Page 9 of Wilde About You

"On the house this time but those roots will grow in fast. That is if you live to see that day," she said with a grim expression. "You've got me very freaked out."

I got up from the chair and hugged her. "It'll all work out, and don't worry, I'm leaving soon. I don't want to put you in any kind of danger. I know a place I can go."

Gigi sat on the edge of the counter and tilted her head. "Sadie, don't tell me you're going to go to your parents' house. Your dad will have a heyday with this. I can hear him now. 'Why are you always in trouble, Sadie? Why can't you learn from your brothers? Be smart for a change.'"

Gigi wasn't far off on her speech. We'd grown up together, and she knew too well how my dad spent my entire childhood comparing me to my three brothers. I was never good enough at sports or all the cool boy things. I liked to take pictures. That's what I did. And when Dad upset me, Mom would just smile and pat my arm and tell me that my dad loved me. That was a stretch for sure, but it made her feel better to say it. The whole family dynamic made it easy for me to take an overseas photographer's assistant job after a year of college. Dad blew his stack about it, which was the gravy on top. I'd been traveling the world for a long time and only came back a year ago to attend my beloved Grandma Jojo's funeral. My only regret about traveling was not spending more time with her, but we'd kept in touch through video chats and long letters. My mom never had time for either.

"It's best if you don't know too much," I said. Saying it sounded dramatic and also depressingly true.

Gigi stared at me for a long moment. "Are you fucking serious right now? How am I supposed to feel knowing you're out there being chased by some diabolical monster?"

"Not diabolical or a monster. I just have something that, well, it's a big deal."

"Yeah, the photo you've been chasing your whole career, and now it has you in danger." She sighed and hugged me briefly. "Please keep in touch and let me know where you land."

"I'll keep in touch but pick up when you don't know the number. Burner phone, remember?"

"Shit, how could I forget?"

I'd already folded up the blanket and shoved my clothes into my bag. We hugged again, and I walked out. I pulled out my phone to text my friend, Lyle, then remembered I'd turned it off for now. He'd never pick up for a number he didn't know. I planned to head to his house and hoped he was around. I needed to use the darkroom in his basement. He was big on asking questions, too, but he'd understand if I told him it was top secret. Like me, he was always chasing that life-changing picture. I finally had one, only I wasn't sure it was worth all the trouble.

six

. . .

Colin

Summer was basically over, but there were still plenty of umbrellas and chairs out on the sand. The beach house had an incredible view and one of those crazy pools that looked as if it was sliding right off the edge of the yard.

I dropped my duffle in the room Ace pointed out. There were four altogether. Ace had invited a few other teammates, but they weren't coming until next week. Ace was already pouring himself a shot of whiskey behind the slick marble and brass bar.

I rubbed my stomach. "I was thinking about a big ole burrito. Any place good nearby?"

"Nah, bunch of shitty, snooty restaurants where they serve you a teaspoon of whipped potatoes on the tail end of a sardine and charge you forty bucks for it."

"I sure as fuck am not eating the tail end of a sardine, or any part of it, for that matter. How about some surfing? The waves look decent. Then we can have food delivered."

"You supposed to surf on that knee?"

"Shit, everyone is my nursemaid these days. I'll be fine. I'm going in. You stay here with your whiskey."

I changed into my board shorts and grabbed my surfboard.

"Hey, text me if there are any hot chicks down there, then I might join you."

"Whatever," I said to myself. He was already getting on my nerves, and we'd only just arrived. Good thing I drove myself.

The water was pretty cold, but I hadn't bothered bringing a wetsuit. The nice waves I'd seen rolling in earlier had flattened out, so I sat on my board like a very non-surfing chump waiting for something more than a ripple. The one good thing about no waves was it allowed the three hot women I'd seen sunning on my way across the sand a chance to wade out for a chat.

"Waves suck today, eh?" One of them asked. She had big blue eyes and a tiny diamond stud in her nose, reminding me of the girl I hid from a very angry UFC champ.

"They looked better from up there." I motioned toward the beach house.

All three turned their heads toward the hillside. "Nice place. Is it yours?" A woman with short brown hair and a polka dot bikini asked as she tread water to keep afloat.

"Nope. Just staying with a friend."

"See, I like an honest guy," the girl with the nose stud said. "Most guys would have said 'yeah, that's mine, wanna come up, baby?'"