Confessions of Your Friendly Neighborhood Lifeguard

Chapter Sixteen

A few days later was the the Fourth of July and the B-SAC was shut down for the Holiday. So, the whole gang was heading out to the Cove to campout and cookout and so on and so on with the patriotic festivities. The pool back in Oregon was always open on the fourth, so I hadn't celebrated in years. I was excited though, and ready to get down, dirty, and American. (I drew the line at dressing in red, white, and blue though.)

Patrick knocked on my door around four that afternoon. I couldn't help but laugh, because he was dressed patriotically. His swim trunks were an american flag with a t-shirt that had an American flag on it. I couldn't help but wonder how long he'd searched Goodwill for those fashion mistakes, but whatever. God Bless America, right?

"Rae, where's the holiday spirit?"

"Halloween costume, yes. Ugly Christmas sweater, yes. Bald eagle soaring over my boobs, no," I laughed. 

"Well, something told me you would say that, so I took the liberty of getting you something myself," Patrick replied. He took the backpack off his shoulder and shuffled inside for a few seconds  before pulling out a Wal-Mart bag. 

"How romantic," I teased. I opened up the bag and pulled out a huge baggy t-shirt. Unfolding the t-shirt my eyes focused on a giant kitten holding an American flag in both paws. "Dear God, this is truly something that could only be found at Wal-Mart."

"it's cute, right?" Patrick chuckled. I rolled my eyes at him, but I couldn't help but feel flatter that he'd gone out of his way to get something for me. So, I quickly threw the shirt I was wearing over my swimsuit off, and replaced it with my new kitty kat shirt.

"I really hate cats, you know that," I mentioned as we started walking towards the Cove.

"Seriously?" Patrick laughed and I nodded. "Well, I don't know if I can date you anymore."

Shortly after, Patrick and I arrived at the Cove. From a distance I could hear the party going and the laughs and voices of my friends. A warm feeling spreads through me, as I still can't quite get over how happy I am I've found people like that so easily. As we climb the dune, hand in hand, I try to shake out of my mind the last time I climbed up this dune and I walked in to an orgy. I remind myself though, that I have Patrick now, as evident by our hands clasped together.

"Well if it isn't the Mr. and Mrs.," Chip teased as we joined the group. I blushed in embarrassment, but Patrick was quick and replies to the tease by kissing me quickly on the cheek. We joined our friends inside the Cove and let the festivities begin. Avery and Josh sit together in one lawn chair, Meg and Lance we're having what appeared to be a push up contest, and Raven walks along the shore with someone I don't recognize. 

Despite the fact Patrick and I had only been dating for less than a week, we'd quickly gotten a repuation as the old married couple. Probably because we still bickered like a married couple, but I was oddly flattered. I felt extra in the group because I finally got my repuation in the group. I felt like we were a teen sitcom or something.

"On a scale of one to ten," I began, "Ten being Michael Phelpes, fifteen being the sperm that gets to fertilize an egg, how fast of a swimmer are you?" Patrick and I were laying down a towel, his arm around me as we stared up in to bright sky. 

"That didn't make any sense," Patrick said, his chest shaking my head- he was laughing.

"It makes perfect sense!" I argued, sitting up to look at him. He smlied as I stared down at looked at him with an angry face. "Michael Phelps is fast, but I mean, sperm is way faster!"

"No, I know that," he laughed. "But you said on a scale of one to ten and you gave me a scale of only ten to fifteen!"

"Sounds like you're afraid to answer the question," I said, laying back down on his chest.