Heart Left Behind

Niko absently ran his finger through drops of condensation on the side of his glass. He’d finished his second drink pretty quickly and was chewing on the leftover ice in an attempt to keep cool. 

“Uh, excuse me.”

Niko’s head snapped up. “Huh? Sorry?”

Behind the bar, the bartender smiled softly. “Last call. Can I get you anything else?” He was being polite, even though it was clear he’d asked this already. Niko just hadn’t heard him the first time. The heat didn’t help with his sleeplessness, but it sure made him feel out of it. 

“Oh! Uh, yeah, I’ll just get one more and close out. Thanks.”

The bartender nodded and left to the other end of the bar. 

Niko shifted in his seat. He wasn’t quite used to the sticky way the humidity made his skin feel. He thought the fan above the bar would help alleviate some of the heat. However, it only caused more discomfort, blowing his hair into his face and sticking it to his sweaty forehead. 

The bartender returned and set down Niko’s drink, but instead of leaving, he leaned against the bar, a curious glint in his eyes. “Not quite used to southern humidity, huh?”

Niko shifted in his seat again, anxiously running his fingers back through his hair to get it out of his face. “Do I stand out that much?”

The bartender chuckled. “We don’t get a lot of new people in here since it’s a bit out of the way. So I just took a guess you weren’t from here.”

Niko responded with an ah, feeling mildly relieved that that was the reason and not that he looked like he didn’t belong.

The bar was one of those lived-in, loved-on dives that had probably been around for a few generations, with the same regulars coming in every night. 

Niko had dropped in because it was close to where he was staying, and he hung around as long as he did because it wasn’t like those glossy bars downtown that were filled with tourists and drained your wallet in one night. He’d already been to a fair share of those with his mother. Now he just wanted to be somewhere quiet, where the drinks were cheap and the lights were dim.

The bartender looked Niko up and down. “What’s your name?”

“Niko.”

“Joaquín. But my friends call me Quín.”

Niko smiled politely. “Nice to meet you, Joaquín.” 

When Niko first got to the bar, he noticed how attractive Joaquín was. How could he not? The man was tall, dark, and handsome. Literally thousands of books and movies have been written about guys exactly like him.

Now that Niko had more time to really look at Joaquín, he found himself getting lost in the light brown color of his eyes and staring a bit too long at the soft way his smile pulled at one corner of his lips. 

Joaquín started to dry off beer glasses with a fresh towel. “So, what brings you to Savannah? Work or fun?” 

Niko took a sip of his new drink, hiding behind his glass to keep from gawking at the man in front of him. 

When he finally answered, he had to clear his throat after the first couple of words. “My mom… is part of a group researching the wild horses out on Cumberland Island. She sublet a house for the summer and asked if I wanted to stay with her before starting my master's program at GSU in the fall. I’d never been here, so I thought it would be fun.”

“That’s pretty cool. Whereabouts are you from?”

“Washington state. About an hour south of the Canadian border.”

Joaquín smiled and tilted his head. “So really not used to this type of humidity, then.”

Niko raised his eyebrows, scoffing. “Exactly.”

“You enjoying your time here?”

Without meaning to, Niko grimaced. “Uh, it’s been alright. My mom and I spent the first week seeing all the sights before her program started. But now she’s been staying most weeknights with a colleague closer to the island to avoid the commute, so I don’t actually see her that often now. It was fun at first to explore the city on my own, but I didn’t think I’d be spending SO much time alone.”

Joaquín hummed, nodding as he took in what Niko said.

Niko shook his head, letting out a breath. “Sorry, that’s way more information than you probably needed.” 

“No, no. It’s interesting. I’m interested.” Joaquín’s gaze lingered on Niko for a moment before reaching under the counter and pulling out his phone. “Here, put your number in.” 

When Niko hesitantly looked down at the phone, an amused smile appeared on Joaquín's face. “My friend’s family has a beach house out on Tybee that they rent out to vacationers. We spend a few nights out there about every other week if it’s not rented out. We’re heading there Monday for a couple days. You should come.”

Niko's cheeks grew red as Joaquín stared at him expectantly. “Oh, I… I don’t…“

“No pressure.” Joaquín cut in, his hand still extended out with the phone. “I think you’d have fun. My friends are really low-key. We hang out on the beach, watch some movies, make food, maybe play a few drinking games.”

When Niko still didn’t take the phone, Joaquín’s shoulders slouched slightly, but he played it off with a casual shrug. “Yeah, sorry, that was probably weird. I’m a stranger. It’s cool.”

Finally, Niko reached out and took the phone just as Joaquín was about to put it in his pocket. “Okay. Sure. Why not? It’s not like I’d be doing anything more exciting, right?”

Joaquín’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Great. I’ll text you Monday with the details.”

Niko finished his drink and said goodbye to Joaquín as he started closing the bar for the night. When he got back to the sublet, he changed into comfier clothes before plopping down on the couch. 

Maybe it was the time difference—or the giddiness of meeting someone new—but Niko wasn’t tired at all. 

As he flipped through channels looking for something to watch, his phone pinged in his pocket. 

Hey, it’s Joaquín. Great meeting you today.

It was a simple message, but it still managed to make Niko’s chest flutter. 

There was no reason for Niko to think that Joaquín was interested in him—he wasn’t one to misconstrue a bartender's politeness as flirting while said bartender was working. However, because Joaquín had extended an invitation and initiated the number exchange, Niko was hopeful. 

Even if it was simply just two strangers hanging out and passing the time, Niko would be happy to have something to do other than walk around the city by himself. 

The next morning, Niko woke up to his phone buzzing a few times. He squinted at the screen.

Have you been here? 

Their breakfast sandwiches are pretty good. 

I’m going at 10 if you’re awake and hungry.

Underneath was a link to a coffee shop’s website, followed by an animated gif of a sleepy person crawling toward a coffee pot. 

Niko blinked a few times, trying to clear the morning haze from his eyes. He needed to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating or dreaming and was actually seeing a text from the cute bartender inviting him to coffee—not waiting until Monday like originally planned. 

Suddenly feeling very awake, Niko jumped out of bed. One quick shower and a few outfit changes later, he followed the street directions toward the coffee shop. 

It was only about a ten-minute walk from the house, but by the time Niko got there, he was more sweaty than he would have liked to be, especially when he was about to meet this guy for coffee. He dabbed his forehead with the inside of his shirt and fixed his hair before walking through the entrance.

“Hey! You came.” Joaquín was standing off to the side, his eyes brightening as their gazes met. 

Joaquín’s smile was even more charming than Niko remembered and he looked effortlessly cool in his casual summer clothes–as if he wasn’t affected by the heat at all.

After ordering and finding a seat, their conversation started to flow. 

They talked about their families and swapped stories about growing up in Washington versus Georgia. Niko told Joaquín about his upcoming master's program in Linguistics at GSU. And Joaquín told him about his final year workload for his undergraduate studies in UX design at the local art college. 

They were only a year apart in age—Joaquín didn’t know what he wanted to study, so he took two years after high school to learn about business management at his dad's store until he eventually found an interest in UX design.

They talked about everything from movies, music, and TV shows, to their favorite cities, food, and drinks. They had a lot in common. And with the things they didn’t, they were both interested to share and learn more.

It wasn’t until Joaquín’s alarm went off that they realized that hours had gone by without notice. 

Niko didn’t miss how Joaquín shifted on his feet outside the cafe, reluctant to leave. “I work tonight. If you’re looking for something to do. First drink’s on me.” 

And with that, Joaquín was off, leaving behind a flustered Niko.

Another night at the bar. Another morning coffee. And on Monday, they met again to head out to Tybee Island. There, Niko met Kent, whose family owned the rental, and his girlfriend. Then, throughout the afternoon, several other friends arrived until the house was full of chatter and music.

It only took a few minutes of the awkwardness of meeting new people to subside before Niko was having fun with everyone, playing pool in the garage and cards on the deck. Soon, it felt like he’d known them for years. And all the while, Joaquín was at his side, never straying too far. 

As midnight approached, some friends went to their respective rooms while others drove back to town. Niko and Joaquín sat on the deck, surrounded by the rustle of the trees as a warm summer breeze blew through. 

Joaquín suddenly took Niko’s hand. “Come with me.” He led him across the lawn to a small gate that led to a walkway out to the beach. 

It was quiet out on the sand, the sounds of the waves and the smell of salt water filling the air. The moon was a few days away from being full, making it easy to see where the tide met the sand. 

Joaquín only let go of Niko’s hand when he found a spot to sit down. “Having fun?” 

Niko took a seat beside him. “Yeah, I am.” Niko leaned to the side, tapping Joaquín’s shoulder with his own. 

Joaquín smiled, then laid back on the sand, hands behind his head as he stared up at the sky.

Niko dug his toes into the sand, the cool dampness a welcome contrast to the warm night air. 

He looked over his shoulder at Joaquín, admiring the way his eyelashes fluttered in the moonlight. When Joaquín’s gaze turned to meet his, Niko whipped his head forward, the sudden eye contact making him somewhat nervous. 

Behind him, Joaquín smiled to himself. 

Niko’s mind was racing. His attraction to Joaquín seemed to be reciprocated, but he wasn’t sure what to do about it. He wasn’t sure if he should do anything about it. Getting involved with someone for a summer could be fun–it could just as easily be messy, too.  

“I like hanging out with you.” Joaquín’s voice broke through Niko’s barrage of thoughts. He turned to see that Joaquín had sat back up. This time, when they made eye contact, Niko didn’t look away. Instead, they held it for a while, the tension between them growing more and more palpable by the minute. 

It started to become too much for Niko. He abruptly shot up to his feet and walked quickly toward the water. Behind him, Joaquín laughed. “Niko! Where are you going?” 

“Swimming!” Niko started pulling off his clothes until he was only in his briefs. Then, before his courage could leave him, he ran into the water. 

Although the water wasn’t too cold, the crashing waves made Niko inhale sharply. When he breathed out, he couldn’t help but laugh. He’d never done something like this. Any of it. Running into the ocean at night. Spending time with a random man he’d just met at a bar in a strange and unfamiliar city. 

Nothing about the last few days was normal. And it was the most alive Niko had felt in a long, long time.

A few short moments later, Joaquín was running into the water after him. When he finally caught up to Niko, he was smiling. “I thought it would be colder!” 

Usually, Niko would be uncomfortable with how the salt water and sand made his skin feel. Yet, at that moment, he was too distracted to notice. He was trying his best not to be too obvious as he gazed at the almost naked body of the man next to him—the way Joaquín’s wet skin glistened in the moonlight was tantalizing. 

Joaquín moved forward, closing the distance between them. He studied Niko’s face, searching for something in his expression. When he spoke, his voice was quieter than normal, just loud enough to make out over the waves. “I don’t usually do this.” 

For the first time since they’d met, the outgoing and confident demeanor Joaquín usually displayed had slowly melted away, leaving behind a nervous and vulnerable man waist-deep in the water. 

Even though Niko knew exactly what Joaquín was alluding to, he asked the question anyway. “Do what?”

Joaquín gave Niko a knowing look. “Pick up guys at the bar. Spend the week with them. Introduce them to my friends.” He chuckled, his eyebrows lifting. “Go skinny dipping in the moonlight.”

A soft smile pulled at the corners of Niko’s lips. “Yeah. Neither do I.”

They were both silent; neither of them sure of what to say next. A few moments passed, both awkwardly trying to stay upright as the waves pushed them around. Then, under the water, Joaquín took Niko’s hand and pulled him forward until their bodies touched. 

It was Niko who made the final move, leaning forward to kiss Joaquín. 

And from that moment on, they were inseparable. 

Every night after work, Joaquín would come over to Niko’s to spend the night with him. In the morning, they’d wake up, wrapped up in each other as the sun filled the room. 

After a few weeks, Niko introduced Joaquín to his mother when she came back into the city for a weekend. Together, they made dinner for her and listened to her stories about the wild horses and their new foals. 

When Joaquín left for the night, Niko’s mother came into the kitchen where he was doing the dishes and softly nudged him in the side with her elbow. “He’s nice. I like him.”

Niko nodded his head to hide the blush on his cheeks. “Yeah, I do, too.”

The summer went on with the two of them spending all of their free time together. They spent days at the beach lounging in the sun and playing in the sea. They returned to Kent’s family’s rental a few more times—to Joaquín’s delight, Niko had integrated seamlessly into the friend group. 

When the days were at their most humid, they found ways to keep cool together. They’d swim at the local pool, run through sprinklers in the backyard, and lie around Niko’s room with no clothes on. Though, the heat was just a convenient excuse for that.

They watched great movies. Made great food. Drank great beverages. And had great sex. 

It was as indulgent as a summer could get. But as summers always do, it soon came to an end, and Niko would have to leave for Atlanta in a few weeks' time.

They never talked about it; they knew going into it that this was how it would be. Yet it didn’t make it any less difficult when their final week came. 

Joaquín spent all his time at Niko’s place, never going home, even when Niko’s mom came to stay for the end of his visit, too. They enjoyed their time, but sadness lingered in the air. 

The day came for Niko to pack up the car. He said his goodbyes to his mom first, then drove Joaquín back to his apartment. 

Joaquín looked down at his shoes as he dug one toe into the grass. “You know, I usually visit my family in Atlanta a few times a year.” 

He wrapped his hand gently around the back of Joaquín’s neck and pulled him into a kiss. When they parted, the corners of Joaquín’s eyes had turned red. Niko smiled. “Call me when you do.”

Joaquín nodded. They kissed one last time. Then, reluctantly, Niko got in his car and pulled to the end of the driveway, he turned around in his seat, and the two men waved at each other one last time. Just as he pulled away, Niko saw a tear run down Joaquín’s cheek. 

The ride to Atlanta was only four hours, but to Niko, it felt like a lifetime. 

After all, he had left his heart behind.