Page 100 of Riptide

“Actually…” we both say, glancing at each other.

“We’re staying here for another ten days. The place we’re in is available, and we figured why not?” Foxx says.

“You don’t need to attend registration or anything?” Daphne asks, eyes wide, always the worrier.

I shake my head. “No,Mom. I registered all my classes for first full-time semester online this week. Got my timetable through this morning from OCC.”

Hudson grins as Rosie babbles something. “Yeah, that’s right, Rosie. Uncle Finn is gonna be a full-time student in a few weeks.”

She squeals, clapping her hands and showing us her new teeth. My heartstrings ping while watching her.

“Man, I’m gonna miss not spending my days with her,” I say with a groan, flopping my chin into my palm. “Maybe this was all a bad idea. I can quit and just take care of her for you still?”

“No way,” Daphne says with a shake of her head before I’m even done. “Weallwant you to do this. Foxx, back me up here.”

Foxx hums before he answers. His fingers find mine between us, and he links them tightly. “We’re all really proud of you. For how far you’ve come this year, and we want you to chase the things that light you up. This has become part of that. Rosie will still be here, cheering you on, like the rest of us.”

Nodding, my eyes flick to the screen, where she’s trying to lick the phone now. “Guess I’ll just have to go see her after classes.”

Hudson snorts. “You’ll be too busy trying to survive those classes.”

“Don’t remind me,” I mumble. “Who knew studying physical therapy meant signing up for every anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics class known to man? I’ve got ‘Psychology of Injury and Rehabilitation’ on Tuesdays at eight a.m. Then ‘Cell Biology’ the next day at eight. I’m going to be a textbook zombie.”

“We’re really proud of you, Finn,” my sister says with a watery smile that might trigger my own.

“Thanks, Daph.” I sniff. “All of you, really. I’m one hell of a lucky guy to get all of you as family.”

“Oh, speaking of family. Eugene told us to tell you that the apple cider donuts are being replaced with cherry almond ones this fall,” Hudson says with a smile. They’ve been semi-checking in on him. He’s mostly self sufficient, but Foxx was worried being away this long, and Eugene hates his cell phone and hardly uses it, so Daphne and Hudson came with us to a farmers’ market to meet him. I guess the rest is history.

“Is he doing okay?” Foxx asks.

“Grumpy as ever,” Hudson says. “Makes the best meatloaf, though.”

“He absolutely does, and he still won’t give me his recipe.” Foxx pouts.

Eventually, Rosie starts blinking a lot slower, yawning and smacking her little lips in that sleepy way babies do.

“Time for a nap,” Daphne says. “Love you both. Keep sleeping. Keep doing nothing. You both look insanely relaxed.”

“We’ll try,” I say, smiling.

Hudson waves. “Don’t forget to bring souvenirs.”

“Rosie wants shells,” Daphne adds as she ends the call.

The screen goes dark. The sound of the ocean floats back into the room.

Foxx leans back, fingers finding mine. “She’s growing so fast.”

I nod. “Yeah. It’s weird. Like every time we see her, she’s a new person.”

“Maybe we can take her on a little road trip somewhere one day, give Hudson and Daphne a little break.” He suggests it so easily, but the fact he’s thinking about my niece as a part of his life too makes everything inside me melt.

“I’d love that.” I lean in to peck his lips again. “Come, let’s go down to the beach. I want to see if we can get you standing this time,” I say it with no hesitation or fear. Being here, so near the ocean again, it’s brought back a peace I thought would never settle. Port Orford was the first glimpse of light after months of darkness. But this place? This is where I finally feel like I can breathe again. Where the pull of the waves no longer feels like a threat, but a call. Not to forget everything that happened, but to believe I could still make my way back. Back to the water. Back to surfing. Back to the version of me I thought I’d lost. All with Foxx by my side every step of the way.

When we make it down to the beach, the sun’s slowly descending, but there’s still plenty of light, enough to get out into the water, which is calm but not completely flat, perfect for a beginner like Foxx.

He stands at the edge of the sand, board tucked under one arm, eyes narrowed at the Pacific. I drop my board and go to him.

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