EPILOGUE
Three months later
Austin could do this. He knew he could do it.
"You got this, baby," Dare said from beside him as they stood at the edge of the Pacific. They'd gotten up early this morning to come out. They did that often now, but Austin still couldn't get himself to stand on the board. Every time he tried, he fell into the wave. He obviously wasn't a natural like Dare.
"I can't do this. I hate the ocean. I suck."
He tried to turn, but Dare grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "My dick maybe, but not here. And I like it when you suck my dick."
He rolled his eyes at his ridiculous boyfriend. Dare made him do that even more than he used to, especially considering they lived together now. He was always shaking his head or rolling his eyes at something Dare did, and he loved it.
"Are you going to pick up Alexander today?" Austin asked, trying to change the subject.
"Yes. His foster parents said I can take him to lunch. Now shut up, stop changing the subject and get your sexy ass into the water."
Austin groaned. "Fine, whatever, but again, if a shark eats me, it's all your fault."
"They won't. The ocean and me? We're cool. It wouldn't take my heart."
Austin's bones nearly melted. Christ, he fell in love with this man more every day. And somehow … that was exactly what he needed to hear. Confidence bloomed in his chest.
"No, it wouldn't. And I love you."
Dare nudged him. "I love you too. Get your ass out there and surf. I dare you."
"Ha ha. Funny man." Really, he would never get tired of hearing that.
Suddenly, the water was calling to him the same way it did Dare. Austin pressed a quick kiss to Dare's lips and then made his way into the ocean.
He paddled out, and then did exactly as Dare had told him numerous times. This time, when he made his way to his feet, he found his balance, leaned the right way, rode the wave in a way that would make Dare proud.
When he crashed into the water, the fear he usually held there was gone. He'd done it. Taken a chance, the same way Dare took a chance on him.
He didn't make it all the way out of the salty water before Dare tackled him. Austin lay in the surf, with Dare straddling him. "You did it! You fucking did it, you badass. I told you! I knew you could!"
He did. "I am pretty badass, aren't I?" He grinned.
This time, it was the other man who rolled his eyes at Austin. "Shut up and kiss me, Austin."
So he did, right there in the middle of the beach, lying in the water that Dare loved so much. He couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life doing this-having wild adventures and quiet movie nights with the man he loved.
THE END