13. Mia
13
MIA
I wake up to the sound of seagulls calling and the smell of the ocean drifting through my open window. It’s a perfect day for the beach, and my friends have planned a much-needed beach day. As I stretch and get out of bed, I can’t help but think about what happened between Theo and me last night.
Part of me feels happy. He gave me a much-needed release, but at the same time, he’s kind of my enemy at this point.
I’m determined to focus on my friends today. I need a break from the mess of emotions Theo has stirred up inside me. After a quick breakfast, I grab my beach bag and head out the door.
Madison, Stella, Aurora, and Zoey are already waiting for me at the beach, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Madison waves me over, and I can’t help but smile at the sight of them. They’ve spread out a large blanket and brought an impressive array of snacks and drinks.
“Mia, get your ass over here!” Aurora calls, looking superior with the way she has spread out in her beach chair, feet already buried in the sand, drink in her hand.
I settle down with my group of friends, and immediately, Madison hands me a cold drink. “You look like you could use this,” she says with a knowing smile.
“Thanks,” I reply, taking a sip and letting the cool liquid soothe my nerves.
Stella adjusts her sunglasses and gives me a curious look. “So, how’s everything going with the renovations? Tell us.”
I can feel everyone looking at me. I wonder what they would say if they knew what had happened last night. I waver for a moment, almost wanting to see their shocked looks, jaws on the sand when they hear that Theo and I had sex.
But I can’t tell them. I don’t want to ruin what happened between us by sharing it.
I try to keep my tone casual. “It’s going well. There was a bit of a hiccup with a burst pipe, but it’s fixed now.”
“Was Theo involved in that hiccup?” Madison asks, a mischievous glint in her eye.
I sigh, knowing there’s no avoiding the topic. “Yes, he was. But he helped fix it, so it all worked out in the end.”
Stella nudges me gently. “Come on, Mia. You can’t just leave it at that. What’s going on with you two?”
Aurora lowers her sunglasses so I can see her eyes. “It’s clear that he thinks you’re just as attractive as he did when you were in high school. But now…you’re two consenting adults without parents breathing down your necks.”
Aurora’s words make me tingle, because she’s right. But I still don’t want to tell them. Maybe I can explain the situation without getting into details.
I take a deep breath, realizing that maybe talking about it with my friends will help clear my head. “It’s complicated. We have so much history, and I don’t know if I can trust him. But at the same time, there’s something still there between us. I can’t deny that. So, yeah, he’s attractive.”
Stella hoots. “Well, we all knew that. Glad you finally recognized it.”
Madison giggles. “He is sexy. You didn’t tell us the other night, but is he a good kisser?”
I shrug, trying to stay nonchalant. But I can’t help it. I’m remembering the way he worked his lips down my neck last night and the shivers he made me feel.
“He’s…improved since high school.”
The girls all giggle, clap, and give general shouts of approval.
But Zoey is looking thoughtful. “Do you think he’s changed? I mean, people can grow up and become better versions of themselves, but has he changed deep down or is he still a selfish jerk?”
“That’s what I’m struggling with. Part of me wants to believe he’s changed, but another part is afraid of getting hurt again. Besides, I really don’t need a relationship in my life again.” If I think of the string of boyfriends I had while living in Raleigh, I want to just cringe. None of my relationships lasted long, but maybe that’s just because I didn’t have my mom alongside me to teach me how to have a real relationship. She overdosed when I was high school, part of the reason I left Oak Island in the first place. I couldn’t stand the judgmental, and sometimes pitying, stares from everyone.
“That’s what we all say, and then someone walks into our lives and…”
I look around at them. “Wait? What have I missed? Who has a boyfriend now?”
Each one of my friends avoids eye contact when I look at them. “So, none of you?”
They each shrug or shake their heads at the same time.
“We’re still the Spinsters Society,” Stella concludes.
“We’re not spinsters yet,” Aurora protests. “We haven’t even hit thirty.”
“But we’re closer to thirty than twenty.”
Madison reaches over and squeezes my hand. “We get it, Mia. It’s okay to have mixed feelings. Just remember that you don’t have to rush into anything. Take your time and figure out what you really want. I mean, we wouldn’t want to have to kick you out of the society anyway.”
Everyone laughs, but I can tell Zoey is concerned for me. As the other girls start talking about how rough the undertow has been the last few days, Zoey leans closer to me. “And don’t let him pressure you into anything. If he’s really changed, he’ll understand and respect your boundaries. You don’t want to jump into sex and then feel like you have to date him if he’s still a jerk.”
I avoid her eyes, because she’s absolutely right. The problem is that I’ve already jumped into sex. And the fact is that with the excitement I’ve been feeling this morning, I could see myself doing it again…and again.
But I should think things through. I shouldn’t just do what my body wants from me.
"So, enough about me," I say, reaching for a drink from the cooler. "What’s new with you guys? Anyone have any exciting plans or news?"
Madison grins, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Actually, yes. I’ve been thinking about starting a surf school. I’ve been teaching people informally for years, and I figured, why not make it official? I’ve been looking into the steps of renting a shack down here for gear and getting an LLC started."
"That’s amazing, Mads!" I exclaim. "You’d be so great at that. Your passion for surfing is contagious."
Aurora embraces Madison. “How exciting!”
Stella tugs at her blue hair. “Do we get discounts? That’s the main question.”
“Maybe discounts. Hey, bring me a new student, and you get a free lesson. How’s that?” Madison’s cheeks are flushed, and I’m happy she has something exciting like this in front of her. "I’ve already looked into the permits and insurance. It’s a lot of paperwork, but I think it’ll be worth it. I want to share my love for the ocean with more people. I think I might start it next summer, so I can try to get advertising going a few months before. I think that’s going to be the hardest part."
Zoey claps her hands together. "I can totally see it. ‘Madison’s Surf School’ has a nice ring to it.”
“I want to be more creative with names than that.”
“Alright, ladies,” Aurora says, taking charge. “Let’s help Madison come up with a name for her surf school.”
“Mad Surfing Skills!” Stella throws out. “Then, you get your name in it without it obviously being your name.”
“Wave Riders,” Zoey suggests before shrugging.
I bite my lip. Naming things has never been my strong suit. Even my baby dolls had strange names when I was a kid.
Luckily, the other girls seem to have plenty of ideas.
“Surf Safari.”
“No, that sounds like they’re going to be surfing in the jungle,” Aurora says.
“Surf and Sip. Ooh! You could offer a drink afterward,” Stella suggests.
“Well, not before. You don’t want someone getting on a surfboard for the first time when they’re tipsy,” I comment, laughing.
We all laugh as the others continue to suggest names.
“I might even get Wesley to help,” Madison says. “He’s good with things like getting people’s attention and advertising.”
“Is he willing to help you?” Aurora asks.
Madison shrugs. “He’s my brother. I’m sure I can find something he owes me for. Or if not, I can dig up some dirt on him and blackmail him into being useful.”
As the conversation continues, we share more stories. I don’t want the day to end, and I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have these amazing women in my life.
Eventually, we all start to get really hungry, and we say our goodbyes. Madison throws out the idea of walking over to Leo’s Tiki Bar, and my eyes fly to the dock in the distance. Is Theo there? Could he be watching me right now?
But he’s not among the faces I can pick out.
After a few more hugs, we all start walking back to the parking lot. I walked from my house, so I wash off my feet and begin trudging back in the direction of the house. I could get used to being walking distance from the beach.
My thoughts are filled with everything we talked about today, and I’m actually not thinking about Theo.
That is, until I see Theo outside, working on his property. He’s shirtless, and the sight of his muscles rippling as he moves is enough to make my heart skip a beat. I stop in my tracks, unsure whether to approach him or keep my distance.
I could just run past him into the house. I’m dirty and tired from the beach. I could use a shower. It wouldn’t be ridiculous for me to hurry into the house.
But then, Theo glances up and sees me, and I see him smile. He gives me a small wave, and I feel a flutter in my stomach. Part of me wants to go over and talk to him, to see if we can have a conversation without mentioning what happened last night.
I can’t avoid him forever.
My feet head in his direction.