“It’s okay,” he says, nodding toward the dock and the Surf Shack. “I’m going to rent one from them.”
My heart skips. Why would he need to rent a board when he’s probably got a whole garage full of them? Really nice ones too, I’m sure.
They start walking that way, and reluctantly, I follow. Although I don’t want to bump into the others, I’m incredibly curious as to what this is really about. “Yeah, but don’t you have your own board?” I press.
Matteo stops, and then turns fully to face me. “Of course I do,” he says, a smirk pulling at his lips. “But I’m looking for something a little more fun.” He glances at Hailey and Jordan, and then he starts walking toward the small shop by the dock.
I swallow hard, not at all liking the vibe.
“Come on,” Hailey urges, grabbing Jordan’s hand to pull her along.
I follow them, still confused. Worried. I look toward the dock, trying to convince myself it’ll be fine. Technically, I can use the excuse of checking on my boat, seeing if she’s back from impound yet. They can’t judge me for that.
Just then, a group of workers comes out of the shop, the bright, rainbow-colored sign above them announcing the Surf Shack. I stop in my tracks when I see Noa again, regretting coming down to the beach altogether. I want to be mad at her, stay mad at her—it would be easier. But I can’t force it. Instead, I just want her to stop hating me.
Noa shields her eyes from the sun as she watches Matteo and the others approach. She hasn’t noticed me yet, wholly focused on the others. Standing next to her are Tech and Shawn, and I have a small flash of annoyance when I’m reminded that they all went joyriding on my boat together. And I know none of them are sorry.
Noa says something privately to the others before grabbing a clipboard and walking onto the sand. As she approaches Matteo and the girls, her gaze lands on me in the background. Her eyes widen for a split second, before she glances toward the dock, where my boat should be, but it’s still not there. When she turns to me again, there’s guilt in her eyes.
She should feel guilty. But even so, my heart picks up its pace as Matteo and the others walk toward her. I can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right. What exactly do they have planned?
CHAPTER NINE
—NOA
I’m a mixture of annoyanceand worry as I watch them approach. Whatever they want, it can’t be good. Jordan saw me in the sheriff’s station yesterday, so who knows what drama that’s kicked off. Tech’s mother had warned us not to get in trouble. We didn’t exactly listen.
“There she is,” Matteo announces as he crosses the sand. Next to him, Jordan and Hailey smile politely, or what should be perceived as polite. I’m pretty sure they’re mocking me.
And behind them, I notice Jamie—casually hanging out with the worst people I know. I shake my head, disgusted. At least he has the decency to seem embarrassed. He should be.
I know that, and yet… I don’t look away from him right away. I can’t. It’s almost surreal to have him on my beach again, although he practically lived here every summer. He was one of us. How I would watch him then, gaze at him like he’d always be there for me to admire. And how I’ve resented him ever since.
I drag my eyes away to turn back to Matteo. “Here I am,” I say coldly. “How can I help you today?”
“So professional,” Matteo says with a laugh. He studies me before tossing a hateful glance toward Tech and Shawn at the counter. There’s no love lost there. After a nasty fight that included a piece of driftwood and twohead staples, I’d say it’s more like hate between him and the other Chasers.
“I see your friends back there,” he says, nodding toward them. “No Ellis?”
The comment wounds me, and I tighten my posture. “You know my brother’s not here,” I say. He watches me a moment, and then he nods like he’s sorry he brought it up. Either way, it’s cruel.
Matteo takes in a deep breath as if trying to center himself before looking at me again. The small scar near his temple reflects light through his newly shaved dark hair. Even though he’s trying to be hard, he betrays a flash of tenderness toward me. Hailey clears her throat as if realizing, and that version of Matteo vanishes.
“Listen, Noa,” he says, sickly sweet. “We’re friends, right?”
We are definitely not friends. Matteo and I dated briefly last year—when I was at a low point in my life. My mother had just passed away. To say I was vulnerable would be an understatement. I was lonely. And I was definitely not thinking clearly.
“Just tell me what you want, Matteo,” I say, dropping the formality.
“What do you think?” he says with a grin. “I’m here to surf.”
“Then go get your board,” I respond easily. “You don’t need our help.”
“But I forgot mine at home,” he says, pouting out his lower lip. “Figured I could borrow one of yours.”
“Not a chance,” I tell him, not buying his bullshit.
“Oh, come on. I’ll pay.”
