Jeremy walked down the quiet streets of the Coast as he neared downtown. The waves of Maine were a welcome background noise.
Jeremy walked down the quiet streets of the Coast as he neared downtown. The waves of Maine were a welcome background noise. He let out a breath, it fogged in the cold air. The weather was supposed to warm up later, but honestly, Jeremy didn’t mind the cold. He turned a corner and spotted Ralph’s Records, his new job, a start to a life he wasn’t sure he would stay in for long.
The glass entry door was covered in band stickers and graffiti, a sight still novel enough to make Jeremy smile when he opened it.
Ralph, an older bearded man, sat at the front register. Reading a magazine with large headphones wrapped around his ears. When Ralph saw Jeremy he threw up a peace symbol and stood from his chair with a slow groan.
“If it isn’t the man of the hour,” Ralph spoke with an accent created through a lifetime of exploration and psychedelic experiences.
“Hey Ralph, sorry I’m a little late,” Jeremy replied, hanging up his coat and walking behind the register.
“Yeah man, what the hell? I’ve been swamped these last ten minutes without you. Look at how busy it is,” Ralph pointed to the empty store as both he and Jeremy laughed.
“Did the new records come in yet?”
“Nah man, looks like we’re gonna have to wait a little bit longer on that one.”
“I’ll give them a call and iron it out. What about the receipts for your renovations? Did you happen to find those?”
Ralph raised his hands in the air. “Look man, I tried, but to be honest that’s what I hired you for. But check it out. I did bring you the old binder of joy.” Ralph pulled an overfilled binder from a shelf behind the register and handed it to Jeremy. He stared at it blankly, noting the twine that barely held it together massive pile of receipts.
“How in the hell have you stayed in business this long?”
“Honestly? I have no goddamn clue. I really thought I’d be homeless by now.” Ralph sat back down, looping his headphones around his neck.
“Right well, I’ll get on it. Do you need any help facing the merchandise?”
Ralph looked up from his magazine confused. “Facing the merchandise?”
“Yeah, you know, cleaning up the store, making it presentable. Increases sales?” Jeremy’s words were met with a blank stare. “I’ll get to work on it later if I have time.”
“You do that, my man, but don’t kill yourself!”
“No promises,” Jeremy said, Ralph shook his head and chuckled.
“Shouldn’t joke like that. Oh! Nearly forgot to ask, you planning on coming to the show later tonight?”
“Oh yeah, Monsters and Ravens is playing, right?”
“That’s the one.”
“You need help running it?”
“Nah, they kind of run themselves, but you’re more than welcome to stick around and have a blast. We’re all goin’ to the Crackler afterward for an encore if you’re looking to party.”
Jeremy toyed with the binder a moment before giving a polite smile.
“I’ll think about it,” he said.
“Please do!”
The day proceeded as each other day had, slow, deliberate, and filled with passion. Music lovers came and went, some hung out in the lounge area. Listening to music while working and chatting. Ralph maintained the grungy atmosphere of the space by carefully curating a playlist throughout the day.
Jeremy rifled through Ralph’s expenses, surprised to find that his sales were through the roof. It made Jeremy think a lot about his own life. His own decisions. The pressure cooker he had put himself in.
But now, he could breathe easy. Now he could relax. Of course, it came with a cost. He was making dirt compared to his former salary. Fortunately, his friends had hooked him up with a space that was practically free to rent. The only catch needing to help his elderly landlord maintain his home. Between the affordable rent and cheaper cost of living, Jeremy’s dividends and small income were more than enough to get by. He could stay here as long as he wanted.
He could leave it all behind.
No more business offices, no more stress, no more past.
No more Sage…
“Excuse me?” A woman’s voice caught Jeremy’s attention. He looked up from the countless receipts he had strewn across the register table and was met with a freckled, blue-eyed, blonde-haired woman.
“C-can I help you?” Jeremy stammered. The woman smiled.
“I haven’t seen you here before. Are you new?”
“I am,” Jeremy confirmed. The woman extended her hand.
“Erin,” She said. Jeremy took her hand, it was soft.
“Jeremy,” He replied.
“Erin! What’s going on man?!” Ralph shouted from his corner chair.
“Hey Ralph!” Erin replied, walking over to his side of the counter and leaning forward.
“I see you met my new protégé,” Ralph said, giving Jeremy a smile.
“He’s in good hands, I’m sure,” Erin said, looking back at him while fixing her hair.
“Yeah, it’s the other way around man. He’s helping me keep this thing afloat. A. real city slicker over there.” Ralph said, Erin looked at Jeremy in surprise.
“Really? From the city huh?”
“Making it sound cooler than it actually is,” Jeremy said with a laugh. Erin shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t know about that. Did you work at record stores there too?” Erin walked back over to Jeremy and leaned over the counter.
“No I was in mergers and acquisitions,” Jeremy said flatly. For some reason, saying it out loud gave it less prestige.
“Wow, from mergers to records… interesting move,” Erin’s words were playful. She had a calm, collected, and gentle demeanor about her. She adjusted her gold wireframe glasses while glancing at a poster taped to the wall next to Jeremy.
“You like that kind of music?” She asked.
“Uh, to be honest, I haven’t listened to anything new for a while,” Jeremy replied. Erin nodded slowly.
“I see.”
“Yeah…”
Erin tapped on the poster.
“Well, this band is good. Monsters and Ravens… They play locally, you know,” Erin said. Jeremy cleared his throat and nodded.
“Yeah, I think we’re actually hosting one of their shows tonight.”
“One of the few things to do in this sleepy town.”
“Sometimes it’s nice not having much to do,” Jeremy said. Erin smiled at him. His heart leaped in his chest.
“So are you going to be there?” Erin asked.
“I was thinking about it. But I did have some things I need to take care of at home.”
“Oh yeah. Like what?” Erin rested her head on her hand, leaning forward as she locked eyes with Jeremy.
“My landlord asked me to mow tonight, so I’ll probably be handling that and some yard work.”
“He can’t do it himself?” Erin asked curiously.
“He’s pretty old, so I help out when I can.”
Erin smiled. “That’s sweet. Well, if you’re interested in an adventure after the yard work, I will be going to the Crackler for the encore. Maybe we could grab a drink or two?”
Jeremy paused for a moment. He nodded and steadied his shaking hands.
“I’ll think about it,” He said.
“Well, you do what feels right, but I hope to see you there.” Erin turned for the exit cooly. As soon as she left, Ralph let out a whistle.
“Man oh man. Look at you. Catching the attention of the finest thing in town like it was nothing.”
“Come on Ralph,” Jeremy said with an awkward laugh.
“You better not stand her up,” Ralph said with a wagging finger. Jeremy looked over at him and shook his head.
“I don’t know…” He trailed off. Ralph watched him fiddle nervously with a few papers.
“It’s just drinks bud,” Ralph said gently. Jeremy let out a long sigh.
“Yeah… You’re right, I just… I don’t know…”
“Listen, it’s fine to be out of breath after you’ve run away from something. But there’s nothing wrong with taking a drink of water along the way,” Ralph caught Jeremy’s eye.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone with my shit.”
“And that’s why you won’t. Be there. Learn to unwind and go with the flow. That’s what slow living is all about anyway.” Ralph put his headphones back on and hummed along with his music.
Jeremy worked silently for a few minutes longer. He knew Ralph was right.
After all, it was only drinks.
“Hey Ralph?” Jeremy asked. Ralph looked up from his paper.
“Yeah?”
“What kind of outfit do you guys wear to dive bars around here?”
—
The Crackler was loud, crowded, and uncomfortably humid from sweat and spilled whiskey. Monsters and Ravens were in the middle of their set, playing at a level that nearly blew out the budget speakers overhead. The crowd of middle-aged men, grunge twenty-somethings, and blue-collar workers bounced to the rhythm. Jeremy waded through them, eventually finding his way to Erin near the bar who was already holding a half-empty glass. Her eyes lit up as soon as she spotted him.
“Holy shit! Mergers made it!” She grinned, opening her arms wide for a hug. Jeremy accepted, wrapping her arms around her petite, athletic frame. He gave her a light squeeze before letting her go.
“Can I buy you another?” Jeremy asked.
“Sure!” she shouted over the music.
“What are you drinking?” Jeremy asked.
“Negroni!” Words bled with music as Jeremy fought his way over to the bartender. He left his card for the tab, then retreated with Erin to a sticky table off in the corner of the bar where it was marginally quieter.
“So,” Erin said, swirling her drink, “I’m still having a hard time believing you just quit to come live in the middle of nowhere.”
“What’s so hard to believe? Burnout can happen to anyone.” Jeremy played it cool, Erin gave a playful smile.
“Wouldn’t it have made more sense to just take a vacation?”
Jeremy shrugged. “Sometimes you need more than just a vacation.”
“What on earth were you running from?” Erin asked. Her question was genuine, despite her playful tone.
Jeremy leaned back. “Honestly, a lot. I got into a world that slowly spiraled out of control. As much as I tried to keep a lid on it, I just couldn’t. The only way out was a full reset.”
“So, is this the final stop for you?” Erin asked. Jeremy shrugged.
“Hard to say, right now I’m just taking it one day at a time.” Jeremy and Erin stared at one another. A knowing understanding passed between them through the vibrations of music.
“Nothing wrong with taking things one step at a time.”
Jeremy smiled. “Nothing wrong with it at all.”
She studied him over the rim of her glass. “So are you always this mysterious?”
“Only when the music’s too loud for small talk.”
Erin laughed. “You’re not what I expected.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“So far. But I still haven’t decided.”
Jeremy raised his glass. “To indecision.”
She clinked his with hers. “To running toward something.”
Her leg brushed his under the table.
—
Erin’s apartment smelled like old books and warm spices. The dog, Murray, snored in the corner, already worn out from excitedly greeting Jeremy. He leaned against the doorframe as Erin poured two drinks and swayed to an old Bowie track playing from her record player. Her frame was lean, with sensual curves around her hips. She walked over to Jeremy and handed him a drink.
“Here you are,” Erin said gently.
“Thanks.” Jeremy took the drink and followed Erin to the couch. They each only needed a few sips from their glasses. Without remembering the words, Erin had moved in for a kiss. Passionate, slow, sweet. She tasted like berries, and Jeremy quickly lost himself in the flavor.
They explored one another as they kissed, clothes discarded piece by piece like a slow-burning fire. Once Erin removed her jeans, she straddled Jeremy, pressing her warmth against his boxers. Grinding slowly as he groaned into her neck.
Erin moaned in return. Jeremy saw an image of Sage flash in his mind. His body tensed.
“You good?” Erin whispered.
“Yeah. Just… you smell amazing.”
“Don’t get sentimental on me, city boy,” Erin said, biting his earlobe. Jeremy’s hands continued to explore her body, undoing her bra and exposing her firm c-cup breasts. He leaned forward and sucked on her nipple while squeezing the other gently. Erin wrapped her hands around his head, pulling him in closer as he sucked deeply.
“God you’re good at that,” Erin said softly.
They stood, stumbling into her kitchenette, laughter spilling between sloppy kisses. She bent over the small wooden table and looked back at him with a devilish smile.
“Use me,” She said softly.
Jeremy pulled her hips toward him and slowly slid her underwear down her thighs. He lined his tip with her entrance. The first push was slow, both of them moaning as he filled her.
“Fuck…” Erin muttered, bracing herself on the table. He grabbed her hands, pressing them down as he began to thrust. Deep, sharp, deliberate. Erin’s tight walls squeezed on Jeremy’s shaft as he fucked her slowly.
The table rocked beneath them. Erin’s breath hitched as her hair fell forward, swaying to Jeremy’s increasing rhythm. He began to pound her vigorously, gazing at Erin’s perfectly round ass as she moaned loudly. With every bounce, Jeremy gripped harder. Went faster.
Then she crept in again.
Sage.
Erin’s moans became hers. Her perfume warped into Sage’s shampoo. Jeremy blinked, and suddenly he was David. He began to wonder if he had fallen into a dream. Inebriation took him as he watched David fuck Sage.
Rougher. Bigger. Confident in ways Jeremy never was.
“Hey, is something wrong?” Erin asked. Jeremy snapped back to reality, catching Erin’s eyes as he realized his pacing had come to a grinding halt.
“Yeah… yeah I’m fine it’s just… can you call me David?” He asked between ragged breaths.
Erin looked with dazed eyes. “David?”
“Just play along. Please.”
She gave a half-smile, breathless. “Alright… David.”
He leaned down and whispered, “You like that, don’t you? You like taking another man’s cock?”
Erin tensed, but then moaned in response. “Mmm, David… yes.”
Jeremy’s cock throbbed at the name. He slammed into her harder. His fingers dug into her hips, pulling her back onto him while she tossed her hair back.
“Say you love getting fucked by me,” he growled.
“I love your cock, David. I love getting fucked by you.”
Jeremy pulled out, grabbed her by the waist, and guided Erin back to the couch. She straddled him again, lowering herself slowly until he was buried inside her once more. Her pussy gripped him tightly as she began riding him, her juices covering his balls, sticking between their thighs as they became lost in one another. Jeremy groaned. He had become David once more. He was what he could never be. Erin became Sage. Jeremy watched her tits bounce as she threw her head back in pleasure.
Her hips swayed in tight circles, it made Jeremy’s cock pulse. He gripped her waist, then her ass, then leaned forward and bit Erin’s neck as he thrust upward. She whimpered in response.
“Oh fuck, Jeremy… I mean… David. God, I’m so close.”
They fucked in silence, the room filling with shortened breaths carried through gentle music playing in the background. After a few vigorous thrusts, Erin shivered on Jeremy’s cock.
“Holy fuck! Holy fu…”
Jeremy kissed Erin before she could finish, slowly thrusting into her as she came on his cock. Then he lifted her off his lap and carried her to the kitchen counter, bending her over once again. He thrust into her with force, a deep growl tearing through his chest as Erin’s legs began to quiver.
Jeremy’s mind spiraled.
It was Sage and David once more. She was bent over and fucked by him, being tamed by him. Moaning for the man Jeremy hated the most.
He hated it.
But even more so, Jeremy hated himself for wanting it.
Erin looked back at him, eyes glassy, lips parted.
“I want you to cum in me.”
Jeremy’s stomach twisted. Something uncoiled in him. He grabbed her hips tightly, fingers digging into her skin.
“Say cum in me, David,” he growled. Impersonating the voice of the man he hated most.
Erin nodded slowly, trembling as she pushed her hips back into him. “Cum in me, David. Do it. Cum in me.”
Jeremy lost himself, burying his entire length deep inside Erin. His cock throbbing as he erupted inside her. Nearly moaning Sage’s name through gritted teeth.
He staggered backward, watching as his cum spilled onto Erin’s thighs. She looked back at him. Jeremy looked away. Walking to the couch and dropping onto it like a man who’d just been shot.
Erin grabbed a few napkins, cleaning herself before walking over and sitting beside him, her flushed skin glistening with sweat.
She looked at him sideways. “So, how did I do?”
Jeremy blinked. Her voice sounded far away.
He gave a weak smile and nodded. “You were great.”
She kissed his shoulder and leaned against it.
“I hope I did the roleplay thing ok…”
“You were just fine, thank you…” Jeremy stared at the darkened ceiling, his heart still thudding in his chest.
Guilt swam across his cooling skin, leaving him with only shivers as a weight settled deep in his stomach.
He’d been inside her, but in his mind, he hadn’t been with Erin at all.
He’d simply watched David take Sage.
Sage.
He’d pictured her skin. Her voice. Her moans.
It wasn’t the same. No matter how perfectly Erin had played along. It wasn’t enough.
He was chasing something he desperately wanted to leave.
And now, even in someone else’s apartment, with someone else’s body wrapped around his, he was still watching David and Sage.