The Magic Store: Puzzled

Meet Sean Hu, a 24 year old guy who moved out to the coast with visions of beach parties, all night raves, and surfing competitions. Instead he landed in a small town with fourteen antique shops. Sean’s got a job at a cafe, an apartment above a grocery store, and the urge for something better.

The cafe was empty again. There’s a rush around nine, another around noon, and then it just trails off until closing time. My boss complains that she’s losing money, but I’ve seen the books. We’re doing fine. Nobody in this town is the next McDonalds.

A little bell rang as the door swung open. An old white guy walked in with a pissed off look on his face. I tried to look past him and see the ocean, but someone had parked their Winnebago out front and was blocking the view.

“Good morning Randall,” I said, trying to smile at my least favourite regular. “Coffee to go?”

He gave a gruff nod and glared at me.

“Sean,” he growled. “That’s a Scottish name, isn’t it? You Scottish?”

“No,” I said in my best customer service voice. “My parents are Chinese.”

“China, huh?” Randall said with annoyance. “Where you from?”

“They’re from Quanzhou,” I said. “But I was born in Sioux City.”

“That near Shanghai?” he asked. I put his coffee down in front of him.

“Iowa,” I chuckled.

“Well then,” he said, slapping down two dollar bills. “I guess you’re alright.”

The tip jar stayed empty.

--------------------

I take lunch at two o’clock, or whenever Billy actually shows up for his shift. That’s my bosses son. He works about an hour a day and doesn’t do much. We split the tips evenly.

“Come back early,” he said, staring at his phone. “I’m meeting Denise for a movie at three.”

Billy was twenty-two, but he still dressed and acted like he was in high school. A curly mop of dark hair, baggy jeans hung down around his ass. Boxer shorts with smiley faces printed all over them. A black t-shirt with a grease stain down the front. The uniform is khakis and a company polo.

“Yeah, okay,” I said, taking off my apron and watching him slump at one of the tables. The movie theatre was two doors down. A little thirty-seater that showed second-run films for an audience of teenagers who wanted somewhere private to make out.

Billy had dropped out of college twice so far – he was too old to act like a teenager, but that was none of my business.

I stepped outside and walked down towards Mr. Finnerty’s grocery store. He makes a few sandwiches every morning and I usually snag the last one. I walked past the movie theatre and was waiting at our stoplight when I noticed a new sign on the other side of the street.

2:05 PM. I had lots of time.

I changed directions and darted across the street, looking at the new shop. It didn’t look new, but there’s no way I missed it before. It was wedged between two antique stores. A dusty window and a cracked wooden sign that said “The Magic Store”.

There was an old man I didn’t recognize at the counter. Weird – it’s a small town. Meeting a stranger usually meant meeting a tourist.

“Good morning!!” the old man said cheerfully. “Welcome to my store.”

“Afternoon,” I said. “Welcome to town!”

“Oh?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Yes, that does tend to happen. Please, feel free to look around my store! I’m sure you’ll find what you need.”

I’ll take crazy old guys to racists like Randall any day of the week.

The store was bigger than I expected. Each aisle seemed to stretch on forever. It felt more like a thrift shop than a magic store... each item was sitting without a box, labelled with a hand-lettered tag that detailed their magical powers.

A wooden doll that said you’d live forever. A beat up leather jacket that claimed it could make you fly. There were no prices, just promises. I rolled my eyes – whatever scam the old guy was running, I wasn’t falling for it.

But then I saw the puzzle. It was a faded cardboard box with a photo of the ocean on the cover. As I got close it started to shake, the puzzle pieces inside sounding like an instrument.

“This puzzle will help rebuild your life,” the tag said.

I reached out to pick up the box and –

– I was at the cafe, but the details were different. Seafoam green trim on the doors and windows. Surfboards mounted as decoration for the walls. The puzzle was on our biggest table, mostly finished. I could see the picture coming together – a big green wave on the bottom, a clear blue sky on the top.

The place was packed with young guys wearing surf gear – a couple wearing board shorts or jammers, but the other dozen guys in the shop were in skintight wetsuits.

“Dude... can I get like... uh...” a blond surfer trailed off, staring at the menu above my head. “I want like... a kale smoothie or whatever?”

His wetsuit was still damp and he’d peeled it off his upper body, letting it hang from his waist like a sweater.

“Sure thing,” I heard myself say. We didn’t serve smoothies, kale or otherwise. My boss says coffee and tea are enough, along with a half-dozen cookies and muffins. But I watched myself pour a smoothie from the fridge and hand it over.

“Gnarly,” the surfer grinned, flashing me the ‘hang loose’ sign. He paid with a twenty and dropped the change in the tip jar. “See you at the beach brah!”

He was headed for the door when the bell rang and Randall barged in, practically knocking the surfer and his smoothie to the side. His face was red and angry. He opened his mouth to shout and –

– I pulled my hand away form the puzzle and backed away. I was in the magic store, trying not to freak out. What the heck...

I tried touching it again. This time it was just a cardboard box, worn and faded from years on the shelf. I picked it up and carried it to the front.

“Hey,” I said to the old man. “There’s no prices, but... how much for the puzzle?”

“The cost? In dollars?” he asked, raising one eyebrow. “Twenty bucks.”

Ridiculous for a second-hand puzzle, but I couldn’t resist. I handed over a twenty and walked out the door. I’d have to hurry if I wanted that sandwich.

--------------------

One or two customers had come by, so Billy had deigned to pour them their coffee. He’d left a mess behind the counter, he’d completely messed up the cash drawer, and he hadn’t bothered to clear their table afterward.

“What’s that?” he asked, grabbing the puzzle form my hand. “My mom loves this kinda shit.”

I went back behind the counter and took care of his job. Meanwhile I heard him dump the puzzle on a table. I glanced up and noticed – it was the same table as I saw in my... what? Vision? Hallucination? Of course the puzzle wasn’t even started yet, Billy was just moving pieces around without any sort of strategy.

“Whoa,” he said.

“You okay?” I called. Somehow he’d poured coffee all over the food prep area. I knew I’d be the one to catch hell if it wasn’t clean.

“Yeah dude...” he said slowly. “Just felt like... super weird. But I got a piece!”

Sure enough, Billy had managed to snap two pieces together. Water and water.

“Congrats,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Maybe you’ll get a raise.”

“Bro,” he complained, snapping two more pieces together. “You’re always such a dick.”

I didn’t say anything. I just kept cleaning up his mess.

A few minutes later I heard him get up and tuck in his chair.

“I’m gonna take off brah,” he said, leaning over the counter.

I looked up and got the shock of my lifetime. I could have sworn Billy was wearing his regular wanna-be-thug look. Now he was dressed in a loose tanktop and a short pair of beach shorts, giving me a friendly grin and a fist bump.

“C’mon brah,” he said with an easy smile. “Don’t leave me hangin’.”

I blinked my surprise away and automatically reached out with my own fist. Our knuckles touched and he pulled back, making an explosion with his hand.

“Catch you tomorrow brah,” he grinned before sauntering out the door.

I stared out the door after him. What the hell... that wasn’t the Billy I knew. He’d always been sullen and demanding... suddenly he was chill and friendly? He had to be playing a prank on me or soemthing?

After a long minute I realized that I’d been holding my breath. I let it out and walked around the counter to clear the dishes Billy had left. I glanced at the puzzle as I went by – Billy had managed to get almost a dozen pieces together. He’d assembled a small green spot of ocean and a little slice of sky.

I picked up a piece and idly added it to his work. For just a second I felt the world tilt to one side... head rush. That’s what happens when you forget to breathe.

I shook it off and carried dishes to the sink.

--------------------

Here’s what happens. You grow up in a small city, something in the middle of nowhere. The biggest industry is pork production, the biggest event is football, the biggest problem is the liberals.

But TV is the great equalizer. You watch Baywatch. Saved by the Bell. The OC. California seems like a magical place, so after you finish up at community college you spend everything you’ve got on a Greyhound ticket.

LA is a freak show. San Francisco is too expensive. You find a small town, somewhere on the water. Somewhere all your dreams will come true. There’s a long sandy beach and big rolling waves.

But it’s just the same – you need a job. You need to cook and clean and do laundry. You promise yourself you’ll get up early to walk the beach, but you never make it out of bed in time. Everyone has friends already, and nobody knows how to surf.

It’s not even warm like you thought. The temperature drops at night. You miss muggy summer nights.

Every week your parents call and ask when you’re coming home.

--------------------

I woke up early the next morning and let out a massive yawn. My phone said it was 6 o’clock. My body refused to go back to sleep.

The cafe doesn’t open til 9 and I usually rush out the door around 8:50.

I rolled off my futon and stumbled into the bathroom. I took a piss and twisted a faucet. Steam rose out from under the showerhead. Mrs. Carmichael hadn’t used all the hot water for her bath yet. It was pure luxury, spilling down my back. I keep my hair buzzed, so there wasn’t much to shampoo, but I liked the water against my scalp.

I cracked my neck twice. I felt incredible. I scratched my balls and stared out the window.

The beach. I’d picked my apartment cause it was cheap... but you could see the beach

It was chilly outside so I pulled on jeans and a hoodie. At half-past six the sun started to rise. I took off my shoes and sat down and dug my toes into the cold sand. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I hadn’t made a horrible mistake.

A blood curdling scream came from behind me. I jumped with shock and twisted to look.

There was a guy running down the beach with a surfboard over his head, dressed in a skintight wetsuit, heading straight for the ocean.

I relaxed and grinned. I guess someone in this town surfed after all. He rocketed past me, barely noticing my presence. My eyes went wide again as I recognized him – it was Billy!

I sat there for over an hour, watching him paddle out until he caught a wave, then ride it back towards shore. Out and in, out and in... the sun broke the horizon and the seagulls started to chatter.

Billy finally emerged from the surf and jogged towards me. He stuck his board in the sand behind me and fell down on the sand beside it. He looked tired and happy.

“Hey brah,” he said with an easy grin. He popped up his fist and I bumped it. “How’s it hangin’?”

“Hey,” I said. “I didn’t know you surfed.”

“Never did brah,” he laughed. “Just like... woke up and figured I should, y’know? And then my truck had the board and the gear in it... I dunno brah, some shit’s just meant to be!”

“Wait,” I said with surprise. “You’ve never surfed?”

“Nah, not til today brah,” he chuckled. “Shit felt good though. Man I’m wiped.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Not surprised, you were out there for... oh fuck, I’ve gotta get to work,” I swore. “Sorry, it’s almost 8:30. I’ve got to get home and change.”

“Like... why?” Billy shrugged, giving my outfit a once over. “My Mom doesn’t care if you wear that crap.”

“Uh... she doesn’t care if *you* wear it,” I pointed out. “I’m not her son.”

“Whatever,” Billy said. “She’s not even in town today... left last night for some conference thingy, she won’t be back til Wednesday. Besides, you look hot.”

He leaned in and kissed me.

“Billy...” I gasped.

“Shit brah, I’m sorry,” he laughed. “I never did that before. Just felt right...”

“Yeah...” I said, trying to process. I’d never told anyone. How did he know? “I mean... What about Denise?”

“I dunno brah,” he said with an exaggerated shrug. “I guess I gotta tell her. I mean, I don’t gotta use your name or whatever, I just... yeah... shit bro, I think I like dick now.”

I glanced up and down the beach. It was early. We were alone.

We made out til I had to sprint for work.

--------------------

I arrived at work two minutes late. Cooper Perry and Felix Jones were both hanging out on the front porch, eager for their morning shot of caffeine. What is it about twenty-one year old guys that makes them incapable of using a coffee machine?

“Hey guys,” I said, unlocking the door. “Gimme five minutes, I’ve just got to brew a pot.”

“No worries,” Cooper said, rubbing his temples. “Had a few too many beers last night...”

“Yeah,” Felix laughed. “Getting old sucks.”

They guys sat down at the big table with the puzzle and played with it idly. I flitted around the back, grinding a fresh set of beans and setting the coffee to brew. Then I set out the pastries and flipped on a few lights. By the time I flipped the ‘open’ sign, the coffee was ready.

“Here you go guys,” I said, sliding two steaming cups across the counter. “Two bucks each.”

Felix and Cooper got up from the puzzle and dug into their board shorts looking for cash. The forecast held the promise of heat, so they were both wearing loose tank tops, looking to get a tan before summer hit.

I must have been horny from my makeout session with Billy – they both looked pretty hot to me. Usually Felix wears these oversized flannels and Cooper is all about hoodies – I never realized they were rocking swimmers bodies underneath.

“Thanks bro,” Felix grinned. “You’re a fuckin’ hero.”

“Yeah, thanks brah,” Cooper said, wiggling his thumb and pinkie at me. “See ya tomorrow.”

Then the bell above the door rang again. It was Mr. Finnerty from the grocery store, looking for his morning pick-me-up. The line formed behind him, no matter how fast I poured.

I didn’t have time to think until after the morning rush ended.

Billy could’t be gay. Or bi, or pan, or whatever... but into guys. I’ve known him for a few months and he’s never even hinted about it. And people don’t just wake up one morning and decide they’re into guys. And he knew how to kiss! And exactly where to feel me up! He had to have some practice...

Of course, people don’t just wake up knowing how to surf either.

I found myself staring at the puzzle. There was the part that Billy did yesterday, and then a few other people had done bits during the morning rush. There were five edge pieces connected here, a little cluster of sky together there...

I added another piece and felt the same head rush as yesterday. For a second the world seemed to swim around me. It felt good – like my whole life made a little more sense. I reached up and ran my hand through my shaggy hair. My head was clearing... time to get back to work.

And what the fuck was happening with Billy?

--------------------

Billy showed up for work early. Like... two hours early.

“Hey brah,” he said, bumping his fist against mine. I got hard just looking at him. Billy was stuffed into a pair of running shorts and a chest-hugging tanktop. His curly hair was matted with salt from the ocean. He smelled like sand and sunscreen.

“Hey,” I grinned. “You’re here early.”

“Yeah?” he shrugged, grabbing a fresh apron from the back room and looping it over his neck. His powerful arms looked amazing. “Couldn’t let my boy handle the lunch rush alone.”

That sent a thrill through me. His boy. There wasn’t time to dwell though – his timing was perfect. The bell rang and customers started pouring in for their lunches. I took my spot at the till, handing out sandwiches and cups of coffee. Billy was a whirlwind, clearing tables, cleaning up, making custom orders... I’d never seen him work so hard.

Usually I spend an hour cleaning up after. When the last customer walked out, Billy had their table wiped and turned over in less than a minute. He clicked on the dishwasher and turned to me, grinning like an idiot.

“Wow,” I said, staring at the sparkling countertops. “Thank you.”

“Anything for my boy,” he said, all smiles. He grabbed at the neck of my hoodie and tugged me towards him, planting a sloppy kiss on my lips. “We gotta take care of each other, y’know?”

He reached down and squeezed his bulge gently.

“You wanna take care of this brah?” he chuckled, watching me stare.

I blushed red.

“What if someone comes in,” I said with embraressment. “Look, Billy... I don’t know what’s going on with you, but something’s...”

“Yeah, I know,” he grinned. “Look, whatever brah... I don’t want you to feel weird or whatever. Maybe later, if you’re into it.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I mean... I’m into it, but Billy...”

“Forget it,” he insisted. “Hey, the shops gonna be dead all afternoon. Lemme make you a coffee and then we can just hang. Go work on the puzzle or something.”

Billy pushed me out from behind the counter and started humming while he worked.

I watched his muscular body move for a few seconds before I sighed and sat at the puzzle. It was barely started, but I could see that more than a few people had worked on it over lunch. I picked up a piece of green ocean and looked for a matching piece... there it was.

Another head-rush when I snapped the pieces together. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair... man I was horny. Between Billy’s interest in me and some of the guys who had been coming through today...

Another piece clicked together. Another little head-rush. It should have bothered me, but bro... it just wasn’t. I gave myself a little chuckle and rubbed my neck.

Billy sat down across from me and handed over a coffee. He’d used a couple of the syrups from behind the counter and put a layer of milky foam on top. This was the same guy who refused to brew a new pot.

“There you go babe,” he grinned. “Making any progress?”

“A couple pieces,” I shrugged. I took the coffee and sipped it. Sweeter than I normally drink, but not in like... a totally bad way.

“Try this one,” he suggested, handing me a piece. “Right there...”

I looked where he was pointing. Sure enough, it slotted right in. A wave of confusion went through me and my cock went hard. I gave a little moan.

“Feels good, huh?”

“Yeah...” I said, rubbing my cock through the cutoff jean shorts I’d worn to work. I liked the way they rode up on my thighs and really showed off my package. But I couldn’t shake the feeling... hadn’t I put on jeans earlier? It was cold before sunrise, and I thought I’d dressed appropriately.

“Here’s another one,” Billy grinned, handing me a piece and pointing out somewhere it could go. I added it to the puzzle, grateful for Billy’s help. Bro... my head was like...

I pulled at my tanktop and scratched my thin chest. Somethin’ was happening...

“I feel weird...” I mumbled.

“Huh?”

“Bro...” I said, trying to make my thoughts go in order. “I like... I... the puzzle’s like...”

“Yeah,” Billy grinned. “It’s makin’ dudes into surfers, right?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. Yeah... it made Billy into a surfer.

“Just a few more pieces brah,” Billy grinned. “You’re like halfway there.”

“But like... how?” I asked, my hands sorting through the pieces automatically. I found another match and stuck the two pieces together.

“Who cares?” Billy laughed. “It’s magic or some shit. But like... I hated my life yesterday. Hated my girl. Hated this town.”

“Yeah?” I asked.

“Try this piece,” Billy said, pointing at the puzzle. “I did a bunch of the puzzle yesterday... and this morning I woke up like this brah. I can barely think dude, but whatever... life doesn’t suck. I get to ride waves. And I got you...”

I snapped another piece in place. Nothing made sense. I pulled at my tanktop and scratched my beefy chest. Big round pecs that hadn’t been there a minute ago. But like... of course they were there. I’m a fuckin’ stud...

I glanced across at Billy. His dopey grin was charming as hell. Fuck, i wanted to bend him over. Fuck his bubble butt til he milked the cum right outta me.

Another piece. My cock was hard. My balls were full. My muscles were aching to move.

Everything made sense. I wanted to fuck. I wanted to surf. I wanted Billy to be my boyfriend.

I moved out of my chair and slid around to the other side of the table, squeezing next to Billy on the bench. Our legs were pressed up against each other. I put a meaty hand down on his thigh, first squeezing the muscle, then moving over to squeeze his rock hard cock.

“Try this piece,” Billy said, pointing out where it went. “Right there.”

I clicked two pieces together, making the part Billy did yesterday join up with some edge pieces. Holy fuck... I was so fucking horny. I wanted to fuck like... everyone.

I looked over at Billy. Matted hair, bulging muscle, and a style that screamed ‘fuck me harder’.

“I wanna suck your cock,” I begged.

“For sure babe,” he teased. “After work. Somewhere private.”

“No way,” I said, squeezing his pole tight. “Right now. Right here.”

--------------------

Billy dragged me into the back office and gave me a big smirk.

“Do me brah,” he chuckled.

I unbuttoned my jean shorts and peeled them off. A second later my tanktop hit the floor. I stepped forward and pressed my naked bod against Billy, making sure he could feel every inch of me.

Our lips met. I don’t know who kissed who. Doesn’t matter, does it bro?

Then I was on my knees, slipping Billy’s shorts down his thick legs. His cock sprang out and whacked me in the face. I gave it a big lick along the bottom and then took it inside my mouth, sucking my first cock with urgent need.

“Mmmmph,” I said, grinning at my eloquence.

“That’s right brah,” Billy said, grabbing my hair and guiding me down his cock. “I want you to take this load...”

I sucked harder. I reached around and grabbed his musclebutt, squeezing his cheeks and pushing his cock farther down my throat. For a second I thought I might choke, but my throat opened up and... my nose was buried in his pubes.

I took a deep sniff. My man smells like summer.

“Back off,” he gasped. “I’m gonna... I’m gonna...”

I didn’t back off. His load went right down my open throat. I could feel his cum sliding down to my stomach. He wiped the last of it on my cheek when he pulled out.

“Oh god...” Billy gasped, slumping against the wall. “That was like...”

“So good brah,” I grinned. I grabbed my cock and shook it at him. “But like... I’m still horny. Wanna get fucked?”

The bell interrupted us.

“Sorry brah,” Billy said as he pulled his shorts back up. “I gotta...”

“Go,” I laughed. I was horny and naked and my face was slick with cum. I needed a minute.

“Oh, hey Randall,” I heard Billy say from the front. “I’ll get your coffee, but I’ll need a minute to make a fresh pot. Want to take a seat over there, maybe work on the puzzle a little?”

He was lying. I knew we had a full pot ready. Bro just wanted to make more surfers.

Which... for real? I was totally into. Especially Randall... that dude’s a dick.

“Dumbass kid,” Randall complained. But I heard him land his ass in the chair.

Billy puttered around for a second before coming into the back office again. I hadn’t moved – still naked and dripping with anticipation. Knowing Randall was out there...

“Dude’s falling for it,” Billy smirked. “He’s got a couple pieces already.”

By time time he left, Randall had snapped together four pieces. I wiped off my face and went up to the counter shirtless. Instead of giving me hell he just stared at my pec shelf.

“There you go,” I said, handing him a cup of coffee. “See you tomorrow!”

He tucked a five into the tip jar and left. We didn’t see him for three days.

--------------------

I closed up shop and headed for the beach. Billy brought his van and we parked somewhere secluded. Fucker’s got a mattress in the back.

“i’ve been waiting all day for this,” Billy whispered softly. “Like... brah, ever since I figured you did the puzzle too... fuck me, you’re so hot...”

He slipped his hand under my tank. The puzzle had left me with a faded dayglow look – pink for my tank, cutoff jeans for my shorts. My shaggy black hair hung in curtains over my eyes. I could feel a speedo hugging my balls. I liked the way it felt.

It was like a dream.

I looked into Billy’s hazy eyes. He had big bushy eyebrows and a cute little nose. Exactly the kind of guy I’d fall for, even before the puzzle changed my life.

He pulled my tank off and dropped it to the van’s floor. My pecs were big and bulging, a shelf hanging over my tight abs. My skin had darkened at some point, bronzed by the sun. Billy leaned over and took one of my nipples into his mouth, flicking his tongue over it gently.

I moaned and wiggled out of my shorts. Nothing but a red speedo between me and the world.

We rolled around in the van for a while. Billy’s shorts and tank fell beside, him, leaving him naked. He didn’t believe in underwear. He let me suck his cock for a few minutes before he flipped over and shoved his ass at me.

“There’s lube over there brah,” he panted, pointing at a hanging bag. I grabbed it out and started working his hole, finger fucking him until he was nice and loose. It didn’t take long – the new Billy was ready for cock.

Another squirt of lube onto my cock and I was ready to go. I pushed inside him, feeling him take me with one easy motion. Whoa.

“Uhhh...” I gasped, surprised by how good it felt. “Fuck brah... take my cock...”

Billy started bucking his hips, pressing his ass against me. It was like the best handjob I’d ever gotten times a thousand. Of course, I’d only had three handjobs total... Iowa, y’know?

The sun was still up when I flooded his ass with cum.

“That was siiiiiiiick,” he laughed, pulling up his shorts. “Let’s hit the beach.”

He opened the van doors and stepped outside. There was a damp spot on the back of his shorts, growing as my cum leaked form his hole. I pulled up my speedos and followed him out. The water was too calm to surf, but we chilled out on an dune and watched the sun go down.

“Let’s head back to your place,” Billy suggested. “We gotta get up early to catch the break.”

--------------------

The beach was getting a lot more crowded around sunrise. There had to be a couple dozen surfers in town now, guys who had come into the cafe and worked on the puzzle. Most of them ended up like me and Billy – relaxed bros who wanted to catch a wave and ride a cock. Some of them, like JD, put together a few too man pieces and ended up as surf-obsessed flamers, paddling out for the smallest wave in rainbow wetsuits.

But no-one who tried the puzzle was unhappy. They were coming by the cafe and hanging out, treating it like the hottest spot near the water. Billy put smoothies on the menu. He painted, cleaned, redecorated... when his Mom got back she was gonna be pissed.

But profits were way up. Billy and I were working hard to keep everyone happy.

“Dude... can I get like... uh...” a blond surfer trailed off, staring at the menu above my head. That’s Coop. He went from being a hungover womanizer to a loveably dense health nut. “I want like... a kale smoothie or whatever?”

He’d just come from the water. His wetsuit was hanging off his waist, letting his swimmers body take centre stage.

“Sure thing,” I said. I turned to the fridge and poured a smoothie from a half-filled blender. Billy says we gotta make ‘em fresh or they don’t count.

“Gnarly,” the surfer grinned, flashing me a shaka sign. He gave a generous tip. “See you at the beach brah!”

He was headed for the door when the bell rang and Randall rushed in, pushing past Coop and cutting past the line. He was pissed.

“What the fuck did you do to me!” he screamed, his forehead looking ready to burst.

“Huh?” i asked. “Brah, you gotta calm down...”

Billy came out from the kitchen. He gave Randall one look and rolled his eyes.

“What’s wrong now,” he chuckled.

“You’re putting something in the coffee,” Randall screamed, swivelling his head and staring around the room. “All these guys... they’re all gay! I caught my son fucking his goddamn roommate yesterday! And since I came by last week...”

He stopped suddenly, like he couldn’t make the next words come out.

“Dude...” Coop said behind him. “You okay brah?”

“Shut up,” Randall snapped. “Since I came by...”

“What?” I asked. “Spit it out.”

“I can’t stop thinking about surfers...” he admitted, his face flushing red. “I’ve been googling all week. Dane Ward. Paul Fisher. Kelly Slater... like... classic...” he babbled. “You put something in the coffee!”

He couldn’t stop staring at my pecs.

“Brah... just come over here,” Billy said, leading him over to the puzzle. He shooed away Fox and Blake, making room for Randall to sit. The older man was too lust addled to do anything but follow.

“Here,” he said, handing him a piece. “Put that... right here.”

“What the fuck...” Randall spat, shoving the piece into it’s slot. “Your little puzzle isn’t... whoa...” he gasped, feeling a wave hit him. I grinned from behind the counter. It’s no secret what our puzzle does, at least among the surfers in town.

I watched Randall’s greying hair shift to a honey coloured blond.

“Here’s a piece,” Coop said, catching on. “Right there.”

Randall couldn’t help himself. The rush felt too good. It was like being on the water.

He clicked the piece into place and moaned. We watched as his button-down shirt shrank down until it was a white tanktop with a faded blue logo on the front. Ripcurl.

“Here’s another...” he gasped, moving the piece into place without being prodded. I put my hands on his shoulders, gently massaging the fresh muscle he was growing. Randall found another piece and pushed it into place. He looked up at me with confused eyes.

We let him work the puzzle. He’d figure things out soon enough.