Crashing Waves (12 page)

"You're not too far from me then. For some reason, I figured you lived across town."

"Nope."

"I have some errands to run first, but we can definitely meet later today. I'd prefer that, since I have a hundred things going on this week at the office."

"Sure, I know you're a busy woman. I guess we need to work out some kind of payment plan or something too."

"We'll get to that. So anyway, it's what, one o'clock now? I should be done around five or six. Is that okay?"

"Sure, where are we meeting?"

"I'll be at Seal Beach. If you want to meet at the pier, we can have dinner at Ruby's."

"Sounds good, I'll see you around five-thirty."

~ ~ ~

Rory stood at the end of the pier, watching the small waves roll in and listening to them crash against the pilings. She turned to see Austin walking towards her, dressed in loose fitting low rise jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt that barely touched the top of her jeans, letting the tanned skin on her stomach peak when she moved. Her thick, wavy hair was pulled up off her neck in a loose bun, showing off the tiny gold hoop in the top cartilage of her left ear. Rory's chest burned with an aching need to reach out and touch her.

"Hey you," Rory said, leaning her back against the rail, putting more distance between them as she crossed her legs at her ankles.

"Hey." Austin smiled, looking into the gorgeous, clear blue eyes staring back at her. "Did you get all of your errands done?"

"Yeah, finally," Rory replied.

Austin moved next to her and leaned against the rail, peering over the side.

"You going to jump?" Rory teased, turning around and placing her hands on the rail.

"Ha, of course not. I might be dare-devilish, but I'm not suicidal." Austin laughed."So you wanted to know my schedule."

"Well, it would be nice to know when we can train. I work such a hectic schedule, and right now, I'm in and out of town just about every week. I figured I could balance around your free time since I have none."

"Ah, I see. I know you're really busy, Rory. I don't expect you to be with me every free minute that you get. I understand you're a corporate monster."

"A what!"

"You've joined the masses of the business world. They're a different breed of people. I'm waiting to see you in a pantsuit and heels."

"Okay, that'll never happen. I guess I have changed though."

Austin broke out into fit of laughter. "You should see the look on your face. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it in a bad way. Honest."

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, you want to go inside Ruby's and grab something to eat? We can sit down and discuss this boisterous calendar of yours."

The women were seated in a small quiet booth next to one of the windows and placed their dinner order with the waitress who sat them.

"So?" Rory questioned.

"I'm a junior at Cal State, so I have classes during the week."

"That's awesome. I graduated from UC San Diego. What's your major?"

"Marine Biology. I work at the Aquarium full time and I get partial class credit for it, so I actually take my classes online. The only time I'm ever on campus anymore is for exams."

"Wow, I'm definitely impressed," Rory said, looking at the young woman across from her. She felt like she was seeing her for the first time. She was not only talented and cute as hell, she was smart and sophisticated. Rory felt the connection between them pull her a little bit deeper.

Austin smiled shyly. "Thanks."

"What's your degree in?"

"I double majored. BA in Design and BS in Engineering."

"Damn! That must've been hard."

"Yes it was, considering I moved back to the states after high school to go to college and surf the Pro Tour. I busted my ass. When I look at the degrees on the wall in my office, I don't remember how I ever got everything done, but somehow I pulled it off."

"Where did you go to high school?"

"Well, I lived in Santa Cruz until I was seven, then we moved to the Gold Coast. I lived there until I graduated from high school. I moved to La Jolla right after that, and stayed there through college. I spent most of my time going back and forth between La Jolla and Hawaii while I was on the tour."

"Wow, I'd always thought you were Australian. I mean, I know you said you were born in California, but I was shocked when you'd told me that."

"Yeah, I guess everyone sort of thinks the same thing. So anyway, do you work Monday through Friday or—?"

"Well most of the time, I work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in two six hour shifts each day at the aquarium. My online classes are Thursday and Friday. Then, I spend my weekends catching up on sleep or extra school work. I surf pretty much every morning unless it's flat or the weather is bad and sometimes I go in the afternoons or the weekends if it's breaking over four feet."

"Damn, I thought I had a rough week."

"I'm almost done with school, so it's not that bad. If things go my way, I should graduate in the spring."

"I thought you said you were a junior?"

"I am, but I took college classes in high school and I started college a year early, because I graduated high school a year in advance with a scholarship. I went to Coastal Carolina University back home and transferred out to Cal State after my first year. So, I'm actually halfway through my senior credits and will be able to graduate early, hopefully, but Cal State has me listed as a junior. Working at the aquarium has really helped me out a lot. Luckily, Lori was able to transfer too, so she moved here with me."

"Wow, you continue to impress me," Rory said.

Austin smiled shyly. "I hope that's a good thing."  

Rory paid the bill after a semi-argument from Austin and they left the restaurant, walking along the pier. The sun had set, cooling the temperature slightly. Rory took a deep breath, leaning over the rail. She wasn't sure when she'd actually made the decision, but nonetheless here she was and she couldn't talk herself out of it.
Too late to back out now.

"Austin, I uh…I know you're very busy with school and all, but…well I want to do everything I can to help you and I think getting to know you better is a good start. We need a good foundation if we're going to build a working relationship."

Austin had a questioning look in her gray eyes. "Okay…"

"I'm leaving on Thursday morning for Stockholm, Sweden. I'm going to the snow events of the winter Olympics and I'd like it if you'd join me. I think…"

"What!" Austin's jaw dropped.
Did she…no way! Oh my God, she just asked me to go to
Sweden with her. I must be dreaming.
 

"You don't have to go. I just thought I'd ask you since I'll be gone over a week. I figure I can kill two birds with one stone. I'll be working, but I'll also have some time to talk to you and get to know you better."
Way to crash and burn, Eden! I told you this wasn't going to work. Training her is a bad idea and becoming friends with her is totally out of the question.
 

Austin was almost too shocked to say anything to the woman standing in front of her. Rory's soft blue eyes twinkled in the moonlight.

"Wow, I uh…" She cleared her throat. "I don't know what to say. I'd love to go with you. Are you sure that's okay?"

"Of course it is, on my end I mean. What about you with work and school and everything?"

"Well, as long as I have access to a computer I'm fine with my classes and we don't have any exams coming up anytime soon. I'm sure work won't be a problem. How often does a girl get to go to the Olympics?" she beamed.

"Not very often I guess, but you'll get to see the inside of things. It's going to be cold as hell and we'll be up to our assholes in snow."

"Sounds like fun!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think it would be good for us to sort of get to know each other. Besides, I haven't seen snow in years!"

"I'm glad you agree with me. I just didn't want to cross any ethical boundaries or anything like that. You have the fundamentals of surfing down, but I think if I can get to know you as a person and not just a surfer, then I can try my best to show you how to hone your skills. Surfing is as much mental as it is physical, and anyone that tells you otherwise, is full of shit."

Austin smiled. "Once again, you've amazed me. I agree completely."

"Good, I should probably get going. I'll call you tomorrow with all of the details and to make sure everything is okay with work and school. Austin, I don't want any of this to get in the way of your classes. If there is anything I can teach you, let it be the fact that education is the most important thing in your life. I will not interfere with that. Do we have a deal?"

"Of course. What about payment. We didn't discuss that."

"Don't worry about paying me. I'm not doing this for the money. I'm doing it because I see something in you and I want to see you succeed."

"Okay."

Chapter Eight

Monday morning, Rory strutted out of the elevator, stopping at Alex's desk.

"Good Morning, Rory."

"I need to see you in my office to discuss my travel arrangements for Sweden. By the way, have you seen Martie yet?"

"No, I don't believe she's here. It's still a little early for her."

"Good, I'll speak with her later."

Rory continued walking to her office. She'd just sat down in her chair when Alex knocked on the door.

"Do you have my itinerary completed?" Rory asked.

"Yes, I finished it Friday," Alex replied, sitting in the chair across from her.

"I was hoping you'd say no. There are a few changes that I need you to make today."

"Okay." Alex stared with a blank look on her face. She was completely confused. Rory had never changed her travel plans at the last minute.

"I'm bringing a guest with me and she will be with me throughout the trip. So, please make sure she has an adjoining room. Also, make sure her name is on all of my official passes and guest invitations, since she will accompany me to the events and dinner parties." Rory paused. "I think that's all. If I'm forgetting anything please let me know."  

"I believe you covered everything, except for her name."

"Oh." Rory laughed. "Austin Tinsley."

"Great, I have everything noted here and I'll make all of the changes effective immediately."

"Thank you and Alex…please make sure this stays between you and me. I don't need everyone on my back asking to go along with me on trips. Martie is enough to handle all by herself."

Alex smiled. "Yes ma'am."

~ ~ ~

Rory waited until after lunch to call Austin. Everything was still a go and Austin seemed genuinely excited about the trip. Her mind drifted to Martie. She knew she had waited long enough and now was as good a time as any to start the fight she knew would happen. She pressed the intercom button.

"Hey, you got a second?" Rory asked.

"Yeah, what's up?" Martie sat back in her desk chair.

"Come down to my office. I need to talk to you about something."

Martie clicked off the intercom and walked down the hall. Alex was busy typing away on her computer, paying her no attention as she passed by.

"Good Morning," Rory said cheerfully.

"Excuse me?" Martie raised an eyebrow, sitting in the same seat Alex had occupied.

Rory burst out in laughter.

"What the hell is going on, Rory? You've been acting really strange for the past week."

"Nothing really. I just thought I'd let you know that I'm not going to Sweden alone."

"Huh….why not? Who's going and what the hell for?"

"Calm down. It's no big deal. I've asked a friend to come along with me."

"Who is this 'friend'?"

"No one in particular. I just thought I'd tell you before someone else did."

"I don't understand, Rory. Who is it? This isn't like you to keep things from me."  

"I'll tell you but you have to promise to calm down and let me explain."

"Fine…"

"It's Austin Tinsley."

"What!" Martie shouted loud enough for the entire floor to hear her."Are you crazy, Rory? What the hell are you thinking taking her with you? Why the fuck are you even talking to her?"

"It's okay, Martie. I'm friends with her."

"How the hell did this happen? Oh my God, you slept with her!"

"What? No. It's nothing like that. I…well…I'm sort of training her."

"What did you just say?" Martie whispered.

"You heard me. I'm helping her out. The only reason I'm taking her with me is to get to know her better."

"You mean to tell me you're training her to surf? Isn't that what she kept coming around here for?"

"Yes, she finally got to me, I guess. Martie she's good…damn good. I've never seen a style so unique."

"You don't have the time or the heart, Rory. It kills you to even work around it anymore and now you mean to tell me you've gone and watched her surf?"

"Yes…but…."

"But nothing…what the hell has gotten into you? I thought you've been acting funny. What's really going on with her?"

"There's nothing 'going on'. She's a baby, that's more
your
style isn't it?"

"Very nice, don't try and turn this fucked up mess around on me, Rory Eden. I can't believe you've gotten yourself mixed up with that girl. She's trouble. We both knew that from the beginning."

"She's a nice girl, Martie, and she just needs someone to give her a chance. I'm that someone."

"So why in the hell do you have to take her to the fucking Olympics with you? I'm your best friend and the vice president of this company. If anyone else should be going, it should be me! I think I've earned that right!"

"Calm down, Martie. Look, before I even start training her I need to get to know her better. I figured with my hectic schedule around here this is the best way. She has nothing to do with this company. This is something personal that I decided to do on my own."

"I think you let your Uncle Mick talk you into this. What was his opinion?"

"He told me to do what I felt was right. I think training her is a good idea. Yes, it's going to be hard and I've told her before that I'm a washed up old sock. I even offered to set her up with someone, but what I see in her, I don't think anyone else will see. I'm not asking for your permission, I'm asking you to understand…as a friend…my best friend."