Riding the Surf (3 page)

“Good luck.”

“I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”

4

Derek sat down at the table in the cafeteria then leaned back in his chair. His appetite wasn’t as strong as it normally was. Now Paola was on his mind, her tight waist and her powerful legs. He never felt so embarrassed in his life. He sounded like he had the intellectual capacity of a five year old when he spoke to her.

“What’s your problem?” Coen asked. He wasn’t affectionate with Sydney like he normally was. His hands were on the table and he wasn’t close to her. Sydney picked at her cup of fruit and didn’t touch him either. The frustration was evident in Coen’s tone. He was dark and angry today.

“She didn’t put out?” Derek asked.

“Not yet,” he said with a sigh.

Sydney glanced at him then ate a strawberry.

“It’s only a matter of time,” Derek said.

Henry eyed the newlyweds then turned to Ren. “I couldn’t last.”

“Neither could I,” she said with a smile.

Derek watched Coen and Sydney again. “It’s like you hate each other.”

“Well, we aren’t too fond of one another,” Sydney said without looking at Coen.

Coen glared at her then faced Derek. “So what’s your problem?”

“Oh,” Derek said. “It’s nothing…just some girl.”

“A girl?” Sydney asked. “Who?”

“Her name is Paola.”

“Ooh,” Henry said. “I like it.”

Derek ignored him. “I saw her on the beach this morning. She’s a surfer and she’s awesome at it. I mean, she’s better than me. Her hair is brown but it’s blonde at the same time.” He talked with his hands, pretending that he was feeling the strands. “It’s hard to explain. And she has a gorgeous body. I mean, I was fucking drooling. Her thighs were thick and her ass…yowza.  She isn’t skinny. She’s toned and strong. It’s so freaking hot.”

“So she has a body like Sydney?” Coen said.

Derek grimaced. “Eww. Gross!”

“Ouch,” Sydney said.

“Sorry,” Derek said. “I just see you as a sister. I imagined you in a swimsuit and I wanted to vomit.”

“Uh, thanks…” Sydney said.

Coen laughed. “I like that response.

“And she was the winner of the women’s competition, so she’s even cooler. Her face is so…elegant. She has a tiny freckle in the corner of her mouth that’s hard to see, but it’s there. She doesn’t wear any makeup and she still looks amazing. I mean, wow. She wears this—”

“Okay,” Henry said. “We get it.”

“Yeah,” Sydney said. “You’re totally hooked.”

“Why didn’t you talk to her?” Coen said.

“I did…actually,” Derek said.

Henry raised an eyebrow. “That didn’t go well?”

“No,” Derek said with a sigh. “I sounded like a total weirdo.”

“That’s not surprising,” Coen said.

Derek glared at him. “I don’t know what happened. I just lost my mind. My words poured out my mouth without any thought. I sounded so stupid.”

“So you were yourself?” Sydney teased.

Coen looked at her. “He reminds me of you.”

“What?” she said.

Coen smiled. “You sounded so stupid when we met. I couldn’t believe you were the top of our class after listening to the crap that came out of your mouth.”

Sydney stared at him. “If this is your way of seducing me, it’s not working.”

Henry glanced at the fighting couple then looked at Derek. “Try again.”

‘I don’t want to freak her out,” Derek said.

“You probably already did,” Coen said with a laugh.

Derek sighed then took a bite of his pizza, not sure what else to do. He chewed it while Sydney continued to glare at Coen. Henry leaned toward Ren’s ear and whispered to her. She giggled then kissed him gently.

When he looked toward the left, he saw the light colored hair he’d seen that morning. Paola walked to the table carrying a tray. She and two girls took a seat by the window. When she sat down, she crossed her legs and kept her back straight. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before she grabbed her fork and ate her salad. Derek stared at her, glancing at her legs underneath the table. She was wearing jean shorts and a black tank top. Her breasts were curved and the shirt was tight around her waist. He felt his heart pound. “That’s her,” he whispered.

“Who?”
Henry asked.

Derek nodded to the left. “Paola. She’s wearing black. Is she not the hottest girl you’ve ever seen?”

Coen stared straight ahead, not looking at Paola. Henry looked down at his phone.

Sydney rolled her eyes. “I know you check out other girls when I’m not around. So stop pretending.”

“Baby, I don’t look at anyone else.”

“I thought you weren’t a liar?” Sydney said.

“I’m not,” Coen said as he looked her in the eye. “Why would I when I have you?”

Her eyes softened but she said nothing.

Ren smiled at Henry. “You can look.”

“I’ll just take Derek’s word for it.”

Ren shook her head. “It really doesn’t bother me. “

“It’s disrespectful,” Henry said.

“Whatever,” Sydney said. “I’m looking.” She turned and stared at Paola. “Damn, she’s fine, Derek.”

Ren nodded. “If I were a guy, I’d be up in that.”

Coen turned his head and looked at Paola. He nodded his head in approval. “Go talk to her.”

Derek shook his head quickly. “And make an idiot out of myself again?”

Henry eyed Paola then looked away.

Coen stared at Derek. “Girls that like that are hardly ever single, and when they are, they aren’t
for long. Make your move. Quick.”

Derek sighed. “Ladies, help me out.”

“What do you want us to do?” Sydney asked.

“Give me some tips,” Derek said.

“You know how to hit on women,” Coen said. “This isn’t any different. She poops and farts just like the rest of us.”

Sydney laughed at his words.

Derek looked at the girls. “Come on. Any secrets you can share?”

“Well,” Sydney said. “Girls like it when they aren’t being hit on. Like, be a little mysterious about it. If you are blunt about it, it chases them off.”

Derek raised an eyebrow. “That sounds confusing.”

“We like to be chased,” Ren said. “But we also like it when it’s casual. So don’t s
traight up ask her out. Start talking to her first.”

Derek was still confused.

“So go over there and just start talking to her like you’re friends,” Sydney said.

“About what?” Derek said.

“You both surf, don’t you?” Coen asked.

“Yeah…” Derek said.

Coen nodded his head. “Well, there you go.”

Sydney glanced at Paola. “And be nice to her friends. Their approval is also important.”

Derek sighed. “I don’t want to do this.”

“Just grow a pair,” Coen said.
“You want to fuck her or not?”

“Who said anything about that?” Derek said. “I just want to talk to her.”

Sydney nodded. “Oh…”

Derek looked at her. “Oh what?”

“That’s why you don’t know how to talk to her,” Sydney said. “Because when you hit on girls, it’s just to get laid. You’ve never tried to ask someone on a date. Well, besides Nancy.”

Derek shrugged. “I guess.”

“Wow,” Coen said. “Derek has it bad.”

“I don’t even know her,” Derek said quickly.

“Well, get to know her,” Coen said.

“Then what?” Derek said. “Do I ask her out?”

“No,” Sydney said. “When you see her on the beach tomorrow, ignore her.”

Derek shook his head. “I don’t want to play games.”

Sydney sighed. “Derek, this chick is super gorgeous. You’re going to have to do this right.”

“She probably gets hit on
all the time,” Coen said. “Give her a false sense of security first.”

Derek took a deep breath. “Okay. Here I go.”

“Good luck,” they all whispered.

Derek walked to her table, feeling his heart accelerate with every step. She was talking to her friends, oblivious of his approach. Derek grabbed a chair and pulled it to her table.

“So what wax do you use on your board?” he asked without preamble.

She turned to him, her eyes wide
, and then glanced at her two friends, silently communicating with them. “I just use regular wax. There isn’t a big selection.”

“I’m only asking because your board is really smooth on the waves.”

“That’s because of me, not the board.”

Derek nodded. “So, you’re the winner of this year’s surf competition?”

“Yes,” she said, leaning back in her chair and looking at him.

Derek tried to play it cool but he felt his heart rise to his throat. He wasn’t sure why this was so difficult. “That’s really cool. How long have you been surfing?”

She thought for a moment. “About ten years.”

“Cool. I’ve been surfing for about the same amount of time.”

Paola looked at him, her green eyes bright and breathtaking. She seemed calm and collected even though Derek was asking her a million questions. A strand of hair fell loose and she tucked it away. Her eyes didn’t flinch as she stared at him. He could see the confidence in her very soul.

“So, what’s your major?” he asked.

“Economics.”

“Wow.”

“What?”

“I wasn’t expecting that. What do you want to do? Work on Wallstreet?”

“No, I’m applying to medical school.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “It’s always good to be rounded. It’s very typical to have your degree in science, so I chose a different major while completing my prerequisites.

Derek didn’t know what to say. Now she was a genius too. There had to be something wrong with her. “That’s cool.”

“What’s your major?”

“Zoology.”

“And what are your ambitions?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“I guess we’re all kinda lost.”

He turned to her friends and introduced himself. “Hello, I’m Derek. I apologize for interrupting your meal.”

They both nodded but remained quiet.

“Well, it was nice talking to you, Derek,” Paola said.

Derek felt his heart fall. He was being dismissed. He totally struck out. “See you later.” He left the chair and returned to his friends, his heart heavy.

Coen cringed. “That bad?”

He shrugged. “She’s not interested in me. I don’t know why I ever thought I had a chance.”

“Don’t give up yet,” Sydney said. “Go to the beach and ignore her.”

“You should show off on your board,” Henry said. “Attract her attention.”

“I guess it’s worth the shot. But she probably has a boyfriend. I can’t see her being single.”

“Did you ask?” Coen asked.

“No.”

“Well, if I were her man,” Sydney said. “I would be sitting with her right now, making sure the whole world knew she was mine.”

Coen looked at her, a smile on his face. “Baby, should I be worried?”

“No,” she said quickly.

“It seems like you have a crush on Paola.”

Sydney rolled her eyes. “It’s not rocket science to know someone of the same sex is attractive.”

“I think you have a crush on her,” Coen teased.

“Maybe I should fool around with her since my husband can’t deliver.”

“Oh, I can deliver,” Coen said. “But I would rather watch you two get it on.”

Sydney turned away. “You’re lucky we’re married.”

“And I’m lucky I married a bisexual woman.”

She hit his shoulder. “I’m not bi.”

“Sure…” Coen said.

“I think she’s hot too,” Ren said. “I guess I’m a little gay.”

Derek laughed. “I didn’t realize
my competition would be my girlfriends, not my guy ones.”

“Get in line,” Ren said with a smile.

5

When Derek arrived at Thatcher’s the next morning, he came to the front door.

“I’m just grabbing my gear,” Thatcher said as he put his bag over his shoulder.

“Actually, can I talk to Nancy?”

“I think she’s still asleep.”

“Can you wake her?”

“I can try.” Thatcher walked into the bedroom then reappeared five minutes later.

Nancy yawned when she came out, wearing his t-shirt and shorts. “What do you want?”

“It’s nice to see you too,” Derek said sarcastically.

“It’s not nice at six in the morning.”

“Can you come with us today?”

“Why?” she asked.

“Well, there’s this girl…”

“Paola?” Thatcher asked.

Derek nodded. He looked at Nancy and suddenly felt awkward. She was his ex-girlfriend and his request was inappropriate.

Nancy caught the look. “Derek, it’s okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m living with my boyfriend. Believe me, I’m fine.”

“Okay,” Derek said. “There’s this girl I met on the beach yesterday, and I really want to talk to her. The two times I tried…it didn’t go well.”

“And what do you want me to do?” Nancy asked.

“I want you to talk to her.”

“I don’t even know her.”

“Thatcher does. Just make small talk.”

“And what’s the point of that?” she asked.

“I want you to casually talk about me, say good things.”

“Why don’t you just talk to her?”

He sighed. “Because I already did and it didn’t work. Now I’m going to ignore her. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to, but I would appreciate it.”

“You must really
like this girl. Normally, if you don’t land her right away, you just move onto someone else.”

Derek shrugged. “I guess this is different. I can’t explain it.”

“I’ll help you.”

“Thank you,” he said. “Thank you.”

“But you owe me.”

“I still owe you,” he said. “I’ll bring you a coffee next time I see you.”

“It better be a venti with a pump of espresso.”

“Whatever you want,” Derek said. “Thanks for doing this.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“That I’m smart, good-looking, an amazing catch.”

She rolled her eyes. “You want me to lie?”

He nudged her in the stomach. “Come on.”

“Alright. I’ll think of something.”

They drove to the beach then walked across the sand.

“So, are you just trying to sleep with her?” Nancy asked.

“No,” Derek said quickly. “I’m done with that. I really just want to talk to her. She’s out of my league, but I have to give it a shot.”

“You’re making a lot of effort,” Thatcher noted.

“Well, I think she’s…” He looked
at Nancy then dropped his words.

She rolled her eyes. “I thought we were friends?”

“We are,” Derek said.

“You can be honest around me. I’m in love with Thatcher. I don’t mean to be cold, but I’m not hurt by the idea of you being with someone else. Please don’t act differently around me.”

“Okay,” he said. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She’s poised and elegant, but she’s strong. She has this look in her eyes, like she can see right through you. And her body…I want to kiss it everywhere.”

Thatcher laughed. “Someone’s got it bad.”

“You have no idea,” Derek. “I’ve only talked to her twice and I’m already obsessed.”

“I can’t wait to get a look at this girl,” Nancy said.

“Sydney and Ren think she’s hot,” Derek said.

“What?” Nancy said. “For real?”

Derek shrugged. “That’s what they said.”

“Weirdos,” Nancy said.

Derek adjusted his swimsuit then grabbed his board. When he looked over his shoulder, he saw Paola approaching. “That’s her,” he whispered.

Nancy turned. “Damn…”

“Don’t make it obvious,” Derek hissed.

“Sorry.”

“Okay. I’m hitting the water,” Derek said.

“Aren’t you going to say hi?” Nancy asked.

“No,” Derek said. “I have to make it clear that I’m ignoring her.”

When she reached them, Derek turned and headed toward the water. He didn’t look back as he paddled into the water and rode the first waves. He concentrated as hard as he could since he knew Paola may be watching. She may not be impressed with his conversation skills, but hopefully she would
be mesmerized by his moves. Derek didn’t look at the beach once because he didn’t want to make it seem like he cared what she was doing. After he was out there for an hour, he returned to the shore and joined Thatcher.

“They are still talking,” Thatcher said.

“Really? It’s been an hour.”

“My girlfriend is probably falling in love with her. Thanks for that.”

“I’m going to grab my bag and leave.”

“Be careful,” Thatcher said.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t totally ignore her. If you do it twice, you’ll seem rude. Acknowledge her then leave.”

“Okay.” Derek walked to Nancy and grabbed his bag. “Having a good time?”

“Definitely,” she said.

Derek looked at Paola. She was wearing the same pink bikini. Her hair was wavy and long, reaching her shoulders. Her skin was dark from the exposure to the sun. Derek stared at her chest for a moment before he regained control. “Hello, Paola. How are you?” He unzipped his wet suit and pulled it down to his waist, revealing his wide chest and defined stomach. It was low, but he wanted her to notice him.

“Good,” she said. “Did you wax your board?”

“Uh, no. Why?”

“Because your board was smooth on the waves.”

Derek was pleased to know she had been watching. “Thanks.”

She nodded.

“Well, have a good day.” He turned and walked away, not looking back. When he walked to his car, he stared at their backs. The three of them were still talking. Paola hadn’t gotten in the water once. He hated acting immature but he didn’t know what else to do to spark her interest. Paola didn’t turn around once and he felt annoyed. He had never tried so hard to get a girl to notice him. And it just failed every time.

He drove ho
me and changed before he went to school. His classes were boring and predictable. He had a comparative anatomy exam to study for but he chose not to. Everyone in that class was failing. His teacher pulled two exams from the overall grade because he couldn’t fail everyone.

When Derek had lunch with his friends, they asked about Paola. He had nothing interesting to say. He ignored her like Sydney told him to, but it didn’t seem to do anything.

“Give it time,” Sydney said. “Girls don’t like it when guys are too forward.”

Derek sighed then looked over to Paola. She was eating with her friends again. Her tray held a banana, a yogurt, and small side salad. She was ridiculously healthy. Now he understood how she got that rocking body. Derek didn’t look at her and concentrated on his food. “Why are girls so complicated?”

“We aren’t,” Ren said.

“I beg to differ,” Derek said.

“Well, you could just ask her out but she would probably say no,” Sydney said. “Which is why you’re playing these games.”

“
It seemed so easy for you and Coen,” Derek said. “My relationships are always complicated.”

Coen laughed. “Easy? Ha.”

“And it still isn’t easy,” Sydney said.

“You still haven’t caved?” Derek asked.

“Nope. And I’m not going to,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Coen shook his head. “My wife is going down.”

“Not down on you,” she snapped.

Derek finished his day then went home. Now that he had his scholarship money and his competition money, plus his sponsorship, he moved into his own apartment. He didn’t hate his roommates, but he wanted his own space.

When he walked inside, he saw Cheyenne sitting on the couch, eating a bag of chips. “I gave you a key for emergencies.”

“This is an emergency,” she said, watching the television. “I was starving and my cable went out.”

“You mean you didn’t pay your bill so they turned it off?”

She shrugged. “I guess you could put it like that.”

He rolled his eyes. “Why don’t you stay with Ryder? He’s supposed to take care of you, right?”

“He’s a work.”

“The life of the rich and the famous,” he said sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes. “Just give him a chance.”

“I already did.”

“No, you didn’t. Go out to dinner with us.”

“So I can watch you pay for your meal?”

“What the hell is your problem, Derek?”

He tossed his backup on the table and came back to her. “This is my problem. You are dating a gay that doesn’t have my approval. You should dump him and respect my wishes.”

“Is this the
Godfather
now?”

He glared at her. “I mean it, Cheyenne. I don’t like him. You’re going to make your life miserable if you stay with him, living in a trailer park with three kids but no dad.”

Cheyenne shook her head. “He’s trying to make a life for himself. He’s going to school and he works full time.”

“It isn’t just that,” Derek said. “He doesn’t treat you right. He doesn’t take you out or look at you in the right way.”

“
Look at me in the right way
? What is that supposed to mean?”

He shook his head. “Forget it. You’re on birth control, right?”

“I can’t believe you just fucking asked me that.”

“Answer me.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“If you aren’t, I can have Sydney or Ren get you some.”

“I am not having his conversation with you.”

“The last thing I need is to have my sister get knocked up.”

She threw the chips on the ground. “I’m going to slap you. You don’t tell me what to do and you don’t control my life. I take care of myself and I make my own decisions.”

He stepped closer to her. “N
o, I take care of you. Dad and Mom aren’t around so now it’s my responsibility. That was the last thing I promised Dad. I will look after you and I will make you uncomfortable. I have to protect you. I don’t care if you hate me. You’re my sister and I love you. I’m sorry I can’t be the fun brother I used to be, but now I’m your guardian. You may as well get used to it.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down. “
Dad asked you that?”

He met her gaze. “I would have done it anyway.”

“Derek, I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m an adult. I make my own decisions.”

“Not if they are the stupid ones. You deserve someone better than Ryder. I’m not letting you settle for him.”

“I’m not settling.”

“Yes, you are!”

She sighed. “Let’s go to dinner tomorrow night. You’ll see that he’s a good guy.”

Derek shook his head. “I have a million other things to do.”

“But I come first, right?”

He looked away, saying nothing.

“Please just do this for me.”

“Fine.”

“And have an open mind about it.”

“I—I’ll try.”

“Thank you.” She sat down and grabbed the bag of chips. He sat beside her. “Can I sleep here tonight?”

He looked at her. “Why?”

“I just don’t want to stay at my apartment.”

“You didn’t pay your electric bill?”

“I may have forgotten…”

“I can loan you so
me money.”

“No,” she said quickly. “I’m fine.”

He stared at her for a moment before he turned back to the television. “Let me know if you change your mind.”

She pulled the blanket over her shoulder and leaned against the opposite arm of the chair. When it got late, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Derek watched her for a moment before he grabbed a pillow and an extra sheet. He arranged it around her body then turned off all the light
s before he went to bed.

When he fell asleep, a dream came to him.

“I really like this swimsuit,” Derek said, touching the strings of the top.’

“Thanks,” Paola said. “I like it too.”

Derek grabbed it and played with it in his fingers. He stared into her face, admiring the freckle in the corner of her mouth. Her light hair cascaded down as she leaned over him. The sun was setting and the sand was kicked around them. He stared into her beautiful face and felt the world grow quiet.

“Why don’t you pull it?” she whispered.