Lo couldn't stop watching the video clips of Brady. He wrecked so many times. She pressed her fist to her lips and sank down into her chair in the airport. Footage of her from the last time she had been there had resurfaced. The hashtags made her smile even as the memory made her cringe.
It didn't matter. Just because you didn't talk about something didn't make it disappear. The Internet made sure of that.
Brady's followers as well as hers had connected them. Even created mashups of their wrecks and successes. It was almost as adorable as it was disconcerting.
Because she didn't know what he thought of it.
Part of her was insanely proud of what she had accomplished that day. But the other part recognized maybe she should have told Brady it had happened.
“This relationship stuff is hard,” she whined.
Steve looked down at her slouched figure, unimpressed. “No shit. It takes a lot of work. No one gets to fall in love and live happily ever after. Happy comes in moments connected by obstacles. The best you can hope for is to find someone as stubborn as you at making it work.”
Lo frowned up at him. “When did you become insta-sage? You're freaking me out.”
Steve ignored her question and took a drink of his coffee, then continued. “Both you and Brady are so independent, whatever relationship you end up in will be difficult to balance. You're both attracted to each other because you actually respect the other's autonomy. Even though the closer you get, the more you want to interfere with it, out of a sense of protective possession.”
“That doesn't sound good.”
Steve shrugged. “Possession isn't about owning a person like they're property. It's more like acknowledging your actions will affect their lives and having respect for that. It's a connection that isn't shared with others. It's only the two of you.”
“And Jules, apparently,” Lo grumbled, holding her coffee close to her chest.
“No,” Steve corrected with a sigh. “She's just a person and happens to be female. Getting jealous of that is irrational. That would be like Brady being jealous of me being your teammate. Doesn't that sound stupid?”
Lo shrugged, unwilling to admit it out loud. “But really, where did the philosopher come from? You're the same guy who backed up the toilet in our hotel and when you explained to the front desk what happened, actually said, 'Bros be poopin', am I right?'”
Steve barked a laugh. “And I hold to that.”
Brady
“What do you mean you don't know where she is?” Brady snapped at Shane. His friend blinked, unbothered.
“I mean, they left this morning and their flight was delayed. They haven't checked in yet, but I expect them to once they reach their destination.”
“Which is?” Brady had been trying to reach Lo all morning but her phone was either off or out of range. He wanted to talk to her. He needed to talk to her.
“Final stop, Fiji.”
Brady closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “She figured it out, huh?”
“What can I say, you picked a smart one. And she's a fighter too.” Shane chuckled. “I want to congratulate you and offer you condolences at the same time.”
The memory of Lo attacking him in Nicaragua when he'd turned off her alarm flashed through his mind. He smiled despite himself. “How pissed was she?”
Shane shook his head. “I don't know how to tell you you're playing with fire. I don't recommend pushing the limits of her patience.”
The fact that she knew now and he was no longer waiting for the truth to come out was liberating. He hadn't realized how much stress he'd caused himself by pulling that kind of trick. And her reaction was to call Shane and sort it. Of course.
“Dude, I know the rules and stuff, but...” He didn't know how to do this part. To quit a job he loved. But he had to get to her. He was done being apart. He was done with the time difference. He was going to get to her and only an act of God was going to stop him.
“I already said she was smart. You're booked on the noon flight so you better get packed.”
“What if it's just hype?” Brady asked, referring to the legendary wave off the coast of one of the smaller Fiji islands.
Shane cracked a smile. “How did you enjoy Mavericks? Was it just hype?”
“Touché.”
“Get packed. Get to your girl. And Brady?” Shane grew serious. “Don't waste time on this one.”
Shane's advice came back to him again and again while Brady gathered his belongs, texted Julia to tell her where he was going and waited to board his flight.
He'd taken a backseat with Greta. Let her drift along and only made his interest known when she was already involved with someone else. It had been a weak move. He'd known it then, he was certain of it now.
You don't wait for a wave to invite you to a party. You paddle out and bring your best. And no matter how many times you wipe out, you get back up, and try again. You don't blink and you don't leave it to chance.
He wasn't going to leave his future with Lo to chance. He would get to her. He would bring his best. And if it wasn't enough, if he wrecked hard, he'd get back up and try again.
Because she was where he belonged.
Lo
“I guess Shane felt bad about France,” Lo murmured as she and Steve made their way to their private villa at the southern tip of Namotu Island.
“This is sweet. I can hook up with babes now.” Steve said entering the villa. It was huge and was supposed to fit six people comfortably.
Lo shook her head but didn't reply. What could she say anyway?
“I wonder if this means we have to share with anyone,” Steve said tossing his bag in one of the bedrooms.
Lo wondered if Brady would be one of those people. She checked her phone, but the reception was spotty. She didn't even have internet at the moment.
“He'll be here. When a man wants to be with a woman, he shows up,” Steve said stretching his arms above his head. “I'm going to check out the local talent. If you decide to join me, please don't stand too close or touch me in any way.”
Lo let out a laugh. “Why not?”
“Because you're hot and I can't have women thinking you're with me. You'll kill my game.”
“Whatever, dude,” Lo chuckled. “I'm gonna take a nap.”
She tried to nap, she did. But her internal clock was so stressed out and screwed up she couldn't. So after thirty minutes of staring at the ceiling, she left the villa to explore.
The ocean, as usual, demanded her attendance and she found herself at the marina without even intending to. A few small boats were tied to the dock. A sign stated prices for tours around the island. Lo shoved her hands into the pockets of her jean shorts, debating whether or not she should hire someone to take her out. She'd never seen Cloudbreak before and the curiosity was compelling.
“Lo!”
Cal Stellen waved at her. She waved back and he spoke to the skipper then jogged up the dock to her.
“I had no idea you were going to be here,” Cal said, bright smile showing off his white teeth in his tanned face. “But I have to admit, I was hoping.”
“Sort of a last minute change of direction.”
“I'm glad.” Cal held an arm out to the boat. “I'm going to look at it right now. Wanna join me?”
Lo shifted on her feet. Yes, she wanted to go. But leaving the shore with Cal meant she wouldn't be around if Brady suddenly showed up. Though, she had no idea if he was even coming. Maybe he'd found out about her coup and decided to leave her to it. That thought made her stomach hurt.
She nodded and followed Cal. She couldn't put her life on pause just because a boy had confused her.
Okay, no. He wasn't a boy and he hadn't confused her. He was a man. And for the first time in her life she was in a relationship she had no experience navigating. It wasn't like dating, it was more, and more was at risk. Every move felt important and yet she didn't know if she was ever making the right choice. Every day was spent second guessing her instincts and then reminding herself that her instincts were what had gotten her this far. Life had to keep going.
The motor whirred to life and the skipper navigated the boat out of the harbor. A wind whipped her hair around and she regretted not bring a hair tie. One inconvenience about visiting all of these tropical locations was the humidity. She didn't know her hair could get that big. It wasn't that her hair was suddenly curly or something. No, it just kept gaining volume. Still straight, just big. It was bizarre.
The geology of Cloudbreak, the thing that made it special, was the reef.
A large, active reef jutted two miles off the coast of Tavarua. As the waves produced by large storms to the south came towards the shore, the water broke over the reef starting three miles out. The low tide only made the height and speed of the wave more spectacular. It created a turquoise, glassy tube that barreled perfectly towards shore.
Lo understood the mechanics of it. But she'd never seen it.
The skipper slowed their little skiff and killed the engine. Lo gripped the rail and leaned towards the wave. Like everything in her life she loved, she wanted to be closer.
Consistently named as one of the top ten most challenging big waves in the world, Cloudbreak lived up to its reputation.
The peaceful roll towards shore was deceptive in its simplicity. It had all the space in the world to expand its graceful curl. It lacked the angry dark water of Mavericks. Which really just demonstrated how honest Mavericks was. You knew what you were getting with Mavericks, you knew it was dangerous. Cloudbreak looked like a dream, and cunningly drew you into its high speed chase with a nightmare lurking below.
To get sucked under the current meant hitting an active reef. The lower the tide, the bigger the wave, the sooner you hit shallows.
Cal joined her at the rail and gazed out across the water. “Stu's gonna position his boat behind the lineup. I heard a few more were headed this way. A couple guys from ESPN were in the airport terminal when I landed this morning.”
“You flew in?” she asked.
“Yeah, I'm not big on sailing unless I can drink the entire time. Stu keeps a tight ship when it's not anchored.”
“Hm,” she mumbled noncommittally.
Cal chuckled. “You're not even listening, are you?”
“Not really,” she admitted, counting in her head as the swell grew. In a few days that thing was going to be a monster.
“I mean, it would only make sense to get out there tomorrow and get a feel for it.” Lo tried to play off her excitement, but she'd practically skipped off the boat and to the bar in the resort.
“Catch a baby wave?” Cal asked around a chuckle.
“The equipment should be here by tomorrow,” Steve said, sliding a beer to Lo and taking up a position at her back.
Cal's eyes drifted to him and a smirk tugged on the corner of his mouth. Steve was the ever-present reminder Lo wasn't available. She didn't know if it was something he'd grown accustomed to since he had sisters, but she didn't actually mind it. He wasn't overly aggressive with men who spoke to her. He didn't get bent if guys came over to talk. He simply placed his body in such a position that said she had someone at her back. Not that Lo had ever felt like she needed that kind of protection among the surfers she'd met over the years. Most of them had a very laid back and let live attitude.
“Even if your equipment's not here tomorrow, we have stuff we can lend you.” Cal's eyes caught on something over Lo's shoulder and his eyes narrowed. “Heads up, Fred,” he mumbled as he sat a little straighter in his chair.
Lo frowned and went to look behind her but a heavy arm slid along her shoulders from the other direction. She startled and cringed as hot breath hit her ear.
“Halo, darling, I'm so glad you made it.”
She shrugged her shoulders, trying to dislodge Miller's arm. “Get off me.”
He released her and laughed harshly, slamming his beer bottle down on their table.
“Where's the man of the moment?” Miller asked, making a show of looking around. “Already bored with him? Let me guess? He failed the secret test he had no idea he was taking?”
Lo knew better than to respond to his baiting. Especially since he was drinking. He was spoiling for a fight and she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of getting under her skin.
“Miller,” Steve stepped forward, putting his body partially in front of Lo. Not exactly blocking her, but making it harder for Miller to reach her if he tried again. “We haven't met yet. I'm Steve.”
Miller stared hard at Steve's face. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
Lo felt the temperature at their table drop to a chill when Steve's response came in a gravelly voice. “Why? Do I look familiar?”
Oh, boy. Lo did not need to lose another partner just because Miller made for a very attractive punching bag.
“A little,” Miller answered and frowned harder as he tried to place it.
Steve's body grew stiff and Lo laid a hand on his arm. Someone yelled from across the bar and distracted Miller, who was completely oblivious to his imminent bodily harm. He walked that direction without looking back.
“What was that about?” Lo asked.
Steve's body relaxed in slow progression. “I hate that guy.”
“He's easy to hate,” Lo said with a shrug. “But you know you have to play nice.”
“Right.” Steve eased back into his place behind Lo. But this time he stayed a little closer.
Cal smirked and stood up. “As much as I want to stick around and see Miller Boden get everything he's ever deserved, I think I'll say my goodnights now. Let me know if you want to go out tomorrow.”
“What? But we just got here,” Lo objected.
Cal's eyes flicked over her shoulder again and he clinked his bottle against hers. “There's someone here to see you.”
Lo looked over her shoulder again, thinking she should have taken the seat facing the door if she was going to have to do all this turning around. And that's when she saw him.
Brady spotted her and his body moved in her direction. At the sight of his impressive build and intense expression, her mouth went dry. All of her confusion evaporated and her pulse roared in her ears. He was looking at her not just intensely, but with intent. A man on a mission.
She struggled to find her feet, needing to get to him as soon as possible. And then he was there.
He cupped the side of her face with one hand and gripped her waist with the other. His mouth crushed hers, his tongue invading and causing her to cry out in relief. He pulled her hips against his and tilted her head to the side to give him better access.
“Damn, get a room,” Steve remarked with disgust.
Brady tore his mouth from hers and she opened her eyes half way. “That's an excellent idea,” he growled. He bent to her ear. “Villa. Now.”