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“Liam. That’s awesome.” I smiled up at him, a little bit in awe. I spent most of my time working so I rarely got to see Liam surf, let alone know if or when he competed in any competitions. Besides, until recently, we didn’t really talk about that kind of stuff. Bumping his shoulder with mine, I added, “Since you’re such a big deal, maybe you can teach me.”
He grinned down at me. “Sure. I can’t promise you’ll be as good as me.” He winked.
My stomach fluttered from the gesture.
I hadn’t spoken to Liam again the night before after he left me in the kitchen, and I’d gotten little sleep, fearing how he might act in the morning, but he surprised me by acting as if his confession hadn’t happened at all.
I didn’t really know what to make of what he said, so until I could I was ignoring it.
“Is anyone as good as you?” I countered, smiling up at him and squinting from the glare of the sun.
“Not for long.” He smiled widely, fixing the leash around his ankle.
I liked seeing that side of him. Open and carefree, and maybe a little cocky. It was nice to see him happy instead of constantly glowering like the very air he breathed had personally offended him.
He stood up as the other guys joined us at the edge of the water. “Draw some more pictures of me.” He nodded at the sketchpad and pencils I held cradled to my chest. With a wink, he took off running into the water.
“I don’t draw you,” I yelled after him, even though I most certainly did.
The other guys laughed and followed him into the water.
“Face it, Liam, if she’s drawing anyone, it’s me,” Ollie chortled. “I’m the best looking one out of you fuckers.”
“You wish.” Brady pushed Ollie’s shoulder and he stumbled, splashing water as he caught himself.
I laughed under my breath and shook my head. Those guys were hilarious. I’d overheard more than one stupid or silly comment come out of their mouths since they often forgot I was around.
I headed back up the beach aways and plopped down in the sand. I probably should’ve brought a towel or blanket or something, but I hadn’t thought about it. I crossed my legs Indian-style and sat the sketchpad in my lap.
There was a more intricate drawing I’d been working on, and I was itching to get back to it. There lately, I’d been pulling a lot of hours and in my free time I’d wanted to do nothing but vegetate. Rebecca, who’d proclaimed herself my official new best friend, had been begging me relentlessly to go to the mall with her, but I’d been dodging her attempts. I knew I’d have to suck it up soon and go with her. Not that it was a hardship or anything, but, in a way, it was. Being inside an enclosed space like that with lots of people…and cameras…well, it was exactly the kind of place Blaise would use to try and track me.
I hung my head in shame.
I should’ve been long gone from this place. I already had a decent amount of money saved since I never spent much. But I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I’d done the exact thing I set out never to do: I’d grown attached.
I blew out a pent-up breath and my hair scattered with it. I lifted my head and tucked my strands of dark hair behind my ear.
I tapped the blunted end of my pencil against the paper, watching the guys sitting out in the water instead. I saw Ollie gesture wildly with his hands and then Liam threw his head back and laughed. Brady pressed a hand to his mouth to suppress his chuckle, and Jeremiah just looked horrified.
The four of them seemed to be such opposites, and you’d wonder how they ever ended up friends, but it was obvious their love of surfing had bonded them in some sort of brotherhood. I thought it was nice too, how the other guys never seemed to feel any animosity toward Liam for going pro, when I knew they all very much would’ve loved the same fate. They were genuinely proud of their best friend.
I dropped my gaze from the joking guys and returned to my drawing.
I didn’t know how much time had passed when the guys finally emerged from the water.
I closed my sketchbook and stood up, dusting the sand off of my cotton shorts.
Liam jogged toward me, shaking the water from his hair like a dog. A few cold drops landed on my skin, and I shivered from the icy temperature of it against my sun-warmed skin.
“Hey,” I scolded, “watch it.”
He smiled crookedly. “What? Are you going to melt?”
I smiled back and shook my head. “No, I guess not.”
The guys started to head back to the house, but we didn’t turn to follow.
“I need you to do something for me,” Liam said suddenly, his brows furrowed.
