Before he could say anything, I spoke, “So, I’m being forced to have a sleepover?”
He winced, inhaling another bite of cake. “Yeah, sorry a
bout that. Rebecca wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“How am I going to explain my nightmares?” I asked softly, worry seeping into my tone.
He leaned over to whisper in my ear, “Before you fall asleep, just come find me. I’ll be waiting.”
I shivered, wondering what that meant, but I was excited to find out.
Liam
Giggles and chatter filtered from the family room back to the kitchen where I sat at the bar on my laptop, reading up on Wyatt Perry. I was currently stalking his verified Facebook page like a psychotic ex-girlfriend, but hey, I needed to know what the enemy was up to. I scrolled down, my eyes flitting quickly over the words on the screen. Most were just standard posts with photos of him surfing or standing with his board sporting a goofy, arrogant smile. I wanted to wipe that smile off his face by winning the title. He was the fan favorite, and I was still the underdog—the newbie.
I stopped when a video appeared showing Wyatt being interviewed by a reporter on the beach. I clicked the video, and it instantly began playing. I hit pause and grabbed my headphones so I wouldn’t have to strain to hear over the sounds of the girls laughing. So far, the sleepover seemed to be a success with Ari. I’d tried to persuade Rebecca away from that idea, but that girl was stubborn. I liked her, she was cool, and I knew her pretty well from all the times I went to Mo’s. She’d be a good friend for Ari to have—and Ari seriously needed to start getting out more. All she seemed to do was go to work, come home, cook, and draw.
I hit play on the video again, and Wyatt’s smug face filled the screen. He was talking about his last competition, and how he wasn’t at all worried about Hawaii. I wasn’t the kind of guy to be jealous, and that certainly wasn’t why I didn’t like him, it was just something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. He was slimy, and there was something in his eyes that wasn’t genuine. He’d been pretty big for about five years, and maybe the fame had gone to his head. It happened.
The video cut off, and I yanked out the ear buds. Scrubbing my hands over my face, I let out a groan. I felt so unprepared. I’d been training, but not enough. I needed to eat, breathe, and sleep surfing, and I hadn’t been doing that. I’d allowed my personal life to interfere with my career, and there was too much at stake to let my career burn away. This was my time, and I couldn’t let it pass me by. The competition was only two weeks away, and I’d have to crack down even more. Gym, surf, repeat.
I closed my laptop as another chorus of laughter broke out in the family room.
Ollie and I had run out to the store and grabbed three sleeping bags for the girls, since none of them expected to be sleeping on the floor, but Rebecca insisted it was necessary. On top of the sleeping bags Rebecca had given me a whole list of other items I needed to get. As long as Ari was enjoying herself I wouldn’t complain.
I left them to their sleepover games and headed down to the beach.
The sky was dark, and a million stars shimmered above. I always loved that about the beach—how you always saw the stars unless a storm was rolling in. I tilted my head back, letting the breeze brush against my skin. I inhaled the salty air before plopping in the sand. I grunted from my ungraceful descent to the ground and draped my arms over my arched knees.
I closed my eyes, remembering the first time I’d ever gotten on a board. I’d only been around ten, and it was a family vacation. I’d begged and begged until my mom and dad finally caved and let me get lessons from the instructor on the beach. When I paddled out for the first time, I had this instant, overpowering feeling of belonging. I knew then that I’d found my calling. Back then I’d been too young and naïve to realize how much work it would take to rise to the top, but I didn’t regret it. Not a second of it.
Eventually, I stood and began to walk along the water’s edge. I was barefoot, and the water tickled my feet every time the waves crashed against the shore.
The night air was slightly chilly, but I was okay with that. The sting of the wind helped clear my mind.
I walked for several miles, letting my mind wander, before turning around and heading home.
When I slipped through the back door, I was surprised to find the house quiet and the lights turned off. I eased the door closed and looked around for Ari, but she was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she’d be able to get some sleep after all.
I eased past the family room and upstairs, heading into my room to take a shower. The warm water cascaded down my body and I bent my head forward, bracing my hands against the wall.
I was scared—and that was something I never wanted to admit. But I was terrified of screwing up my chances. Yes, things were going good with my career. I was a fucking pro, but it was still hard for me to believe that. I kept thinking someone was going to step forward and rip my dreams right out of my hands.
And Ari.
Fuck, Ari.
Every single second she was maneuvering her way into the microscopic piece of my heart left to give, like that spot had been carved out solely for her.
I’d thought I’d known what it meant to love once, but the way Ari made me feel told me I knew nothing about the matter. I think, maybe, we all go through life thinking we know what love is, but it isn’t just one thing. It’s many. It’s losing your breath at the sight of the other person. It’s caring about their needs. It’s missing them even when they’re in the same room with you. It’s an all-consuming kind of thing, and I felt it all with Ari.
I scrubbed my hands over my hair and let the water beat down on me.
I was crazy to think I didn’t want more from her than friendship. My wait-and-see attitude was pointless. I already saw. I saw her. All of her. In my life forever.
I let out a groan and slapped a hand against the tiled wall.
“Way to sound like a pussy,” I mumbled to myself.