Duck and Dive

  Rise and Shine – Book One

  G B Ralph

  Copyright © G B Ralph 2020

  This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without permission of the publisher. The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

  ISBN 978-0-473-59069-7 (Paperback POD)

  ISBN 978-0-473-59070-3 (Epub)

  ISBN 978-0-473-59071-0 (Kindle)

  A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of New Zealand.

  G B Ralph

  www.gbralph.com

  For Te Peeti, who encouraged me to tell people I’d written this thing.

  Chapter 1 – What’s the hurry?

  ‘I’m gay.’

  I’d never said it out loud before.

  ‘I’m gay,’ I said again, staring myself down in the bathroom mirror. It wasn’t so hard, I could tell them. ‘I’m—’

  ‘All right, mate! Bloody hell,’ someone said. ‘You’re gay – I get it. Just let me take a shit in peace.’

  My eyes went wide with horror. I was sure I had the bathroom to myself – was there another stall around the corner?

  ‘I’m sorry! Sorry, I’m leaving…’ My heart hammered as I shot from the bathroom. I dropped onto a nearby bench outside, head in my hands, red with embarrassment.

  Then I realised… I’d just come out to someone, hadn’t I? It was to a complete stranger, someone who hadn’t even seen me. Still, it was a start, right?

  I leapt to my feet, a fresh wave of anxiety rushing through me. The hidden shitter could step outside at any second. He’d see my face. See me all hot and bothered and know I was the blithering idiot who’d been coming out to his reflection.

  Thinking only of distancing myself from that awkward situation, I ran along the decking, rounding the corner of the building—

  And slammed straight into something. I rebounded, arms swinging as I stumbled back, about to crash on my backside when two arms shot out to catch me.

  ‘Whoa, what’s the hurry?’ the something said, holding me in place as I got my legs back under myself.

  Once I could support my own weight, I stood up and stepped back. Looking up to take in this wall of muscle properly for the first time, I almost lost my footing all over again.

  He was stunning.

  Thick legs, well-defined chest, wide shoulders, and sculpted arms – that’s the word they used, wasn’t it? Sculpted. I’d never had cause to use it, and now one such arm rested on my side, as if I could collapse at any moment. His form was evident despite being covered by the navy blue, driving range uniform. Finally I’d worked my way up past his name badge – ‘Gabriel’ – to make eye contact. His eyes were a deep brown colour, his skin a warm, olive tone. And his face – gorgeous, angelic even, how fitting – was caught somewhere between amused and concerned. ‘You OK?’ he said, head tilted to one side, wavy black mop jostling with the movement.

  I was still speechless and gawking like a dork when someone tried to shuffle past us. My mind was too scrambled to process he’d come from the same direction I had – the bathroom. Not until I clocked the subtle lift of an eyebrow as he walked past did I realise who he must be – the reason for my mad dash.

  ‘I… uh… yes, thanks,’ I said, returning my attention to the man in the navy blue polo – Gabriel – as the other guy passed. ‘Yes, I’m fine.’ Despite having regained control of my body, my mind was still a few steps behind. ‘Sorry, I was… I was in a hurry to get back to the tee. My friends will be waiting for me.’

  ‘By all means, don’t let me hold you back,’ he said, smiling as he stepped aside and lowered his arm. ‘But please try not to bowl over anyone else today. I don’t want you hurting yourself.’

  ‘I won’t, promise.’ Was… Was he flirting with me? No, he’s clearly straight, just doing his job. Keep it in your pants.

  Not knowing what to say next, I made my best decision of the day. I kept my mouth shut, gave him a small smile and nod, then headed back to my friends at the tee.

  ***

  Jared and Richard were there waiting. None of us were golfers, but at the driving range it didn’t matter how you chopped it, each swing was a fresh chance. It was great for a laugh too. We even had a few kids with their mum and dad giving it a go at the tee next to us. Wholesome family fun.

  ‘There he is! We thought you’d fallen in,’ Jared said. He was the loveliest guy – though a bit of a goof, and forever recycling the same, limited set of jokes. He only ate pre-approved, pre-packaged meals, which consisted – as far as I could tell – solely of boiled chicken breast and steamed vegetables. I sometimes wondered if this strict regime prescribed by his personal trainer had impaired his brain development, or maybe just the ability to think for himself. His alcohol intake wouldn’t help with this either, probably rendered the diet pointless too.

  And he was forever falling victim to girls who only wanted a beefcake on their arm. They’d trot him around town for a week or two then just call it off. He liked to pretend he was the player, but each time this happened it would break his soft, squishy little heart.

  ‘Stop dicking around and get your arse over here. It’s your shot.’ That was Richard. He didn’t have an inside voice, or any sense of decency. I’d never met anyone with such a filthy mouth – he could shoehorn an insult or curse into any sentence. And where Jared was beefy, Richard was just all cake – crumbs lost in his unkempt beard, or piling up on his paunch.

  ‘Come on Arthur,’ Jared said, cutting off Richard before he could voice any more choice phrases in front of the kids. ‘Grab a club and get up there.’

  Jared was my best friend, had been since primary school. We were inseparable – even now he still looked out for me. I felt bad keeping something so important from him, but was terrified coming out would impact our otherwise easy friendship. We still saw each other every week, often multiple times, despite not living so close anymore and both working full-time.

  Stepping up to the tee, I took some practise swings, hoping to calm down. Relax and try to enjoy my weekend. I didn’t have to tell them right now, maybe later.

  On my third trial swing Richard leapt up. ‘Arthur, what is wrong with you? You’re wound tighter than a nun’s c—’

  A scandalised gasp from the next tee cut across Richard, parents clapping hands over the ears of their impressionable youngsters.

  ‘Yeah, loosen up or you’ll throw your back out, old boy,’ Jared said.

  ‘You’re so stiff, and not in a good way,’ Richard said, grabbing me from behind. ‘Just swing the hips.’ Pressing himself into me, he gyrated my hips together with his, first side to side, then thrusting forwards and backwards. Richard was laughing and whooping all the while, despite my protests.

  I certainly wasn’t relaxed now. If anything I was wound tighter than before.

  Just hit the bloody ball. Then they can busy themselves with their next shots. That might buy me a couple minutes to sort myself out.

  Still, rigid with all the pressure and stress, I swung hard.

  I knew before I’d even hit the ball that my stroke was off. As I connected with the golf ball, I felt a slight twinge in my lower back. On the upswing, my spine was set alight. Screaming in shock at the sudden and excruciating pain, I collapsed where I stood. My head hit the decking hard, and I blacked out.

  Chapter 2 – What’s the treatment, doc?

  I had a splitting headache. And what was I sleeping on… a footstool? My back was killing me. This would be a hangover for the books, I could feel it.

  Determined to get up and not waste what remained of my day, I tentatively opened one eye.

  Where I was expecting my bedroom ceiling – paint starting to peel in a few places, unmistakable – instead a face confronted me. A beautiful, tanned, light brown face, topped with waves of loose, black hair. And that face was frowning, creases between the eyebrows – concerned is what it was.

  ‘There he is,’ the face said, breaking into a smile like sunshine. ‘Awake at last.’ Who was this—

  Did I bring a guy home? I wouldn’t dare… Where had he gone now? What was—

  ‘Artie-farts, we thought you were a goner.’ Richard’s hairy mug crowded into my vision, grinning like a goon.

  What was happening? I made to get up when Jared appeared next to the other two. ‘Whoa mate, you stay where you are for a minute,’ he said, resting his hand on my chest.

  ‘What… What happened?’

  ‘You were so stiff you snapped your spine on the upswing,’ Richard said, solemn. ‘Then you collapsed and cracked your skull open. Doctor reckons you have an hour to live, maybe two.’ His lip had twitched as he finished before bursting out laughing.

  ‘Dickhead.’ I looked to Jared who’d just stuck his head in – he wasn’t such a smart arse, he’d give me a straight answer.

  ‘You swung so hard you knocked yourself out,’ Jared said in awe. ‘Not your best shot either.’

  I gritted my teeth and tried again with the mystery man. ‘What. Happened. To. Me.’

  ‘You might have pulled a muscle in your back. Then hit your head when you fell over, so perhaps a concussion too.’

  I nodded. A sharp pain shot through my body and I gasped out loud.

  ‘Try not to move,’ the gorgeous man said – Gabriel, that’s right, golf range employee – reappearing in my view. ‘Try to relax. The paramedics are on their way.’

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  Seeing him was a pleasant distraction. And I was determined to do as he said this time, considering he’d told me not to injure myself only minutes earlier. He wasn’t being serious about that though, was he? It’s just something you say. And I’d been too busy swooning and trying to avoid making a tit of myself to register anything he was actually saying.

  Well, if I hadn’t embarrassed myself before, I had now.

  I groaned.

  Gabriel’s gentle concern turned to alarm, ‘They can’t be far away! Hold on a bit longer.’

  I started to protest that I wasn’t groaning from the pain, sharp as it was. But then realised I couldn’t explain what I was really making a fuss about.

  As if the paramedics sensed I needed saving from my shame, there they were, looking capable in their uniforms and carrying all that equipment.

  ‘It’s getting crowded in here – you boys go down a few bays and keep playing,’ Gabriel said – my hero. ‘I’ll keep an eye on Arthur here while the paramedics do their thing.’

  Richard didn’t need telling twice and Jared soon followed when I told him I was all right.

  I admit, I was thankful they were gone. I was pleased to have Gabriel’s attention – even if flat on my back – but had been uncomfortably aware of my friends. They’d been right in my face, making stupid comments.

  The paramedics introduced themselves – Susan and Connor – then with Gabriel overseeing they poked and prodded, asking how this felt? And what about this?

  Eventually they eased me up into a sitting position, then with the help of Gabriel, to standing.

  They stood back – time for the verdict.

  ‘Mr Fenwick, you’ve strained your back and got yourself a mild concussion,’ Susan said. ‘Some rest, ice packs, and painkillers is all you need. Take it easy, nothing fancy.’ The paramedics started packing up their things as Jared and Richard returned to investigate.

  ‘What’s the treatment, doc?’ Jared said.

  ‘Do we need to put him down?’ Richard added. ‘Put the poor old boy out of his misery? Knock him on the head a bit harder. What have I got here… a 5-iron, will that do?’

  ‘He’ll live,’ she said, not appreciating the flippant attitude. ‘Mr Fenwick, you’ll be back to normal in a few days. It’s best to keep moving so you don’t get stiff, but nothing too vigorous. Only a little to begin with, then slowly more, as much as you can without too much discomfort.’

  ‘Don’t worry, miss, we’ll be gentle with him to start,’ Richard said with a grin and a wink, ‘then we’ll work our way up to “vigorous”.’

  ‘Uh huh…’ the paramedic said, pursing her lips as she turned from Richard back to me. ‘Mr Fenwick, have you got someone at home’ – she paused, looking again at Richard and Jared – ‘someone responsible who can keep an eye out during your recovery?’

  ‘No, no. I’ll be fine – I live by myself and I can look after myself.’

  ‘That’s admirable Mr Fenwick, but in this situation, also irresponsible. You at least need someone to check in.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye out for him,’ Jared said. ‘He can stay at mine – he spends half his time at my place anyway.’

  ‘You’re out of town for work, aren’t you?’ I said. ‘Leaving early tomorrow?’

  ‘Shit… Yeah, I am,’ Jared said. He looked stricken for a moment, then resolute. ‘I’ll call the boss, tell him he’ll have to put me on something local for the week – then I can keep tabs on our invalid.’

  ‘Mate, you know you can’t do that. I’ll be fine, I could—’

  ‘I can look after him.’ That was Gabriel, my gorgeous driving range employee.

  ‘What,’ I said, eloquent as ever.

  ‘I’ve only got a few shifts here, and I’m fairly light at uni this week,’ Gabriel said. ‘It’ll be no trouble.’

  ‘Excellent,’ Susan said before I could protest, as if she’d settled the matter. ‘Arthur, you shouldn’t have any problems. But it’s prudent to have someone around, or at least not far away, in case you pull your back again and injure yourself in the fall.’

  Turning back to Gabriel, Susan started ticking off fingers, ‘He’s to have no alcohol.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘And avoid applying heat to the strain, so no heat packs or hot baths.’

  At the mention of a hot bath, my immediate thought – naturally – was of the toned, uniformed man in front of me. Naked. Enjoying a bubble bath at home, sipping gin and tonics, with me. Then in a swift and jarring transition, my thoughts turned to him nursing me like an invalid. It was all very confusing, from dream fantasy to horror nightmare in a heartbeat. ‘I don’t… I don’t tend to take baths,’ I said. It was all I could come up with.

  Richard gasped, scandalised, ‘You filthy, stinky beast!’

  ‘Jog on Richard.’

  ‘Showers are fine,’ Susan said, taking back control of the situation. ‘Just remember, you won’t have the flexibility of movement you’re used to, so make sure someone is around in case you slip.’

  My imagination was already running away with me when Richard gasped again. ‘Miss, do we need to hire him a nurse, to help him scrub where his crippled body can’t reach? A nice looking girl to distract him from his pain. Preferably one with huge ti—’

  ‘Shut up Richard!’

  He clamped his jaws together and bulged his eyes in mock protest.

  ‘Richard is a waste of space who promises not to interrupt again,’ I said to Susan. ‘Sorry, please go on.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Fenwick. Last one: no massages, at least to begin with. Maybe after a few days you can try a gentle back rub. Just listen to your body and don’t jump straight in with a deep tissue massage.’

  Richard whimpered with restraint.

  ‘All right, that’s it. We’re off,’ Susan said. ‘You boys behave yourselves.’

  ‘Anything for you, Susan,’ Richard said, unable to help himself.

  ‘Really?’ I said once the paramedics were out of earshot. It was better to focus on Richard’s unnecessary commentary than risk thinking about Gabriel’s hands on me, gentle or otherwise.

  ‘What? I wasn’t interrupting. Would’ve been rude to leave her farewell unacknowledged. I expect your mother – my dear Denise – would have taught young Arthur better manners than this,’ he said, jabbing my chest for emphasis.

  ‘Ow! Stop it.’ I should have learnt by now that reasoning was pointless. Richard loved putting on a show – he could go all day, his justifications getting more elaborate and outlandish as the debate wore on. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play along today. Not that he required input from others – he was quite capable on his own.

  ‘Susan can hold her own, don’t you worry. Didn’t you hear her going on about boozy hot baths, sensual massages and all the rest? She wanted a piece of our Arthur, I’m telling you!’

  Kill me. Apparently my earlier embarrassment was only a taster. All I wanted now was the deck to open up and swallow me whole, never to be seen again.

  Richard was too busy having a great time – whooping and thrusting and grunting – to notice my extreme discomfort. Not that he cared or would change even if he did.

  ‘Right, let’s get out of here guys,’ Jared said, heading off to the car. Richard was a bit much sometimes, and on occasion Jared could be uncharacteristically perceptive.

  I followed, taking care with each step, but not in too much pain.

  Gabriel darted around to cut me off, ‘I’ll stop by in the morning to make sure you’re still alive.’

  ‘Oh no, that’s OK. You really don’t have to, it’s not your job. I only went along with it to appease Susan… I’ll be fine.’

  ‘That’s what you said to me before, remember? Yet, here we are,’ Gabriel said, smiling. He had a point. ‘It would put my mind at ease to check in, considering you did yourself in on my watch.’

  ‘But, I hardly know you,’ I said.

  ‘Nobody knows anyone, at least to begin with,’ he said.

  My fuzzy brain couldn’t come up with any other reason he shouldn’t check in on me. Jared and Richard knew he’d be coming, my witnesses – if I was done in by this stunning stranger, he would be the number one suspect. Him checking in was the prudent thing to do. And truth told, I was not averse to seeing him again, even in my current state.

 

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