“Why don’t we do the games tomorrow and movies the day after?”
Drew smiled widely. “Perfect.”
Chapter 8 – Drew
28th December
Carol from site 23 in the caravan park, looked at Drew with raised eyebrows when he registered himself and Robbie as a late team entry in the Lawn bowls. He put them down for the stupid kid’s three-legged race too, figured they could opt out at the last minute if Robbie wasn't keen. He’d seemed excited about the prospect of taking part in the competition, but Drew didn't want him overwhelmed. It was easy to feel like that in a sea of people who’d known each other for years, with inside jokes, and good-natured teasing that ran through the competition like wildfire.
Drew hadn’t considered that before registering their team. He wasn’t sure he wanted everyone to know that he and Robbie had, no, were a thing. It was too late to back out now.
Upbeat and funny Carol played the ditzy housewife perfectly, but she had known him for nine years, since his parents bought the caravan that first summer, and she was far from stupid. As the most well-versed source of information on the Whitehaven Beach community, both current and historical, nothing ever got past her. Drew swore under his breath. He really hadn’t thought this through.
“Okay, Drew,” Carol said, her expression morphing into a knowing smirk, “You’re registered to compete with Robbie let-me-charm-the-pants-off-you Adams.”
Drew blushed at her teasing and rolled his eyes to hide his embarrassment. Carol was worse than his mum at delivering pointed, mortifying comments. At least his mum could be trusted not to tell everyone he was seeing someone, or kind of seeing someone.
“Competition starts at ten. Make sure you and your partner are there on time or you’ll receive a penalty for every five minutes you’re late.”
“Yep, we’ll be there on time.” Drew raced away from the registration station she had set up in front of her place. When he was half way down the dirt track to his parents' place, he glanced back to see her watching with a smirk. Oh God, would a whole day with Robbie at the Caravan Park Tournament be amazing or horrible?
Robbie seemed so happy to be part of the tournament. He focused completely on the lawn bowls round robin. He assessed every potential opponent, quietly pointing out who he thought they’d have to look out for. Drew didn't care if they won or lost— he just loved how immersed in the competition Robbie became. It was the same intensity he had shown when he’d been fishing, as though those things, the things he did with Drew, were the most important things in his world.
“Next up are Drew and Robbie, in a surprise late entry this morning. Ladies, brace yourselves for these two cuties.” Robbie smirked at Carol’s introduction and grabbed Drew’s hand, holding it aloft like they’d won a boxing match. Robbie Smiled so happily in a way that was captivating and contagious, a smile that Drew hadn’t seen on Robbie since they were little kids.
Drew looked at their linked hands as Robbie worked the primed crowd. Whatever Carol had thought this morning, whatever rumours she might have spread, or gossip she ignited at the communal washing machines, would be set in stone now. With beautiful, jubilant Robbie Adams holding his hand like they belonged together, the tiny temptation to pull away, to keep quiet just a little bit longer dissipated as Robbie dropped their hands and turned back to him smiling widely. He lifted their hands again, between them, squeezing just a little bit.
“Is this okay?” Robbie asked. Drew hated the tiny flicker of vulnerability that showed through the cocky happiness and showboating.
“Yeah, it really is,” he said, and he pulled Robbie’s hand up to his mouth and kissed it before letting go and racing to the start of the game. “Come on Adds-y, put your money where your mouth is.” He turned back to see Robbie standing completely still, just staring at him.
Chapter 9 – Robbie
28th December
Robbie couldn't stop smiling. He’d been smiling all day. Drew was quiet and beautiful and, for the moment Drew was his. He held Robbie’s hand, he let Robbie kiss him in front of people they knew, he wasn’t trying to hide or make fun of what they were doing, he felt invested. The difference, compared to just days before, made his chest hurt with its intensity. Being wholly happy and accepted by someone highlighted how he hadn't felt like that in a long time, maybe ever.
Robbie picked up a stick as he and Drew walked out of the caravan park.
They’d lost their first game of bowls, but it felt like they’d been firm crowd favourites with catcalls of cheats and unfair advantage raining down on their opponents, a plaintive giv’em a another go coming from all the mums and grandmothers.
They’d been even more uncoordinated in the three-legged race than they had been at bowls and ended up in a heap close to the start of the race. It was mortifying and hilarious.
Robbie smiled and shook his head. Drew blushed ridiculously, grabbed Robbie’s hand, and pulled him between two caravans to some fold out chairs and a small Esky with soft drink inside. Drew’s mum dropped bags of potato chips and fun size chocolate bars on them as she passed on her way to somewhere else in the park.
Robbie had won a six pack of beer in the door prize. Carol had immediately confiscated it, but then surreptitiously handed two bottles back to them. She’d flicked her fingers, shooing them away, and they’d head off down towards the beach, the sounds of the games ramping up as the alcohol came out and the competition got down to the serious players.
Robbie took Drew’s hand again, loving the heady rush of warmth that flowed through him when Drew squeezed tightly, then softened his grip.
“Today was good, thanks for inviting me,” said Robbie. It sounded casual, and it was, in a way. Drew didn't have to know just how much the day had meant to him.
“You’re welcome. It was good. I mean, it was good to have you here, not so great to have you as my tournament partner.” Drew stumbled away, laughing, as Robbie let go of his hand and tried to punch him.
They ran down the beach, both quick and agile, until they arrived at the end where the black rocks of the cliffs loomed over them, cutting out the afternoon sun. Panting, Robbie finally caught up to Drew and grabbed his hand again, dragging him towards one of the smaller rocks so they could sit. The tide was out and the dry sand cool under their feet. Robbie opened his beer but Drew just balanced his on the rock and lay back looking up at the sky.
“I mean it, Drew,” said Robbie, after a few minutes of contemplating the waves and sipping on the beer, “Today was really good. It felt really good to be able to be with you, and just, I don't know, not feel like I had to be on my guard all the time.”
Drew said nothing, just stretched his arm out and touched Robbie’s back, tracing tiny circles over his t-shirt, the pressure both barely there and overwhelmingly intense. Robbie’s whole focus on that tiny, persistent, touch, that almost casually intimate and trusting touch. He placed the beer down and rolled over onto his stomach to lay next to Drew, propping his head on his hand so he could look at the boy who made him feel safe.
“Y’okay?” said Drew, his voice drowsy and his eyes closed.
“Yeah,” said Robbie. Drew opened his eyes and Robbie leaned forward to kiss him on the mouth. “Yeah, I really am ok.”
They walked back to the caravan park hand in hand, the incoming tide sending water far enough up the beach to wash over their feet in cold waves. They shivered when the drop in temperature met the heat of their sunburned skin. Drew stopped at the sandy walking track into the back of the park. He grabbed the beer bottles, his own still full, and Robbie's empty, but only because they’d tipped it out when it had grown warm.
“So,” said Drew.
“Do you still want to go to the movies tomorrow?” asked Robbie. He almost hoped Drew would say no so they could just hang out together.
“I think so. If there’s anything good on.” Drew looked at Robbie with an exaggerated leer and poked a finger into Robbie’s ribs, tickling him. “Plus, I’m kinda keen to
get you into a dark cinema.”
Robbie snorted and poked him back. “Yeah right. You, want to get me, into a dark cinema?” Robbie didn't really care who got who into a cinema, or if there even was a cinema, as long as they could hang out together.
“Okay, pick me up at around ten?” asked Drew, and he gave Robbie a quick kiss before turning and heading back into the park.
Chapter 10 – Robbie
29th December
“Where’s the Charger?” asked Drew, as he slipped into the new-looking minivan that Robbie pulled up in.
“I try not to drive it into town too much, you know, a Charger with provisional licence plates on it is like a beacon for the highway police.” Robbie smiled at Drew, taking in the unfamiliar formality of his green button-down shirt and light cargo shorts. Drew smoothed his dark curly hair back and wound down the window, settling in, getting comfortable. He looked nervous.
Robbie pressed his mouth to his own shoulder to hide his smile. “Dad let me borrow his car which comes with the added bonus of not having to pay for petrol.”
Drew rewarded Robbie’s statement with a cheeky grin. “Oh, hang on. Does that mean the Charger is your car?” asked Drew, incredulous.
A bubble of embarrassed pleasure rose at the envy in his tone.
“Yeah, dad bought it for me when I got my licence a couple of years ago.” Robbie turned carefully onto the freeway running through the forest along the edge of the sea, all the way into town. He kept the cruise control on to keep to the speed limit.
“What?” asked Drew, clearly confused about something. “How old are you?”
“Um, why?” asked Robbie, now confused as well. What was this about?
“I think I missed something,” said Drew, “Either you’re older than I thought, or you did some weird deal with the roads and traffic authority to get your licence early.” Drew pulled a face at Robbie when he glanced over, and Robbie laughed. “And seriously, your dad bought you a Charger? I thought I was spoiled.”
“Oh, um, no, I'm seventeen but my birthday is in three days. I got my learners permit the day I could, and dad brought home the Charger then for us to work on together, so that it would be ready when I could drive by myself.” Robbie loved that his dad had done that for him. The car wasn't just amazing because it was a great vintage car, it was amazing because it represented hours of time he’d spent working with his dad.
“That’s brilliant,” said Drew, just a little wistfully, “I kind of wish my dad was more into that stuff. I mean, he’s not a bad parent, and he spends time with me, but we don’t really do anything that has a tangible outcome. Certainly not something as cool as building a freaking car.” Robbie grinned at the frustrated warmth in Drew’s voice when he talked about his dad.
“Yeah, it was good.” There was a kind of weird alternate universe feeling about the project. When they were working on the car, none of the slight awkwardness between Robbie and his dad that they’d both learned to ignore, surfaced. It faded away with the clank of tools and frustrated but friendly arguments about the best way to tackle a mechanical problem. That good feeling disappeared outside of the garage, and Robbie always felt like his dad was putting on a show to prove just how great a relationship they had, regardless of the truth. The horrible irony of it, was that if he, no, they, were easy together like they were when they worked on the car, then there would be no need to show off how great they got along. They’d just be doing it.
Robbie glanced across at Drew who stared out the window, chewing on a thumbnail.
“Hey, so what do you want to see?” asked Robbie, needing to change the subject before he ruined his good mood. “Can you look up what’s on?”
Drew flushed, embarrassed, and shook his head. “No, I’ve got no data. Give me your phone?” He held his hand out but didn’t look at Robbie. Robbie grabbed his phone and passed it across. “What’s your pin?” Drew asked.
“3443425,” said Robbie. “How come you don’t have any data, watching too much free-to-stream porn?” Drew flushed again, and Robbie laughed. “Seriously? You used up your data on porn?”
“No, way worse than that,” Drew said, the blush staining his cheeks and neck. “I only have phone service, no data. And if I want to do anything, I have to use WIFI. And my parents have me on the kids list at the caravan park, so I have to get permission like a six-year-old, to get the password from the front desk. It’s mortifying.” Robbie didn't see what the big deal was, but he made a sympathetic noise in agreement.
“Well, whatever. Can you look up what’s on? I haven't really kept track this year.”
“There’s nothing much until twelve. Then there’s the new Marvel and that army one, and some kid’s stuff. It’s all looking a bit rubbish, honestly.”
Robbie was keen for the Marvel, but not committed. Besides he just wanted to spend time with Drew. “Let’s hang out, look around, get lunch. Then see what we feel like when the sessions start,” said Robbie.
“Sure.” Drew locked Robbie’s phone and dropped it into the centre. He slowly reached his hand across and touched his fingers tentatively to Robbie’s leg. Robbie grabbed Drew’s hand and pressed it hard into his thigh then placed his own hand back on the steering wheel.
They drove in silence into town, the smell of the sea and cool breeze rushing into the car through the open windows. The sound of cicadas, so loud through the open windows, drowned out the car engine. Robbie was intensely aware of every tiny movement of Drew’s fingers on his leg.
Chapter 11 – Drew
29th December
Town was both monotonously familiar and sparklingly different: the newsagent with an insane selection of magazines, an extensive collection of toys, games and books, and weird essentials for a summer holidays, like crab pots and snorkels.
Young girls with bored expressions and too long fingernails, shouted orders to the kitchen of the fish and chip shop with a massive menu and a line that snaked out the door at all hours of the day. Packs of kids settled in to eat potato scallops, deep fried Chiko rolls and hot chips, endless hot chips with tomato sauce.
Robbie held his hand, and Drew envied how unselfconscious Robbie was, even with the overt acceptance mixed with a prying but kind interest. Robbie didn’t seem to find it intrusive and unsettling like Drew and he wondered if they noticed because he held hands with Robbie, rather than because he held hands with a boy. Would it be different if Drew was here with some other tourist who these people didn’t know, hadn't known since he was a child? He tried to ignore his discomfort
“Hey, let's go in here,” said Robbie, pulling Drew into a strange little shop squeezed between a laundrette and a bicycle repair centre. Odd bits of shell and driftwood made up into clumsy, childlike, mobiles hanging at the entrance gave it the air of a beach shack. “It’s the opportunity shop. This is where Christmas puzzles go to die.” Robbie pulled a scary face and Drew laughed. “I’ve found some really cool stuff in here, some weird stuff too. Like, this one time, I came in and there was a purple linen safari suit, I mean, who would sell their purple safari suit? Who would even have one to sell?”
Drew looked around. An old lady with an orange cardigan, tightly wound curls and gold glasses sat at the front of the shop knitting. The place smelled like second hand holidays, musty and beachy and old. It was crowded with shells, toys, and books, clothes, records, and fishing tackle. Drew couldn't see any order to it, He loved it immediately.
“I’m just gonna,” Drew pointed to one of the tiny back rooms, filled with books and Robbie nodded, leaning up against the front counter to ask the lady something. Drew ducked through the low doorway and browsed the shelves, and the table in the centre of the room, and the stacks of books all over the floor and windowsill. Well-loved holiday classics like John Grisham’s Pelican Brief, sat next to Do-It-Yourself Permaculture and outdated high school geography textbooks. The old sagging brown armchair in the corner looked, both revolting and inviting. Robbie’s voice murmuring in the background faded
as Drew gathered up a pile of odd-looking plays, science fiction and natural history books, plonking them on the floor next to the chair. He sunk down into it to check for a hidden treasure.
Unsure how much time had passed, Drew looked up, realising that he couldn't hear Robbie’s voice from the front of the shop any more. He grabbed the three books he had chosen and went to pay, then find his date.
“Great choices, dear.” The lady at the counter read the back cover of The Rainmaker he’d chosen for his mum’s shared bookshelf before shoving it in the paper bag. Drew paid and looked around for Robbie.
“You’re looking for Robert? He’s outside.”
Oh. “Thanks.” Drew grabbed his bag of books and left the shop to find Robbie.
He stood with a group of guys at the entrance to the mall. Drew felt a nasty jealousy rise up in his chest, unsure if he wanted to be as comfortable as Robbie with his friends, or if he wanted to steal Robbie away for himself. Either way, he immediately disliked the three casually beautiful boys holding Robbie’s attention. The dark-haired one with the low slung jeans, bare feet and too-big purple Billabong singlet glanced up and saw Drew coming towards them. He said something to the group and Robbie turned. Drew pasted on a smile for him and Robbie grinned back, beckoning him over. The other two, almost identical-looking red-haired, tanned and freckled guys, snickered at whatever the first guy had said and Drew’s hackles, already raised, bristled even more.
Robbie grabbed Drew’s hand when he grew close enough and pulled him into his side, slinging an arm over his shoulder in a sweetly possessive and frustratingly platonic bro-style side hug. Drew wanted to let these guys know that, even just for the next few days while he was on holidays, Robbie was his, and he was Robbie’s.
“Drew, do you know these guys?” Robbie asked. “They live closer to town, but they’re down at the beach sometimes, you might have met them other summers?” Drew looked at the guys again. He did know the dark haired one, Bill? Maybe, it didn’t matter.
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