Free Memories of Mermaids by RaeLynn Blue Page A

friends.
    But make no mistake, to Ram, football was king and country.
    “I’m your buddy, your homie, your friend, but, Triton, you can’t keep thinking that every woman who gets hot for you is after your wallet.”
    “You don’t say.”
    “See? After four years you’re still letting that ex-girlfriend lock down your heart.” Ram shrugged. “She couldn’t have been that good of a fuck. Really, man, she ain’t some supermodel.”
    “Let it go.” A sharp ring of warning in Ram’s tone.
    “That’s funny since you can’t seem to.” Ram checked his reflection in the mirror. “I’m outta here. Meet you here again tomorrow. Same time.”
    Triton growled out, “Yeah.” 
    Ram laughed as he exited the locker-room.
    Stripped out of his swimming trunks and toweled dry, Triton dressed quickly. More than ready for a shower, he left the locker-room with as much speed as the law would allow. He hated to admit it but Ram had been right. Not every woman he met was as beautifully gifted, kind, or athletic as Antonia.
    Not every woman was a dream either.
    Antonia existed only in his dreams. Logically he knew and understood that, but he couldn’t trust his heart to make wise decisions about falling in love with her.
    Putting his dream girl out of his mind, he exited the training facility. He climbed onto his bicycle and headed for home and a hot, cleansing shower. Already after three in the afternoon, he had enough time to shower, eat, and take a short nap before his gig tonight.
    The crammed city streets kept him in the painted white bicycle lane, but he didn’t trust people not to ignore it. He hugged the curb and nearly ran up onto the sidewalk as his mind drifted. A nice spring day shined in the cornflower-blue sky, bleached white puffy clouds and lemonade sun. Low humidity and a gentle breeze wafted through the trees and Triton pushed forward. The sooner he got the chlorine off his skin, the happier he’d be. Muscles singing and body humming from his workout, Triton’s only thought was getting home.
    He reached his condo and noted how no one appeared outside on the steps. The two buildings beside his had children jumping rope on one side, and on the other, college students had their textbooks out and heatedly discussed some point. Hoisting the bike and his backpack, he headed up the stairs to his condo. The elevator sat open and vacant, but he found the mild workout to be therapeutic. With practiced skill, he unlocked his door and slipped into his two-bedroom space. He reeked of chlorine and pool water. Not even pausing to eat, he made a beeline for his shower and stripped, leaving the stinky clothes in a pile just outside his walk-in shower. In moments, Triton found himself covered in suds.
    The steaming water and warm currents smashing into his back felt like heaven. Closing his eyes, Triton sighed and then he heard it.
    * * * *
    Triton…
    A beautiful voice sang his name and he opened his eyes.
    He wasn’t in his shower any more.
    A palace room spread out around him. He’d been here before—in his dreams.
    Blurred images of his two slick black stingrays, the shimmer of his trident bolted into molten rock which made up the rear wall all came into view. Golden walls draped around the stony rock, a reminder of an accident from the neighboring underwater volcano. The sparsely decorated room contained only his bed, a mirror, and a few scattered belongings.
    Groaning, he swam through the gentle currents to his mirror. It cast a rippling reflection of his kelp-toned striped hair amongst his mass of brunette strands. They floated around as he stretched and yawned. Wiping his brown eyes, he used his lean muscular arms and powerful tail to propel himself through the chilly waters.
    Brushing the algae from his hard, green scales, Triton swam through the arc in his bedroom door, and out into the halls which were decorated in rich pearls and seashells, all painted in crisp, cool blues and ivories.
    At the top of the pearl