have a lot of time to observe.”
“True.” Sadly true for both of us, observing and watching the world go by, instead of interacting with it. This was depressing, and I noticed Lotus paddling closer. “Maybe we should talk about something else.”
Cork’s gaze sharpened. “Sure.”
I think he noticed his sister too, and wondered how much he’d picked up on in all that observation time of his.
“So,” he said, his tone lighter. “OB Hardy’s new single. Have you given any thought to how to improve it?”
I shook my head. Almost all my thoughts were on Lotus. “Who told you it needs to be improved?”
“No one, really. I just heard it and can tell it’s missing something.” He shrugged, and his gaze flicked to Lotus before returning to me. “I was playing around with the chords the other day on Ash’s Fender. I think it would sound really good with an off-kilter hook at the beginning.”
“One that can be carried throughout the song.” Giving that some consideration, I nodded my agreement. “Like a Blink-182 song?”
“Exactly. Great group.” He bobbed his head.
“Do you have a hook in mind?” My music-loving heart started beating faster. I knew from our previous discussions about music that Cork played the drums and bass, and that we liked the same bands.
“I do, actually.”
“Wanna come into the studio with me today after this and show me?”
He gave me a big grin. “I’d love that.”
“Now wait a minute,” Lotus said, splashing saltwater all over my plan as she motored close, kicking her legs behind her board. “Saber doesn’t like outsiders in the studio during rehearsal. Anyway, Cork and I have stuff to do today.”
Cork’s lips flattened. “You can do that by yourself or with Sophia.”
“You trying to dump me?” she asked, her brow creasing.
“Let him come along with me, babe,” I said. “I enjoy his company, and he just might have what the song needs. How’s Saber gonna have a problem with that?”
Lotus didn’t answer, but her eyes clouded like they had several times this morning. Thinking back, I realized that she’d looked sad whenever Saber’s name was mentioned. Was there trouble in their paradise?
“It’s trash day today. I need to scan all the alleys for driftwood and discarded stuff for my business before my shift at the Deck Bar tonight.” She was rambling, and all that sounded like excuses.
My bullshit radar went on high alert.
“You do whatever you need to do,” I said. “Cork and I will hang together, and then I’ll take him back to your place after.”
“I’m going with Journey.” Cork took the matter into his own hands, and both our heads swiveled in his direction. “I might have trouble with some things, but I’m not a little kid. I can make my own decisions about how I want to spend my day.”
Storm
HER HAIR IN a wet braid, Lotus came out of her dressing room cave, wearing a denim pair of overalls and a white tube top that looked amazing with her tanned skin. Sadly, the sun was too high beyond the cliffs to spotlight her like I thought it should.
“Ready?” I asked, studying her closely and noting shadows were back in her eyes.
“Yeah.” She nodded. “I just need to slip on my flip-flops.” Her footwear was on the concrete landing by the stairs. She started babbling concerns one after another about Cork as we ascended the steps single file—her first, then me, then Cork.
“Can you watch our boards for me?” I asked, making eye contact with Cork when we reached the top. I laid Lotus’s board and mine against the metal railing.
“Sure.” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking pleased to be given the responsibility.
“I need to talk to you a sec.” I pulled Lotus aside, dragging her by her upper arm several feet away from Cork. She glanced back at him when I stopped. “He’s almost a man.”
I put my other hand on her other arm, holding her in place. I wasn’t sure she was going to like what I said, but it still needed to be said.
“You gotta give him some breathing room, babe.”
“I know, but I can’t.” She bit down on her lip. “The edge of the cliff is just on the other side of that railing.”
“I know it is.” I searched her wary eyes, just barely able to resist skimming my thumbs over the soft skin of her upper arms. “But he has a task. He’s not going to spontaneously decide to do something dangerous.”
“What do you know about it?” She cocked