Waves of Winter

by L. C. Chase

  “Breakfast pizza?” Jax chuckled. “More crazy Canadian things?”

  Kellan shook his head. “No, just a crazy Tremblay family thing.”

  “Does this surf shack have proper heat?”

  Now it was Kellan’s turn to laugh. “Of course! It’s a fully equipped modern condo on the beach. I just call it my surf shack because I only come here to surf on long weekends and holidays. Though it’ll probably be cold and dusty when we get there because I haven’t been back for a year.”

  “Why a year?”

  Kellan shrugged, looked away, then back quickly. “Life.”

  Jax stared at him for a long moment but didn’t ask for more explanation, which Kellan was grateful for. Then Jax shrugged. “Okay.” He held out a hand, palm open, while reaching into his pocket with the other. “Hand me your phone. Let’s swap numbers.”

  Jax took Kellan’s phone, opened the camera app, and snapped a photo of himself making a silly face that Kellan found all kinds of endearing. “So you don’t forget what I look like.” Jax winked.

  Don’t think I ever could.

  Jax entered his digits and handed the phone back. Kellan did the same with Jax’s phone, photo and all. With breakfast finished, Kellan leaned back, his gaze never leaving Jax’s grinning face. The silence between them stretched, but not in an uncomfortable way that needed chatter to fill the corners. The odd intimacy of the moment was broken only by an announcement on the loudspeaker that they were approaching Nanaimo and for motorists to make their way to their cars; walk-on passengers were to make their way to the main deck for disembarking.

  Kellan suddenly found himself not wanting the ferry ride to end, not unless Jax was leaving with him.

  “Why don’t you come with me to Tofino today. Now,” Kellan blurted. Well, if he was going to do it, he may as well go for broke. “Spend a few days surfing before you go boarding. Maybe we can fit in some hiking or crabbing too.”

  “Sorry, mate.” Genuine sincerity laced Jax’s words, but a trickle of disappointment threatened to dampen Kellan’s mood nonetheless. “I’d love to, but all my gear is stashed in the bus cargo, and the round trip is paid for.”

  “Right. Sorry.” I’m a dumbass. Kellan stood up and gathered their food trays, not looking at Jax while he did. Rejection disappointment averted, but still, he would have liked to stay in Jax’s company longer. “What deck are you on?”

  “Three.” Jax followed him to the garbage and recycle bins.

  Kellan nodded. Why did his feet suddenly feel so damn heavy? “I’m on two. I’ll walk with you.”

  Walking side by side down the wide stairwell, Kellan bit back asking Jax to change his plans and come with him every time their shoulders brushed together. They’d exchanged numbers. Made a loose plan to meet up later in the week. That was good enough, right? He could text Jax tonight to firm them up. Or not. Maybe he just needed to settle down instead of getting all excited about some guy he’d just met on the ferry and in all likelihood would never see again.

  The second car deck landing came faster than he was ready for, and he paused, holding Jax’s gaze while fellow passengers navigated around them. Kellan took a deep breath, extended his hand, and smiled. Jax took it and held on.

  “See you, Kellan.”

  “See you, Jax.”

  Jax placed his other hand over Kellan’s and nodded. Flashing a heart-melting grin, he let go and turned to continue down the stairs. Kellan watched until he disappeared. A wistful feeling washed over him and warmed his insides. There went the first guy who’d sparked his interest in the better part of a year. A guy he hoped he’d get to see again. Yeah, who was he kidding? He’d text Jax tonight and convince him to come spend a few days in Tofino.

  Chapter Two

  JAX WAS still smiling when he reached the charter bus that would take him to Mount Washington. He’d enjoyed meeting Kellan, and more, the whole time he was sitting across from Kellan at the table, he’d wanted to reach out and run his fingers through the soft-looking dark hair, to brush a stray lock of it away from those beautiful hazel eyes. He loved the feel of hair twined in his fingers. For whatever reason, it was an erogenous zone to him. And dimples! Kellan had gorgeous dimples, which were yet another weakness of his. Jax had a niggling feeling Kellan possessed a whole lot more of Jax’s weaknesses. He could be in trouble with a man like that. Good trouble, of course, but what a way to end his trip, by spending it getting into all kinds of good trouble.

  He had to admit he was intrigued about that winter surfing business too. Canada was a long way from Australia, and not somewhere with year-round surfing, especially not in below-zero temperatures while snowing. Or so he’d thought before today. He loved surfing, but as more of a fun hobby than a hard-core passion. Not like snowboarding was. Though he had traveled, taking surf vacations with his mates, he didn’t travel the world conquering every wave regardless of weather or season like some people did. He would have to ask Kellan if he was one of those world surfers next time he saw him.

  Jax chuffed under his breath and shook his head. Next time. He was mad. Maybe he really would take Kellan up on it—if for no other reason than to spend more time with him. He’d certainly enjoyed the time they’d already spent as they sailed across the Strait. And who knew what kind of fun they could get up to between waves and slopes. He wrapped his hand around the phone in his pocket and smiled. Maybe he’d text Kellan tonight after he got some runs in.

  A queue for boarding had formed by the time he reached the bus, but the driver had yet to arrive. Jax joined the line and scanned his fellow passengers while he waited—backpackers, diehard winter sport enthusiasts, athletic-looking couples with permanent sunglasses and goggle tan lines on their faces—and one thing they all had in common? Anticipation and excitement radiated around them as they looked forward to the next adventure with their traveling companions or significant others.

  Now there was something Jax hadn’t had in a long time: a significant other. He’d met a lot of amazing people on his travels so far. Made a few memorable connections, a few new friends, and had the occasional lover. But each connection was never more than the moment it was meant to be. Even back home he’d been too busy for anything serious.

  As one did when adventure traveling, he’d gone with the flow, let the universe guide him along on his journey of exploration and enlightenment, and he knew he’d grown in more ways than he could have imagined when he started his trip. But someone to share that adventure with…? He was always a bit of a free spirit and didn’t need validation or hand-holding from anyone, but a partner didn’t mean he’d have to change. Not if they were on the same page, enjoying the ride, enjoying each other, and taking life as it came.

  Kellan’s smile flashed into his mind, and those “I want to lick them” dimples. A kindred spirit, perhaps? Anyone who got excited about surfing in a snowstorm was clearly someone who loved adventure, in Jax’s book, and that was what Jax wanted in a life partner. Adventure, spontaneity, zest for life.

  Jax looked over his shoulder at the stairwell door with a sense of anticipation that fell heavy at seeing an empty hatch. What had he been hoping for? Kellan chasing him down and begging Jax to go with him? He shook his head. You’re a starry-eyed fool, Jackson. They’d exchanged numbers. He’d text, or maybe even call Kellan later and make plans to see him again in a few days, but…. But why wait? His snowboarding passes were open dated. The bus driver would probably whinge about Jax wanting his gear now, but he would get over it. Especially, hopefully, if Jax didn’t ask for a refund on the unused portion of his fare.

  He shifted his weight from foot to foot, stuffed his hands into his pockets, took them out, and ran them through his hair. His exhaling breath formed thin clouds in the cold, wet air of the open car deck.

  Stay or go, stay or go….

  The driver arrived, nodding a greeting at Jax and his fellow wayfarers, and opened the bus door to start the boarding process. Jax looked over his shoulder again. Stay or go, stay o
r go….

  He checked his gut for guidance and received nothing but green lights. Go. Excitement skirted through his chest.

  Yes! Go!

  If there was one thing being out on this journey had taught him, it was to always listen to his gut. Everyone had that instinct; it was just a matter of listening to and trusting it. His had never steered him wrong before, and he had no doubts it would now. He paused in front of the expectant driver and smiled his brightest smile.

  “I’m really sorry, mate,” he said, piling on all his charm, “but I’ve got a ride. Can I get my gear out of the cargo?”

  Harvey, according to the name patch on the driver’s uniform, was a tired-looking man probably in his late fifties, with a slight belly hanging over his belt. He narrowed his dull gray eyes, and a deep scowl creased his ruddy face. “I’m not hauling everything out if your stuff is at the back.”

  Surprised there wouldn’t be more of a fight on Harvey’s side, eagerness lifted Jax to the point he could have sworn his feet were hovering off the ground. “No worries. You can supervise, and I’ll do all the hauling.”

  “Against policy.” Harvey’s scowl deepened, and that elation Jax was just feeling waned. Maybe he was going to get a fight after all. “And I’m not giving you a refund.”

  Or not. Jax held up his hands, took a step back, and smiled again. “That’s all good, mate. No refund needed.”

  Harvey huffed, shook his head, and then in a put-upon voice said, “Step aside.”

  Jax obeyed and watched with growing impatience as Harvey loaded the rest of the passengers, and then with a quick glance at Jax, led the way to the cargo holds in search of Jax’s gear. Fortunately his stuff wasn’t all the way at the back, and with a thousand thank-yous, he grabbed his backpack and snowboard and headed for the level-two car deck.

  Jax stumbled over the ledge of the hatch door out onto the deck and scanned the rows of cars. One small problem…. He had no idea what kind of vehicle Kellan drove. Only one thing for it, he thought. He walked up and down the rows, weaving in and out of tightly packed cars, trying not to ding any with his snowboard while scoping out the drivers. What was he doing? The ferry would dock before he found Kellan at this rate, and then he’d have no ride anywhere at all. He dug into his pocket for his cell phone. He’d text Kellan.

  “Jax!”

  He turned at the sound of his name to see Kellan leaning out of an older-model blue Toyota 4Runner and waving madly. With a cheek-splitting grin, Jax jogged over.

  Kellan hopped out of the SUV and came around to meet Jax on the passenger side, and flecks of gold glittered in the warm hazel of his eyes. “What are you doing?”

  Jax stopped right in front of Kellan, maybe a little too far into his personal space, but at the same time not far enough. They stood close enough for Jax to catch the scent of sea air on Kellan. “I hope that offer still stands.”

  “Indefinitely,” Kellan said, his voice pitched a little lower and his smile stretched a little wider.

  Jax stared for what felt like hours. He couldn’t help it. He dropped his gaze from those warm, gut-twisting eyes to full, soft-looking lips. He licked his own, and when he met Kellan’s eyes again, his body began to lean forward of its own volition, closing the short distance between them. The ship lurched into the dock, and Jax stumbled sideways, reaching out instinctively for something solid to grab on to with his free hand. That something solid was Kellan. Jax had gripped Kellan’s forearm, and Kellan did the same, holding on to Jax so he wouldn’t fall.

  “My hero,” Jax teased, his voice a whisper and his chest all aflutter. Wow, he was in so much trouble with this guy. But that was how connections worked, he’d learned on his journey. Some people just clicked from the get-go. Looked like he and Kellan might be those some people this time.

  “Just wait till you see what my superpowers are.” Kellan grinned, and a pink flush washed over his cheeks. A blush of arousal, if Jax was reading him right.

  Kellan let go of Jax’s arms and, still grinning, turned toward the back of the vehicle and opened the door. “Go ahead and toss your gear in here.”

  Jax took a second to collect himself before following Kellan and loading his backpack and snowboard into the boot. He’d been immediately attracted to a few men over the years, but it was a long time since he’d felt an attraction as intense as what he currently felt for Kellan. In less than two hours. Shaking his head, he closed the SUV door and hopped into the passenger seat. Attraction like that always burned out fast, but it sure was fun when it was hot. He turned to find Kellan watching him, a smile playing at the edges of his mouth. Jax couldn’t help but smile back. Let the ride begin.

  “So… an Aussie and a Canuck get on a ferry…,” Jax said.

  Kellan laughed, a deep, rich sound that filled the confines of the vehicle and seeped under Jax’s skin, heating his insides. “I’m glad you changed your mind. You’re going to love this.”

  “So far, so good.” Jax winked. So far, so good.

  “First stop, the goats of Coombs.”

  “The what of what?”

  Kellan laughed harder at Jax’s expression but didn’t elaborate.

  Jax shook his head, fighting back his own laughter, and mumbled, “Crazy Canucks.”

  Chapter Three

  “EITHER I’M seeing things, or there are goats on the roof.” Wonderment laced Jax’s voice, making Kellan grin. “And the roof is grass!”

  “Nope. You’re seeing perfectly well. This is one of the most famous grass-roof buildings in the world,” Kellan said as he guided the SUV to the side of the road and parked across the street from the landmark country market. “I think the story goes that the owners got drunk one night and thought it would be entertaining if their neighbor’s goats ‘mowed’ the grass. They’ve had goats up there for as long as I can remember. Everyone has to stop here at least once.”

  Laughing that infectious laugh, Jax pulled out his phone and started snapping photos of the two goats staring down at him. “How do they get up there?”

  “The building is designed after old Norwegian homes that were built into mountainsides,” Kellan said as joy radiated off Jax in waves. Kellan loved peoples’ reactions to the rooftop goats, but somehow Jax’s thrill was that much more intoxicating. “You’re lucky to see the goats at all. They’re usually gone in the off-season because there’s no grass up there in the winter, but this has been an unusually mild year. Climate change is no hoax, my friend.”

  “They even have their own little goat house up there!” Jax turned around, his back to the store, and raised his phone. “Come here. We need a selfie.”

  Jax slipped his arm around Kellan’s waist, and Kellan leaned into his side, loving how perfectly he fit into Jax. Jax lowered his head so it rested against Kellan’s. “Say goat cheese!”

  Kellan groaned and rolled his eyes. “Cheesy!”

  The camera snapped.

  Jax opened the photo without removing his arm from around Kellan and started laughing. Kellan was freeze-framed mid-eye-roll and looked like something out of a horror movie. “Oh no way. Delete that!”

  “Diva,” Jax teased affectionately but complied. “Now behave yourself. I have to send one of these to my mum.”

  They posed again—plus three more times for good measure—and ended up with four great shots. Something turned over and lit up inside Kellan as he looked at their happy faces shining back at him. He liked the way they looked together.

  “Make sure you send those to me too,” Kellan said and reluctantly stepped out of Jax’s side hug.

  Jax tapped a few keys on his phone before pocketing it and looking up, his eyes bright and smile brilliant. “Done. What’s next?” The excitement in his voice was as infectious as his smile.

  It took Kellan a minute to gather himself, looking up into Jax’s face. He just wanted to stand there all day and bask in that incredible energy. Had he ever met someone so alive before? Jax tilted his head slightly, lifted that one eyebrow, maybe in
question, but it felt like a tease. Bigger than life, you are, Blue Eyes. Bigger than life.

  Kellan shook himself out of his blissful fugue. He had a traveler to entertain. “First snacks and then Cathedral Grove.”

  “Beauty!”

  KELLAN WAS right. So far Jax was loving his spontaneous decision to postpone snowboarding and spend a few days hanging out with Kellan. After the general store in Coombs, where little goats grazed on its grass-covered roof, he wasn’t sure he could be more amazed. Until the road narrowed and the trees lining it grew in height and width. Jax leaned against his window and looked up—and up and up—but the trees kept going as if they were reaching into the very heavens.

  “Holy tree trunks, Batman.” He turned to Kellan, who was grinning. “Those trees are massive.”

  “This is Cathedral Grove. It’s an old-growth rain forest.” Still grinning, Kellan pulled over into a small gravel lot and killed the engine. Even though it was the dead of winter and light snow-mixed rain fell from the oppressive gray skies, the parking area was almost full. “Let’s go!”

  Kellan hopped out, and a shivering gust of air hit Jax in the face before Kellan closed the door. He flipped up the hood of his jacket and walked toward a trailhead, stopping at the entrance to turn around and shout, “C’mon, pokey! We’re cutting into surf time here.”

  Jax shook his head and chuckled, still not so sure about this winter surfing thing but willing to give it a go. He checked to make sure there was plenty of battery left in his phone for photos, then pulled on his hat, wrapped a scarf around his neck, and slipped on his gloves. He jogged over to meet Kellan, and a fat raindrop splattered on his cheek. Cold and dry he could handle. Cold and wet was something else entirely. The warmth of Kellan’s smile, simultaneously soft and erotic, sent a hot flush tumbling below the surface of his skin and warded off the elements.