to grab some snacks from the kitchen as well. At the last minute, I quickly tossed a new block of wax in my bag, thinking back to the last time I gave it to Kai and what that meant for the evolution of our relationship.
Everyone on the island showed up for the surfing competition. I could feel their eyes on me as I walked across the hot sand to find a spot to watch. I waited for the whispers, the mean glares, and the cruel accusations. I kept my spine straight and my chin held high. I’d survived worse than this. I just wanted a day to watch Chase and Kai surf.
“Surprised you came,” a nasally voice said to my right. I turned to face Celeste, who looked like she’d just gotten off the runway. Her blond hair was blown out, and her makeup looked expertly applied. She wore a sexy bright red one piece that showed off her curves.
“I can’t hide forever,” I replied, prepared for her cruel words.
But instead of lashing me with gossip and commentary about the scandal surrounding my family, Celeste sat down beside me. My brows shot up in surprise. “Why are you sitting here?” I asked.
“Oh hell, don’t start making us friendship bracelets or anything.” Celeste wore a look of disgust as she ran a hand through her hair. “Sitting alone at these competitions is pathetic. I felt bad for you.”
My eyes widened, and I shook my head. “I don’t need your pity, Celeste.”
“Yeah, well, I didn’t need it the night you helped me, so just shut up and don’t make me regret being nice.” Celeste and I hadn’t spoken since the night Chase and Kai fought. She let out a sigh and rolled her eyes. “Are you, like, doing okay?” she asked.
“As good as you can expect,” I admitted.
A dark head of hair and muscular body came into view, and it felt like my entire body was alive. Kai was cradling his board under his arm and wore a stoic expression. “At least you have that sexy hunk of man to wipe your tears,” Celeste said with a low whistle.
Maybe it was because I missed girl talk or because Celeste was just in the right place at the right time, but I decided to open up to her. “Except he doesn’t talk to me anymore. He avoids me like the plague.”
Celeste chuckled. “Really? Because I saw him staring at you long before you noticed him.”
“Really?” I asked, albeit a bit too excitedly.
“Can I give you some advice?” Celeste asked.
“I have a feeling you’ll give it to me regardless.”
Celeste reached for the edge of my shirt and pulled it over my head. She then grabbed my ponytail and yanked the rubber band out, making my wavy hair fall down my back. “I’ll only say this once, but you’re hot. You don’t even have to try. It’s actually kind of infuriating. Sometimes you have to get off your ass and take what you want, Breeze Shirley. Stop pining for the asshole and go show him what he’s missing.”
“Seriously?” I asked.
“Yeah. Go. I’ll be here when you’re done. And then we can sit and watch the competition and pretend to not hate each other for a day. Okay?”
She shooed me with her hands, and I quickly stood up, pausing to grab the fresh block of wax I had stashed in my bag. Kai was standing away from the crowd, looking out into the ocean. I jogged over to where he was standing and took a second to ruffle my hair before reaching out my hand and apprehensively touching his shoulder. He turned to face me, but I couldn’t tell if he was happy to see me or irritated. His eyes didn’t betray his feelings whatsoever.
“Hey,” he said casually.
“Hey,” I said back, feeling incredibly awkward with the man who used to make me feel so safe and loved.
We stood there uncomfortably staring at each other, not really knowing what to say. I looked down at my feet in the sand trying to find the right words when I remembered the wax in my hand. I held it up between us like an offering on a shrine.
“Thanks,” he said completely stone-faced. “But I already waxed my board.”
“Oh,” I whispered. “I just thought that maybe you’d like a new one. For luck, you know?” Kai turned his head, averting his eyes. There were so many things I wanted to say to him. I hated this. Words poured out of