by L. C. Chase
Kellan grabbed a bottle and clinked it with Jax’s, dipped his head, and said, “To new friends, new adventures, and a lifetime of good memories.”
Which was what he’d be left with when Jax went back to Australia. Kellan swallowed down the longing that thought left on the back of his tongue. Now was for making lasting memories. That he could do and would enjoy doing. And who knew, maybe he’d visit Australia one day and could see Jax again.
“So,” Kellan started, putting down his beer and picking up a slice of pizza. “Was I right about surfing in winter?”
Jax laughed, the sound deep and soothing, filling the corners of Kellan’s condo. “I have to admit I loved it. I was expecting to be running for the condo after the first wave, but yeah, mate, that was rippin’.”
“Yes!” Kellan pumped his free fist and hooted. “I converted another one.”
Shaking his head, Jax bumped his shoulder playfully into Kellan’s and took a bite of his pizza, the grin never leaving his face as he chewed.
“Tell me about your travels,” Kellan said, wanting to know more about him—wanting to know everything. “What are some of the highlights so far? Aside from today, that is. And how does someone from Australia even become a professional snowboarder?”
Kellan winked, and Jax laughed, and Kellan loved how comfortable he felt sitting there next to him. Like they’d always known one another and were just catching up after an extended absence.
“The snowboarding started innocently enough,” Jax began. “We lived in Jindabyne, near the Snowy Mountains, when I was twelve. I was always jumping over things on my skateboard and getting hurt, so my mum got me snowboarding lessons, thinking snow would be safer than pavement. I still ended up breaking an arm once.”
Kellan could picture a young daredevil Jax giving his mom premature gray hair, and smiled at the image. “Where’s Jindabyne in relation to Sydney?”
“About five hours drive south on the toll route.”
Kellan nodded and Jax continued. “Turned out I loved it. After my lessons expired, I kept going as often as I could. Ended up working the resort in Perisher Valley so I could afford to keep boarding. A coach from one of the big teams noticed me practicing during a championship event, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
“So you were pro at twelve? Impressive.” And Kellan was impressed. That meant Jax was one of those natural talents that came along only so often and rocked whatever world their passion ventured them into.
“No, I wasn’t officially pro until I was fifteen.” Jax laughed and shook his head, his gaze going distant. “Wow, I can’t believe that was twelve years ago now.”
Kellan ran the numbers in his head. That would make Jax twenty-seven—five years younger than him. “Do you still board pro?”
“Oh yeah. I coach now too, which I love. But it’s summer in the southern hemisphere now, which is why I’m here.”
Over the next hour, Jax shared tales of his travels and people he’d met along the way, but Kellan found himself getting lost in cataloging Jax rather than the stories. Jax moved his hands like a conductor’s wand as he spoke, up and down and around with the ebb and flow of his voice. His eyes sparkled recalling particularly adventurous moments, like taking a helicopter into the Colorado backcountry for some amazing powder boarding, or crashing into a newbie on the slopes and becoming best of mates for the rest of his stay. Kellan couldn’t help wondering if “best of mates” meant mates with benefits. Not that it was any concern of his, and something he should definitely not be thinking, but still, his gut niggled at the idea of Jax having “benefits” with someone else.
Jax stopped and tilted his head, looking at him with that single eyebrow raised.
“What?” Kellan shifted, his knee brushing Jax’s. Had his thoughts shown on his face?
“I’m boring you with all this talk,” Jax said, but the hint of laughter in his voice belied any offense he may have taken at Kellan zoning out.
“Not at all! I was just imagining being there.” Kellan let his knee fall against Jax’s again, and this time he received a gentle press back in acknowledgment. He lowered his voice so his intention wouldn’t be missed. “With you.”
Jax’s expression changed, became not so much serious but… determined. The sparkle in his eyes never left but somehow grew to more of a smolder.
“Thank you,” Kellan said, his voice gruff.
“For?”
“For today.” Kellan met and held Jax’s gaze as he continued, hoping to convey just how much today had meant. “I haven’t been over here, surfing, for a year now, and I’m so glad my first time back was with you. At one point this past year, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be back. But being here with you, reliving a first experience through your eyes…. The day couldn’t have been more perfect.”
Jax was quiet for a long moment, and Kellan felt heat creep over his cheeks. He should have kept his thoughts to himself, but then Jax smiled, soft and kind and still every bit infectious. He put his beer bottle on the coffee table and then angled himself toward Kellan—who did the same.
“Thank you too for introducing me to a new first.”
Jax dropped his gaze to Kellan’s mouth and drew him in like a bee to honey. He leaned forward, wanting to taste Jax’s lips again, fall into the heat of his mouth and embrace all that was him… strip him down and revel in that beautiful smooth skin sliding over defined muscle he’d seen when Jax had opened the bathroom door earlier. Their lips met, and Kellan expressed what he was feeling in a rumbling groan that encouraged Jax to dive in. Jax slid his hand around the back of Kellan’s neck and pulled him closer. He tangled his fingers in Kellan’s hair and fell deeper into the tantalizing kiss. Kellan found the bottom of Jax’s hoodie, slipped his hands underneath, and spread his palms flat over taut, hot skin, and then began pushing the hoodie up—
Someone knocked on the front door.
Jax groaned and began to pull back, but Kellan held him tighter and mumbled against his mouth, “Ignore it.”
Another three beats on the door, and Jax withdrew, his cheeks flushed and lips glistening. “They’re not going away,” he said, breathless. “We have all week.”
Kellan liked the sound of that and sighed. Running a hand through his hair, he stood up and pointed at Jax. “Stay right there. We’re picking up right where we left off.”
Kellan adjusted his jeans that had grown a bit tight in the crotch, for as loose as they were, and headed for the entryway.
One more pause to check himself, and he swung the door open to find his neighbor Lacey standing on the stoop. A huge smile stretched her pixie face, and he reached out and pulled her inside, wrapping her up in a tight hug before he could say a word. Seeing Lacey just now, he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed—his confidence, his passions, his friends. Far too much. It hurt to know he’d gone a whole year without one of her hold-on-for-dear-life hugs, and he vowed to never let another man come between him and what mattered most. They’d be partners in all ways, or they’d be nothing.
She pulled back to look up into his face, brown eyes searching. “It is so good to see you again, Kellan.”
“I’ve missed you,” Kellan said, nodding, only slightly mortified by the gruffness of his voice.
“Me too.” Her gaze darted past his shoulder and back. “Did you come alone?”
“Uh, no. I have a… friend with me.”
“When did you arrive? Did you get a surf in already?” She narrowed her eyes. “And will I like this friend?”
So many questions. He smiled. That was one of the things he loved about Lacey. Curious, open, intelligent mind, and a heart of gold so big he was surprised her tiny body could contain it.
“Today, yes, and definitely.”
She laughed. “Good!”
“Come in, come in.” He led her into the living room, and Jax stood to greet them at the back of the couch. “Jax, this is my neighbor and dear friend, Lacey. Lacey, this is Jax, all the way from Australia.”
<
br /> “Fabulous to meet you, Lacey,” Jax said, stepping forward to shake her hand, his blue-eyed, big-smile combo in full captivation mode. Kellan knew she was a goner right then. No way around it. “How ya go—oof.”
She took his hand and tugged him into a hug. Surprised but laughing, Jax looked up over her shoulder at Kellan.
Kellan shrugged. “She’s a hugger. You’ll get used to it.” But he won’t be around long enough to get used to it. His smile faltered, fortunately too quick for Lacey and Jax to notice.
Lacey let go of Jax and turned to Kellan with raised eyebrows and a mischievous grin.
“Knock it off,” he said gently, making sure the affection in his voice softened the words. “We met today on the ferry over, and I convinced him to come surfing.”
“Of course you did.” Back to Jax, she said, “Welcome to Tofino, Jax. How long are you here for?”
“Just a few days,” he said, and if Kellan weren’t mistaken, there was a note of regret in Jax’s voice when he continued—that or it was Kellan’s wishful thinking. “Then back home at the end of the week.”
She smiled and nodded. “Knowing Kellan, he’ll make sure you experience everything Tofino has to offer.”
Jax met Kellan’s eyes with heat in his blue depths, and the moment stretched. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Okaaay,” Lacey dragged out knowingly and turned for the door. “We’ll be on the beach at seven. The boys will be thrilled to see you. We have everything, so just bring an extra blanket for the two of you.”
“We’ll be there,” Kellan said, and with that, she was out the door.
“We are not surfing again now, are we?” Jax said beside Kellan with a touch of panic in his voice.
Kellan couldn’t help but laugh, feeling so much lighter than he had in a long time. “Nope. Something almost as fun.” He winked and walked over to the hall shelving to gather a couple of heavy throw blankets. “A Tofino tradition you’ll love.”
Chapter Six
“COME ON!” Jax tried one more time as he stepped out onto the small deck off the french doors. “Tell me what it is.”
Kellan only shook his head—again—grinning even wider, if that were possible. Jax couldn’t imagine what they’d be doing on the beach at night in winter. In summer, sure, but winter…. The temperatures had already dropped significantly since they’d come in from surfing earlier, and there was a solid breeze dropping the “feels like” temperature further. If that wasn’t enough, there was also the threat of snow in the forecast.
“Follow me,” Kellan said, leading the way down the path they’d taken earlier.
Jax gave up and followed. Of course he’d see what the fuss was about soon enough, but needling Kellan to tell him was fun. He was starting to crave the teasing sparkle in his eyes.
They stepped onto the beach, and set vibrantly against the dark indigo skies and sound of crashing waves were four bonfires stretching out along the vast beach. Hot centers and glowing embers sat like beacons in the night, promising warmth and comfort.
“This is a summer thing!”
Kellan laughed. “Just like surfing is, right?”
“Crazy Canucks,” Jax said with affection and was once again intrigued. There were very few times he’d sat on the beach at night in front of a roaring fire back home.
“Everything is year-round here. We play outdoors all day and gather at bonfires at night,” Kellan said, a note of pride in his voice as he led Jax past the first bonfire with a wave to the huddled figures surrounding it. “We have dinner, share a few drinks, roast marshmallows or smokies or whatever, and share the day’s adventures. You should see it on New Year’s Eve. It’s like a big beach party, everyone having a great time. Almost as busy as summer.”
“Huh,” Jax said, tripping over washed-up kelp in the dark but righting his balance before taking a dive. “Not a lot of beaches back home allow fires. Especially if they fall within national park boundaries or if there’s a blanket fire ban during wildfire season.”
“Blanket bans don’t usually hit the coastal beaches here,” Kellan said.
Less than fifty yards from the next bonfire, a silhouetted shape shot up and a cracking young male voice shouted, “Kellan!”
With a laugh, Kellan ran forward and scooped up the silhouette-turned-charging-boy in his arms, swinging him in a circle before dropping him back on his feet. He ruffled the kid’s hair. “Hey, Remy.”
Another boy, older than the first and clearly the younger one’s brother, rose and, in a more collected manner, stepped up to Kellan for a hug. Kellan didn’t swing the older boy around but did ruffle his hair affectionately as well.
“It’s good to see you two,” Kellan said. “You’re both getting so tall!”
The boys laughed, the youngest with stars in his eyes and the oldest with a shy dip of his head.
“You didn’t bring your guitar?” The older boy glanced between Kellan and Jax with open curiosity in his eyes.
“Next time,” Kellan said, but Jax noted a hint of melancholy in his voice, which piqued his curiosity. Kellan turned from the boys to him.
“These two troublemakers are Lacey’s boys, Remy and Adam”—he pointed to an older man now standing in welcome—“and her husband, Paul. Everyone, this is Jax. My friend from Australia.”
Jax stepped forward and shook hands with everyone, receiving an assessing look from the older boy, Adam. If he was reading Adam right, the young man was taking his measure, which made Jax smile wider. Challenge accepted, little man. Seemed Kellan had people in his life who really looked out for him, which made Jax unexpectedly happy.
“Pull up some log, gentlemen,” Paul said after giving Kellan a quick hug.
“Sit here, Kell,” Remy said, patting a smooth patch of log beside him, and then, pointing to a spot on the opposite side, said, “Jax, you can sit there.”
Jax raised his eyebrows. The kid was bossy, but it was cute too, so he did as he was ordered and sat across from Kellan between Adam and Lacey. A grinning Paul handed him and Kellan chilly beers.
“How long are you here for, Kellan?” Paul asked as he sat back down on Lacey’s other side, while Lacey passed them each a stick with a marshmallow stuck to the end.
“Just for the week.” Kellan held his marshmallow over the flames, and Jax followed suit.
Paul nodded. “It’s good to see you again. The boys keep asking when you’re coming back.”
“Sorry it’s been so long,” Kellan said, digging his thumb under the label on his beer bottle. “Just… life, you know.”
“I do.” Silence fell for a moment, and then Paul turned to Jax. “What brings you to Canada, Jax? Did you come here for the surfing?”
Jax laughed and shook his head. “This winter surfing thing is crazy, though I loved catching waves this afternoon with Kellan. I actually came for the snowboarding.”
“You came all the way from Australia to snowboard here?” Adam asked, his eyebrows raised and a faint note of awe in his voice.
“Oh no. This is my last stop before going back home. I’ve been boarding all over America and Canada.”
Adam leaned forward, clearly intrigued. “What the was the most epic?”
Jax mentally chalked up a “win Adam over” point to himself, and from there the conversation naturally flowed into animated surfing and snowboarding tales from Kellan and Jax and hiking and school tales from Remy and Adam. With such wonderful friends, Jax was still curious why it seemed so long since Kellan had last been to the island.
When the fire began dying down a couple of hours later and it got too cold to stay out much longer, Lacey stood. “Well, we have to get the boys home so they don’t oversleep for school in the morning.”
“Ah, Mom,” Remy moaned. “Can’t we stay a little longer?”
“Nope.” Lacey started gathering their empty bottles and leftover snacks and tossed them into a cooler. “But don’t worry. You can see Kellan and Jax tomorrow.”
She glan
ced over at Kellan, who stood and started kicking sand over the waning flames. “Definitely!”
With a sigh and a pout, Remy got up and helped dousing the fire. When it was safely out, he hugged Kellan tight, which was followed by a round of hugs from the whole family. Jax was surprised when he reached out for a handshake but he too was pulled into hugs. Even from Adam.
“You’re okay,” Adam said with a nod and shy smile when he stepped out of the brief hug. Then he turned and walked away. Jax met Kellan’s amused gaze and lifted his eyebrows.
“Adam is a little overprotective after what happened with my ex. They all are.” Kellan didn’t elaborate beyond that, and Jax didn’t push. It wasn’t his business, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to know. “But seems you’ve passed muster already.”
“Any more tests while I’m here?” Jax joked as they walked back to the condo.
“Well, it might snow tomorrow, which means….”
“Snowboarding!”
Kellan laughed. “Nope. Real winter surfing.”
Jax laughed along with him. Snowing couldn’t be any colder than it was today. “And then snowboarding.”
“And then snowboarding.” Kellan bumped his shoulder playfully against Jax’s, and Jax had an overwhelming urge to reach out and hold his hand. Silence fell between them as they navigated the path in the dark and then up the short steps to the back door of Kellan’s condo-cum-surf shack.
“Can I get you another beer or anything else to drink?” Kellan asked as he closed the door behind them.
“Nah, mate. I’m good.” Jax plopped himself down on the couch, suddenly feeling the day catching up on him. “Any more beer and it’ll put me right to sleep.”
As if sleep were a trigger word, Kellan yawned, belatedly covering his mouth. “Sorry.” He laughed. “Beer actually makes me tired too. Especially since I haven’t had any in a while, and I’ve had several tonight.”
“Your friends seem like great people,” Jax said.
