Page 88 of The Surfer

31

ONE YEAR LATER

RIPLEY

I raisethe binoculars up to my eyes to get a better look at Cove. I spot him easily, a little black dot in the clear blue water. He’s out there, far out there in the ocean, readying his surfboard. Waiting for the next good wave.

I watch him through the binoculars as he flicks his bleach blonde hair back in the sexy way he always likes to do it. He turns back over his shoulder to scan the horizon, looking for the next wave.

He’s so damn sexy.

It won’t be long before a good wave finds him.

It’s his chance to win the Oceania Surf Competition.

That’s where we are, his family and I, at the observation stand of the Oceania Surf Competition.

And Cove is only minutes away from winning it.

If only he is successful on this next wave.

If only he doesn’t fall.

My heart’s in my mouth as I watch him ready himself far out in the water, but Cove doesn’t seem fazed at all. He’s been practicing for this moment for nearly a year. And I should know, I’ve been with him every step of the way. This whole year of training for long hours every day has finally led to this moment, and I’ve been there right alongside him every single day.

I hope he doesn’t fall. I hope he wins.

But even if he does fall off his board, and even if he does somehow fail the competition, I won’t love him any less. I’ll still be beside him no matter what happens. He’s my surfer boy, and I’m his American girl. We stick together no matter what.

Still, it will be pretty nice if he does win.

“Can you see him?” my Mom asks. She’s next to me, clutching the railings of the observation stand. She’s seemingly more nervous than I am and that’s saying something. “Is he okay?”

“Yeah,” I reply, smiling. “He’s out there. He looks like he’s got a handle on things.”

“That’s good.”

I’m so happy my Mom’s here. It hasn’t been easy getting her over to Australia. Ripley’s dad has had to muscle in on his mates in border control to process the tricky visa. He’s also had to do the same with my own visa so that I can stay in the country indefinitely.

This last year has brought about major changes. Changes to everything.

Cove’s idea - back in his bedroom exactly a year ago - was for me to study nursing in Australia instead of flying back home.

He thought I should study at New Water’s state-of-the-art hospital, that way we could still be together. He could continue his surfing training and I could start my nursing training without spending any time apart. Win-win.

And what a good idea it was.

The only problem was my Mom. But, for a billionaire family like the Finns, that was no real problem. Thanks to Cove’s Dad we were both able to secure Australian visas and be able to stay here indefinitely. Mom was more than happy to come; Australia was a far better retirement lifestyle than a cramped New York apartment. She loves New Water. She loves the beach, and she loves the fresh seafood on offer every day. Not too bad for a nurse from Queens to end up in a paradise like this.

“Here you go, Mrs Sailor.” It’s Sandy, bringing over three coffees she’s gone to get from the vendor for Mom and me. My Mom thanks her as I take the steaming takeaway cup from Sandy and hand her my binoculars. Sandy peers through them at Cove waiting on his surfboard far out in the ocean. “I don’t want to jinx it, but he looks good out there.”

“He sure does,” I reply, raising the hot coffee to my mouth.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sandy’s dad walking over to join us. He’s been talking to a group of high-flying corporate sponsors in the VIP box, presumably over a deal to do with Cove. Even if my boyfriend doesn’t win today, he’s still all set for a professional career. My boy’s too skilled a surfer for industry bigwigs to let go to waste, so he’ll be lapped up by some sponsorship company before today is out. His career is basically a guaranteed success.

I feel a twang of pride for Cove. He’s struggled so much in the last year to get to where he is today.

It just goes to prove that hard work really can help you succeed in anything.