Page 53 of F*ck You

“Some of the surfing guys, I think—Reed, Meg, and the others.”

Chase nodded. “Could be fun. Get Lee socializing here.”

I shook my head. “I’ve already done enough socializing to last a lifetime. Hell, you two are lucky I even let you talk to me.”

They chuckled. “We are lucky indeed.” Chase kissed me then grabbed my hands and pulled me up as he stood. “Come on, the waves are looking like they could be good for some surfing, let’s grab the boards if you’re up to it.”

“Hell yeah. And maybe snorkeling later?” I twisted my neck to look at Larsen who grinned and nodded.

“You bet.”

“Perfect. I’ll race you guys.” I took off running down the pier, back to the sand, and sprinted to our condos.

* * *

I giggledas small fish swam against my feet. We were farther out than I had ever been before, and the view was spectacular.

Seagulls and cranes flew high in the sky above us, and even the beaches weren’t overflowing with people this time around since it was the middle of the week. Everything was so serene, just me, Chase, and the waves.

A large swell appeared, and we spun our boards around and began paddling toward the shore with large ass grins on our faces.

We laughed as we hopped up and the wave carried us toward land, crisscrossing each other the whole way.

My balance had improved greatly, and now I was able to take on bigger and better waves. There really wasn’t anything quite like it. Riding a wave was a high I never realized I could reach. It was the only time I was content with not being in control.

You never knew what could happen when enjoying the free ride from nature. Being too slow by mere seconds could cost you a torn shoulder or torqued knee. The waves were dances from the ocean, and I was only here to fall in line with the steps.

We rode a few more waves that morning. Sometimes we stood on our boards, and other times we opted to lay on the boards, arching our backs as a large wave passed beneath us, barely keeping us from being dragged under and slamming against the coral.

After my time on the board was up, and I had to let Chase get back to his lessons, I was sitting outside my condo with ice packs on my legs. The muscles had started getting sore earlier this week with all the time I’d spent in the ocean and the hours cleaning the boat that really was more like a ship at times.

My eyes scanned the water, watching the people out in the ocean with Chase as they were gearing up to catch their first wave, and I smiled, remembering my first time. It was crazy how much had happened since then.

Larsen jogged up to meet me, and I hurriedly tossed the ice packs off, but it was too late, he’d already seen them.

“You alright there?” he asked as he approached, nodding at the ice packs I was trying to hide.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little sore from all the water activities and working.”

“We can postpone the snorkeling until you’re feeling better.”

“No,” I replied with a stern voice. “I’m going out there whether you’re with me or not. It’s my day off, and I’m enjoying it to the fullest.” I gave him a wide grin to let him know how much I was looking forward to it, and he relented.

“Alright, then let’s get going. We won’t need the headlamps this time. Let’s show you what the ocean looks like during the day.” He grabbed my raised hands and pulled me to my feet. After depositing the ice packs inside, we headed out.

This time I wouldn’t be putting on the wet suit. I wanted to be out there fully experiencing everything without the barrier.

The ocean floor was even more stunning during the day. The night life was asleep, and all the other creatures came to life.

We used a small boat this time so we could swim out farther than I’d ever been. We were past the cave and too far out to see anything back on land. It was quiet, it was beautiful, and it was only us out here in the vastness of the sea.

I reached out a hand toward a school of fish that was swimming beneath me rather fast. They darted between my fingers, their scaly little bodies brushing against my skin as they hurried away. I was getting ready to turn my head and follow them when I saw Larsen shooting through the water to get to me, his eyes so wide they took up the entire space in his goggles.

Panic shot to my stomach. That was the most scared I’d ever seen him. My normally calm, cool, and collected scuba man who liked to hide out in a cave at night and watch the stars looked like he was swimming for his life.

Tearing my gaze from his face, I looked past him and saw a fish. Only, it wasn’t just any fish. It was large and grew bigger the closer it got. It wasn’t even a fish though. It looked like it was more of a fucking shark.

Understanding what his eyes were trying to tell me, I turned around. Kicking my feet, I headed for the boat. I reached it and grabbed onto the rail, pulling myself up and over right as Larsen’s head broke the surface. He reached for the railing, and I grabbed onto any part of him I could to help him get over as fast as possible, so when the shark broke the surface behind him, it was with enough strength to rock the boat and send us toppling onto the deck.

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