Chapter 8 Koby
Koby
Well, fuck me, that was an intense moment at the beach.
If I wasn’t so immersed in her presence, I would have missed her arm as the wave took her under.
But, fuck, it was nice feeling her pressed against me.
Holding her in my arms. Her hands on my shoulders, and her stunning face mere inches from mine.
I almost kissed her. Almost ruined everything.
Wanted to run my hand down the side of her face and brush the hair behind her ear, then devour her mouth.
Let the ocean sweep us away, because I could have died a happy man with her entwined in my embrace.
But I refocused. Moved us to safety, and she couldn’t get away from me quickly enough.
I must have freaked her out. Stared too long, held her too tight.
So now we are standing in the ocean. Watching the waves come in. Jumping with them as they roll over us.
“Well, I'm getting hungry, thirsty, and tired. I’m heading in,” Rayna announces and starts making her way to the shore as I follow her.
We dry as much as we can and head to her car. The drive back to her place is quiet. Both comfortable and awkward silence fills the car. We don’t need to talk to fill the space, but I’m at a loss to what to say for the twenty-minute drive. Is not talking making this more awkward?
“Oh! Was Aria going to spend Christmas with you or Courtney? I’m just thinking of rooms and who needs to go where. Jill will stay in my room, and Teddy can stay with Declan. Louie has his room, which I’m sure he will offer to Aria. Jill said Marla would have no issues sharing a room too?”
“I’ll chat with her and let you know. She was due to call me today to fill me in on what she’s up to. She might even be staying at a friend’s house. I told her to do what she wanted. Hang with friends, be with Court.”
“I’m sure she’ll want to spend time with you too, though.”
“Perhaps. I don’t want her to feel like she needs to.”
“Well, you both are welcome for Christmas Day. Oh shit, what about Joey and Mack? Are they back here or in Paris with your folks?”
My parents have been retired in Paris for well over a decade, and we all try to take turns between the countries every few years.
Joey and Mack, my twin brothers, are heavily involved in the motocross championship, running a successful team themselves and setting up shop in Queensland.
Their season is coming to an end, as they start a little later in the year than us, so I won’t have concrete plans from them for another week or so.
This cyclone season was causing them havoc already.
“Parents are getting a little on for a trip these days, and Joey and Mack will confirm what they are doing in a week or so. Probably depends how they finish their season and how this cyclone season goes.”
“Well, they are all welcome to visit or stay through the Christmas period. We’ll find the room.”
“Unless you have acquired the next terrace and Liam has worked his magic overnight, you don’t have the room. But thank you, Raven.” Unconsciously putting my hand on her shoulder.
She visibly straightens at my touch and the nickname I have always called her.
Drawing my hand away quickly. Shit, I think I have really fucked up this time.
Must have made it so uncomfortable for her.
I’m going to have to think of alternative accommodation this summer break.
I can’t put her through these feelings in her own house.
But how uncomfortable could I have made her if she is still including me in her Christmas plans?
She pulls into her garage, and we silently exit the car. Collecting our bags, I trail behind her, like I always do. Wishing I could reach out and clear the air. Or make it worse and lose her. I stay quiet as we enter the house.
Rayna checks the time. “I’m going to shower then have a lie down. I think I got too much sun.”
“No worries. Let me know if you get hungry. I’ll make you something.”
“Thanks.” And she rushes up the stairs. The door slamming closed behind her.
Instead of heading up for a shower too, I head out on the back patio and dump my bag on the sun lounger.
Removing my shirt and putting it in the bag, I see the sunscreen tube amongst the items. Rayna must have accidentally put it in my bag instead of hers.
Having her hands on my skin, rubbing the cream on my back, was bliss.
I wish it hadn’t stopped. Heading to the infinity pool, I step in, sitting on the submerged ledge, placing my arms along the edge, enjoying the cold water against my heated skin.
How am I going to survive the next two months in the same house with her?
Maybe I need to start getting out of the house before she wakes up and hitting the gym for a few hours.
Hang around the house and see if Liam needs a hand while he is working.
Might be easier to stay out of the house once Aria is in town.
I can catch up with her and give Rayna some space.
On cue, my phone blasts out Aria’s personalised ringtone. I jump out and pull the phone out of my bag.
“Hey, Aria. How are you going, sweetpea?”
“Hey, Dad. Good thanks, how are you going?”
“Yeah, well, thanks.” I settle back into the water. “How are things going in your last few meetings?”
“Argh,” She groans. “I’m so looking forward to leaving. I think the worst ones were saved for last.”
“When do you think you’ll be done?”
“I’m hoping in a few days. I’m looking forward to a break.”
“I bet. Rayna did mention you are free to stay here, if you want. You’ll just be sharing a room with Marla.”
“Oh, Marla. I haven’t seen her since she was in primary school. Let me chat with mum, and see what she’s planning. I don’t want to take up Marla’s space the whole time, but I think I can split up my time between you and mum?”
“That sounds great.”
"I don’t think you told me what happened with the house?”
“The whole place is getting gutted and redone. But that wasn’t only from this water damage instance.”
“That’s pretty bad.”
“Being so close to the ocean has impacted the structure. The guy who’s doing it has seen a number of these problems in the area. Actually, you might know him? He grew up at Parsley Bay. Liam Deerubbin. Looked around the same age as you.”
“Nah, haven’t heard that name before. That does sound like a big job. You’re lucky Rayna was around to help you out. That’s really nice of her. I’m so glad the two of you have the opportunity to continue rebuilding your friendship these last few years,” She rambles out.
“But we have always been friends?” While I have had years of keeping my distance from Rayna, we’ve never not talked. It’s just been…different. Distant. But not no contact or anything too obvious like that.
“Not the same way you used to talk about how you were when you were younger and in uni.”
“You’re right. But it’s hard to maintain friendships when you’re older and other commitments come along.”
“Yeah, not like you’re both in the same industry or anything,” Aria remarks, dripping with sarcasm.
“It’s complicated,” I lamely reply.
“Of course, Dad.”
“Did you call just to hassle me?” I jest.
“Always.”
“Another option, if you’re not keen on staying here; I could always arrange to have side-by-side hotel rooms, if you wanted to hang with me?”
“That’s okay. I’ll still be a few days, but I’ll stay with Mum and a friend of mine and come around and we can hang. Let me see what I come up with. To be honest, it would be nice to be in a house full of family again.”
“Sounds good. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“Of course, Dad. Let me know if you need anything too?”
“Of course.”
Aria catches me up on a few of the more frustrating supplier meetings she’s had over the last few days.
Same conversations I’ve had with them over the last two decades.
Supply us with XYZ and negotiations to increase their costs when they haven’t made any innovations in the technology for the last five years.
However, Aria didn’t budge on any price increases, and all the suppliers didn’t want to lose our business, so they maintained their current costs and promised to come back to the table with some improved products to warrant the price increases.
Ending the call, the sun has crept up higher in the sky. I check my messages to make sure I didn’t miss a message from Rayna asking for some food, but there is nothing.
Getting out of the pool and wrapping my towel around me, I remove my boardshorts and hang them up in the sun to dry before heading up to my room to shower.
Reaching the top step, I look to Rayna’s closed door.
I can hear the murmur of the TV or music playing.
I wish I could go through her door and see how she's feeling. Make sure she is okay by seeing her physically. Make sure I didn’t freak her out too much.
But I retreat into my room to hide in the bathroom.
Blasting the tap and dropping my towel, I step into the cool water and wish I could find the courage to finally admit my feelings to Rayna and not lose her again.