Summer in the band

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

Dr, Hale, the band director was finishing up breakfast when Chris approached him, Len and Chris had also just eaten post swim, one of the last of the band members to get food before it was cleared away. Len headed off to his room to change. The two were still in their swimsuits under their now dry shorts.

“Sir, can we chat?” Chris asked as he stood in front of Dr. Hale

“Sure Chris, sit down. What’s up?” the director asked.

“How was your swim?” Chris opened, avoiding the question at hand.

“A little slow compared to yours, but good,” he laughed. “You were working really hard today. I also like how you were giving Len advice, you guys seem to be past your difficult start.”

“Yes, sir,” Chris replied. “It would be stupid to stay mad the whole trip,” he paused. “That is what I want to discuss.”

“Something happen?” the director replied, suspicious of where the conversation was going.

“No, not at all. I was thinking, I think it would be great if Len and I got to share the solo opening to Pictures,” Chris started, watching the facial reaction of Dr. Hale. “Len could play one concert and I cold play it at the next.” Chris added.

“You know Chris, I like your generous heart, but I just don’t think you get to make that call,” Dr, Hale responded. “Len is a fine musician, but I want you in the lead chair,” Dr. Hale replied. He went on to explain all the reasons why he wanted Chris in the solo lead, all very complimentary to Chris’s ability. “You understand?” he finally closed.

“Yes, sir, I get it.” Chris answered, a bit disappointed. “It’s just that Len is also really good, too. I thought it would be great if he had a chance to show off his ability, too.”
“You’re a kind hearted young man, Chris,” Dr. Hale closed out the chat. “Don’t ever let that go. Swimming tomorrow?”

“Absolutely,” Chris replied with a smile. “See you again at practice.”

Len was still in his jammers sitting on his balcony when Chris dropped by. Chris grabbed the chair next to him, slipped his shorts off to reveal his swimsuit and laid back in the morning sun. “So, it did not work quite as planned,” Chris opened the conversation.

“What happened?” Len asked,

“Well, he said you are really great, but he said hew ants to keep things the way they are.” Chris explained. “Sorry man, I guess I should never have brought it up.” Chris had no idea how Len would react and he really did not want to go back to the mad Len. The sun glare prevented Chris from seeing the expression on Len’s face. There was a pause.

“Hey, man, you tried,” Len replied. “You are a good friend,” he added as he reached over and put his hand on Chris’s knee. “We better get ready for practice.”

“Yeah, wish we could just hand out at the beach.” Chris added. “What are you wearing to practice?” Chris asked.

“I was just going to throw shorts on over my suit and a clean shirt.” Len replied.

“Good idea,” Chris replied. “Me, too.” He headed back out the door to his own room. As the door closed Len turned and punched the pillow on his bed. He was hoping Chris would convince the director to give Len a shot. He grabbed a pair of board shorts and slipped them over his jammers. The feel of the tight lycra would make the practice fun.

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“Hey, let’s go hit that swimsuit shop,” Len said to Chris after practice. “The one we never made it to this morning. You guys in?” Len turned and asked Patrick, Alex and Grant.

“Sure, man,” Alex chimed in. The rest agreed. It was a great practice and Len was particularly happy. The guys were attired in a variety of summer looks, from board shorts to the shiny Nike basketball shorts and tops ranging from polos to tanks, some actually matched the shorts while others looked like they had grabbed the nearest two pieces of clothing regardless of whether they went together.

The shop was a few blocks from the hotel. They made a pit stop at a bakery along the way, where the guys bought a variety of sweet things that their young bodies would burn off before it became fat. The swimsuit shop was small, sold only guys stuff, and it clearly catered more to guys who liked smaller and tighter swimwear that was a bit more revealing. A square cut section was the most covering cluster of suits they sold. Enrique was the shop attendant and his eyes lit up as the cluster of young, mostly handsome guys came in. He immediately scoped out Chris as the most amazing of the bunch, and clearly the one who had the most to show in a swimsuit.

Enrique spoke mostly Dutch and French, with very little English. He was wearing a pair of white fashionable shorts that looked like they came from the pages of Undergear’s clothing section. He had on a clingy knit top of linen style that clung to his tight, muscular frame. He was co-owner of the shop with his boyfriend, who was out running on the beach. Enrique tried to size up whether the guys were a group of gay friends or not. He quickly concluded it was a mix.

“Good morning,” Chris said, testing the language barrier.

“Hello,” Enrique replied. “Not much English,” he quickly advised in a heavy accent.

“We came in to look around,” Chris replied, realizing that Enrique had no idea what he had just said. The two guys smiled as Chris gestured with his hands to try to explain looking around. Enrique laughed as Chris smiled back at him.

“Please,” Enrique replied, figuring out what Chris was saying.

There was a great section of brief style suits, somewhat narrower than the traditional Speedo, even narrower on the sides than the Turbo suits Chris liked so much. Grant pulled out a really cool red and grey print that had what looked like a one inch side. “Guys, check this one out. This is great looking.” Grant said. He held it up in front of his body exactly where he would wear it.

“Dude, that is a pretty skimpy suit,” Len replied.

“Yeah, bet it would look hot on.” Grant replied. Enrique made out enough words to know he was about to make a sale. He pointed to the fitting room in the back corner. “Greta idea,” Grant replied as he headed in to try it on.

Each of the guys grabbed one or two suits that they liked, showing them off to each other. Even Len, who swore he would only wear Jammers, found a 4 inch square cut with a geometric blue print that was just interesting enough to try on. The fitting room got quite a workout as the guys each slipped in and changed into their new suits, coming back out to show the gang what they looked like. For a bunch of guys, they were acting like ladies at the one day sale at Macy’s.

Grant stole the show with his racy little suit. His bulge never looked so good, partly the cut of the suit, and partly his reaction to it. Even Enrique smiled and gave Grant the thumbs up. When it was all over, the guys left the store having given Enrique a great morning sale, each of them had at least one new suit, Len had two, and Chris and Grant both bought three, including a string side bikini each that they swore they would only wear in private on the balcony. Patrick and Alex each bought thongs, not for the beach, but for each other to model later that night. The guys could not wait to get back to the hotel and out on the beach. They had four hours until their concert.

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