Page 88 of Catch a Wave

And now we’re known for our accidents—the last rides that ended our careers. And we’re known for me disappearing and our world-renowned love affair going up in smoke because of me.

The last thing I want to face right now is a reporter, even one as seemingly mild-mannered and well-intentioned as Megan.

“I’m living here,” I say. “And don’t quote me on that.” I turn to look at Mavs who has a softly scolding look on her face, so I add. “Please.”

“I want to tell your story,” Megan says to Mavs. “Your way. You control the narrative. I just want to be the one to tell the world how you’re doing now. I came here in person because I didn’t want someone else to be the one. Also, honestly, reporters don’t have much luck getting a story when they use the phone or computer to reach out. Not for this kind of story, anyway. Selfishly, I’d loveSurferto be the publication that runs this. And I’d love my name on that article and feature. But personally, I want to do this well. I know you’ve been through a lot—both of you. I don’t want your experiences to be treated with anything but the care you deserve.”

Mavs looks at me. I stare back at her. Megan waits. Shaka walks over to Megan and wags his tail. She bends and scratches his head.

“This is … unexpected,” Mavs finally says. “I hate to waste your time, but I need to think this over.”

“You didn’t waste my time. I’m living in Santa Barbara now. It’s just a ferry ride over here. And I was due to get away from things for a few days anyway, so I booked a room at the resort. I’m here through tomorrow. But I can always come back.”

“Okay,” Mavs says. “I’ll get in touch with you.”

Mavs fishes through our beach bag and pulls out her cell. Megan gives Mavs her number, and then she turns to walk off the beach, back toward the resort.

I refuse to let Megan’s appearance and the idea of a pending interview cloud a perfect morning—the morning Mavs first got back on a board. It’s not easy to regain the unbridled joy I felt watching her, surfing with her. But I shove all thoughts of Megan into some remote compartment of my brain when I turn to Mavs and pull her into my arms.

“I’m so proud of you.” I look down into her honey-brown eyes. “Not even proud. It’s more than pride.” I search for the right word. “It’s admiration. I admire you. You’re braver than anyone I know.”

I almost tell her how lucky I am. Today, at least, I’m the luckiest person to have been here with her when she faced her fears and re-entered the water. And no matter what goes down in the future, I’ll always have been the one who spurred her on and who got to witness her first ride after the fall.

Her expression turns shy. “Thanks, Bodhi.”

I know she’s thanking me for more than the compliment.

I lean in and give her a kiss. She holds me in place. And I swear I’ll never take her for granted ever again.

We walk up to the shack, rehashing the waves we rode, like any two surfers after a morning sesh. Only, it’s me and Mavs.

When we get to the surf shower, Kai’s waiting for us. He’s got a scowl on his face.

“You went surfing?”

“Yeah.” Mavs looks at him with an easy-going expression. “It was amazing, Kai. I rode the first wave and then I kept taking waves. We were out there for an hour or so. Can you believe it?”

“No.” His face has softened a bit, but he’s still far more stern than he should be.

“I wasn’t going to go in, but Bodhi kept asking. Then something clicked. It just felt right. I can’t believe it.”

Does she not see his face? He’s obviously got a bone to pick about Mavs surfing. I can’t figure out why for the life of me. Iput my board away and come back to grab the board Mavs rode. She’ll need something shorter next time.

Kai takes a breath and looks off toward the waves. “You had fun out there?”

“So much fun. More than fun, Kai. It was like … I don’t know. I don’t want to say much. It feels like talking about it will ruin the magic. It was a great morning. And I have Bodhi to thank for it. Just like he has you.”

That last line seems to snap my best friend out of his oddly broody reaction. “That’s great, Kala. I’m happy for you.”

“You might want to tell your face how happy you are,” she teases.

Okay. So she did see how weird he was being.

“Are you both going home now?” Kai asks us.

“Yeah. I’ll be back after I shower and grab a bite. Is that okay?” I ask Kai.

He nods at me. “Sure.”

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