Shattered Ties(23)

“I’m holding you to that.”

“Please do. I like a challenge.”

I looked up to see him a lot closer than I’d realized. His eyes were sparkling with mischief, and I felt my stomach tighten. He was beautiful but even more so up close. I had no idea how I was supposed to ignore that little fact when I was going to spend half the day with him.

“Okay, let’s try it a few times. Remember, push up, pull knees, pop up, one foot in front of you, and keep your center of gravity low.”

“Got it,” I said as I prepared to stand. I did it quickly, feeling proud of myself until he shook his head.

“You stood up too fast. Out there on a wave, you’ll lose your balance and fall off. Try it again.”

I nodded as I repeated the movements, only slower this time. Again, he shook his head.

“Too slow. The wave will reach the shore before you finish standing up. Try it again.”

“You’re a slave driver, you know that, right?”

“Shut up, and try it again.” He shot me a smug smile.

I did it again, trying not to go too slow or too fast. I nearly did a cartwheel when he nodded his approval.

“That was perfect. Now, do it a few more times.”

After several minutes of me popping up off the board, I felt like I had it down. “I think I’m good. Can we get in the water yet?”

“Do you think you’re ready?”

“No, but I don’t think I’ll ever be. Might as well get on with the embarrassing myself part of the day.”

“Sounds good to me. I could use a laugh.”

I rolled my eyes as we put our leg ropes on, and I stood up. I picked up my board, and it was a lot lighter than I’d expected, but it still felt bulky and awkward in my hands.

Jesse stood up and pulled his shirt over his head. My eyes widened as I took in his tight stomach and broad shoulders. He wasn’t ripped, but he was in excellent shape for a seventeen-year-old guy in high school. Living in California, I’d seen a lot of shirtless guys, and I was thoroughly impressed with him to say the least. He grabbed his board, which was a lot smaller might

I add, and he started walking to the water. I forced my eyes away from him as I followed.

“Wait!” I called out. “What about our wet suits?”

“We can put them on in a few. I want to make sure you’re going to stick with this before we suit up.”

“So, you think I’m going to get discouraged and quit?” I asked, offended by his lack of belief in me.

“I think this is a lot harder than you think it is. A lot of newbies give up after being tossed around by the waves a few times.”

At least he was being honest. I’d give him that. It still didn’t make me feel any better about the fact that he assumed I would just give up if I didn’t get it as soon as we started.

“I’ll show you. I don’t give up that easily,” I said stubbornly.

“I hope not. Come on, let’s go catch a wave.”

I held my head high as we walked down the beach and into the water. I did as he’d said, and I waited until I was waist deep in the water before climbing on. Just like he’d warned, it wasn’t as easy to get on the board as I’d expected. He climbed on to his easily, and he waited as I tried to climb on to mine. It took a few tries, but I finally managed to get on the stupid thing.

“Okay, I’m good,” I said as I looked up at him.

“You might want to scoot up a little bit. You’re too far back.”

“Oh shit.” I slowly scooted up my board, not wanting to fall off after all my hard work of getting on it.

He’d been right. It felt completely different out here on the water, and I felt more than a little unsure of myself.

“You’re good. Let’s start paddling.”

I watched him closely as he started paddling, and I tried to mimic his moves. I was a lot slower than him, and I knew he was slowing down occasionally to let me catch up with him. I used the technique he’d shown me when we started meeting the smaller waves. I had to admit that the guy knew what he was doing on a surfboard. I was already impressed, and I hadn’t even seen him surf yet.

When we were out far enough, he stopped paddling, and he sat up on his board. “This is far enough. We’ll wait here until we see a wave we want.” “How do we know which wave is the right one?” I asked.

“You don’t want one that’s too small or too big. If it’s too small, you won’t be able to surf on it obviously, and if it’s too big, it’ll knock you down.”

“Why don’t you pick one out for me?” I asked as I looked out at the waves making their way closer to us.

“No way. You have to figure it out on your own.”

“Fine,” I huffed. “That one coming at us now—it’s too small, right?” “I don’t know. Is it?”

“You’re an ass. Help me!”

“No way. You figure it out.”

I sighed as I eyed the wave. “It’s too small.”

“If you’re sure...”

“Oh my god, Jesse! I’m going to kill you!” I growled.

“Fine, you’re right. It is too small. Good call.”

“Was that so hard? Gesh,” I grumbled, trying to act annoyed, but I wasn’t.