Summer is the start of the busy season for Neptune's Pool Service, owned by Pete Crawford. A new client, Corey Brennerman, captures Pete’s interest, if only because he seems attached to his cell phone 24/7. Corey is a serious workaholic. Pete remembers when he used to be like that, and he wishes he could do something about it.<br><br>Pete comes to Corey’s aid in a grocery store parking lot one evening and helps him catch the punk who tries to steal his cell phone. As a result, their relationship moves from that of client/hired help to cautious friends. When a Fourth of July party leads to a tryst, Pete is running scared because he thinks Corey is too stressed and vulnerable to handle anything serious right now. But Corey confronts him, and they work things out -- in the pool, naturally.<br><br>A death in the family brings them even closer together. Can Corey make some positive changes in his life? Could the relationship they’ve begun to build become something that might last forever?

Wading in Neptune's Pool

“Sit over there,” I said, directing him to the couch when I unlocked the door to my home. The vacuum cleaner was still leaning where I’d left it when he called earlier. Corey sat down heavily. I got us both a beer from the fridge and sat beside him, handing him a bottle. We drank, not saying anything for a time.


“My dad’s lawyer is coming over to my house tonight to tell me about the will. I’m not sure what to expect, but I’ve made a decision. If my dad has left the business to me, I’m selling it. I don’t want any part of something that will drain the life and love out of you like it did my dad.”


“I’ll support your decision, whatever it is.”


That’s all we said to each other. I ordered pizza for our meal, since I wasn’t kidding when I said I couldn’t cook. And I was also, once again, out of groceries.


Chapter 11