The Lies That Define Us (Us 2)

“Mhm. See ya.”

I pushed the button on the touch screen and ended the call.

I’d had a few competitions earlier in the summer, did pretty well, but I wasn’t where I wanted to be as a professional surfer. I’d qualified back in June for a huge tournament in Hawaii in August. I wanted to win more than anything, but I’d been so distracted that I hadn’t been training like I should’ve been.

That was changing.

The past week had given me much-needed clarity. I was focused and ready to conquer the world…or the waves. I’d been doing good, enough to be a professional, but I wanted to be on top. I wanted to be a force to be reckoned with. I wanted the other surfers to take me seriously. At the moment, my ‘colleagues’ still thought of me as a bit of joke, like surfing was just a whim for me and not like salt water ran in my veins like it did theirs. I wanted their respect more than anything, to be honest. While I’d been excited about my sponsorship, other surfers hadn’t been happy for me. I’d seen the comments on social media saying that I’d only gotten it because of who my dad was, which was fucking ridiculous considering my dad’s a rock star not a surfer, but people love to talk smack. I knew I shouldn’t let it bother me, and I wished it didn’t, but I was only human.

I was going to prove all of them wrong, though. I knew I could do it and I would.

I followed the gravel drive back to the make-shift parking area. Jeremiah wasn’t there yet, but I didn’t expect him to be.

I grabbed my bag from the backseat, rifling through it for my wetsuit. I stripped down naked right there, but I wasn’t worried about getting caught. Hardly anyone knew that spot, and those that did were only serious surfers and we were all used to a little nudity now and then.

Jeremiah’s truck came speeding up the drive just as I fixed the sleeves of my suit into place. Dust from the gravel kicked up, and I waved my hand through the air, trying to disperse it.

He hopped out of his truck, already in his wetsuit, and grabbed his green surfboard. It was adorned with a skull that had dreads. Very fitting. All it was missing was some glasses.

“You ready?” He grinned as I fixed the leash around my ankle and then tucked the board under my arm. Mine was plain next to Jeremiah’s. It was white, with a dark blue line going around it, and the company logo in the center.

“Fuck yes.” My whole body itched with the need to hit the water.

He grinned and led the way to the water.

The swells were fucking perfect, and I vibrated with energy.

When the water lapped at my feet, I couldn’t stop my grin. Every single time, I felt like it was welcoming me home.

I walked out as far as I could before laying my board in the water and paddling out. I sat up when I reached the perfect spot and Jeremiah stopped beside me.

“You okay, man?” he asked, his eyes burning a hole in the side of my face.

“Never been better.”

“You’re smiling, and it’s weird.”

I reared my head back and laughed. “I guess you would find that weird.” I glanced over at him. “But get used to it.” I kicked my legs back and forth. “I need to be in my best shape for the tournament next month. You gonna help me?” I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head in question.

“Hell yes.” He held out his fist to pound it out. “You have this, Wade.”

I laughed. “I don’t have it yet, but I will.” I narrowed my eyes out at the water. “Wyatt Perry better watch out.”

Wyatt was probably my biggest rival out on the water. The other guys were good, but the true competition was between us. He was top dog, and I was the newbie trying to prove my worth. He hadn’t liked me from the moment he met me last year. I think he knew then that I was coming for him. The year before I’d still been learning and getting used to the attention and trying so fucking hard to gain some recognition. This year was different. I’d already proven my worth, and all I had to do was show I was there to stay.

Jeremiah grinned. “Wyatt’s got nothing on you. He’s good, don’t get me wrong, but you can tell he doesn’t love it like you do, and at the end of the day

that’s what matters.”

I smiled at my friend. “Don’t get sappy on me now.”

“Nah, of course not.” He chuckled. “Wyatt’s an asshole, though. I’d love to see you knock him down a few pegs.”

“I need to be out in the water every day training and at the gym too.”

“You know the guys and I will help you with that.”

I shook my head. “You guys have your own lives. You don’t need to help me.”