Page 16 of Reckless Hearts

“And the outdoor shower too,” Miles says, and now Sage’s face is flaming red. “Don’t think we all haven’t heard you, Sage. You know, we all use that shower after surfing, right?”

“This is mortifying. You guys are all…” she trails off, covering her face with her hands. “You all need to mind your own business.”

“So it was you on the Luna Mae then,” Tanner now accuses, looking right at Sage, who is now shaking her head, her eyes wide.

“It was not me!” she squeals, wholly embarrassed, and as much as I want to jump in and save her, I’m not admitting to this. Even if it was me. I feel horrible letting her take the blame, but I’ll make it up to her later. Plus, it’s kind of funny watching Sage squirm, and we all know she and Nate are all over each other, all the damn time.

I don’t need these guys knowing what is going on in my life. They’ll never let me live it down that I’m having sex on Tanner’s boat, something that is way more fitting to Kai than me.

“At least whoever it was, used a condom,” Tanner chimes in. “Safety first.”

“See, it wasn’t me!” Sage now blurts out, but instantly realizing what she’s done, her face blooms red all over again.

“Ohhhh,” Miles says, laughter erupting from all of us, even Sage with her embarrassment painted on her face.

Good thing Nate isn’t here. He’d be all over their asses for embarrassing Sage. And I’m glad he’s not because the conversation dies there, leaving me in the clear.

I spendthe morning driving around the island, distracted by thoughts of Alana and all the things we did last night. All the things I want to keep doing with her, even knowing I shouldn’t.

There’s just so much about her that turns me on, and I want to spend more time with her. Not just having sex, although that is pretty fucking awesome, but also getting to know her. Getting to surf with her.

And convincing her to surf Maui Pipe, even if it does mean what she and I are doing is a really, really bad idea.

Not that anyone has to know, of course. And I mean, itisjust sex, and I’m only here for like three weeks and then I’ll be leaving, heading to Oahu and then California for Jade’s next competitions.

Which, of course, Alana could totally be surfing in too if she does well at Maui Pipe.

I didn’t see much of her form yesterday, but from what I did see, it’s obvious she has a heap of natural talent. It’s like she was born to surf, like her board is a part of her. The only thing that surprises me about it all is why she isn’t already a pro.

I’m not sure how old she is. Probably something I should find out, but she’s clearly older than Jade, who is a pro and the current world champ. Fuck, I turned pro when I was like sixteen, nearly nine years ago now.

Just before the turnoff to Pe’ahi, I pass by a food truck on the side of the road, my stomach rumbling as if to remind me I didn’t eat breakfast this morning. Pulling over, I park before joining the line that’s already waiting to order.

“Hey, what’ll it be?” a guy about my age, wearing a backward baseball cap, asks when I reach the front.

I glance up at the menu. “What do you recommend?”

“Garlic and coconut shrimp are our two best sellers,” he replies. “You wanna try a combo plate?”

“Sure, sounds good. And maybe a bottle of water too?”

“Coming right up,” he says as he indicates the square to tap my card on. As I move to the side to wait for my food, I pull my phone from my pocket, opening up the message app.

Me: What time should I meet you?

The bubbles to indicate her reply pop up immediately, and I don’t miss the way my heart starts to pound in my chest, anticipating her response.

Alana: When are you free?

Me: Now. I’m just grabbing some food at this food truck before Pe’ahi.

Alana: The shrimp place? Ask Matt to make me a garlic shrimp plate. I’ll meet you there.

Smiling, I walk back over to the van. “So, I don’t suppose you’re Matt?”

The guy grins, sticking his hand out. “Sure am.”

Chuckling, I shake his hand. “Alana asked me to get her an order of garlic shrimp. Can you add that to mine?”

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