The ocean is alive and roaring this morning. There must have been a storm over the water for us to be getting getting this kind of groundswell.
I kick my flip flops off outside of the shed, my heart racing as I approach the light shining through the open door. It’s probably Hunter since Bailey stayed at the hospital again last night, but I’m not ready for us to have a serious conversation yet about next steps. I just want to surf, and hopefully find some clarity.
I step into the doorway, and I’m greeted by the sight of Bailey—not Hunter—leaning over his board, working in large circular motions to spread the Sex Wax on his orange shortboard. His navy board shorts hang low on his hips, and my gaze lingers on the way his muscles flex as he works.
He turns, straightening in surprise, and I jump backward, smacking my head on the doorframe behind me. “Ow, fuck,” I mumble, grabbing the back of my head as I close my eyes.
“Kait, you scared the shit out of me. Are you okay?” he asks, sounding much closer now.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I’m fine, just forgot there was a wall behind me,” I say, opening my eyes to see Bailey right in front of me.Maybe he didn’t see me looking at him.
“Here, let me.” Bailey’s hand pushes mine out of the way to feel for the knot on the back of my head. His touch is gentle as he rubs the tender spot, and I’m frozen into place. “You’re definitely going to have a bump, but I think you’ll be okay.”
“I thought you were staying at the hospital last night?” I ask, trying to figure out how he can be here if he’s supposed to be there. His face is clean shaven, and he’s close enough I can smell his citrus bodywash clinging to his golden skin. It’s different from Hunter who always smells like fresh mint, and my head is starting to spin.
“My sister’s a card shark,” Bailey grumbles, removing his hand from my head. He takes a step back, and it feels easier to process saying something now that I’m not tempted to press my nose to his chest and inhale.
“You guys played poker last night in Javi’s hospital room?” I laugh in disbelief, slipping further into the shed to get my board ready.
“We played Go Fish!, and she kicked my ass. Since she won, she was going to sleep there last night, but Henry made some deal with her so she’d sleep here in a real bed. I’m going back as soon as visiting hours start,” he explains, resuming working on his board. “I guess I should’ve known you’d be out on dawn patrol this morning.”
I reach to twist my necklaces before nodding. “If that’s okay?”
“Stop asking to share the ocean. It’s big enough for both of us,” he says, keeping the air light, which I appreciate because I wasn’t prepared to face Bailey for a couple more hours. I’m grateful he hasn’t brought yesterday up.
“I guess it is.”
“And the mermaids, of course,” B adds. It makes me thinkof Javi and how he asked me yesterday if I’d still be his friend. He’s really finding himself right at home here with the Walkers.
“Can’t forget about the mermaids,” I agree, and we fall into a quiet rhythm, touching up our boards. When I’m satisfied with the tackiness, I look up only to find Bailey already watching . . .me. Except, unlike me, he doesn’t smack his head on the wall behind him, or act embarrassed by being caught. He just looks at me intensely in a way that makes heat pool in my lower stomach.
Hunter. You’re still dating his brother, even if it’s a fucked-up situation.
I exhale, clapping my hands in front of me, feeling my heart racing in my chest. “Ready?”
He nods, tucking his board up under his arm. I hold mine similarly, following his lead.
The waves are perfect, and the water’s warm. It’s enough for me to push all thoughts of how awful yesterday was to the back of my mind.
It feels good to focus only on surfing, and I let myself relax for the first time in a while as the sky turns an array of soft pastel colors. Laughter bursts from my chest when he pops back up after wiping out, shaking his head like a dog after climbing back onto his board. His smile is carefree as he positions his board right next to mine while we wait for the next wave.
We’re not the only ones enjoying the peaceful morning. In the distance, you can see other surfers along the coast enjoying the waves.
“What are you smiling about?” I ask, wondering if I should question if he hit his head on his board. If I had just been knocked off like he was, I don’t know if I’d be smiling, especially because I’m laughing at him.
“Because I like hearing you laugh, even if it’s at myexpense,” he says, his eyes crinkled at the corners. “It’s better than seeing you sad, so just let me know how many more waves you want me to wipeout on if it’ll keep you laughing.”
“What?” I ask, my smile fading.
Bailey looks at me, his green eyes more of a sea foam color from the reflection of the water. “I’m sorry he’s leaving.”
I’m stunned into silence as we’re pushed back by a wave, missing my chance to paddle forward. “It’s complicated.”
It’s the only thing I can say instead ofHunter told me the truth.
“Are you okay?” he asks, and I look toward the horizon. I think we might be done surfing.
“I’m not sure. I’m confused, and not sure how I’m supposed to feel.”
