19. Hayden
Hayden
I was always drawn to the sea. As a kid, I would sneak down to our family’s beach any chance I could. If I wasn’t in the water, I was watching it—the steady rolling waves like my own personal lullaby.
It hasn’t changed as I’ve gotten older. If anything, the ocean has become an even more important constant in my life.
Things make sense when I’m on the water.
Most mornings, I spend more time sitting on my board, bobbing in place, than I do actively surfing.
I always knew I needed to live a life out here in the waves.
I wasn’t made for a suit and tie job, locked away in an office all day.
It was never going to be my plan to take over the family business, something my father and I had many heated conversations about.
No one outside the family was aware of that though.
And when I joined the Coast Guard at eighteen, everyone made the assumption that it was because of the events that occurred a few years prior.
The company up in flames and my parents lost to the sea.
I can understand the dots they thought they were connecting.
But the truth is, I had my late grandfather’s vintage Coast Guard poster on my bedroom wall by the age of ten.
But today, I’m doing more active surfing than usual.
I have too much pent up energy after last night with Poppy, and it needs to go somewhere.
With each encounter lately, she’s let me in a little bit more.
Fueling my hope, my longing. She didn’t pull away this time.
Instead, she leaned into me. She embraced me.
And when I felt her fingers tangle in my hair?
I almost lost it, right then and there. I almost gave in and showed her just how much she affects me.
But it wouldn’t have gotten me what I want. Not all of what I want, anyway. I’m not sure what I’ve done over the years to lead to her severe distrust of me. But I can feel it rippling just below the surface, masked by her disdain.
It’s the distrust I plan to contend with first. As long as her perfect fucking lips stop looking so irresistible.
I drag my fingers through the swell as it propels me.
Riding the waves is a reflex, and there is nothing better.
Typically, this is enough to completely clear my mind.
But not today. Kicking out, I drop back down onto my board and turn my face up to the sun.
Today, as I catch wave after wave, I replay moment after moment.
Immersed in the memory of Poppy—the smell of her hair, the feel of her delicate skin, the intensity of her gaze—I remain in the water for some time. Until my stomach growls with ferocity.
Answering the demand of my body, I take a wave closer to shore, paddling the remaining distance. Salt coats my lips and I run my tongue over them. What would Poppy’s lips have tasted like? Something sweet, I’m certain of that.
On land once again, I climb the staircase home only to realize that I’m not alone. Beckett is resting with his hands intertwined behind his head in a lounge chair beside the pool. When he sees me, he jumps up and starts across the back lawn. “What the hell, man!”
“Always happy to have you home,” I call back before disappearing inside the pool house and depositing my board in its rack.
Beck appears in the doorway, arms crossed over his crisp collared shirt. “I have to hear from Stevie that your team is good to operate?”
“It’s been like twenty-four hours. I was going to tell you today.” I pause and turn to him with a question of my own. “How did Stevie know?”
“Yeah, I’m kind of curious about that one too. It’s weird, I could have sworn she said Poppy told her.”
A thrill runs through me at the idea of Poppy wanting to talk about my news. Outside of the team, she is the only person I’ve told. The first person I wanted to tell, honestly. And now she’s wanting to share it with others? Is she proud?
I cross the patio, headed for the kitchen with my brother in step beside me. “Did you really tell Poppy about it?” he asks.
“I did.”
“Why?”
Once inside, I begin pulling my omelet ingredients from the fridge and scowl. “Am I not allowed to talk to her?” My voice is more defensive than I’d like, and Beckett raises an eyebrow in response.
“Historically, you two don’t talk. Unless you’re actively at each other’s throats. So, it’s a little weird.”
I shrug, fighting a smile as I recall the way my lips were against her throat yesterday. “We’re trying something new.”
Beckett can see right through me; it’s written all over his face. Reaching for the mushrooms I’ve just deposited on the counter, he pops a generous handful in his mouth. “I heard you’re going to be on the show with her,” he mumbles around the bite. “How’d that happen?”
“Just a weird turn of events.” I try to keep my tone neutral. “The show asked for me.”
“They asked for you personally? Is this because of Mom and Dad?” His face drops, and I shake my head admittedly to settle his nerves.
“No way, that’s not what this is about. They saw me and Poppy… interacting. Said it would make for good TV. And I haven’t had our last name on the air.”
“What you’re saying is that they witnessed the angry foreplay you two have going on and thought it played out like a reality show? Are they hoping you’ll give in and throw her down on the prep table while filming?”
I snort. “Something like that.”
“I wouldn’t put it past you. You’re pretty obvious, man.”
Moving to the range to start my breakfast, I laugh at his comment. Based on how surprised Poppy looks each time I give her a glimpse of my pining, I’d say I haven’t been obvious at all.
“Well, aside from whatever is going on there, congrats on the rescue team. I think it’s great you’re starting this. Mom would be proud of you.”
“Thanks, Beck.” I nod, swallowing down the lump in my throat. I think I’d rather go back to him grilling me about Poppy.
It’s a clear day with low winds. I would have liked a bit of a challenge, personally, but this is a solid environment for the team drills. Tripp agreed to be my distress call. And Beckett stuck around town after the weekend, volunteering to handle Tripp’s boat once he’s overboard.
I stand on the dock watching the two of them preparing to shove off. “When you get out there, shoot me your coordinates and I’ll head your way. You don’t need to go out far. We’ll focus on the guys operating the helicopter at different heights and run through some different situations.”
“I’m glad you didn’t get this permit a few months later, I’d freeze my ass off being in the water that much,” Tripp jokes, undoing the knot on the starboard side. “But that all sounds good.”
“Thanks again, man,” I offer as they reverse from the dock. Remaining in place until they are out past the harbor barrier, I grin to myself. Drills are fun as hell, and I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I get to do this once again.
The only thing that makes this morning better is the flash of rosy blonde hair that passes by the corner of my eye.
She’s on her way out, probably to run the morning order to the café.
I pick up my pace to meet her on the wharf.
Pivoting up around the corner, I’m taking my first step onto the wood planks just as she reaches me.
I was so eager to catch her that I didn’t pay attention to her momentum, and Poppy nearly slams into me when I step in front of her path. Taking her elbows in my palms, I steady her and the boxes in hand.
“Good morning, Poppy Seed.” I grin at her.
“Where did you come from?” she wonders aloud.
“You sure know how to make a man feel like you’re happy to see him.”
“You sure know how to have the worst timing. I’m late.” Poppy blows out an exasperated breath. Now that she mentions it, her cheeks do look flushed, as if she’s been rushing around all morning.
“Let me walk you to your car then,” I suggest, taking the boxes from her.
“Don’t—” she starts to protest. But I recognize her baby blue Bronco in the first row and start towards it.
“Are you coming?”
The sound of quick, little footsteps catches me, and then she’s at my side. “What are you doing down here this morning?” she asks. Never the one to make small talk with me, I reason that she’s curious.
A smile catches the corner of my mouth. She’s thinking about me . “I was sending Tripp out to call a mayday.”
“You were… what?”
“He’s my soul in distress, we’re running drills today.” Reaching the Bronco, she opens the door for me to place the boxes on the floor of the passenger side. I do so carefully, closing the door and leaning back against it. “I thought it was a nice day for a swim.”
“Does Ivy know he’s willingly going overboard in the middle of the ocean?”
I feign offense but can’t stop the smile plastered on my face. “You doubt my ability to save him?”
“I doubt Ivy’s agreeableness to this, that’s all.”
“So, you have faith in me.”
I’m not joking anymore, my gaze searching those brilliant cornflower blue eyes.
She raises an eyebrow. “You must be good at this, I mean you do say that you did it in the Coast Guard.”
“A compliment from Poppy Wheeler? This day just keeps getting better and better.” I reach out and cup the back of her head, my thumb coming forward and trailing along her jawline. “I hope you have a good day too.”
Something between a huff and sigh escapes her, and I take my leave quickly before I do something stupid like try to kiss her goodbye. I point myself in the direction of my waiting helicopter, a spring in my step the whole way.
It’s a warm, pleasant morning, the humidity of the day not yet setting in.
Families are starting to mill about outside the summer cottages lining the shore.
There’s laughter and the bark of a dog drifting through the air.
It’s these people I’m here to serve, so they can come back to the cottages at the end of the day, happy and together.