But it's only just that, a moment.
That's my life, a series of moments. A series of very few good and way too many bad.
I jog up the beach, past the hordes of spectators and the announcer’s booth to my private tent. It's enclosed with walls and houses a portable shower.
Privacy for me is of the utmost importance, especially for such public events like these. I love being a part of this charity organization. I love what they stand for and how much they help veterans like me. If my uncle hadn't found them two years ago, I don't know where I’d be.
But I have my challenges, like so many other wounded warriors. My physical injuries may have healed, but the trauma of the past is still present and as potent as the day the wounds were inflicted.
Just as I unzip my wetsuit, I'm startled to death by someone barging into my tent. “Jesus Christ!” I literally jump as Ty Winters appears out of thin air.
Neither of us utters a word as we stare at each other, him looking like preppy perfection with his tousled, copper hair, pink designer Polo shirt and perfectly pressed khaki shorts.
He doesn't seem all too happy either. There’s a scowl on his handsome face and fight in his sharp green eyes.
We didn't exactly part ways on the best terms, not that we were ever on good terms due to the tumultuous past of our families’ business ties.
“I know a sophisticated man like you has manners. Have you suddenly forgotten how to use them?” I demand as he sucks up all the space in the small tent.
“When I'm around you, I seem to be someone completely different.” He stalks toward me, crowding me into the corner of the tent. My heart punches the inside of my chest from his audacity and proximity.
“Ty,” I warn.
“You’ve ruined my life, Simone,” he abruptly announces.
“Excuse me?” I scoff. “How?”
“Because I can't get you the fuck out of my head. I think about you when I eat, see you in my dreams, and relive that fucking kiss every goddamn day. You have ruined me.”
My jaw drops. That kiss on the dance floor was completely out of this world. Connective, cosmic, kismet, if I dare say. I was drawn to Ty Winters the moment I laid eyes on him at the charity fight. But I kept my distance. I do from most people. Especially men. “I didn't realize the great Ty Winters was so easily taken.”
“He’s not.” Ty wraps his long fingers around my biceps, and I fight not to hyperventilate. “That’s the fucking problem.” He inches in closer to my face, and I move my head back as far as it will go. We become frozen in the awkward stance.
“What do you want from me?”
“I want to know if you think about me as much as I think about you. If I haunt you the same way you haunt me.”
I remain silent, terrified of my answer. It's too dangerous to admit out loud.
Ty scrutinizes me. “Deny it, Simone. Deny I affect you the same way you affect me.” He all but shakes me.
I bite my tongue.
I don't want to answer. I don't want to tell him he’s all I’ve thought about the last six months. That I dream about him, too. That that one kiss ruined me, too.
His green eyes burn as I stand there like a mute.
“That's what I was hoping.” His tone is victorious, a devious curl tugging at the corner of his lips.
“I didn't admit to anything.”
“You didn't have to.” He pulls me into his body, and the air becomes thin.
“Ty, please.” I press my hands to his chest, his shirt damp from brushing against my wetsuit.
“Simone, I don't care about your last name or the history our families have—”
“It isn't that,” I protest. “Whatever happened in the past I wasn’t a part of it. I know nothing about it.”
