I tilt my head back and forth, thinking if that will satisfy my need for a celebratory adrenaline rush. One that doesn’t involve skateboarding. I need to end my session on that high note.
“Jet skis?”
That has me nodding, a happy smile on my face. “I love how you know exactly what I’m thinking.”
He pulls me back into his hard body. “Oh? Do you know what I’m thinking?”
Feeling how hard he is everywhere makes it a little easier to read his mind. “Jet skiing naked?”
Beck’s chest rumbles against mine. “Close. How about jet skiing to some secluded area so we can then get naked and really celebrate your 720.”
My entire body heats, from my spine down to my toes, at the visual he’s painted. But when I capture his searing gaze, he doesn’t give in to the silent request for a kiss, even though I’m certain he’s still reading my mind accurately. That’s okay, I can handle delayed gratification in this case. With the high of landing a 720, I can handle just about anything.
Chapter Twelve
Jordan
My friends from Connecticut come out to visit the weekend after I land the 720. They’ve been keeping their eyes on tickets and found a great deal, and the timing is perfect. My body is pretty bashed up from all the crashes and even after spending last weekend celebrating and taking it easy, I could use more time to heal up. Without the Connecticut crew around, I know I wouldn’t be able to help myself from going right back after the 720 until I was certain it was competition-ready.
With extra bedrooms at the Jay Beach house for my friends to stay, it almost feels like we’re living our own version of Shred Live. Everyone is having fun and skateboarding, but the main difference is that we’re coupled off. Oh, and there’s no competition or cameras. Also, there’s the absence of people doing and saying absurd things to get camera time. So no, it’s not exactly the same, but it’s definitely got the vibe of one giant party, that’s for sure.
Even though we’ve got everything we need right at the house, I want to show my friends some of my favorite spots in the area. Riptide isn’t one of them, but after we spend the day at Rampas and then Airwalk, they insist on at least stopping by the landmark skatepark. I get it. It’s an epic spot, even if the half pipe has gotten the best of me twice now.
Beck put in the third row of seats in his van, and all six of us pile out as the sun is setting. Levi’s boyfriend Devon was talking a big game about trying the half pipe but now that we’re here he scratches his head.
“You know, I think I’ve had a solid day skateboarding already. Don’t want to injure myself when we’ve got a beach day planned tomorrow.” He can’t take his eyes off the giant structure, and I don’t blame him for changing his mind.
Levi leans into his side. “Let’s just go watch. I’m toast from skating all day anyway.”
“I’m definitely down for that,” I say with relief. It’s Saturday night, and as expected, Riptide Skatepark is booming.
The others grab their skateboards to get over there, and while I’m tempted to leave mine in the van, I don’t want to make my anxiety about this place even more obvious.
Devon is like a kid in a candy shop as he skates ahead of all of us, Levi right behind him. While he’s already staying with some of the biggest skateboarders around at the Jay Beach house, there will probably be a few more he’s watched on YouTube or Instagram here tonight. It’s the place to go to see and be seen, if that’s your thing.
Beck takes my hand as we skate behind them, and Phoebe slows until we catch up to her.
“You hate this place now, don’t you?” she asks me.
“No, I don’t hate it,” I say automatically. But then I think about it. I kind of hate coming here, but the park itself is undeniably epic. The half pipe that sent me to the ER still has this weird power over me, but it’s not all bad vibes. “I guess it’s a love-hate relationship,” I tell her after a moment.
Phoebe nods. “That makes sense. It’s hard to hate something so beautiful, but she’s a real bitch, huh?”
Laughing, I tell her she’s welcome to skate around, but I’m going to go take a seat. There’s no way I’ll be inconspicuous with Beck at my side, but knowing I’m only here to watch and soak in the atmosphere keeps my heart from racing into overdrive.
“Hey.” Beck squeezes my hand, drawing my attention to him. “You okay?”
The side of my mouth tilts in a half smile. “Am I that obvious?”
“No, but you’ve been happy all day and now you’re tense. Come on, let’s sit together, let your friends explore.”
We find a spot on the edge of the park, our legs dangling over sand as we look out at the half pipe. There are a handful of people up there, and my legs swing restlessly as a guy takes a fall. It’s more of an easy slide when he wimps out on following through with a trick, but it still makes me cringe.
Someone takes the spot beside me and I glance over to find Phoebe. She leans closer, brushing her shoulder against mine. “I think I just saw your pal Sarah Kase.”
I groan. “Really?”
“Yeah, I caught Wyatt checking her out as she went up the stairs to the half pipe.”
“I was not checking her out,” Wyatt grumbles as he takes a seat on Phoebe’s other side. “She’s in one of her signature neon sports bras so I was just looking to confirm who it was.”
“Right.” Phoebe pats his knee. “It’s fine, babe. You caught me checking out Griffin earlier so it’s only fair.”
Griffin joined us for the first part of the day but wandered off back to work when we headed over here.
My eyes gravitate to the platform at the top of one of the world’s largest, most notorious half pipes. Sure enough, Sarah Kase is up there wearing her signature bright sports bra. She’s never been very friendly toward me, but I can’t deny that I still hold admiration for her. When I watch her drop in a few minutes later and attack the pipe, I wonder if part of her attitude toward me is based purely on her overwhelming competitive nature. Maybe she struggles to be friendly because she does see me as a worthy opponent, and it’s hard for her to play nice when she takes the sport so seriously. I’ve never let myself entertain this thought before, and maybe I just needed a little more confidence in my own abilities to see things clearly.
With single-minded focus, Sarah does one run after the next in that half pipe. Sure she came when she must have known it would be crowded, but she’s here to train, no doubt about it. There’s no denying her tenacity, and despite everything, I admire her for it.
“Don’t hate me for saying this.” Wyatt leans across Phoebe to get my attention. “But she reminds me of you a little.”
Phoebe adds, “Uh, yeah. I’ve never seen anyone get tunnel vision on a skateboard like that except for you.”
I laugh softly, because it’s not too far from my own thoughts. “The only difference is that she’s willing to endure the crowds, or purposefully seeks them out. Though I bet she’s only here at a popular time to simulate competition atmosphere or something. She’s definitely not paying attention to anything else around here.”