A Lover's Decision

Chapter 11 (18+)

Out of all his past lovers, Myles had never been jealous of any of them. He had seen them naked, half-naked, and fully clothed. He had never cared what they'd done before.

However, when Rhyn walked out of the house in just swim trunks, his jealousy went through the roof. He wanted to cover him up so no one else could see him. He didn't want anyone to see the slim figure with slight love handles. He wasn't a stick like Rhyd or fit like Rhys, but he still looked good.

Myles didn't want anyone to see any of it. At all. Nada. he wanted to keep that tanned skin to himself. No one else should see this except him.

Rhyn didn't pay him any attention. He dropped his towel to a chair then sank into the water. There was a slight chill to it, but the sun warmed him up. He dipped under the surface and wet his hair. He rubbed his face to get the water off it.

It felt good to float. He hadn't swam competitively in years, but he used it to keep in shape. He wasn't working out as much anymore so he'd gained a few extra pounds, but he'd never lost the joy of swimming.

He lay on his back with his knees bent and his arms splayed wide. Floating eased his nerves and brought a different kind of peace that he rarely felt anymore. He watched the sky and the clouds, feeling content and happy.

He could forget all of his conflicting emotions for a moment. The thoughts of wanting to be accepted and loved, thoughts of fear and anxiety, and thoughts of pain and longing. He let them go in that brief moment as he floated in the pool.

Water splashed him, and he stood. It wasn't a smart idea to be reckless around his brother and friend. He risked getting drowned in their horseplay. He retreated to a corner and watched them roughhouse.

Rhys dunked Ryan immediately, laughing as he tried to get away from his victim. They had always acted like children when in the water. Their fun always consisted of hunting each other and trying to hurt someone else. It was best to stay away from them with their backs against the wall.

Myles swam up to him, settling beside Rhyn as he watched the other two. He had seen them horse play on the court and check each other into oblivion, but this was completely new. This was like two children who had never been to a water park.

"What the hell is this?" he laughed.

"This is a fifteen-year scenario. They've known each other since we were seven, but they've been friends since high school. Any time they're in the pool, they revert back to being seven-year-olds. It's best to stay out of the way," Rhyn laughed. He turned away from the insanity and folded his arms on the side of the pool. "It feels great to do this again."

"What? In the pool?"

The younger man nodded. "I haven't just relaxed in the pool in a while. At first it was to train then it was to work out. I've never just relaxed in the water without needing to do something else."

Myles leaned back. "You were a swimmer?" Rhyn nodded. "How many medals?"

"I was the state champion in high school and won silver at nationals. I retired before the world competition. I had a shoulder injury and just didn't want to compete anymore. I was tired."

The basketball player heard the exhaustion in his voice and looked at him. Rhyn was looking off into the distance with his chin on his arms. Myles could tell he enjoyed swimming but the pressure to win had probably gotten to him. Rhyn didn't seem the type to get stuck on doing something he didn't want to do. He didn't even listen to Rhys.

Myles extended his hand in the water and touched Rhyn. The other guy turned his head to rest his cheek on his arms as he looked at him. They watched each other as the hand ran over his stomach, grazing the soft of Rhyn's stomach. The man flinched, muscles spasming under the gentle fingers.