Page 75 of Knockin' Boats
“Raphael doesn’t need to be inside. You can go put them in the shade under my camper. Get them a water bowl if you want, okay? Then we’ll finish our talk about safety.”
Shua sighed. “I thought this was gonna be fun.”
“It’s not fun unless you’re safe.”
Brooks, Cash, and Skylar approached while we talked.
“Instructor Sawyer is on the job!” Cash said with a grin.
I flipped him off, and Shua laughed as they jogged back up the path to my camper.
“Hey, no shade,” Cash said. “You’re a great teacher.”
“Which is good,” Skylar said, sounding nervous. “Because I’ve never done this.”
“Well, luckily, we’re close enough in size we can all use my board. We have a smaller group today.”
Poppy was in a festival over in Osage Beach, and Fisher and Hudson had already left for Granville.
“More wake time for me,” Cash said.
Fewer people wasn’t necessarily a problem, but I grabbed a couple of extra ballast bags. I had to weight the boat properly to create enough wake to surf. There were tech systems out there that could create wake with the touch of a button, but my used 2010 Supra wasn’t outfitted for that, so we’d be doing it the old-fashioned way.
Shua returned, and everyone boarded. Because both the teen and Skylar were new to this, I put on my tour guide hat and laid out the basics of what to expect while we cruised toward open water where we could safely surf.
“We’ll only be going about 12 miles per hour,” I called over the wind noise. “When you fall, it shouldn’t be too rough. Just stay put and wave your fist in the air. We’ll toss a flotation device and circle back for you.”
“Hey, look, Ash is out on the deck at the houseboat!” Cash called, pointing. “Should we invite him along or do you still hate him even though you’re kissing now?”
“You’re kissing someone?” Shua asked, perking up.
They’d appeared zoned out during my spiel on safety, but of course,thiscaught their attention.
“I don’t hate Ash,” I muttered, slowing as we came alongside the houseboat.
I’d kissed Ash. Come with him. Assured him that I didn’t hate him, anymore. Was I ready to hang out like best friends again? I wasn’t sure.
But…if he came along, I’d have more fun. My friends were novices. But Ash knew what he was doing, and I could get more surf time with him at the wheel.
Ash stood up as we eased to a stop. “Hey, guys. What’s up?”
“We’re heading out to wakesurf,” I called. “It’s Skylar and Shua’s first time.”
Ash’s eyes lit up. “Oh yeah? Sounds fun.”
“You coming or what?”
He blinked, looking surprised. “Oh, uh?—”
Mel emerged from the sliding doors behind him. My jaw clenched. “Nevermind. You’re busy.”
“No! Mel was just leaving.” Ash glanced at her. “Thanks for helping me get all my stuff. I know you’ve got somewhere to be. I’m good now.”
He gave her a look, and she glanced over at us hesitantly, then smiled as her gaze landed on me. “Sawyer, hey! Looking good.” Her gaze flitted over Cash, Brooks, Skylar, and Shua. “Wow. You’realllooking good.”
Ash gave her a little shove. “Mel isleaving,and I’m grabbing my board.” He locked eyes with me. “Don’t take off. I want to come with you.”
Mel kept popping up like a bad smell. A rather attractive, flirty smell who seemed to be trying to eye-fuck the whole boat—minus Shua, anyway—but still. A smell I didn’t need on my first day out for some fun in a long-ass time.
