to. Because this one… would stay with me forever.
****
I stood in our bedroom’s warm light, still staring in quiet awe at the full-length mirror. My hands kept gliding over my smooth chest and up along my now-bare jaw, as if I needed to keep reminding myself that this was real. I was happily stunned. I was hairless, I was completely exposed, I was more vulnerable than I’d allowed myself to be in over a year and a half. But most importantly, I was Corey’s. I was still my wolf’s pup, still my protector’s love, and I rejoiced in that understanding.
My body hair was no longer something that defined me. Our actions tonight were something I had been allowed to choose - something we had agreed upon together. I climbed into our bed and snuggled back into my love’s arms.
And I realized, when a man falls asleep being held by the one he loves, something inside him settles in a way that’s hard to describe but impossible to mistake. The body softens, the mind lowers its guard, and the weight of the world somehow feels lighter.
As my eyes finally closed, I understood with a quiet certainty that sleeping together isn’t just about sharing a bed - it’s about sharing a peace, a trust, and a belonging. And the certainty of knowing that you are exactly where you’re meant to be, furry or not.
****
Corey and I had somehow managed to be the last couple to arrive at our traditional morning gathering place - Hakuna Matata’s magnificent kitchen. With Anna at the cooktop and Kevin standing at the island, it was pretty obvious they were taking their turn to create our breakfast feast.
From my initial survey of the meal prep areas, it looked like we were about to be treated to made-to-order omelets, with Anna having put her chef-level husband to work preparing an impressive spread of fillings.
But the beautifully arranged selection of cheeses, meats, peppers, mushrooms, and onions never stood a chance. The moment I made my unintentionally dramatic entrance, the easy morning chatter came to a complete and immediate halt. All at once, every single pair of eyes locked onto me.
And… yeah. Standing there in nothing but my tighty-whities, I had never felt more exposed in my life. But being surrounded by our friends and family made all the difference. I felt safe. And allowed to have a little bit of fun as I formally presented my big surprise.
I made a modest show of slowly running my palm across my smooth abs and up across my pecs before boldly baring my left - no longer curly-tufted - pit and letting my fingers finally glide along my now bare cheeks and chin. “Um… good morning, my loving family,” I offered with my best attempt at keeping a casual expression. “Please continue talking amongst yourselves. Nothing to see here.”
Corey stepped close beside me, pulling me into his broad shoulder in a quiet, protective hug - one that somehow made the entire moment feel even more ridiculous… yet somehow even more perfect.
Grandpa Joe was the first to find his voice - if maybe without much understanding. “Um, Ollie? Did you lose a bet, son?”
Ted - with all his love, yet even less understanding - jumped in next. “Sport? You weren’t nearly that bad at volleyball yesterday. Did Corey make you do this? Lurd… I hope Riley still recognizes you.”
Finally, our sweet, completely clueless Kevin unknowingly delivered the masterstroke. “Ollie, you do understand that no bartender on the island is ever going to serve you alcohol again, right? You may only be a couple weeks away from turning twenty-one, but as an officer of the law, I’d honestly put you at about fourteen… maybe fifteen… tops.”
Kevin’s expression shifted almost immediately as he realized he was once again drifting into dangerous territory. Anna turned and glared at her special patrol officer with a look that could’ve shut down traffic on I-30.
“Seriously, Kev?” she said, before softening as she turned back to me. “With all those muscles and all that definition? Ollie, whatever your reasons were… you look amazing. Truly. Well done.”
Before I could even begin to explain the choices I’d made myself, Corey took over on my behalf - finally and completely redeeming himself for yesterday’s seaside blunder.
“Everyone, this may have started out as my punishment for a few… questionable decisions I made on the volleyball court yesterday,” he said, earning more than a few eye rolls, before turning to me and placing a proud kiss against my temple. “But Ollie turned it into something so much deeper between us.”
He turned back to our family, his glowing look emphasized everything he was about to say, “Ollie made me understand something important last night. His father never really gave him a choice about how he was allowed to present himself to the world. Richard had practically demanded that Ollie be, well, the sweet otter pup we all knew and loved.”
Corey paused just long enough to let his words land before continuing. “After yesterday’s volleyball game with all those smooth local guys, Ollie decided he wanted to make a bold change. He wanted to see how it felt to become something new, something he could he claim as his own.”
My wolf couldn’t stop himself, “Well, either all that, or maybe he just wants to see how the smooth side lives.”
Serious once again, he slowly scanned our little pack, making sure he had everyone’s attention before lifting his voice again, warm and proud. “Ladies and gentlemen… I am honored to present my husband, Oliver Aaron Rainer -”
He pulled me in just a little tighter to his side, his smile wide.
“- the most beautiful twunk on the island of St. John.”
Even with my tan… without my beard and body hair to help hide it, my blush had never been more pronounced. Thankfully, I didn’t have to come up with any clever reply to Corey’s introduction because Kevin unintentionally bailed me out perfectly.
“Um… Corey?” he asked, brow furrowed in genuine confusion. “What’s a twunk?”
Anna absolutely lost it. She playfully smacked her husband’s shoulder. “Kevin Fredrick Barrett! You really need to start doing your gay homework assignments. A twunk is a twink with muscles - and Ollie very clearly has those in spades.”
Kevin glanced down at his hands, suddenly looking like a chastened new recruit. “Ma’am… will you hit me again if I ask what a twink is?”
Instead of another slap, Anna just melted, pulling him into a quick hug and planting a kiss on his stubbly cheek. “Lurd… let’s just start making omelets.”
Kevin’s look of relief was priceless.
Right before we could finally turn our attention back to breakfast, our favorite police officer managed to pull off a sweet little redemption of his own. He gave me an appraising nod, followed by a subtle wink. “Gotta say, Ollie… whatever you want us to call you, you’re pulling off the new look like a champ. Anna, we might need to start hitting the gym a little more often if this is the new standard at our favorite pool.”
I nodded right back at my dark-haired protector, catching the way his new mustache was growing in quite nicely.
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