by Jordan Ford
I can’t let myself get sucker-punched like that again.
Screw Aidan and his pretty, forlorn face.
I never should have offered him those surfing lessons. What the hell was I thinking?
I’m tempted to delete his number off my phone, but I don’t reach for it. Instead I lean my forearms on the rough railing and make myself remember what “that guy” did to me.
Letting someone like Aidan into my life is a really big mistake.
I won’t let him hurt me.
I won’t let anyone hurt me, ever again.
21
Salty Words
AIDAN
I’m already looking for her before my feet hit the sand.
It’s bugging me that I texted Harley hours ago and I still haven’t heard back. I’m keen for another surf lesson. Keen to wipe the slate clean and make up for the shitty way last night ended. I want a chance to explain my cousin, to assure Harley that at some point Skylar will apologize to her.
I spent last period ignoring the teacher and covertly looking up the surf report on my phone. From what I can tell, the conditions are perfect for me today. I study the waves and see that they are. A smile is already twitching my lips. I can’t wait to get out there.
I hope Harley brought the longboard with her.
I wonder if I should still suggest surfboard shopping this weekend.
Thoughts of tomorrow night’s party tickle the edges of my brain. If things go the way Skylar and I are hoping, Savannah and I will be back together. Would Savvy mind if I spend the day with Harley?
Maybe she could come with us.
Why does that feel weird?
I scratch the back of my neck as I head down to the water, still scanning the beach for a petite blonde. Instead, I look up to find a guy just a little shorter than me with shoulder-length dreads and a friendly smile.
As I get closer, he spots me and raises his chin in acknowledgment.
“Hey, man.” He grins.
“Hi.” I raise my hand in an awkward wave. I don’t think I know this guy, but he’s looking at me like he knows me.
“You must be looking for the surfer girl, right?”
I smile. “Is there only one on the beach?”
“There’s only one who you hang out with.”
My eyebrows dip with confusion. “I’m sorry, do we know each other?”
“Oh yeah, of course. Sorry, man.” He scratches his whiskers and lets out a self-deprecating chuckle before holding out his hand. “I’m Griffin. I’m the new guy at Ryder Rentals. You may not have noticed me loitering around and watching you.”
I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t. Shaking his hand, I mumble my name.
Griffin points to the bright yellow and blue shed marking the middle point of the beach. “That’s my spot.”
“When did you start?”
“About three weeks ago. Marshall’s previous guy left, and with summer coming up, it’s only getting busier. He wanted a surfer working on the beach so I can give people tips and stuff. He’s actually looking for one more guy to work part time over the summer. That way he doesn’t even have to think about it. You know, with him lifeguarding and all.”
I bob my head. Marshall Swinton has been lifeguarding at Ryder Bay since before we moved here, but he opened Ryder Rentals as a side business and just hires people to run it for him.
I look to my left, wondering when Harley’s going to appear. Surely she’ll show up today. The water’s good…unless she’s sick of surfing peewee waves and has gone somewhere better for the afternoon.
My disappointment is sharp and biting.
“You know, you’re pretty good.”
“Huh?” I look back to Griffin and notice the huge smattering of freckles across his face. They almost have a ginger hint to them. Actually, his dreads and short beard have a touch of red too, but the dark brown base kind of hides it.
He gives me a lopsided grin. “I’m pretty sure I caught your first lesson. You’ve picked up surfing pretty fast. From what I’ve seen, you’re a natural.”
“You think so?”
He nods and looks out to the ocean. “Your body was definitely born for the water. I can see it in you.”
“You been surfing for long?”
“Couple years. I get out there any chance I can get. The job is kind of hindering how much I can, but I need the money, you know?”
I nod, giving him a quick once-over. I wonder what his story is, and how much older he is than me. He could totally pass for a high school senior.
“I’m usually traveling around, don’t like to tie myself down, you know? But when I arrived at this bay, I kind of fell in love with it. Think I’ll stick around. At least until the summer ends.”
“Sounds like an interesting life,” I murmur.
“It is.” A look I don’t understand flickers over his face, but he quickly hides it behind an easy smile. “So hey, have you thought about a summer job?”
“Excuse me?”
“I was just wondering if you’d consider working at Ryder Rentals. Marshall said you’ve got good people skills, and with you taking up surfing, you’d be a good candidate. He said he was going to ask your dad if you’d be interested.”
Marshall has been friends with my father ever since we moved to Ryder Bay. They hit it off after a chance meeting at Pizza Palace, and I’ve gotten to know the guy through family meals. He and his wife don’t have any kids—I’m not sure why, because they’d make great parents. They’re a really a cool couple. Griffin is lucky to be working for the guy.
I’ve never considered getting a summer job. I’ve never had one before and don’t really need it.
“You should think about it.” Griffin looks at me. “Earning money to hang out at the beach is pretty damn awesome. Devon prefers being up on the boardwalk with the bikes, and Marshall wants one more guy on the sand with me. It could be fun.”
I’m not sure how to respond, so I just give him an awkward smile.
And then I spot Harley. She’s walking down the beach, her board tucked under her arm. She’s seen me talking with the new guy, and I can’t tell what her expression means.
“Hey, uh, nice to meet you, Griffin.”
“Yeah, you too, man.” He lightly pats my shoulder, and I take off running to catch Harley before she enters the water.
“Did you get my text?” I call to her.
She stops walking but doesn’t turn to face me. It’s kind of annoying, but maybe she’s still steamed after last night.
Shit, I shouldn’t have just let her leave.
I’m about to open my mouth and apologize when she asks, “What was that about?” She raises her chin towards Griffin, who is retreating up the beach, back towards the main Ryder Rentals building, which is next to the lifeguard office. It’s basically a bigger version of the shed that houses all the surf and boogie boards on the beach. It’s the middle point between north and south, with big windows on all sides, so the street traffic can see the bikes available for hire.
I’ve been in there a few times to rent a tandem bike. It’s a cluttered space, every inch used for the sole purpose of entertaining tourists and beachgoers. I try to imagine myself checking in there for work on a summer morning.
Yeah, I don’t know.
Working over the summer?
Harley clears her throat to get my attention.
“Oh, uh…” I glance back at her, pointing over my shoulder. “That’s Griffin. He’s the new Ryder Rental guy.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen him around,” she murmurs. “He’s a surfer.”
“Yep.” I grin. “He was saying that they’re looking for someone else to work with him over the summer. It’s gonna get busy with more people coming in, and Marshall wants a surfer who can give people tips when hiring out the boards, you know? He suggested I apply.”
“Wow.” Her eyebrows pop up while her jaw works to the side like she’s fighting some kind of emotion I don’t understand. “He ask
ed you?”
My face scrunches with a frown. “Yeah, but I don’t know.” I shrug. “Working over the summer?”
She scoffs and shakes her head. “Some of us don’t have the luxury of lazing around on the beach all summer.”
My eyes snap to hers. Her blue gaze is hot and fiery, like she’s yearning for a fight.
I don’t want to give her one.
I want to go back to the fun and laughter of yesterday, before Skylar came along and ruined it.
“Hey, about last night—”
“You know what your problem is?” Harley snaps. “You’re lazy. You’re a lazy, entitled shit, Aidan De Beer.”
I’m so shocked by the sudden outburst that I can’t even think of a response.
“Is that what you want? To just lie around on your ass all summer? You love the water, you love the beach, and you’re being given the chance to do a job that involves both. But no, the idea of actually having to work over the summer is too much for you!” Her eyes bulge, her head wobbling back and forth as she emphasizes her point. “You’re going to do nothing with your life unless you find something worth getting off your ass for! All you do is mope around feeling sorry for yourself, like you’re some gigantic loser!”
“A loser?” I retort. “Well, maybe I am. I had something worth getting off my ass for and she dumped me! I lost her!”
“Oh, so now it’s your girlfriend’s fault? She’s supposed to be responsible for your happiness? That’s bullshit!”
“What the hell do you know?”
“I know you need to find something that will ignite you.” She swings around to face me head-on, nearly taking me out with her surfboard. “Not someone, something. You can’t rely on other people because they will always let you down or leave you. The only person you can count on is yourself.”
I’m starting to understand her anger.
At least I think I am.
She’s pissed off with me because she thinks I let her down last night. So she’s feeding me these bullshit lines in an effort to hide that fact. It feels righteously unfair. I offered to drive her home, didn’t I? But she told me to stay, to sit there and endure an interrogation from my cousin.
So, I try to make it up to her. To find her today and set things right.
But she’s obviously not interested.
Stepping back from her wrath, I quietly say, “Sounds kind of lonely to me.”
Her glare is ice cold. “At least I’m happy.”
“Or jealous,” I mutter.
Her head snaps back, her eyes narrowing into an icy glare that makes me squirm. “You’re an asshole.”
I shake my head, figuring I’ve lost this one. I shouldn’t have said she was jealous. Shit, I should be suggesting that she apply for the job if she thinks it’s so great.
But I just want this battle over with.
“Look, whatever.” I angle my body away from her.
“Ooooo, great finishing argument,” she mocks me. “I sure as hell hope you’re not on the Walton Academy debate team! It’s probably way too much effort for you.”
I give her a scathing smile, then flip her the bird.
She snarls at me like a wildcat before spinning on her heel and storming back up the beach.
As I take off north, I can’t deny the bitter taste in my mouth. It’s seeping down into my chest and turning my insides to ash. I never should have said yes to those surfing lessons.
22
Don’t Mess with the Acronym Thing
HARLEY
I get off the beach, snatching my skateboard along the way. Dumping it down on the sidewalk, I balance myself and then take off.
I can’t believe Aidan has screwed up my surf session.
Dick.
When I got the text from him earlier today, it took every ounce of willpower not to respond. My fingers were itching to reply: I’ll see you there!
But I wouldn’t let myself do it, because I don’t like him and I’m not going there.
Of course he had to show up anyway, looking hot and beautiful on that golden sand. I love the shape of his legs, his strong calf muscles. I couldn’t stop staring at him as I walked towards the water. He was talking to Mr. Dreads, and I was hoping to sneak straight past them.
But then he saw me.
And he came running over.
My heart squeezed with desire, longing, and I had to put an end to it.
Because Aidan wants his ex-girlfriend back.
And I’m not letting myself fall for anyone again.
My throat burns as I try to swallow the boulder lodged in there. I don’t want to go home right now. I’m not sure what Mom’s schedule is this week, but she was home when I left for the beach, and she might still be there. I don’t think I can stomach one of our stilted conversations right now, so when I hit my neighborhood, I veer right towards Jed’s house.
Hopefully he’ll be there, listening to music up in his room or something.
His grandmother won’t let girls in his room, but if she’s still at work, I might be able to sneak up. His gramps is way more relaxed. He knows it’s not like that between me and Jed. My BMF is like the brother I always wanted.
Sliding to a stop outside his house, I walk through the gate and rest my surfboard against the fence, then tuck my skateboard underneath it. I’m about to head to the front door when I hear my call sign.
“HQ! Up here.” I glance up and see Jed sitting on the upstairs balcony.
I shield my eyes from the sunny glare and call up to him. “Hey, man.”
“Why aren’t you in the water?” He pulls his headphones off, resting them around his neck, and leans his forearms on the railing.
All I can do is push my lower lip into a decent-sized pout.
“Get your butt up here.” He indicates with a flick of his head. “The front door’s unlocked.”
I walk quietly into the house, not wanting to draw attention to myself. Jed’s grandparents are pretty cool, but I’m not in the mood for adult interaction.
The fourth stair creaks loudly as I ascend, so I rush up the rest of them and race through the sunroom and out onto the balcony.
Plunking down in the sky-blue chair beside Jed, I force a smile.
He raises his eyebrows at me. “Why aren’t you in the water?”
“Surf’s not great,” I mutter.
I’m gonna tell him—I always do—but our routine is that he has to work for it, needle it out of me. I don’t know why I always play things this way, but it would seem unnatural to just launch straight into my rant.
“I call bullshit,” Jed singsongs.
I give him a sideways glare and humph.
“Why aren’t you in the water?” he tries again.
“I didn’t feel like it.” I frown.
“I call double-triple-times-infinity bullshit!” He squeezes my knee, making me jerk in my seat and slap his hand away. “What is up with you?” He frowns, looking mildly concerned.
“Nothing.” I stupidly shake my head. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You look like a GA.”
GA? I haven’t heard that one before, so give him a quizzical look.
“Grumpy Ass. It’ll catch on.” He flicks his hand through the air and my traitorous lips curl into a smile. He notices, and his own lips start to twitch. “Come on, girl. Talk to me.”
“I don’t want to talk to you.” I nibble my thumbnail.
“Yes you do. Look at my face. This is a face that wants to listen.” He leans into my space, angling his head from side to side and wiggling his eyebrows.
I snicker and realize he’s won.
“Girl, open up to your BMF before I get super annoying.”
“Fine!” I tip my head back so I don’t have to look at Jed while I’m saying it. “I got into a fight with Aidan. That spoiled little shit has had everything handed to him on a silver platter and he just doesn’t appreciate it! He’s got the easiest life in the world. The easiest! He practically got offere
d a summer job today—a really cool one that would be so incredibly fun. But he’s not sure he’ll take it, because, you know, ‘working over the summer?’” I make my voice deep and mocking. “That idiot can do whatever he wants, and he’ll end up doing nothing but sit on his ass and let life just pass him by!” I flick my arm through the air.
“It’s bugging you.”
“Yes, it’s bugging me!” I sit up and shoot Jed an incredulous look. I can’t believe it’s not bugging him either!
“Because you like him.”
“What?” I snap, then quickly look away from my friend. “No. No I don’t!”
“Yes. Yes you do. You’re totally goo-goo eyes for the guy. Every time you talk about him your voice changes.”
“No it doesn’t!”
“Yes it does. It gets softer and your lips start fighting a smile.”
“Well they’re not doing that now! And they certainly weren’t doing it today!”
“Yeah, I noticed.” His voice softens. “What happened last night? I didn’t have time to badger it out of you at lunch.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I cross my arms and slump against the hard wooden back. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m so over it. And you know what?” I give Jed’s arm a backhanded slap. “That’s gross! I’m not goo-goo eyes over Aidan De Beer. I’d have to be insane to like that whiny, rich snot rag. He’s a…” I take a second to work it out, lifting my fingers as I count each letter. “A WRSR.”
“Okay, I think it’s best that you leave the acronyms up to me. It’s my thing. You’re the sporty, amazing surfer girl and I’m the funny acronym guy. Let’s just leave things as they are on that score, okay?” His pointed look is kind of comical and I can’t help a half-smile. “But the whole you loving Aidan thing? Let’s roll with that.”
“What? No. We’re not rolling. It’s…” I shake my head. “He’s still totally into his ex-girlfriend. And I don’t, and will never, fit into his high-class snobby world. It doesn’t even matter how I feel, because it will never happen. And it shouldn’t happen.”
