Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Jade
Axel is gone. We clung to each other in the early morning light before he left, sharing long soft kisses once our passion was spent.
He’s only been away for a day and a half, but I feel as though a piece of me is missing.
I always thought that was a cliché, thought I was a strong independent woman, despite all the years I spent with Zach.
Always thought that I’d never give any part of myself away. Yet here I am.
I haven’t given anything away, though, I realise.
Apart from my heart. I love him. It’s a wild love, primal, welling up inside me like the spring rising from the rock in The Cave of the Waters.
I can’t tell him, though. Not yet. It’s far too soon, even though it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
It’s frustrating not to be going with him, but I get it, I suppose. Still, it stings to not be able to do anything to help. There’s no sign of movement on the land next door, thank god. I’m not sure what I’d do if there was. I kind of wasn’t joking about lying down in front of the bulldozers.
I potter around Axel’s house, burying my face in his clothes to breathe in his scent, drinking coffee on the long veranda as the waves roll in.
Maybe I should go surfing. Or maybe I should just lie here and dream about what might be possible.
I curl up on the sofa, my hand running across the batik cushion.
I suppose he got it from the artisan centre.
Then I sit bolt upright, startling Nimue, who uncurls and leaps from the sofa, shooting me a reproachful glance.
An angel investor.
That’s what Axel said he needed, but he didn’t know anyone with enough cash to help us.
But I do. I know the perfect person.
What the hell have I been doing? I suppose I could blame the fact that I’ve been completely dazzled by Axel, wanting nothing more than to be with him.
It’s knocked pretty much everything else clean out of my mind.
I grab my phone, wandering around until I find the best signal.
Then I make a call. It’s answered after a few rings.
“Hello, Jade?” The voice is deep, masculine.
“Myles!” I sigh his name, relief washing through me. “Yes, it’s me. Do you have a minute to talk?”
* * *
A few hours later I head down to the jetty. A small boat approaches, gleaming white against the clear blue water. I haven’t told Axel, haven’t told anyone what I’m trying to do, because I don’t know whether or not Myles can help.
Myles and I are sailing around Indonesia looking at a few places.
Zara’s email. I could kick myself for not thinking of it earlier. Myles literally has a foundation dedicated to saving special places; surely he’ll want to help when he sees the cave.
I think of the jungle image I saw on Instagram before I came here, how it had the same ancient dreaming feel, a place where people have come to find peace for a very long time.
And he’s literally in the area – honestly, it couldn’t have worked out any better.
Knowing Myles, he’s mixing business with pleasure; I seem to remember Zara talking about some surf filming in Bali a while back, as well as Myles wanting to check out local artisans.
I stand on the long jetty, shading my eyes with my hand, hope rising in my chest.
A tall figure clad in rumpled linen, his tousled dark hair pushed back by sunglasses, steps ashore.
He says something to the driver of the tender, who nods then turns the boat around, heading back into the bay.
A sleek white motor yacht is moored in the distance, and I spot the tiny figure of Zara on the top deck, her long hair blowing in the breeze.
“Myles!” I wave, running over to him.
“Jade.” Myles’s smile is wide, and he pulls me into a warm hug. “You’re lucky you caught me. Zara, Max and I are going home tomorrow.”
“Thank you so much for coming,” I say.
Myles looks well, tanned and lean, light in his eyes.
Like I say, I’ve known him for years, but he always seemed a little reserved, like he was holding back some part of himself.
But all that changed when he met Zara. I know they had a bit of drama when they first got together – Zara told me some of it, though I know she didn’t tell me everything – but it’s been very much plain sailing since then.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people so in love with each other.
“I’m glad I could make it.” His grey gaze roves over me. “You okay?” A frown flickers on his brow.
“Uh, yeah.” Despite my email, this still feels slightly awkward, as Zach and I did so much business for Ocean’s Curl when we were a couple. But we don’t need to pose together anymore. We can still sell surf clothing when we’re with other people. “Look, I’m sorry about Zach and—”
“Jade.” Myles stops me. “You need to do what’s right for you. Zara and I just want to know you’re all right. We’ve checked in with Zach, too.”
“Oh?” We walk back along the jetty, towards the shore. There are a couple of surfers out in the water, palms swaying softly in the breeze. It’s paradise. Yet my old world has come crashing in. This is for a good cause, I remind myself, as I lead Myles along the pathway to the road.
Myles rubs the back of his neck, glancing at me. “He’s kind of a mess. His people are shutting down a lot of stuff, but he’s all over the place.”
I don’t know what to say. I know I’m going to have to face things when I leave the island, but I just want to stay here with Axel.
“Hey, this isn’t on you. I’m just letting you know, for when you come back. You are coming back for the invitational, right? We’ve also got some new gear we’d be keen for you to try.”
“I got injured.” I indicate the scars on my leg.
“So I’ve pulled out of the invitational.
But I’ll be there for the next comp. And whatever else you need.
” We pass under the timber archway at the edge of Axel’s property.
I head for the jungle path, feeling irrationally guilty, even though I know Myles would be straight with me if he had a problem with anything I’m doing. Then I realise he isn’t following me.
“You coming?” I turn.
He’s standing at the edge of the jungle. “Where are you taking me?” He’s frowning, but one corner of his mouth is curved.
“Follow me,” I say. “It’s not far.”
A few minutes later we’re at the base of the cliff. I pull back the vines, revealing the jagged opening in the rockface.
Myles doesn’t say anything, but his broad shoulders are tense as he follows me into the darkness. I grab his hand, pulling him through to the other side.
Amazement ripples across his face. His lips part, his eyes widening as he takes in the pool, the carved stones and the emerald ferns, the beams of light from above.
“What is this place?” His voice is hushed, reverent.
“It’s sacred. An ancient water temple.”
He walks towards the pool and stands at the edge, looking up at the light coming through the crevices in the ceiling, not saying anything for a moment. Then he turns, his hands on his hips. “Why did you bring me here?”
“Because I want you to buy it. For your foundation.” I chew my lip, my hands twisting together. I know this is a big ask. But I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to help Axel, to help the island.
“Why?” Myles’s grey gaze is unwavering. It’s not a “no’, though.
“A developer has put in a bid on the land, and it’s just been accepted by the local council.
They want to put a hotel on the cliff above.
And turn this beautiful place into some sort of fancy spa.
” I spit the last words. “Our only hope to save it is if someone offers more than they have. It’s a few hundred thousand dollars. I can’t afford to buy it. But you can.”
Myles doesn’t say anything, but one dark eyebrow goes up. He pays me a lot of money to represent his brand. I take in a deep breath.
“I can’t afford it because I’m paying for my brother to attend an Ivy League university. And putting money into a trust, for both of us. He… He’s all I have in the world.” The words tumble from me.
Myles’s stern expression softens. “And if I buy it, do I have to put a hotel here?”
“Oh god, no. No. I was thinking of your foundation, like I say. So it can be preserved, for the island. For everyone.”
Myles crouches down, running his hand through the water, crystal droplets falling from his fingers as he stands. His head tilts, his gaze coming to me once more. “Who wants to buy it?”
“The Blackburghs.”
Myles’s jaw clenches. “Fuck. How do you know?”
Shit. I don’t want to give away Axel’s secret. But at the same time, I know Myles. He’ll want to know everything about the deal, in case it comes back to bite him. And I trust him.
So I tell him about Axel.
“You can’t tell anyone, please.”
“Fuck me.” Myles runs a hand through his hair. “I’ve got a Black Axe. Had it made for me before he closed down. One of the best boards I’ve ever owned. He’s a decent bloke, too, from what I remember.”
“He is.”
Myles grins. “Is that right?”
“Is what right?”
“Jade, you just got the dreamiest look on your face when you agreed with me. I know that look.”
I stare at him, heat rising to my cheeks. “I don’t know what—”
“Your secret is safe with me.” He gets to his feet, still grinning. “And for the record, I’ve never seen you look so well. Whatever he’s doing must be agreeing with you.”
“It is.” God. My face is on fire. Myles starts laughing, but it dies away as he looks around once more.
“You were right to bring me here.” His voice softens. “This is a small piece of wonder. I like to hope my son might still get to see places like this when he grows up.”
“So you’ll buy it?”
He’s frowning, now. “I need to see whether or not it’s still possible. Knowing the Blackburghs, there will be a lot of clauses in whatever agreement they’ve made to prevent any other buyer swooping in. I’ll need to get my lawyers involved.”
My heart sinks. Of course he’s right. “But you’ll try.”
He nods, glancing at me. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Thank you.” Tears prickle at my eyelids, relief running through me. I can’t wait to tell Axel.
As we head back towards the jetty, where Myles’s tender is already waiting, he puts his arm around my shoulders.
“How many more years does your brother have in school?”
“Two more.”
“What’s he studying?”
“He’s doing his Master’s in environmental science and engineering.”
“Maybe you could introduce us, sometime. I’d like to talk to him about what he wants to do next.”
I can’t speak, a lump in my throat.
“You’re family, Jade,” he continues. “Zara and I are here for you, whatever you need. So please, don’t ever feel as though you’re alone. Because you have us.”
I throw my arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. “Thank you,” I croak. “For everything.”
He pulls back, but his eyes are bright as well. “I’ll do what I can. And we can talk about your brother when I see you next.”
He steps into the waiting tender, waving as it swings around again, carving a white line through the crystal blue water towards purple clouds gathering in the distance.
I stand on the jetty, my heart full like I’ve just had a visit from fucking Santa Claus.
I truly don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such good friends in my life.
I sink down, my legs crossed and just watch the waves, tears pouring down my face as a weight of worry lifts from me.
If anyone can buy out the Blackburghs, it’s Myles.
I know he felt the same as I did, the reverence in his expression obvious as he looked around the cave.
And the fact he wants to meet Jasper as well, I can’t wait to introduce them.
I swallow, wiping my eyes, gratitude flowing through me.
The only slight thorn in it all is Zach.
And the picture of the girl with Axel. But I’ll deal with the first thing when I get back. The second I’ll just have to let go.
As long as I have Axel, I can deal with everything.
I need to go and tell him that it’s all going to be okay.