Page 13 of Love Notes and Late Nights
Three consecutive nights of peaceful sleep had Wolf in an exceptionally good mood this morning. It had been a while since the guys got together and surfed. Harris’ sprawling mansion sat right on the sand in an ultra-exclusive section of Malibu Beach that offered privacy, and the guy had the luxury of the ocean all day, every day. It was beautiful.
The sun burned hot above the clear blue sky and turned the sand into a glistening carpet of white, while the ocean sparkled in the distance. Wolf looked up and let the sun warm his face and inhaled the salty air.
“I hope you brought something to tie your hair back,” Ethan said, pulling at the length of his hair, which barely dusted his shoulders. “It’s a lot easier this length. I don’t miss it.”
“I like my hair long and flying in the wind.” Wolf leaned his head back and shook it so the breeze could carry his hair in the air.
“Oh, no,” Tyler sauntered over holding out a soft hair tie. “I will not let you go out there on a surfboard and have your hair a knotted mess. Absolutely not. It’s too beautiful. Here. Promise me you’ll tie your hair up with this.”
Wolf took the velvet hair tie, which he probably wouldn’t use, and slipped it over his wrist, then looked down at Tyler’s blinding neon green swim trunks. “Is that your surfing outfit?”
Tyler’s hand went to his chest, and his perfectly shaped eyebrows skyrocketed. “Me? Surfing? No thank you. I’m a New York boy. I don’t surf. But I’ll be happy to watch and take photos.” He paused. “OK, I lied. I’m going to lounge on the shore and work on my tan.”
Ethan threw his arm over Tyler’s shoulder and kissed his cheek. “You’re such a diva, but that’s what I love about you.”
Harris came running through the sliders and onto the deck, holding his surfboard in his hands. “Look at those waves! Let’s go. What are you guys waiting for?”
“We’re waiting for Marshall,” Ethan replied. “Where the hell is he?”
“I’m right here.” Marshall walked onto the deck from inside Harris’ house, and they headed down to the water with their surfboards, except Tyler, who carried a folded-up lounger and a giant tote bag full of who-knows-what.
“This is as far as I go.” Tyler dropped his things in the sand. “Have fun.”
“Let me help.” Ethan started to unfold the lounger, but Tyler stopped him.
“I got it. You go enjoy yourself.” Tyler stood on his tip toes, which still barely made the top of his head come up to Ethan’s chin, and grabbed Ethan’s face in his hands. “You be careful out there. I’ll be watching you. Out of one eye. I’ll be snoozing with the other. Raise your hand and wave if you’re in trouble, and I’ll call the lifeguard.”
Ethan smiled and gave Tyler a quick kiss. “I’ll be fine.”
“What about us?” Wolf teased. “Don’t we get a hand signal to let you know we’re in trouble?”
“Yes. Of course. If I see you waving, I’ll get the lifeguard. But you better not start waving just because you want that cute lifeguard to come save you.”
“What cute lifeguard?” Ethan feigned jealousy and whipped his head around the beach looking for said lifeguard.
“Never mind that.” Tyler tugged on Ethan’s arm. “My eyes are on you, rock star. Be careful.”
Wolf had enough of the sappy exchange and pulled Ethan away. “Let’s go already. I’ll keep an eye on him,” he told Tyler.
“You better or I’m holding you responsible!” Tyler called.
Wolf looked back over his shoulder. Tyler was already seated in the lounger with his legs crossed, wearing giant sunglasses. Tyler waved and Wolf waved back.
“I’m not in trouble!” Wolf shouted, remembering the hand signal.
“Give it time!” Tyler shouted back.
Ethan slung his arm over Wolf’s shoulder and gave him a side hug. “I love that you two get along so well. Thanks again for making an effort. I appreciate it.”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me, Ethan. Tyler’s a great guy. I was the one with the problem.” That statement couldn’t be more on point. If Wolf had a problem with anyone,hewas always the reason.
“Hey.” Ethan gave Wolf’s shoulder a little shake. “Stop that. You’re not the problem. Even if you’re out of line sometimes, your reasons are still valid. You’re entitled to feel the way you feel.”
Sometimes it was hard to believe how easily Ethan read Wolf’s mind, and it put the smile back on his face.
“That’s more like it.” Ethan patted Wolf on the back, a little too roughly, and it turned into a friendly shove and a small bout of roughhousing in the sand.
Spirits soaring, Wolf picked up his board—which ended up tossed aside so he could tackle Ethan—and paddled into the ocean with his friends, Harris taking the lead. The waves were slow coming, and the four of them sat on their boards floating in the ocean. A small wave rolled in but Wolf, along with Marshall, waited for something better while Harris and Ethan rode it into shore. Wolf watched his friends glide across the ocean on their boards and his gaze locked on Harris, suddenly struck with his good looks.
