Chapter 11 #3
“I used to think this was for old people,” he tells me, moving to the edge of the dock. He lays the board flat and gestures for me to place my feet on it so it doesn’t drift away. “But this is a pretty zen way to start the day, too.”
I’ve learned to trust Whit in the water. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still terrified of the dark murkiness below and the fact I can’t see what’s down there, but I do have faith that Whit is looking out for me. I follow his directions. Or try.
“Don’t panic,” he says, when I fight against the moving water. “Just relax and ease on the top.”
His voice is calm, smooth, and soon I’m standing with braced knees. He pushes the board away from the deck with his hands and I sail out into the water.
“Oh my god,” I cry. This is going to end badly.
“Put the paddle in the water, Summer. You’re in charge.”
He’s up and on his own board in a matter of seconds, quickly coasting over the water toward me.
Again, I listen to him, focus on his voice and watching the way his body navigates the water.
His shoulders are ridiculously broad, lean and muscular.
His stomach is well-defined and taut. Swim trunks hang over his hips and he turns my way, giving me a little smile.
“You’re doing it.”
“I guess,” I say with a little wobble, but I stay upright. But a few minutes later I am doing it and holy shit, it’s fun.
Once I get my sea legs, Whit waves at me to follow.
Soon we’re off the main waterway and down a twisty creek.
Tall grasses and cattails line the passage and soon trees grow out of the water with low-hanging branches.
I have no idea where we’re going and the narrowing makes me nervous, but I keep my eyes on Whit’s back and follow him into the shady oasis.
Just when I think he’s gotten us horribly lost, he looks back and says, “Almost there.”
“There,” is a break in the trees, a small lagoon of clear water and a sandy beach. Whit hops off his board into hip-deep water and pushes the board and paddle on shore. He wades over to me and I lower to my knees, still trying not to fall.
“I’m not wearing a bathing suit,” I remind him.
His eyes flick down my body, but he says nothing, skimming my board across the water until I can carefully hop off into water that only covers my ankles.
“This place is beautiful,” I say, taking it all in. “How did you find it?”
“My mother brought me here when I was a kid.” He sits on the sand next to me, our warm shoulders touching. “Now I just come when I need a little time to myself.”
“Don’t tell me—I’m the only girl you’ve ever brought here?”
He cracks a wide grin. “No, you’re not, but I do take a different path every time so no one can find their way back.”
“Sneaky.”
He shrugs and digs his feet into the warm sand.
“Thank you for bringing me out here today. You’re a really good teacher.”
“You’re just letting your fear take over.”
“The ocean is terrifying; wild and totally uncontrollable. Like—the tides and currents. And you know, sharks.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “What the hell is with you and sharks?”
“Why is this an unreasonable fear?” I retort.
“The ocean is like anything else in life. You may not be able to control of it, but you can control how you react to it.”
I lean back on my hands, in a similar pose to his, and our pinkies touch. That move alone sends a chill up my spine. Even in the rising heat.
“I’m not sure I’m controlling anything in my life right now,” I confess.
He chuckles softly. “I know the feeling. Is that why you showed up so late last night?”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“I was,” he says, “let’s just say the sound of a woman making noises like that is hard to sleep through.”
“Oh my god,” I press my face into my knees.
I feel his lips on my neck. A sweet kiss. “Don’t be embarrassed. There are worst ways to be woken up.”
“Ughhhhh.”
“You’re adorable.”
I turn my head and peek at him. The look he’s giving me. My heart thunders like a thousand drums.
“And you’re getting me wet. And sandy,” I reply, hoping he can’t tell how much I like being near him.
“So really,” he says. “Why did you show up so late last night?”
“Some shit from my past followed me down here and I couldn’t sleep.”
He nods. “Well if we’re being honest, I wasn’t asleep when you got there. The whole school thing is keeping me up.”
“It’s that bad?”
“It’s giving me panic attacks. Just thinking about cutting my hair. Putting on that uniform. Marching in line.” He inhales deeply.
“Can you talk to your dad?”
He laughs. “Why do you think I’m living with Justin?”
“He kicked you out?”
“Not exactly, but it’s better for everyone if we’re not confined to the same house.”
I touch his cheek. Not knowing how to make him feel better, I give him a kiss, hoping it helps soothe the pain. He returns the kiss slowly and it ignites a burning in my belly. He glances at his watch. “I’m teaching lessons this morning down by the pier. I should head back.”
“I’ve got a walk of shame to complete.”
He helps me back on my board, fingers lingering on my hips. Soon we’re back on the waterway, sun rising to the east. I can’t help but think as we paddle back to the dock, that if every morning started like this one, I’d be pretty damn lucky.