My Sweet Bully

Stopping at the gas station, I grab a couple of waters and a few snacks. Pulling into the beach parking lot, there are a handful of vehicles spread between the spaces. Parking my car, I dig my heels into the sand, and walk to the top of the sand dune.

I’m not sure where on the stretch of beach he might be, but I know I’ll be able to spot him from the top of the dunes. Pushing through the tall grass, I feel the sand as it trickles into my sneakers.

Ignoring the discomfort, I lift a hand over my eyes to block the sun as it’s setting. The orange globe is mirrored on the still surface. It sparkles under the light ripples of waves, and seagulls caw overhead.

Standing on the crest, I look down and find a group of people in orange vests, poking the ground with spikes and stuffing garbage into trash bags. My eyes scan the faces until I spot Max a few hundred yards off the shore.

The sand kicks up against the back of my legs as I make my way down the other side of the dune and across the beach. There are a few random people jogging and walking their dogs, but the beach is fairly quiet for the most part.

A guy in a police uniform is leaning against the lifeguard station, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses, but his head is moving between the group of people.

With firm feet I move across the beach, when the cop calls out to me. “Hey, what do you—” he cuts himself off as he grabs my wrist and pulls his glasses off his eyes. “Wait, you’re Greg’s niece, right?”

“Yeah, Prairie Westmin, that’s me.”

He smiles and takes a step back. “What are you doing here? You’re not part of this group.”

“No, but a friend of mine is. Is it all right if I. . .” Holding up the water and snacks, I give him puppy dog eyes and a pouty smile.

“I’m not supposed to because these are court ordered hours, but I think I can make an exception this one time.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.” Passing him a small bag of cashews, I give him another smile. “Here, one for you too.”

He takes the package and opens it, popping a handful of cashews into his mouth as he turns and looks the other way.

Max’s head is down as he spears garbage, unaware that I’m coming up behind him.

“Hey,” I say, tapping him on the shoulder.

Jerking his head over his shoulder, he peers at me surprised. “What the hell are you doing here?” he asks, pausing for only a moment before going back to stabbing trash.

“I come with a peace offering.”

Looking at my hands, he drops his head and stuffs a disfigured bottle into the bag on his side. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Please, just take it.” Holding out a bag of cashews, I bat my lashes and push out my bottom lip. “I came here to help, not fight.”

“You think some water and a bag of nuts fixes all of this?”

“No. I think it fixes right now. You’re going to tell me you’re not hungry?”

“I didn’t say that,” he says, scanning the ground.

Walking beside him, I hold out the bag again. “Then I’m right. I thought I heard your stomach.”

His eyes jump from the food to mine and back again to my hands. Taking the package slowly, he gives me a head nod. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“But don’t think this changes anything. I still hate you.”

“Fair enough,” I say with a half-smile. Tipping my chin into my chest, I look around. Bending over, I’m about to grab a piece of garbage off the ground when he stops me.

Yanking me upright by my shoulder, he snaps, “Don’t touch that with your hands.” Digging in his pocket, he pulls out a pair of latex gloves. “Put these on first.”

Smiling, I slip the gloves on my hands and pick up the trash. “Can I. . .” I let my voice trail off as I point at his garbage bag. Max nods and opens it for me. “So this is how you spend your afternoons?”

“Not by choice.” Poking a crunched can, he lifts it up. “I would have picked something with a little less sun.”

“Mm,” I say with a nod. “You do have that pasty skin color. Let me guess, you don’t tan, you just turn red like a lobster?”

“Wrong. I also peel.” Max chuckles lightly, his eyes steady on the ground.

Smiling, I look over at him. He takes a second to look up, giving me a faint smirk before going back to the ground.

My heart skips inside my chest when our eyes meet. His smile is real, it’s not fake. And that smile does things to me.

The blood in my veins percolates under the skin. My stomach explodes with a million butterflies all buzzing around. It makes me smile from ear to ear, exciting me in a way I never would have expected.