Page 54 of Beyond The Break

GRIFFIN

It’s beenthree days since I last spoke to Eliana. She skipped out on today’s practice altogether to work on her campaign. I stare up at her empty window from the ocean, hoping to spot her. As distracting as she is when she shows up to practice, it’s nothing compared to how distracted I am when she’s not here.

I spend the whole practice trying to spot her through her bedroom window and wondering what exactly she’s doing rather than focusing on surfing. She’s like a drug that I’m addicted to, so desperately wishing I could sober up, but not quite ready to give up the high.

“My sister has a major competition this Friday. If she wins, it could be her ticket into the World Championship Tour,” Zale says after our evening practice.

“Wow, that’s amazing,” Koa says, eyebrows raised, “you could end up on tour together.”

The Championship Tour is what we’re all aiming for. It’s the reason I came back early. We’ve been trying for so many years to get onto it and I refuse to let it slip through our fingers this year.

“Yeah, whatever,” Zale says nonchalantly, “I’m onlymentioning it because she confirmed Coach is going to be there which means we’ll have a free house.”

Koa and I glance at each other, before breaking out into mirror grins.

“Beach Bonfire?” he asks.

“Beach Bonfire,” I confirm.

We race back to the shore and plant our boards in the sand, sitting down in a circle. Maliah and Kairi notice us from the back deck and quickly make their way over, joining us in the sand.

“Well, this looks suspicious,” Mal says, taking a seat between Zale and I, never looking at Koa even though his eyes are glued to her.

“Yeah, just a group of boys casually racing out of the water to sit in sand,” Kairi says, giggling, as she takes a seat between Koa and Zale.

Zale chuckles and I notice Kairi’s eyes light up as she glances in his direction, face turning a subtle pink shade, before returning her eyes to the sand where he draws a diagram.

“Coach is going to be gone this weekend so we’re thinking of throwing a beach bonfire,” I explain.

“Oh my gosh, fun!” Kairi says excitedly.

“Sorry to poke a hole in your plan this soon, but we can’t have the party here,” Mal says, pointing towards the house.

We all glance towards the direction she’s pointing at only to see three shiny new security cameras on the walls. Zale groans in defeat and falls backwards into the sand arms sprawled away from his body.

“When the hell did he install those?” he whines.

“Two days after the bar fight. He wanted to make sure those guys didn’t pop up looking for a second round.” Mal replies, twirling a blonde strand of her hair.

“What about The Cove?” Koa asks.

Zale rises from the dead with the biggest grin on his face as he points at Koa.

“You, my friend, are a genius. I could kiss you.”

“No thanks,” Koa mumbles, his cheeks turning pink.

“Speaking of kissing,” Mal says, turning her attention to me. “I couldn’t help but notice that the other day Eliana was wearing your team shirt from our previous season. Is there something going on between you two?”

All eyes turn to me in curious silence as I lift my eyes up to her window where I finally see her working away on her laptop. Blood rushes to my cock at the mental image of Eliana wearing my shirt, my last name on her back. I practically tore apart my closet trying to find it, knowing she’d be more inclined to wear it if it was her favorite color. Purple is quickly becoming my favorite color too since it reminds me of her now.

I decide to pay her room a visit once I finish up with the team. Wanting to repair the damage I did at the gym three days ago.

“I was just helping her out,” I say, avoiding eye contact, “she didn’t have anything comfortable to wear for the weather we had the other day.”

“Good,” Mal says firmly, “because none of us can afford to be distracted right now. We’re so close.”

I’ve been telling myself the exact same thing for weeks, but it’s too late for me, Eliana has me wrapped around her pinky.

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