Page 15 of Learning to Love

Corey stands close now, and I can see the beginnings of a scar on his cheek. He's not going to be happy about that.

"Man. Bro. Listen to me. How long have we been sailing together? Fifteen years?"

I nod. It feels like a lifetime.

"You and I, we're married tothe sea. We go away, we come back, and that's how it's always going to be. Let Ellie make a life with someone who's going to be around for her."

Corey sure does have a way with words. Probably should have been a lawyer. The prick.

"I can't." The simple truth on my face stops him in his tracks.

"We're supposed to go to her place for dinner tonight, so you guys can meet, remember?" Feels like eons since we made these plans last week. Today I've probably aged a few years and sprouted some gray hairs.

Corey shakes his head. "Are you crazy? We just had an accident. Your fault." His eyes narrow. "Mostly."

"We don't have to do anything. Just turn up with some wine and hold a conversation. You are able to do that, I think." I can't believe I'm managing to crack jokes after being one step away from drowning.

"Man, making nice with your distraction of a girlfriend and her flatmate is the last thing I want to do right now. But I promised. I keep my promises." With one final fiery glare, Corey leaves me alone.

Back at my locker,I turn my phone on, and I'm greeted with a deluge of missed calls, voicemails and messages. Oh shit. The boat capsize must have made the news. I bet everyone is worried sick.

I call mum, assure her I'm okay and that I'm definitely coming down for Christmas. I message everyone else, from my brother to Paddy.

I leave the most important call until last. Ellie's voice is trembling.

Instantly, I feel the need to see her, hold her, tell her everything will be fine. "Hey you. I'm sorry I couldn't answer sooner … I'm okay, could be worse … Are we still on for tonight? Yes, we're both coming. See you soon."

After I hang up, I get ready to face the media. They'll have a million questions about what happened and what caused it. I just need to hold on while the storm rages.

Chapter 7

Ellie

Ilay, a sobbing blob in the middle of the couch, my arms wrapped around a sympathetic Daisy. Knowing he's okay, knowing he'll be here soon … it doesn't seem to matter. Seeing him on the five o'clock news, bruised and battered, broke my heart into tiny pieces, and I don't seem to be able to glue those pieces back together.

Tayla lounges in a nearby armchair. "Why couldn't you have found a yoga teacher? Or a chess player? Or a real estate agent?" Even through my shocked state she manages to cheer me up. "Anyway, we'll see what condition they're in when they walk through that door. I can't believe they're still coming, to be honest."

After I got Sam's call earlier, I started frantically preparing the dinner in advance. Everything was ready. It just needed to be reheated.

I see Tayla's made an effort, wearing a colorful strappy summer dress, showing off her tan and pink hair. I wonder what Corey will think of her. More importantly, I wonder what Corey will think of me. I've decided to stay casual in some denim shorts and a loose blouse.

The Spaceship pulls into our driveway. The boys get out of the car and walk towards our front door.

Corey is only just slightly shorter than Sam with dark hair and sharp features. He's wearing a short sleeve shirt, shorts, and flip flops. He's taking in the street and houses with a wistful look. Daisy lets out a friendly bark.

I can't wait for them to knock, so I open the door as they're climbing the front stairs. The sight floors me. I saw them earlier on the news, and I thought I'd be prepared for the extent of their injuries, but this is something else. My heart aches just looking at them.

My Sam’s right hand is bandaged. He's trying to cover his arm by wearing a long sleeve shirt. He's got a cut across his left eyebrow. His eyes are feverish, maybe from exhaustion, adrenaline, or both.

Corey has a mark on his left cheek, like he's just been on the losing end in a fight. More so, the dynamic between the two men is strange. They're refusing to look at each other. Corey's hands-in-pockets stance and lack of smile makes me think I'm dealing with some of the toddlers at the daycare, not some thirty something year old men.

Tayla steps forwards with purpose. "You guys look like you've come straight from a boxing match."

Corey picks up the gauntlet. "Sea punched us good today. I'm up for a rematch." Daisy goes straight to him and wags her tail. He pats her on her back, gives her a few rubs, and she sighs contentedly. It looks like he's made another conquest.

I hug Sam hard. There are no words to express what I feel right now. The couple of hours when he was out of reach have been hell. His lips touch my forehead, then he kisses me slow and sensuously on the lips. Feels like time stands still, and it's just him and I for a short while.

Corey clears his throat pointedly.

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