Page 46 of Beyond The Break

“I don’t know how to let it all go, how to move on,” he confesses, frowning slightly.

“If today was your last day, would it be enough? Would you leave happy? Knowing that instead of enjoying life you're letting the past hold you back?” I ask, finding his eyes.

“That’s a deep question, but no, this life wouldn’t have been enough, and I wouldn’t leave happy.”

“Then use that as motivation to do all the things you wantto do, that you’re scared to do. Use that as motivation to live a little.”

His eyes travel along my face as his brows raise slightly. “Are you always this optimistic?”

I laugh softly. “Not always, but I’ve been trying ever since deciding to take this job.”

“Well, you’re doing a great job so far.”

“At being optimistic or at my job?”

“Both.” My face turns Crimson.

We settle back into our comfortable silence, my heart pounding against my ribs, as the ocean gently rocks our boards side to side. The cool breeze sends a chill through me, and I begin to shiver lightly. Griffin glances over once my teeth start chattering.

“I think it’s safe to say we won’t be doing our surf lesson tonight, no waves,” he says, laying down on his board and paddling it around to face the shore, “follow me, I have something I want to show you.”

I lay on my board and paddle after him, the sway of the waves making it easier to keep up with him.

FOURTEEN

GRIFFIN

The outdoor showerlooks exactly as I remember it. Wooden panels frame the structure and as I push the oak door open, beautiful white tile floors comes into view. The palm trees gently swaying above the structure create a calming atmosphere.

“I don’t think any of the others know this exists, except maybe Gabriel. I used to sneak out here whenever I had a tough practice,” I say.

“It’s beautiful,” Eliana says, barely audible over the sound of the rustling palm trees.

Her brows lift as she looks around, lips slightly parted.

Sheis beautiful.

The golden sunlight casts a gentle glow along her skin, and I find myself completely entranced. Her brown hair, kissed by the sun, falls around her shoulders in loose waves, framing her face. The brown freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks enhance her beauty.

I watch as her green eyes, with flecks of brown, sparkle with wonder. The simplicity of her beauty leaves me breathless. It’s not just her physical appearance that captivates me, but heroutlook on life, and the way she finds beauty in the simplest of things. She is the most beautiful person I’ve ever met.

“Fin!” Zale’s voice comes from the back of the house. “Eliana! Are you guys out here?”

Eliana jumps into a full-blown panic and roughly shoves me into the stall, pressing her body against mine, before she quickly closes the shower door behind us. Her ass rubs against my cock, and I squeeze my eyes shut, thinking of the most disturbing thoughts to keep my dick in check.

I clear my throat and force oxygen back into my airways as I subtly press my back against the wall, creating space between us so that I don’t to something stupid, again.

Something we’ll both regret.

“Oh my God,” she hisses, swinging around to look at me with round eyes, “I should’ve stayed out there, I’m so stupid. If he catches us in here, he’s going to think we’re—” she stops speaking abruptly as a faint flush crawls across her cheeks.

Interesting. She can’t even say it.

“He’s going to think we’re what?” I ask, my voice strained from all the effort it takes to not push her against the wall and strip her down to nothing, “use your words.”

“Doing…stuff,” she struggles to say, the pink on her cheeks deepening to a dark shade of red. The effect I have on her is fascinating, and I wish I could hear what goes on in her mind when she gets like this.

I notice she’s still trembling as she wraps her arms around her body, so I reach for the shower knobs and turn them until warm water starts to spray out. I signal with a tilt of my head for her to step under the water as I turn and pull myself up the side of the wall and peer over the top to see if Zale is still outside. I spot him walking towards the beach, his back facing us.

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