Page 119 of Stone
That didn’t mean I wasn’t torn up inside.
“Nah. Like you said. She’s probably just basking in the glory since she’s so damn good.”
Nodding, I took a deep breath, doing what I could to shove aside every image I had of her beautiful face. And luscious body. And amazing smile. And…
Christ.
“Well, chin up. I have a surprise for you.” Kekoa’s grin was huge.
“What? You know I hate surprises.”
He shrugged and walked away.
I grabbed his arm. “Nope. You’re not walking away from me. What did you do?”
“You have a visitor.” He nodded toward the group of spectators and for a few seconds, I was certain Dani was going to walk through the crowd.
“A visitor? Here?”
Maybe my face gave away what I was thinking when Kekoa clapped me on the back. “Not who you’re thinking, but I think you’ll be happy anyway.”
I scanned the area as we walked closer to the group, finally realizing what he was talking about. My son walked through the crowd toward me. He looked entirely different than he had when he’d left weeks before. Wearing swim trunks in bright orange and a muscle tee shirt, and his hair tousled from the wind, he looked like a local.
Especially since he had a surfboard under his arm.
“Please tell me you did not allow him to challenge these waves. They’re fucking too big and deadly for him. He’s never surfed before. I’ll be pissed.”
“Calm the fuck down,” Kekoa told me. “From what he said, Tyler has been taking a couple lessons. Still a beginner, but he wanted to surprise you. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t let him on the waves.”
“Do you have everyone’s number in that phone of yours?”
“Hey, I do what I gotta do. Sue me. The guys and I chipped in for his airfare, but maybe you could put him up for a couple nights at your place once this is over.” He arched his brow and I had to laugh.
“You crazy asshole. Yeah, I think I can do that.” I had no idea how to feel, yet seeing my son meant the world to me. “And thank you.”
“No thanks needed, bro. Maybe you’ll be in a better mood.”
Tyler came closer, smiling more than he did when he was in Hawaii before. I threw out my hand for a shake, shocked when he instigated a hug.
“How have you been?” I asked.
“Not bad. I saw you out there. You’re amazing.” He pulled back, noticing I was looking at the board. “I thought maybe we could find some time to head out to the waves.”
“Not these. They’re too big for you.”
He laughed. “I get it. Baby waves.”
We both laughed. “Something like that. So, are you able to stay for a couple days?”
“Yeah, I can do that.”
“Good. Yeah, that’s really good.” We stood a little awkwardly as we waited for the scores. “Have you talked to… Dani?”
“Once. She called me after her first gallery showing. She did well. She sold four pieces on the first night.”
“Ah. I’m glad to hear it.” I was jealous he knew more about Dani’s success than I did.
“You miss her,” Tyler said.
