It’s at that moment I realize I encouraged myself out loud. My cheeks feel hot. “Sorry, I meant that to be an inner dialogue moment.”
“No worries. Positive self-talk is good. So is visualization. Picture yourself doing what you want to accomplish. Ben and I talk about that a lot with his free throws.”
I close my eyes to visualize myself doing a stellar pop up. Instead my mind wanders…I wonder if I’ll get to meet Ben anytime soon. I can already tell Leo is a great dad, and Val gave him a glowing endorsement.
Wait, why am I even thinking about this? I have no reason to meet Leo’s son. I’m just a woman he felt bad for and is now giving surf lessons to. Leo Cruz is out of my league. I need to remember that. No more fantasy crushes like Bronson Campbell.
“Ready to try again?” Leo asks, pulling me back to the present.
Not sure why, but I give a salute. “Ready.”
“Think Cobra, then pop up.” Leo says as he demonstrates flawlessly.
My turn. The cobra push up is a success, but my legs are slow to cooperate, and my knees definitely touch the board. Nonetheless, I’m up. New goal: incorporate crunches into my daily routine. A strong core is a necessity.
“That was better!” Leo beams, and I feel euphoria wash over me. Then he adds, “Let’s do it ten more times.”
I have got to document this…and I could use a minute to catch my breath. “Can you take a quick picture of me on the surfboard? My college roommates will never believe I’m taking surfing lessons.”
“Of course,” he says as I hand him my phone. “First, we gotta make you look legit.” He moves one arm in front of me and the other straight behind. It’s basically the quintessential surfer pose. All that’s missing is me throwing up the “shaka” sign and yelling kowabunga, but I have yet to work up the courage to ask if surfers really do that.
Leo steps back. “Gnarly.” I hear the camera click. Then he steps forward, turns his back towards me and holds up the phone. Our faces appear next to each other on the screen.
Leo’s so close to me that I can smell his cologne, or deodorant. I don't know what the origin of the scent is, but it’s exactly how I imagine sipping a piña colada on the beach would smell. The hair on the back of my neck perks up as he captures the selfie.
“You should send that to me,” he says.
“Yeah, I can do that. What’s your number?” I’m not disappointed that I’ll have a photo of Leo on my camera roll. It’s gonna take all my maturity to not make it my home screen. At this point, he’s the One Direction to my thirteen-year-old heart. Just a poster on the wall to be admired though, not someone who I have any chance of dating.
After sending the selfie to Leo, I pull up my college group chat. “Just gonna pass my surfing picture on to my old roommates…” I select the photo and then hit send. They’re gonna freak out…Number one, that I’m voluntarily exercising and number two, that I’m doing a somewhat dangerous sport. It feels exciting to surprise them. Just like I did when I told them I was quitting my job at MVP.
I throw my phone back on my towel, and then clap my hands together. “Okay, I’m ready to get back to work.” Lying down on my board, I do a few more pop up reps. Panting, I bend down with my hands on my knees. “I’m going to be sore tomorrow, aren’t I?”
“First timers usually are. Surfing uses a unique set of muscles.”
I lie face down on my board, close my eyes and breathe in.
“Is that your phone?” Leo asks.
It sounds like it’s malfunctioning with how many pings are going off. “Yeah…it is. Let me turn it on silent.” I grab my phone from my towel and find twenty-three new messages. My forehead creases. I thought they’d be surprised, but not this much.
Leo must notice my confusion. “Everything okay?”
I gasp as I notice my error. “No, no, no…”
Stepping closer, Leo puts his hand on my back. “What’s going on?”
“I accidentally sent the selfie you took of us.” My stomach churns as I read through their messages.
Maggie
????????
Meg
What’s happening!?!? Are you hinting at something!?!
Brooke
