He’s hot. He’s available-ish. You make out after pool parties, exchange just enough texts to keep things warm, and pretend you’re not checking if he’s still online while you fall asleep in mesh briefs and mixed signals.

Welcome to the summer situationship.

It’s not dating, it’s not not dating, and it almost always comes with a tan line, questionable decisions, and at least one half-drunk selfie captioned “you up?”

But fear not — there’s a way to enjoy the ride without losing your mind (or your jockstrap).

1. Know What It Is (and What It’s Not)

A summer situationship is casual with chemistry. It’s pool hangs, beach flirts, long looks across rooftop bars, and yes, plenty of sex. But it’s not a full-time boyfriend. If you’re fantasizing about matching towels and holiday trips, you might be in deeper than he is.

Keep your eyes open. Keep your options open. And keep your expectations where your crop top ends.

2. Flirt Without Catching Feelings (Too Fast)

Yes, he’s got abs. Yes, he says all the right things. Yes, he brought you iced coffee once and now your brain is building a shared Pinterest board.

Pump the brakes, pretty boy. Enjoy the butterflies, but don’t let them take the wheel. Summer flings burn hot — that doesn’t mean they’ll last past Labor Day.

3. Keep Your Group Chat Updated

Your friends are your reality check. If you text “omg he said he missed me” and they reply “define miss,” listen. They’ve seen you go feral over less.

Plus, when he inevitably disappears for a week because he’s “camping with friends” (read: at a cabin with someone hotter), you’ll need your crew on standby for a pool day and a hot selfie rebound.

4. Protect Your Heart (and Your Hole)

Just because it’s casual doesn’t mean it should be careless. Be honest about what you want. Use protection. Respect your own boundaries — emotional and physical.

And if he says “I’m not really looking for anything serious,” believe him. Don’t try to seduce him into monogamy with your eggplant parmesan and a good cry.

5. Leave Room for Fun

It’s summer, babe. Let yourself enjoy the attention. Let yourself be kissed under fireworks. Let yourself send that half-nude from the hotel balcony.

Not everything has to be a relationship. Sometimes it’s just a sexy little moment in the sun — and that’s beautiful in its own way.

Bottom line?

If he’s emotionally unavailable, don’t make yourself emotionally unpaid. Stay grounded, stay sexy, and stay focused on what you want. Whether it’s a fling, a forever, or just a fire playlist and a few makeouts, you deserve a summer full of pleasure — not confusion.

Need the look for a no-strings situationship?

Shop our jockstraps, boy bikinis, and stay-ready shorts — built for fast flings, slow undressing, and whatever happens between “hi” and “wanna come over?”