Page 40 of Whispers on the Water

“Tell me I’m stupid and this is some sort of red flag.” If Tilly says the words, I will have no problem with ending things.

Okay, that’s a goddamn lie. But at the very least, I would take her words to heart. Greg’s like my own brand of special addiction. It would take chains and locks to keep me away from him. My face flushes at the thought. I’ve never been into that sort of thing before, but I trust Greg enough that it could be fun. Heat pools in my stomach and flushes my face.

Tilly laughs a little, leaning back. “Jesus, Sammy. Look at you!”

I give her my best scowl, which, in my current state of bliss, is pretty pathetic. “What? I got laid, so what? Tell me he’s crazy.”

She shakes her head. “I wish I could but honestly, I think he might have meant it. The way he looks at you… It’s disgusting, but yeah, I’d say he probably loves you or at least believes he does.”

We fall into silence, each lost in our thoughts. I feel a need for more guidance, especially from Tilly, who seems to know so much more about... everything. The other thing that’s been on my mind is the intense connection we shared. It was so intimate and powerful that I’m not quite sure what to do with the memory of the feeling. “Hey, have you ever made love?”

Tilly raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her look. “I am not a virgin, no.”

I press further, “I mean, has it ever felt like more than just sex?” When she doesn’t answer immediately, I elaborate, “I never really thought about it before. Sex is sex, but this was… so different. I think I finally got the distinction.”

Tilly seems taken aback. “No Sam, I don’t believe I’ve ever had the privilege of that.” She starts to move away, her shoulders drooping a bit.

“Wait! What should I do?” I call after her, desperate for some words of wisdom or warning.

She stops, sighing heavily, but doesn’t turn to face me. “My advice? Hang on to that feeling and never let it go.”

Her words catch me off guard. I was almost sure Tilly would tell me to move on, to not get tied down, given how she’s lived her life.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Tilly heads towards the surfboard rack without a word, her movements deliberate. She picks out Colby Jack, her favorite board adorned with yellow painted daisies, and then turns to me with a weary yet genuine smile gracing her lips. “Sam, I love you like a sister. If Greg makes you feel safe and loved, lean into it. Life’s too short not to take chances on stuff like this.”

Her smile, tinged with sadness, lingers for a moment before she turns and heads for the door.

As she leaves, her words echo in my mind, casting a shadow of worry for her. I’m aware of how deeply Tilly’s been affected by Tommy’s rejection, and it’s clear she’s in a lot of pain. While I’m thrilled at the prospect of diving deeper into what I have with Greg, Tilly’s well-being is paramount to me.

Deep down, I want to say ‘fuck Tommy’ and eliminate him from my life. But I know I can’t. If Tilly is my surfing sister, Tommy is my badass brother. And here I am, stuck right in the middle of their conflict. A place I never wanted to be. But the truth is, I never thought it would go this way. Ever since I first saw his moon-struck face on her, I imagined a time when they would be together in the not-so-distant future.

Talking to Tommy is out. Giving advice to Tilly is apparently not what she wants either. So instead, I resolve then and there to be there for her, whatever it takes. I’m prepared to do it. I owe her that much. But more importantly, I can’t stand by and watch someone I love suffer.

Chapter twenty-six

Sam

Three Months Later

I’m refilling my coffee mug in Greg’s cozy kitchen when the bathroom door swings open, releasing a wave of steam into the apartment. I sense him behind me before I even see him, his damp arms encircling my waist, his breath warm against my neck.

I feel him, naked and hard against the small of my back. It’s a game I know well. Nearly every morning goes much the same way. Greg can’t get enough of me, and I’m just as bad. “You already had your wake-up call.”

“Yes, but he doesn’t seem convinced that it was enough,” he murmurs right beside my ear. Then he spins me around to face him, his smile wide and inviting. “Come back to bed with me.”

I kiss his nose gently, shaking my head. “I have an early lesson today, sorry.”

His enticing expression quickly morphs into a frown, disappointment creasing his forehead. I hand him his coffee mug, then head back to the bedroom to get dressed. Over the past few months, bits and pieces of my life have found a home in his apartment. I rummage through the drawer he’s designated as mine, searching for a clean swimsuit. He’s leaning on the door frame, watching me with eyes full of desire, not showing any hint of embarrassment at being in the buff. The man wears a birthday suit with a confidence that is, quite frankly, sexy as hell.

But I really do need to get to work. “Stop! I really can’t,” I protest, though my grin and the blush on my cheeks betray my amusement. He rushes over, lifting me effortlessly and tossing me back onto the bed. I laugh as I bounce on the mattress.

He moves over me. “Sam…” he breathes out my name, a sound that makes my nipples stand at attention. And my douchebag of a boyfriend is fully aware of the effect it has on me. I push against his chest, laughter still escaping me.

“You’re going to make me late!” My protest sounds feeble, even to my own ears, lacking any true resolve.

He kisses me deeply, ignoring my feigned attempts to resist. My hands find their way around his neck, drawing him closer, his body pressing into mine. Desire between us can build quickly, and when it does hit, it’s both undeniable and intense.

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