Page 1 of Below the Barrel

ONE

MALIAH | SALTWATER SPRINGS

The soundof my heartbeat pounds in my ears, erratic and loud, echoing the chaos swirling through my mind. Tomorrow, I leave for the World Surf Championship Tour, and I couldn’t be any less excited. I’ve looked forward to this moment my whole life, allowing the dream of making it here be the fuel that pushed me to work my ass off and earn this spot. Yet, as I sit across from Koa, my ex-boyfriend, teammate, and now tour-mate, I’m dreading what’s to come.

Staring at him feels like someone has shoved my head underwater and is holding me under, preventing oxygen from getting into my lungs. I stupidly never considered the possibility that we would both earn a spot on the Championship Tour together, but that’s exactly what’s happened. I am going on tour with the one person who I can’t bear to be around, the one person who I loved with everything in my being, the one person who ripped my heart out in a matter of seconds.

The world fades into a distant buzz, and Gabriel's voice becomes muffled as he talks about the surfing techniques we should focus on this year to push us through to the finals. But instead of listening and taking mental notes, a thousand thoughts race through my mind at once. Each thoughtclamouring for attention, yet not even one making any coherent sense as I stare at Koa.

He leans back in his chair, muscular arms crossed over his broad chest, stretching the fabric of his black long sleeve shirt. Dark strands of hair curtain his forehead as his grey eyes track Gabriel. He’s sun kissed from our countless hours training in the sun, and he’s put on more muscle since our split just over a year ago.

His eyes slide away from Gabriel and land on mine, causing my heart to painfully thud in my chest. My eyes widen momentarily, feeling both hyper-aware and strangely numb under his gaze. As I stare into his eyes, I’m caught between the desire to run away and the stubborn instinct to confront this uncomfortable situation head-on, but as I move to open my mouth, my words get stuck in my throat.

Tightness forms in my chest as he studies me, my breathing becoming shallow and even more erratic. I can’t talk to him, not when my feelings are still so conflicted. Sure, I might have loved him once, but he broke my heart, and I can’t forget that.

I can’t forgive it either.

I’ve never cried over anyone in my life as much as I did for Koa after our breakup, and I refuse to let anyone else have the power to make me feel that way again. So instead, I do what I’ve done for the last year. I channel my sadness into anger and give him the dirtiest look that I can muster, before rolling my eyes and returning my attention to Gabriel.

It’s best to keep Koa at a distance, for my own sake.

“I’ll be flying in for most competitions, and we can jump on a video call for training sessions on the days I can’t make it there,” Gabriel says.

Gabriel is the coach for The Saltwater Shredders, the professional surf team that I’ve been a part of since my teen years. Despite Koa and I going on tour together for the next year,Gabriel can’t join us for the whole tour because he still needs to train with the rest of the team here, in Saltwater Springs, and try to get them into qualifiers for next year’s tour.

“How does the pairing situation work?” Koa asks, his deep voice vibrating through me and causing the hairs on my arm to stand.

“Every surfer will start off with a solo competition in California, and based on the results of that surf, you’ll be paired with another surfer of similar skill level.”

“So, what happens if we get paired with two other surfers, how will you coach us then?”

“You won’t be paired with other surfers,” Gabriel says simply, leaning against his oak desk and crossing his legs at the ankles.

His piercing blue eyes find mine and my hands start to tremble from my pent-up anger. I slide them under my thighs to try and hide my emotions.

“So, what you’re saying then, is that no matter how many points we score or don’t score, Koa and I will inevitably be paired together at the end of the day?” I muster enough courage to ask.

Gabriel grins. “Exactly. Think of this as an opportunity for you two to put whatever bullshit happened last year to rest. It’s time you two learned how to work as a team again.”

“And what happens if we can’t?” I challenge.

“Then there won’t be a spot for either of you on the team when you return from the tour.”

My blood runs cold, and my eyes slide back to Koa who’s eyeing Gabriel. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, his features schooled into a mask of indifference, but I, on the other hand, feel a tidal wave of emotions.

“You’re going to kick us off the team because we won’t be friends? Are you serious right now, Gabriel?” I ask, my voice shaking as I begin losing control of my emotions.

“Deadly,” he says as his grin fades away and he meets my eyes with a warning look. “I’m not asking for you two to become friends. I’m asking for you both to figure out how to move past your shit and learn to work as a team again. That means no more ignoring each other, or getting upset when you’re paired together during practice, or fighting.”

I open my mouth to argue, but I’m cut off by Koa. “That shouldn’t be too hard,” he says, turning to look at me. “It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

I dig my fingers into my palm as I hold Koa’s gaze.

That was before you obliterated my heart.

“Good,” Gabriel says, slipping that forced grin back in place. “Have fun at your going away party tonight, and I’ll see you both in the living room bright and early tomorrow morning.”

Gabriel pushes himself from his desk and walks out of the meeting room without a word or second glance, leaving Koa and I alone. I keep my eyes fixed on the floor, refusing to meet his gaze, silently hoping he’ll leave too.

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