Swimming is my freedom.

Being a lifeguard is invigorating.

And saving a life is gratifying.

I've never considered myself a hero, as some have called me. Instead, I like to think of myself as more than lionhearted because I'm doing what I'm supposed to do.

It's my job and what I signed up to do.

That one crazy moment when you face a life or death situation is when you realize how extraordinary and valuable your life, and their life, truly is. And once you find yourself at that moment, you know you have to make a quick decision.

Do you worry about yourself?

Do you worry about them?

Or do you worry about us both?

It's a no-brainer for me, as I never think of myself first; I think about the person I'm saving and their life. I took this job because I wanted to save lives, no matter what the cost would be. And I'll tell you what. After saving a life, you feel successful and proud, and you'll also think that you're a purpose in life and the entire reason you were born.

Saving someone's life is also an experience you'll never forget.

My friends and family always ask what being a lifeguard is like. And my answer is always the same; I couldn't ask for a better job.

With all the training I've been through and everything I've learned, I'm much more aware of my surroundings. I enjoy being in the sun and getting that tan that people kill to get whenever they hit the beach. I also get to enjoy the beautiful nature surrounding me all day while watching and listening to the waves crashing onto the shore.

While I'm at my tower, watching everyone in the water and listening to kids excitedly squeal while playing in the sand or splashing in the water is also enlivening.

When I took this lifeguard position in Malibu four years ago, I took the job not only to save lives. But so I could also eye all the beautiful babes roaming the beach in their swimsuits, bikinis, skimpy clothes, and whatever else they chose to wear. And if I were to say otherwise, I'd be called a liar.

Women walking around the beach looking as they do on slow days helps pass the time. And that's the truth. I've never been one to go out and meet women in bars or nightclubs because I worry about them having a drinking problem. So, the beach is my go-to place to meet women.

Nothing wrong with that, right?

I've always enjoyed watching ladies exit the water, especially when a cool breeze passes through, causing their nipples to harden. Naturally, my mind instantly goes into a naughty mode, where I envision myself sucking their sensitive tits into my mouth, giving them a much more compelling reason to be excited about. But whenever those thoughts start crossing my mind, I slap myself—I'm at the beach to do a job. I'm not there to eye-fuck women who are only there to have a good time.

Today is one of those slow days.

A woman caught my eye while scanning my surroundings. My friend Axl interrupted my thoughts while I watched a hot blonde walking toward the water. "Hey, Chaz. Are you busy tonight?"

Damn, she's hot...

And damn you, Axl.

"Nope," I exhaled, intently looking at her and slowly shaking my head.

Axl chuckled after seeing where and who my eyes were fixated on and pointed in her direction. "Are you checking out that blonde adjusting her bikini bottoms?"

"Yep. Look at that fine-looking ass. What a beautiful one it is. I could lower my mouth to that badonkadonk and nibble on it all damn day."

Axl bellowed a laugh. A—you're in trouble, laugh. "You do know that's Mason's little sister, right?"

"I do now," I widely grinned. I looked back at the blonde and eyed her closer, using my binoculars. "Damn. How did Mason end up with a fine-looking sister like her? Is he adopted or something?"

"No. But you better focus your eyes on someone else. If Mason finds out you were checking out his eighteen-year-old sister, he'll kick your ass," he heavily warned.

"So what? She's of age. Besides, I'm only looking at her ass. There's nothing wrong with checking her out. And we all know if Mason were in my shoes, he'd be doing the same as me—checking out women."

"No, there isn't anything wrong with that. And I'm sure Mason would be, but he's overly protective of her. I witnessed Mason punch a guy so hard that the guy had to go to the hospital and get stitches. All the poor guy did was ask her what her name was."

"I heard about that. But there's more to that story. She was seventeen. The moron was thirty, and his hands were all over her before he asked her name."

"Well, whatever happened, I'd hate to see him come after you."

"I can handle him," I affirmed, looking away from the blonde and over at a group of kids dunking each other under the water. "So, what's going on tonight?"

"All of us guys are going out for dinner and drinks at The Rooftop for Kai's birthday. I know drinking isn't your thing, but they hoped you'd join in on the fun."

I lowered my binoculars and looked at him. "I drink. Just not on worknights."

Axl laughed, then gave me a shove. "Having one beer won't do you any harm, and you'll still be able to keep that physique you've got going on."

I nodded in agreement.

"True," I emphasized. "But my employer also does random alcohol testing, and I'd hate to fail because I had one beer."

Axl removed the binoculars from my hand as I raised them to my eyes, then playfully shoved me. "You don't work this weekend. Suppose you were to have a beer with us tonight? Come Monday, it'll be completely out of your system. Guaranteed."

Kai and Axl have been my friends since we were toddlers, and I know damn well if I don't come and celebrate Kai's twenty-fifth birthday with him, I'd be on his shitlist. I also know if I don't agree to come along, Axl won't leave my tower. He'll continue bugging me until I agree to be there.

I groaned, reached for my binoculars, and tugged them from his hand. "Fine. I'll go. Now leave me alone; you're distracting me from doing my job."

Axl smiled a smile that looked like one who had just won an intense game of cards. "Excellent! Meet us there at eight, not a minute later, alright?"

"Yep," I replied, looking through the binoculars and eyeing that blonde again. "Are you sure she's only eighteen?"

"Yes, my friend. She's eighteen. My suggestion to you? Find someone who isn't Mason's sister and one who's closer to your age; you'll be much happier."

***

Honestly? I needed a beer.

It had been a while since I last enjoyed an ice-cold beer sliding down my throat, satisfying my stomach. And now that I think about it, within this past year, all I've done was work out, watch what I eat, and swim, which tells me it's been about a year since I last had a beer.

I think I deserve one, or maybe even two beers.

As I stepped onto the rooftop, I immediately noticed my friends flipping through a thick black book, pointing, laughing, and writing down whatever they were discussing. As I headed toward my friends while looking to their right, I figured out what they were up to. It's karaoke night, and they plan on making asses of themselves.

This I've got to see...

The smile I was sporting widened as I stood next to Axl. They were heavily into the books and didn't even realize I was standing there.

To get their attention, I slammed my fist on the table, causing them all to jump while holding their hand to their chests.

"Damn it, Chaz!" Kai yelled. "You about gave me a heart attack."

I chuckled, waved my hand across my face, and sat in the available chair beside Axl. "You're too young to have a heart attack. Happy quarter of a century-year-old birthday to you, you old fart," I laughed. I looked at the book in front of Axl and shook my head. "Let me guess; you're singing a Guns N' Roses song."

He smiled. "You're damn right I am. My mom didn't put me through singing lessons for nothing."

When Axl was born, his mother was so in love with the lead singer from the rock band Gun's N' Roses that she had to name him Axl. And knowing she'd never meet the guy, she ended up putting Axl through singing and guitar lessons early in life, hoping to have him sing and play just like him.

And I have to admit, he looks, sings, and plays exactly like Axl Rose.

I laughed, shaking my head—what a putz.

"Are you having a beer with us, Chaz?" Kai asked while waving at the waitress walking by.

I glanced at Axl, knowing he'd do something to embarrass me tonight if I were to say no. Then I looked at Kai and nodded. "Yes, I'm having a beer. Just don't expect me to get drunk tonight."

Axl laughed. And it now has me thinking their plan tonight is to get me fucked up, even though it's Kai's birthday. I looked at Axl, pointing while giving him a warning, "Don't even think about it."

He smiled, raised his palms, facing me, and chuckled, "What? I didn't say anything."

"I know what you're thinking. And I'm telling you now; I'm not getting drunk."

I suppose that's what they all say until they start drinking and then realize how much they enjoyed that first alcoholic beverage where one leads to two, then three, then four, and so on.

I'm in trouble, aren't I?

I ordered my beer, reached for the tiny pieces of paper the guys had set in the center of the table, and started looking at each piece of paper, curious to see what they planned to sing. Born To Be Wild. Friends in Low Places. Bohemian Rhapsody. Lean On Me. Pour Some Sugar On Me. Baby Got Back... and of course, Axl had to sing Patience by Guns N' Roses. A song he's always sung, knowing it got the ladies to throw themselves at him.

"So, what are you singing tonight?" our friend, Beaker, asked. Beaker's a nickname we gave him when we were little because of his long face, big eyes, and nose. To better explain him, he looks like the muppet from The Muppet Show. He's always hated the nickname, but I fucking love embarrassing him with that name whenever he's in front of women.

I didn't plan on singing. I can't sing to save my life but to mess with him, and with a wide grin on my face, I teased, "I think I'll dedicate a song to you and sing Feelings. But I also think we should sing Danny Boy as a group."

Kai busted out laughing. "The Muppet Show songs? Excellent!"

Beaker's face instantly turned red. He looked around him, leaned forward, and looked me in the eye while pointing at my face. "You do that, and I'll fucking kick your ass."

I laughed and held up my hands. "Relax, Beaker boy. I was only joking. Besides, I'm not singing; I'm leaving that for you guys to embarrass yourselves."

Axl leaned to me, chuckling. "I dare you to sing Feelings, anyway. Ever since that group of girls walked in and sat at the bar, he's been eyeing them, and it would be hilarious to see what he does."

I looked at the girls he was talking about, and while I was eyeing them, one of the girls turned around, pointing to the karaoke machine.

My heart just skipped a beat. She was fucking gorgeous. Hell, if I were to sing, I'd embarrass my own self. But then again, If I were to sing, it might just get her attention, and she'd come over to talk to us.

Not only her, but her entire group.

Hmm...

I looked at Axl and grinned a mischievous grin. "You dare me to?"

With a massive grin and talking through his teeth, Axl said, "I fucking double dare you. Just don't forget to dedicate the song to him."

I suddenly felt like we were kids again.

Dare?

Double dare?

I had to laugh.

We said that shit to each other when we were kids. I looked at Beaker, then at Axl. Well, what do I have to lose?

Beaker claims he'll kick my ass, but I know better. That beanpole couldn't hurt a fly. "Done," I chortled, shaking my head.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

But I owe myself a night of fun, and for some strange reason, I feel like making an ass of myself just to get the attention of that beautiful-looking girl sitting at the bar with her friends.

I reached for a blank piece of paper and a pen, then wrote down my name and the song I was singing. And I'm pretty sure I'll be singing it a capella since it's one they wouldn't have in the book.

"Why, Chaz? Are you singing tonight?" Max excitedly asked.

"Yes. I. Am. And don't you dare knock what I'm singing. You'll all love it," I emphasized, looking at Beaker out of the corner of my eye.

"Which song?" Kai enthusiastically asked.

I chuckled, folding the paper in half. "You'll see when the time comes."

"With Chaz now singing, I say we all do a shot," Kai smiled, then whistled and waved at the bartender, only to grab the waitress's attention standing at the table beside us.

The waitress walked over and smiled. "What can I get for you guys?"

"We'd like a round of Irish Car Bombs, please," Kai answered.

Yep. It's a good thing I don't work for a few days because now I know I'm getting drunk tonight...

While the waitress went to get our shots, I took the pieces of paper to the woman running karaoke night, then sat at the table with my eyes glued to the girl at the bar.

I've seen many gorgeous women in my life, but this particular one had me covering the bulge, beginning to show, and letting me know that it, too, liked what he was seeing.

The waitress came back with our shots. Set them down in front of each of us. And when she got to me, I rested my hand on top of hers. "Put these on my bill, and then do me a favor. See that group of girls over at the bar?" I pointed.

"Yes," she smiled.

"Whatever they want tonight, put on my bill. Just please, don't let them know I'm paying for their drinks. Okay?"

"Sure thing," she smiled, giving me a look of disappointment. Disappointed, I didn't ask for her number. She was pretty, but the dark-haired woman smiling and giggling with her friends was the only one I was remotely interested in.

The guys turned to the bar, then turned back around, shaking their heads and smiling as they looked at me; the only one not smiling was Beaker.

He looked pissed.

"What's the matter, Beaker boy?"

"For someone who hates women drinking, it's awfully nice of you to buy their drinks," Beaker whined.

"I didn't see you offering to buy their drinks," I grinned, knowing I pissed him off. "Did I rain on your parade or something? You tell me who caught your eye, and I'll let you know who has mine," I gleamed, checking her out again.

"The blonde one in the blue tank top and white shorts."

I looked at the blonde he was talking about, then back to the dark-haired beauty. "Good, because if you were eyeing the one I'll be talking to soon, I'd have to kick your ass. The one who has my eye is standing at the end of their group, wearing the pink top and skinny blue jeans."

"Alright, you two. Quit arguing about who's interested in who, and let's get to drinking these shots," Kai groaned.

"Who's arguing?" I asked, picking up the shot glass filled with Irish whiskey and Baileys and dropping it into the glass filled with Guinness beer. I picked up the glass, then held it toward Kai. "Happy Birthday. Remember what you can of this night because after we leave here, you won't see me drinking or getting drunk for another year," I chuckled.

"That's what you think," Kai countered.

We held our glasses together, and with Axl's eyes on mine, he cheered, "Here's to the night we'll never remember, but with the friends, we'll never forget."

I was in the middle of swallowing my drink when the karaoke woman called my name. I finished swallowing the tasty concoction and wickedly grinned at the guys as I stood. "It's time for me to make an ass of myself. Enjoy the show..."

I couldn't believe I was about to get in front of everyone sober and do what I was about to do, all to get Beaker worked up and upset and make some girls laugh. And as I walked over to the microphone, I shook my head, chuckling just thinking about it.

The woman running the show smiled as I approached. "Chaz?"

"The one and only," I grinned, raising my arms, palms facing the sky.

"I see you wrote down Feelings by the muppets. I looked, and I don't have that in my collection. Is there something else you would like to sing?"

I knew she wouldn't have the song. It's the damn muppets. Who the hell would sing a Muppet Show song? Me... that's who. "I figured you wouldn't. And no. I wouldn't like to sing another song. I'm only doing this to make my friend over there turn red in the face and to make him squirm as I embarrass him in front of some women he was eyeing."

"Well, okay, then," she laughed, handing me the microphone. "I guess, have fun doing what you came up here to do."

"Oh, I will." I turned to the anxious-looking crowd, who were curiously waiting to hear my dumbass sing, and when I looked to the bar and saw the gorgeous woman eyeing me, I grinned, then looked at Beaker and said, "I see everyone's eyes are on me, curious as to what I'll be singing. But there's something I have to let you all know. And that is, I cannot sing for shit. So bear with me and enjoy this lovely tune of mine. I know I will, especially since I'm dedicating this song to my friend, Beaker. The song? Feelings," I grinned. "Enjoy..."

Beaker's face instantly turned red, and when his hands covered his face and he lowered his head, I laughed and began singing, "Meee, me-me, me-me-me, mee, mee, me, me, me..."

HAHA! 😂😂😂I hope you enjoyed the chapter!🤞🤞