Four Kicks

The Williams build, which looks nearly complete, is on a prime hilltop plot of land overlooking the ocean. Even with the yard still torn up and muddy, the house itself exudes luxury. It’s massive, with three stories and a wraparound porch. There are also ramps and wide doorways, making entry accessible for wheelchairs.

Several trucks are parked in the driveway and it turns out that all four of my bosses are here. All of the contract workers have gone for the evening.

Derek asks me to wait as he reviews the paperwork I’ve brought. After he makes a quick call, he asks if I’d like a tour. “I realized this is the first time you’re seeing one of our homes.”

Ash and Landon are in the kitchen and they join us, seeming interested in my reactions to their work. I must admit that I’m gushing a bit as I encounter the unique features of the house.

Landon explains that the homeowners will be bringing the wife’s mother to live with them, and they’ve designed an attached mother-in-law suite and included an elevator to accommodate her. In addition to the accessibility features, there are innovative built-in bookshelves, workstations, and benches, and other unique designs that set the home apart from anything I’ve ever seen.

“This is amazing. How long have you been doing this?”

“A few years,” Ash says with a shrug.

The men can’t be more than a few years older than me. The work is especially awe-inspiring considering their age.

As they show me around, I’m impressed not just by the results I see but also by the obvious pride the men take in their work. It’s clear that they don’t build houses just to make money; they’re very thoughtful and creative in making attractive and practical dwellings for people.

Descending to the ground floor, I catch sight of a gazebo behind the house. “Can we go see that?” I ask, pointing. “I’ll bet the ocean view is incredible.”

Derek looks down at my feet. “Sure, though your shoes may get dirty. The landscaping doesn’t go in until next week.”

Luckily, I have flats on today. “That’s fine. They’ll wash.”

We exit through the back door to find Nathan on the patio. He’s on his phone and gives a distracted wave. When the three men and I are nearly to the gazebo, he jogs up behind us. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Hi, Nathan. I just had a tour. I wanted to see the view out here.”

The gazebo matches the home beautifully, and there are little touches that make it obvious that the men designed this small structure, too. I take a seat on the big built-in platform in the center and take in the view which is, indeed, stunning. Spread below us are sand dunes, their grasses blowing gracefully in the breeze, a long stretch of beach curving around one of the island’s namesake points, and endless ocean.

“It’s beautiful.” My words come out in a sigh.

Landon sits beside me. “The view is pretty amazing.”

“The house, too. It’s incredible. I had no idea the four of you were so good at your work.”

“Thanks?” Nathan says. “Is that a compliment, or did you think so little of us?”

“It’s definitely a compliment. How did you all get into building homes?”

“I’ve always been building,” Landon says. “Blocks, Lincoln Logs, LEGO…”

“Forts, treehouses,” Nathan adds.

“My dad and I built epic treehouses,” Derek says, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

“How about you, Ash? Did you build treehouses with your dad?” Ash is standing just outside the gazebo’s entryway, but at my question, he comes in and leans against a post.

“No, no dad, and sometimes not even trees.”

I raise my brow in question.

“I grew up with a single mom who couldn’t always keep a roof over our heads. My brother and I had to go into foster care a couple of times. I suppose that’s why I build homes.”

“Oh, wow. But you managed to go to college? That’s where you all met, right?”

“Right. I’m very thankful for scholarships.”

I’m quiet for a moment, the heaviness of Ash’s story in the air. I want to touch him, but he’s out of reach, and I get the impression he wouldn’t want me to make a big deal out of what he’s said. “So you met at college. How did you all end up working together?”

“Derek and I were assigned roommates,” Landon says.

“And Nathan and Ash were in several of our classes,” Derek adds.

“We started hanging out, partying, found out we had a lot in common.” Nathan gives me a devilish grin.

“And we had the same taste in girls.” Ash turns his dark eyes on me and my nipples go hard. Is he saying they’ve been teaming up to pleasure women since they were in school? Nathan and Ash had worked together skillfully and seamlessly to pleasure me that night at Rusty’s. What would it be like to be with all four of them?