“You’re joking,” Zale says immediately.
Gabriel shakes his head slowly. “I’m still funding the team. Still supporting you all. I just…” He exhales quietly. “I need to focus on my family for a while. Having twins is no joke, and my wife needs me.”
My chest tightens slightly because Gabriel has always felt permanent to The Shredders, like the ocean.
“You can’t retire,” Griffin says flatly. “You’re too annoying.”
Gabriel snorts, then reaches over and pats Griffin’s shoulder.
“Which is why congratulations are in order.” A grin slowly spreads across his face. “Meet your new head coach of the Saltwater Shredders.”
Griffin looks stunned for approximately half a second before he smirks, a slight twinkle in his eyes. “Thanks, Gabriel.”
Everyone starts cheering at once, with Eliana screaming loud enough from shore that several tourists turn to stare.
I don’t blame her, because Griffin deserves this more than anyone, but I also can’t help wondering what this means for his future pro career plans.
Later, once practice finally wraps up, I catch him near the equipment shed while everyone else argues over where to celebrate tonight.
“So…” I lean against the railing beside him. “Coach Griffin.”
He scoffs. “Don’t start.”
I grin before my expression turns softer. “Why aren’t you going back pro?”
He goes quiet for a moment, then he shrugs. “The injury healed, technically.”
“But?”
“It still limits some stuff.” He flexes his leg absentmindedly. “Not enough to stop surfing. Just enough that competing at that level again wouldn’t be smart long-term.”
I nod slowly.
“And if I’m being honest…” His gaze drifts toward where Eliana’s laughing about something with Koa. “With everything going on with the wedding and my parents lately…I realized I don’t actually want to spend nine months a year traveling.”
Understanding settles warmly in my chest. “You want balance.”
“Exactly.” He smiles faintly. “At least this way, I still get surfing, and the team, but I also gettimewith the people I love.”
It feels like everyone around me is growing up all at once and it’s honestly terrifying.
“I’m excited to have you as coach next season,” I tell him.
Griffin points at me immediately. “You better work your ass off this season though.”
I laugh. “Okay?”
“I mean it.” His expression sharpens. “I wanna see you and Colton make the World Tour.”
My stomach flips unexpectedly at hearing our names together like that, as if we’re a unit.
“I’ll try my best,” I say.
Griffin smirks. “Good. Now go make out with your cowboy or whatever. He’s been staring at you all starry eyed this whole time.”
I nearly choke when I look over my shoulder to find Colton watching me, or more specifically my ass.
I turn back around to Griffin but he’s already walking away laughing.
