Cheated
A/N: I started this one-chapter story near the end of April 2023 after floating the idea in a PM to AM83220. Simply enough I thought of what if Lisa Doyle had broken up with Anthony Summers after he'd cheated on her, and how that may have happened. These are all OC's from the little series I've ended up writing following "The Second Face."
Tony Summers strode purposefully along the east side of the Sanford Swim & Racquet Club's outdoor pool, surveying the water, above the surface and below, while the July sun beat down on his back.
The concrete he walked on was rough and hot after many hours under a cloudless sky, but Tony's feet were used to it by now. With just enough sunscreen and his largely-Italian ancestry, he could rest assured that his buff physique, honed through near-endless hours at the gym, was being perfected by a beautiful suntan.
Lifeguard work paid all right over the summer, padding Tony's wallet pleasantly, but what he was really here for was the prospect of romance. Lifeguards had to be in shape to begin with, and nearly all of them were good-looking athletes, and if one of the others on staff with you wasn't to your liking, one of the many fellow teenagers you'd see here would be. And for male lifeguards like Tony, going shirtless as part of the job was just the way to show off, get some attention.
Although plagued by a persistent sense of guilt over it, Tony had been sleeping around since 8th grade, earning a reputation as one of the most handsome, romantic, and skilled lovers in his school. Heads turned when he went by, and Tony lived for the adventure, the fun, the enjoyment that came with flirting and all it could lead to.
Sure, things hadn't been quite the same since Henry and Mark Evans had become the superstars around Chamberlain High, but despite being outclassed in just about every way by those two, Tony had adapted, swooping in to pick up girls that Henry or Mark had just discarded, talking to them, listening to them, and above all, making sure they didn't feel unappreciated after all.
Chasing after the girls that the Evans brothers loved and left hadn't exactly been Tony's original plan, but it kept his bed warm, and he got to pick the girls up again, show them that life hadn't ended just because their time dating an Evans had.
It worked well, and Tony could hardly complain about the results. Sometimes, though, he enjoyed chatting up a pretty girl out of the blue, someone he'd just met, and seeing what happened from there.
"Hey, Tony," a friendly voice called out, as if sensing Tony's thoughts.
"Hey, Taylor," Tony answered, directing an appreciative glance toward Taylor Smith, the stunning beauty with the tan skin, jet-black hair, and a workout routine more intense than even the one Tony currently did with Jason. She was one of the few lifeguards who went to Waynflete School during the year, and she and Tony had been flirting on and off since the start of the summer.
"Better keep those eyes where they should be," Taylor added, lowering her voice as they drew closer.
"Maybe that's my problem," Tony responded suggestively. "Only my eyes're where they should be."
"Maybe you should fix that."
"Maybe you could help me?"
Taylor laughed, enjoying herself thoroughly. "I'm closing tonight, Tony."
"Yeah. Me, too."
"Wow. Maybe we can… talk."
"Maybe..." Tony paused meaningfully. "About the weather."
Another laugh, and behind those ice-cool shades, Tony knew her eyes were sparkling. His eyes flicked to her body, well aware she was studying his, admiring the natural good looks he'd started with and the hard work he'd done to improve on them. Some guys didn't like girls who worked out all that much. Tony loved any beauty, any at all.
Strong, fit girls made for some terrific partners in bed, too; they could go as long as you could, and the possibilities and positions were almost endless.
"Stay outta trouble, Tony," Taylor admonished as she passed him, and her right hand, swinging idly by her side, just happened to brush against his ass. Tony grunted, enjoying the attention but painfully aware of how many kids and families could see it if the lifeguards got to playing around too much.
But his heart was racing. His heart was in need. Taylor's last suitor hadn't appreciated her like she deserved. Someone needed to show her the affection, the appreciation a beauty like her deserved.
Only a few hours left until the sun went down. Only a few hours.
Tony and Taylor were going to be alone on the closing shift in that last half hour the pool was open.
Alone during the 30-to-45-minutes it generally took to go through the closing checklist and lock up.
Alone to talk about the 'weather' all they wanted.
ΩΩΩΩΩ
Taylor had to say she'd enjoyed letting this thing with Tony Summers wait for the last couple of weeks.
You couldn't have missed what was really going on. Fornication had been on both their minds from the word go. Taylor knew what she was doing, a figure like hers in a red two-piece, perfecting her tan all afternoon. She'd fully planned on attracting a boy lifeguard this summer, catching his eye, seeing where things went. The back-and-forth with Tony, the looks, the 'accidental' touch here and there. The couch in the break room… the showers… maybe out here on the pool deck itself somewhere, once everyone had gone. Taylor had some ideas.
Tony, with his buff, broad-shouldered, yet sleek and lean football-slash-hockey-jock's figure, nicely-styled black hair and fun, flirtatious personality, had quite a reputation. He loved girls as passionately as he did his two choice sports, and a little summer romance was the perfect way to make the long hours on your feet as a lifeguard all worth it.
Best part was, it was said Tony Summers had quite a few inches on him, and all the girls who'd been with him said, he knew how to use all of them.
This was going to be so much fun.
ΩΩΩΩΩ
Closing the place didn't take long. Tony and Taylor had both been here all summer, weeks on end, and what could take as much as an hour for someone new to the job, took them half the time. The flirting escalated as things went on. Suggestive remarks, hints aplenty, more stuff about the weather.
Then, as some guys only dreamed about, Tony was on one of the break room sofas, Taylor Smith under him. They were both sweaty and tired, doing their best to change that to sweaty and exhausted. It was heaven.
The sex was incredible, sure, but Tony wasn't just thinking about that. His mind was where it needed to be- going with the flow of things, reading the room, gauging the mood, and enjoying the process as one thing led to another.
That was how Tony had always approached things. He couldn't argue with the results. He'd had Taylor Smith on his mind since the start of the summer… and she was definitely on his mind right now.
ΩΩΩΩΩ
We should've done this all summer.
Taylor had heard Tony Summers was gorgeous, that he was incredible, that he treated girls like they were just perfect. The stories didn't do him justice.
"Oh, shit," Tony sighed as Taylor climbed off him, grabbed a towel and wiped between her legs. He let his head fall back on the sofa. "That was amazing."
"I know what the boys like," Taylor answered, feeling quite pleased with herself.
"Yeah, no shit," Tony laughed. He looked amazing there on the couch, legs splayed apart, arms resting on the back.
"Just because we fucked doesn't mean I think you're a hunk or anything," Taylor said, turning and dropping onto the sofa beside the biggest hunk she'd been with, except for Mark Evans. Nobody could compare to Mark and his brother Henry, but Tony was as good as you'd find otherwise.
"Well, here we are. So…" Tony shrugged.
"You're lucky you're so hot," Taylor answered, easing into Tony's embrace as he smoothly slipped an arm around her, drawing her to him. She lay her head on his shoulder, getting a great view from his chest down. Relaxing like this, after the best action she'd gotten all summer, was totally worth the wait.
"Yeah, I am," Tony agreed with a laugh. "I really am."
Tony Summers wasn't as big or as good as the Evans brothers, but he was smooth, charming, talkative, good-looking and well-aware of it. He had a way of showing up, girls said, when you needed a nice guy the most. Often when one of the Evans brothers had loved and left yet another girl, Tony Summers would be there, as pleasant and persuasive as ever.
The second she'd realized Tony was working at the same pool this summer, Taylor had been ready after one sight of him in those red trunks and not much else. He'd been all she'd hoped and more.
ΩΩΩΩΩ
Tony had known he and Taylor would have fun if they got to flirting, just seeing where things went, and he'd been right. He'd also known he and Taylor were both good employees when they had to be. Once the pair got dressed again, they'd taken care of the remaining closing duties and locked up, nice and easy. Tony had made sure to leave Taylor plenty to look at; he never even brought a shirt with him for lifeguarding shifts.
Now it was time to say goodbye for the night, but knowing the good impression Tony had made, they'd be back flirting again, and 'relaxing' in the break room, soon enough.
"I really had fun today," Taylor said, smiling at him as they stood out in the parking lot, both her hands in both of his.
Tony smiled back. "Me, too."
"You're so much fun to be around, Tony."
"Che bella."
"Italian," Taylor sighed blissfully. "Say it again."
"Che bellezza. Either way- how beautiful. I got more."
"Boys should have to know Italian to date girls at all," Taylor pronounced. "Better that way."
"We couldn't leave all the beauties feeling like nobody appreciates them."
"You appreciate me."
"I try," Tony shrugged with apparent modesty.
"You tried really well," Taylor said with a laugh.
"Maybe next time," Tony ventured boldly, "I'll try out on the pool deck there. One of the chairs... the stars out over us… nobody around to bother us…"
Taylor eyed him appreciatively, head to toe. She smiled again. "I hope you're this good every time."
"Trust me." Tony kissed her. "Always."
Another kiss, a smiling glance, and Taylor was gone, driving off in the dark in that Mustang convertible of hers.
"Shit, man," Tony sighed, finally sitting down and leaning back in the Jimmy he'd gotten early in the summer. "Taylor, man, she's something else." He was gonna have to tell Jason all about her, and-
And-
Tony froze. "I have a girlfriend," he managed to announce to the Jimmy's interior. It was barely more than a whisper. "I'm dating Lisa Doyle."
Oh, shit.
The sweet, sweet memory of screwing Taylor on that break room couch suddenly vanished, replaced by the horrific realization that he'd had such a good time flirting, letting things happen, that he'd forgotten he wasn't even single.
Shit.
I really didn't mean for that to happen. I'm happy with Lisa. I was. I mean. Taylor's got a body that- no, no, no, but Lisa, she's stunning. What the- I was happy with her!
Before he could even stop himself, Tony pulled out his cell phone and dialed Lisa's number from memory. I'm not a cheater, he told himself, trying to make himself believe it. I'm not a cheater. I don't do that to-
"Hey, Tony," Lisa answered. "It's a little late." She sounded tired but pleased to hear from him. "Did you wanna talk about something? Or- we don't have to talk," she added suggestively.
Oh, as much as I wanna-
"Actually, I was thinking of coming by to see you. Just closed up at the pool."
"Ooh, are you still in your bathing suit? Like those red ones? I like you in those."
"Are you by yourself over there?" Tony heard himself ask.
"I already said you could show up after work, silly," Lisa laughed. "I'm in charge of the house since my parents went to go visit my aunt. I made some excuses to stay back this time."
"Okay. I'll see you soon," Tony told her. As they hung up, he wondered what he was even doing at this point, and why he couldn't have told her the truth right away.
Oh, well. Maybe it'd be better to tell her in person anyway.
ΩΩΩΩΩ
One cheek still stinging from the hardest slap an (ex) girlfriend had ever given him, Tony walked off the Doyle residence's front steps barely ten minutes after he'd walked up them.
The whole thing went down just the way Tony had expected.
First, he tried to explain. Then she realized he'd cheated on her. Tony had tried to explain some more. Then she started crying, then sobbing. Then he'd gotten smacked and kicked out.
It had all been fair. Tony couldn't argue. He was single again like it or not, and he fought not to cry too hard as he got back into the Jimmy and backed out of the driveway.
Maybe a new truck would be a good change of pace. Mom wanted her oldest in a bigger SUV anyway, the way everyone was taking to driving them these days. Yes, that was the thing to focus on. Anything but- that, back there.
Anything but that.
ΩΩΩΩΩ
"I don't see what the problem is, Tony," Jason sighed irritably, setting down his dumbbells. "What's wrong with you? Anytime you get some you're always bragging about it." He shrugged, the powerful, well-sculpted muscles in his shoulders flexing impressively. "What's different this time?"
"I shouldn't have done it," Tony managed to say. He could hardly raise his voice, could hardly speak. The guilt had been tormenting him for days.
"What?" Jason asked, like Tony had spoken of talking Frisbees on the Moon.
"I told Mark Evans about it while I was lifting with him before the YMCA closed the other day, and he just said I got laid so it doesn't matter."
"And you're still thinking about it?" Jason demanded, sounding almost furious. "You got some. You fucked Taylor Smith. I know her. You're lucky you get to work at lifeguarding with her. That red bikini, man, it looks good on her."
"But I was already dating Lisa. I cheated on her. She knows what I did."
"Only because you told her, like a complete retard!" Jason exclaimed, mopping at his chest with a cool, wet towel from the mini-fridge nearby. "Why'd you even do that? Could've just kept shit going with both of them."
"I told her because she deserved to know. She- I didn't mean to do that. I didn't mean to hurt her. I never meant for it to go that far."
"Nah, man, you did. You knew what you wanted."
"I wasn't thinking."
"No, you were acting, Tony," Jason countered with a grin. "She wanted you and you went for it. Got your cock wet. I bet she loved it, didn't she? Look at you. Of course she did." Suddenly, Jason's face went crimson, and he hastily added, "I-I mean, not like I look at you or anything, I just, y'know, you look okay, I guess."
"I'm just trying to figure out- I don't know what I should do now."
"Lisa broke up with you."
"Yeah."
"So go and fuck Taylor Smith some more. She totally wants you."
"I know, but- but that's not- I cheated on Lisa with her."
"So?"
"Didn't you ever cheat on a girl?"
"Yeah, I was dating Cindy Howell when Jennifer Dao sucked my dick in the band dorks' lounge, and that was 9th grade. And you know what? All I know is that shit felt fucking amazing."
"Jason-"
"Tony, Tony." Jason set a hand on each of his best friend's shoulders. "Just relax, man. Shit happened. Shit always happens. That's life, dude. Just move on and get the pussy you know you need somewhere else, if your fuckin' conscience says you gotta. I mean, whatever. Just be you. I know how smooth you are, man. We both know. Just move on, and be you."
Tony sighed heavily. "What I did was wrong."
"Then don't do it again. But don't you bitch out on me. I need my wingman."
"I'm here, Big J."
"Shit, I'm not ten anymore!" Jason fussed. "Don't call me that!"
"What? You used to love that nickname."
"Yeah. When I was ten."
"So, maturity-wise, what I'm getting is, like, nothing's changed."
"Dude. Anyone ever tell you anything like 'Up your butt and around the corner'?"
"Yeah. All the time." Tony cracked a smile. "Mostly my ex-girlfriends."
"See, man? There you go."
ΩΩΩΩΩ
"Dad, do you think I'm not- good with girls?"
"Huh?" Michael Summers looked up at his son from the seasoning he was preparing. "You? The class playboy?"
"W-well, that's what I mean," Anthony said hesitantly, wishing his next task wasn't slicing onions. Oh, boy, here we go. "I mean, d'y'think I'm a good- uh- I mean, if I was- if I-"
"Tony." Michael Summers paused. "Is it the onions or is something really getting to you? What do you mean you're not good with girls? You and self-doubt aren't usually together."
"Well, I mean, like… okay, I mean… okay." Breathe, breathe. Maybe step away from the damn onions.
It was just the two of them until Mom got back with Jessica and Angela from a round of grocery shopping. Tony could talk if he wanted to. Fess up.
"Tony, did you fuck a guy?" Michael Summers asked, sounding exactly like the ex-paratrooper he was.
"What? No!" Tony exclaimed. "Dad, I'm straight, I promise, okay?"
"Sorry. Y'know I wouldn't give a shit even if you weren't. You know that."
"Dad."
"Just saying."
"Jeez. Dad, we talked about this."
"Don't let your mother hear you say that."
"Yeah, I know. She'll let me have it in two languages."
"You know it. So, Tony. What happened? Anything you wanna tell me?"
"Okay… so…" Breathe, breathe. "Dad, I fucked this girl, and-"
"All right, so far, so good," Michael Summers replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Dad!"
The front door swung in then, and Jessica and Angela burst in shouting "Arrivederci!" It was a favorite of theirs, used at any excuse or none within the family.
"Hey! Guarda chi è!" Tony shouted back, stepping into the front hall and throwing his arms wide as his sisters stampeded in.
"Tony, Mom said we have lots of groceries for you and your big arms to bring in!" Jessica shouted in one ear.
"Mom gave me the key to the house!" Angela yelled in the other.
Great, now I'm getting an early start on going deaf. Still, Tony laughed it off.
Jessica and Angela bolted back outside with the boundless energy of being in elementary school, still yelling about groceries in a mixture of English and Italian.
"They're, uh, deafening and confusing in two languages," Tony remarked.
"So, Tony." Dad looked at him pointedly. "Before we go outside, is everything fine?"
There was a good chance that Tony could talk and have it really be understood this time. That Dad would be a better listener than his friends had, and probably have some better advice, too. But the takeaway was already there. Jason had said it himself. Then don't do it again.
No need to overthink it, Tony rationalized. I'd never have any fun if I did that. I made a mistake but that's all. I won't do it again. The Wanderer wanders on.
"Yeah, Dad." Tony offered a reassuring smile. "Everything's fine. Oh, and, uh, I'm kind of single again."
"What, did the old girlfriend know about the new one?"
"How'd you-?" Tony exclaimed, then caught a knowing look from his father. "Yeah, yeah, you got the Summers charm, too." He grinned. "I know. I perfected it."
"So I called it right, huh?" Michael Summers asked, sounding pleased with himself. "So, new girl, huh?"
"Dad, I'm not dating her," Tony said. "I-I can't. I really liked Lisa. I need to find someone else."
"Okay, then do that. But, everything is fine, right? You're sure?"
"Yeah, Dad. Everything's fine."
A/N: 9-19-2023. All done with a 3,400-ish one-shot look at Tony's life earlier in high school and how his time dating Lisa Doyle ended. None of it is especially important to the main storyline with Henry and Mark, but Anthony Summers has always been fun and interesting to write as a character, so I decided to give him a feature story of his own, detailing some of how he thinks and his tendency to shy away from the more serious things and thoughts in life.
Feedback is always welcome, reviews and PMs alike.