Page 2 of Reckless Hearts

“Oh cool. You surf?” Nate asks, glancing back over his shoulder as we walk into the open plan living and kitchen area.

“Sure do,” I say, even though it’s no longer in the way I wish it was.

I look around the space that’s going to be my home for the next few weeks. It’s smaller than it looks in the photos, but it’s clean and airy, with a cool beach theme running throughout the whole place, including the artwork that hangs on the walls.

“Wow, this is cool,” I say, walking up to a colored sketch of a group of guys surfing a wave together, all of them smiling and doing the Hawaii hang loose thing.

“Thanks.”

I turn back to my host. “You did this?” I ask, gesturing to the sketch.

“I did all of them,” he says, his cheeks flushing. “This was…it was Sage’s idea to hang them.”

“Shit, man, they’re really good,” I say, turning back to him.

Nate nods in acknowledgement. “So, bathroom and bedroom are back there,” he now says, motioning to a short corridor. “Laundry is off the kitchen. There’s some welcome food and shit in the fridge too and a folder on the table with all the good places to eat and drink.”

“What about surfing?” I ask.

Nate chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest. “Well, depending on your skill level, there’s an awesome break right across the street, couple of smaller ones a short drive from here. Just let me know what you’re after, and I’ll point you in the right direction.”

Now it’s me laughing as I lean back against the kitchen bench. Guess he doesn’t recognize me, although I shouldn’t be surprised, people don’t seem to anymore. I actually prefer it after everything that happened, though, and it will certainly make my holiday easier.

“I want the biggest and the baddest break you got,” I tell him, knowing nothing scares me when it comes to the ocean. Despite everything that’s happened.

Nate grins. “Well, in that case, you’re definitely gonna want to hit up Jaws at some point. But you should also check out the surf across the road, which is a very close second.”

I nod, having heard about Jaws before. “I take it you surf then?”

He laughs. “Yeah, I surf.”

“Cool. Maybe we can catch a few waves sometime?”

Nate blows out a breath, shoving a hand through his hair, which immediately falls back onto his forehead. “I’d go with you now if I didn’t have to look after the shop,” he says, almost apologetically.

“Nah, it’s cool. I get it,” I say.

Nate pulls a set of keys from his pocket and hands them to me. “Keys for the place, but it’s pretty safe around here. You’ll probably see a bunch of people hanging around out back too. You’re welcome to join us whenever.”

“Cool, thanks,” I reply. “Is there somewhere I can park my car?”

“Yeah, take the garage,” he says, walking back toward the front door. “Sage can park off to the side. Not sure anyone would steal that piece of shit we drive anyway.”

I laugh, following him out as I say, “I can take a look at it if you want? My dad’s a mechanic and taught me some shit.”

“Seriously?” Nate asks, shooting me a quick look.

“Yeah, seriously. I’ll take a look when your girl gets back.”

After I’ve moved my car and all of my stuff into the house, I change into some boardshorts and grab my board from the travel bag before heading out, barefoot to the beach.

As I pass the shop, I notice a van out front with the wordsOlsen Custom Boardsemblazoned across the side. I make a mental note to ask Nate if he can get his hands on any of the boards I’ve heard they do. Literally no surf shop in Australia stocks them, and even the few places I’ve checked online don’t carry them.

And I would really love to get my hands on one.

I cross over the road, the sand hot beneath my feet as I walk down toward the water. It’s still relatively early in the morning and there are several people out on their boards. Holding my hand up to block the sun, I scan the horizon, a force of habit I’ve had ever since I learned to surf.

To check the swell.

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