When they’d paddled past the reef, they sat on their boards, straddling them as they waited for a wave. Shane squinted toward the horizon. “Might be a minute.”
Rafa breathed in the salty air as he peered around, closing his eyes as he bobbed on the water. “These beaches must be packed in the summer, huh?”
“Yep. I like it in the winter. Even if the water’s a little nippy.”
“Just a little.” Rafa rubbed his numb hands together. “Guess we won’t have that problem in Sydney.” Excitement zipped through him. “I’ve been reading about all the beaches. Maybe we can find a place near the water. Something like your friend’s house here if we can afford it. It would be so amazing to be able to see the ocean and hear the waves. Don’t you think?”
Shane smiled softly. “Yeah. I think that would be pretty damn great.” Reaching out, he tugged on Rafa’s hand and pulled him close, giving him a briny kiss. Then he glanced over his shoulder. “Here it comes. Paddle! It’s yours!”
Adrenaline surging through him, Rafa got on his stomach and paddled, feeling the power of the ocean gathering below him. All around him. In him. With a shout, he popped up into a crouch, thrusting his arms out for balance as the wave lifted him.
For a glorious moment, he was doing it. He was up on his board, and he was surfing, the roar of the ocean filling his senses.
Then he wavered wildly and tipped over the front of his board, slamming down to the sandy bottom and scraping along until he was deposited in the shallows. Rolling onto his back, he laid there with his board nudging him, another little wave carrying him almost to shore. Shivering, he blinked at the streak of orange across the pale blue wash of the sky.
He heard splashing. “Raf!” Then Shane was kneeling over him, his face pinched in concern and his hands tight on Rafa’s shoulders.
He grinned. “I did it, Shane. Did you see?”
Exhaling sharply, Shane’s face melted into a smile. “I saw.” He brushed back Rafa’s wet curls. “First wave, and so many more to come.” He leaned over and kissed him. “Now let’s get out of these wet clothes, hmm? And I believe someone promised to make me dinner. From what I understand, he’s an incredible chef already.” Standing with the setting sun ablaze behind him, Shane reached down his hand.
Rafa took it, and he was never letting go.
THE END