But my gaze goes to the smooth golden thigh still visible on the poster in the garbage can. There’s a flash of a moment where I imagine them wrapped around me. Shit. I really need to empty that. And sort my head out before I take her out for the day tomorrow.
Later I head home, bringing my laptop outside to sit on the veranda while I eat lunch. I still feel unsettled, but a trip to the dumpster and some loud music playing while I was working seemed to help. I open my emails, bracing myself. But there’s nothing, apart from a reminder of the upcoming council meeting.
The council did agree to give me more time. But only a couple of weeks. I’m not sure it’s going to be enough, but I need to do everything I can. My gaze wanders to the thick greenery on the land next to mine, the cliff rising from the golden beach. I swallow, hard, then refresh my emails.
Still nothing. I close the laptop and head back inside, pausing to scratch Nimue on the head. I should go back to the workshop, especially if I’m taking the day off tomorrow. But the blue water outside my window seems to beckon me. I turn away from its siren call.
And head back into town.
ChapterTwelve
Jade
This island really is a beautiful place. Even if my leg does sting like fire and I now have some sort of tour date with my mysterious yet annoying host tomorrow. My mysterious yet annoying host who also has strong arms and smells like a sexy bonfire.
Ugh. I put my phone down. The Wi-Fi has dropped out again anyway, my socials unable to refresh. I need to let it, and them, go. It’s why I came here, after all. To let go. Yet I can’t help checking to see whether any more rumours about me and Zach breaking up are online yet. I couldn’t find anything new before the Wi-Fi went, but who knows?
I’ve taken a few photos this morning, unable to resist the beautiful view from my little veranda. I’m not sharing them, though. Being here is just for me; no one needs to know where I am. And there’s also that feeling, once again, that this place needs to remain a secret. That it’s somehow magical and if I do the wrong thing, tell the wrong person, it will disappear for good. I take a sip of coffee, breathing in the warm air, the rustling palms. Turquoise water shimmers, the sand pale gold, the sky matching the water. The waves at the point are perfect and curling, breaking one after the other, completely deserted.
And I can’t surf a single one. Anger pulses through my contentment, and I put my coffee down, hugging my knees to my chest. But that only makes the wounds on my leg hurt more. I still don’t understand why Mish was so aggressive; I’ve had to deal with my fair share of shit in the surf, and can usually give as good as I get. But that went beyond what’s usual.
I sigh, getting up. I can’t sit here all day, staring at waves I can’t surf. I head inside, popping a couple of painkillers and washing them down with water. I open the fridge, wondering whether to eat something. The ice cream is already almost gone; perhaps I need to restock. And I’m sure I spotted a rack of magazines and books in the grocery store.
My mind made up, I grab my bag and head out towards the town. I know the doctor told me to take it easy, but it’s a short walk on level ground. I should be able to manage that without any problems. My leg hurts at first, but the painkillers soon take the edge off and I enjoy the feeling of being able to move. Even if I can’t surf for now, I can still explore.
I pass Axel’s workshop, and a surge of excitement thrills through me at the thought of spending the day with him tomorrow. What the hell is wrong with me? I clutch my bag closer as though it’s a shield, resolutely trying to ignore the strange pull that seems to want me to go into his workshop and say hello. It must be the boards calling to me, all those gorgeous Black Axes. Zach would freak out.
The thought of him brings me back to reality. Right. I’m here to get over him, escape my mad life, and try and remember who I really am. Hooking up with hot mysterious surfboard shapers is not part of that. Not at all. Even if it was an option, which I don’t think it is.
I duck into the clothing shop. It’s even nicer than it looked from the outside, with racks of gorgeous dresses and piles of cool T-shirts. I spot some Ocean’s Curl pieces, and end up buying a pair of low-slung cargo trousers, perfect to protect my leg tomorrow, in case Axel decides to take me hiking or something. The fact they look amazing on me is beside the point. They’re a practical purchase. And the low-cut green silk dress that flows over my body like water is one of those things I’ll wear a lot, once I get back to my real life. Yes, I nod to myself as the helpful shop assistant wraps everything up for me, this is all very sensible.
Clutching my purchases, I head for the grocery store to buy more ice cream and some delicious-looking pastries, as well as a couple of punnets of strawberries. On impulse I add a few limes and a bottle of rum. I know I don’t want to drink alone, but I’m sure I spotted a blender in the well-appointed kitchenette in my cabin, and the fruity daiquiris I had last night made me think how nice it might be to have one to sip as I watch the sun set. Just one, though. I ignore the fact that I’ve bought enough to make several, as though I’m not going to be drinking them by myself. I throw a few glossy magazines into my basket, and a novel; the cover shows a darkened house with one window lit up gold. A thriller. Perfect. None of the cute pastel romance novels. That is not what I need.
But later, as I sip a far-too-strong daiquiri and watch the sun slip behind long purple clouds, the water gleaming like silk, loneliness hits me. Besides the fact that this place is ridiculously romantic, I’d just like someone to talk to, to share my day with. But instead, I’m alone, for the first time in a long time, with only myself for company.
And I’m not sure I’m ready to face who I am, yet.
Axel
The bell on the shop door jangles and I look up, my heart in my throat. What if it’s Jade, come to check on the progress of her board? And if it is, why am I acting like a teenage boy dealing with their first crush? I tell myself to get a grip as I head to the front of the workshop, but my throat is dry, my muscles tense.
I relax slightly when I spot a familiar dark-haired figure leaning on the counter. But not totally, because I’m pissed at her.
“Hey, Axel,” Mish says, chirpy as though she didn’t assault one of my guests less than twenty-four hours ago.
“Mish.” I keep a rein on my anger. I’ve learned to do that, because of what happened when I didn’t. To think before I act.
“Can you take a look at my friend’s board?” She nods towards a battered-looking blue surfboard propped against the wall. “She bought it second-hand even though I told her not to, not without seeing it in person. And it’s arrived looking like this.”
I fold my arms while I consider how to respond. Mish, as I say, is a pain in the ass. But I also know what it’s like to have a shitty family, so I’ve tried my best to help her out whenever I can. Not just showing her how to surf, but letting her watch me shape boards in the workshop, talk about possible career paths, and what things are like in the US. The last is a delicate topic, though. I know she wants to explore her American roots. Except I don’t think I’m the person to help her with that. She sees me as an annoying older brother. But I already have a sister, and I’m not sure I need another.
“Axel?” Mish is frowning, now. She shakes her head, blowing out a breath. “Is this because of that fu?—”
“Do not call her a fucking tourist,” I say, trying not to snarl. “She’s my guest. And she’s…” I pause. Jade might not want me telling Mish who she really is, though I’m surprised Mish didn’t recognise her. “She’s a damn good surfer,” I finish. “She deserves better than what you did to her.”
“What I did to her?”
“Yeah. Dropping in on her, damaging her board and pushing her onto the rocks so she got injured. She could have been killed!”
