Page 27 of Reckless Hearts

“See,” Tanner says, dropping his arm from Alana’s shoulders as he tips his beer in my direction. “Five-time world champ says so. This guy knows what he’s talking about. You should listento him.” He grins at me before winking at Alana. “Gonna grab another beer. I’ll let you two chat.”

He walks off before either of us can reply, leaving the two of us standing here, alone. I’m still staring at Alana, pretty much have been since the second I arrived because I just can’t seem to look away.

“You okay?” I eventually ask.

She looks up, her eyes meeting mine again as she offers me a small smile. “Yeah.”

I swallow hard, wishing this awkwardness wasn’t hanging between us. “You train today?” I eventually ask, wanting to keep talking to her if only so she stays here.

Her smile widens at this, nodding her head as she says, “Yeah, got barreled.”

“Seriously? That’s awesome.”

“It was. It was just…fuck, I don’t know, epic.”

“I wish I’d seen it,” I say, my words quiet as we watch each other.

“Me too.”

She doesn’t look away and neither do I. The two of us just stand by the firepit, watching each other. Around us, everyone else is laughing and talking, seemingly oblivious to the two of us and whatever this is that’s happening between us.

I want to tell her that I miss her.

That even though we were just hooking up, that it was only supposed to be just sex, it felt like much more than that to me.

Somehow, even in the short time we spent together, Alana made me feel more alive than I have in a long time.

Eventually, she blows out a breath before asking, “What were you up to today?”

I shove a hand through my hair as I take a sip of my beer, hating this awkwardness that keeps lingering. “Went for a surfand then hung out with Tanner. He showed me around his shop and the whole board-making process.”

Alana’s eyes widen as she lets out a low whistle. “Wow, he must really be a fan. He doesn’t just do that for anyone.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Nah, think he was just excited.”

Alana scoffs as Kai, who I met earlier today when I was at the shop, walks over.

“Dude,” he says, holding his fist out to me for a bump before he turns and hip bumps Alana, slinging his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close as he presses a kiss to her temple. As I watch them, their obvious closeness, a weird surge of jealousy starts to curl in my gut.

I know they’re just friends, and I know I have no right to be jealous, especially when nothing can happen between Alana and me. But it doesn’t stop me from feeling it.

“I’m going to grab another drink,” Alana says, offering me a small smile.

I want to beg her not to walk away, to stay here and talk to me, but I don’t. Instead, I watch as she turns and walks away from us.

We all spend the rest of the night chatting and drinking. It’s fun, and everyone is super welcoming and friendly. Alana and I don’t really talk much, but that doesn’t mean I’m not aware of where she is all night.

I can’t seem to take my eyes off her, following her whenever she gets up to get something or finding her across the yard as she sits in a chair, chatting and laughing with her friends. I itch to go to her, to pull her into my arms and hold her body against mine.

Eventually, people start to leave, everyone saying their goodbyes to each other as they go. I watch as Alana hugs both Nate and Sage before walking over to me.

“See you,” she says, smiling up at me.

I don’t even think about it, just pull her into my arms, wrapping them around her in a tight embrace. My heart pounds in my chest at having her close again, at holding her in my arms, inhaling her scent. I don’t say anything, too scared to open my mouth in case the words I want to say come flying out.

I miss you.

Please come inside.

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