Page 46 of The Surfer

16

COVE

Everything changed today.

The day when Ripley stood on the surfboard for the first time.

The past few weeks have been weird, like, super weird. Sure, I’ve reluctantly agreed on working with the American girl, just like my Dad and Sandy have wanted, purely so that I can be guaranteed the money I’m owed, but then things have gradually changed until everything’s changed. Until today.

Instead of just merely going through the motions of spending time with Ripley Sailor, I’m beginning to actually like her. We’re actually becoming friends, even despite my best intentions.

Despite all my efforts and what I’ve anticipated, I’m actually getting on well with the American girl.

I’m beginning to like her? What the hell?

I think it started when I punched that prick, James, in that parking lot the first day Ripley and I spent together. The words he called her that day, the way he dismissively glanced at her up and down like she was nothing but my cheap accessory, he made me so furious in that moment that I resorted to my monkey side and aggressively took him down. I just had to. He insulted Ripley, and, honestly, only I can do that.

I was protecting her.

I must admit, punching him in his dumb face was pretty damn satisfying. Hearing the crack of my fist against his nose made me feel strong in a primate sense like I was a knight protecting a damsel.

And the look on Ripley’s face straight afterward, that cute mixture of awe and surprise she had, was just the perfect cherry on top of the cake. She was worth it, punching that prick in public. I didn’t give a shit about him calling the police because she was worth any punishment coming my way.

And from that moment on I know we’d get along well.

But I didn’t know I would actually start liking the girl.

That all changed today. The day she finally stood on that surfboard.

We’ve been spending every morning together for the past few weeks, every day consisting of me teaching her surfing at my secret beach and her trying to stand on my teenage board. After a few days of it, I started to really like the time we spent together.

I actually started to like her.

I didn’t know why, at first, I showed her the secret beach, but I soon realized that I did so because I trusted her. She isn’t like anyone else I know in town, and I know she won’t run around telling people about me. She isn’t here with me for the attention and reputation of being with New Water’s most eligible and bad boy bachelor. She’s just here to help me.

She’s different. And interesting.

And I’m interested in her.

I think she’s pretty goddamn cute.

Contrary to my first impression, Ripley’s not just some annoying American girl, coming here with her loud accent to disrupt my life. I mean, sure, she did disrupt my life - because of her I’ve had to begrudgingly scrub the drugs and drink and girls clean from my life, but after the initial first few days of strong withdrawal symptoms - especially for the girls - I don’t miss my vices at all, being clean and alone with Ripley has made up for all those temptations.

Jesus, Cove, are you actually going soft for the girl?

Maybe I am.

Damn.

Who knew all it’ll take would be some geeky American girl to melt the cold heart of a billionaire playboy surfer?

Well, Ripley’s melting my cold heart.

I’ve actually liked waking up early with Ripley knocking at my door, ready to take her surfing. I’ve liked driving her to my secret beach. I’ve liked taking her hand and guiding her down the bushland to the sand.

I’ve liked teaching her to surf.

Yeah, she’s really getting to me.