Page 6 of A Love Tethered to the Sun

Creek Waters

The next day, when I woke up, I was too excited for my date with Pryde to sleep the day away.

Plus, I had a surfing competition coming up in a few weeks, so I needed to get some practice in before our date tonight.

I got up and took a quick shower, then placed my hair in a high bun before I pulled on my white, short-sleeved, one-piece short suit with pink flowers and green leaves all over.

When I was all zipped up and liked what I saw in my full-length mirror, I slipped into my designer slides Healani’s parents got me for my birthday last year, then headed to my car.

While I drove to the beach, I thought about spending quality time with Pryde outside of work.

I couldn't help the Christmas morning smile that raised the arcs of my mouth when I thought about him.

He really was a sweet and thoughtful guy.

Pryde was the distraction I needed from all the bad memories and irritation from Kai’s creepy ass. I appreciated his attempt last night to make me feel better after Kai ruined my birthday. It was the little things and effort that women appreciated—I know I did, for sure.

Vibing to the music, I strummed my fingers on my steering wheel as I pulled into the beach parking lot and parked. I grabbed my phone, locked my car, and then moseyed inside of Healani’s parents’ store.

“Hey, baby girl! How are you?” Dad greeted me. He made his way from the stock he stacked on the shelves and wrapped me in a bear hug, as he’d done for years.

Mr. Kane was one of the biggest Hawaiian men on the island.

He wasn't as muscular as when we were teenagers, but he was still solid with a small belly.

Gray hairs had infiltrated his curly fade and mustache, and time had produced small crow lines by the corners of his eyes and mouth, but his love for me had never changed. He was the father figure I deserved.

“Hey, Dad! I’m feeling okay. How are you?” I asked him as I placed my phone and car keys in the drawer under the register like I always did.

“Pissed the hell off! As soon as I get my hands on Kai Jr., I’m going to wring his thick neck.

I can’t believe what he did to you yesterday.

Baby girl, how come you didn’t tell us he was bothering you all this time?

You know, Mom and I would’ve been put a stop to it.

” He went back to stocking the shelves with more snacks.

“That’s what I want to know?” my mom, Kelani, queried behind me.

“Hi, Mom.” I gave her a tight hug and rested my head on her shoulder.

“As great as it is to see you, my darling… I’m mad that you didn’t tell us what Junior was doing to you. How long has this foolishness been going on?” she asked, looking me in my eyes.

I chewed on my bottom lip because I knew this was about to shock them. “The truth?”

“Yes!” they shouted in unison.

“Since she first arrived at our house,” Healani stated as she walked into the store.

“That was fourteen years ago!” Dad shouted as he smacked the top of the counter. He made all three of us jump.

“I know this is upsetting and very serious, but calm down some, baby,” Mom pleaded.

“I’ll calm down some later.! You girls know better than to keep something like this away from us.

Creek, when we took you in all those years ago, it wasn’t out of charity.

We love you just as much as we love our biological kids.

We’ve always kept an open-door policy for you all.

What Junior did last night, and what he’s been doing is unacceptable and wrong.

So, how do you want to go about this, baby girl?

Do you want to file charges against him or not?

I support your decision either way,” Dad voiced.

Everyone looked at me, but I didn’t have the heart to press charges against Kai. We were raised like sisters and brothers, and I didn’t want to bring any problems to the family.

“Sweetheart, if you’re worried about how we feel, then don’t.

Junior made his bed, and he will have to pay for the consequences.

Don’t let us or anyone in this town make you feel or think you were in the wrong because you’re not.

I wish to God you had told us sooner. That way, we could have nipped this shit in the bud, but that’s okay, baby girl.

We know now. Did you place your phone and keys in the drawer? ” Mom questioned.

“Yes, ma’am… I did,” I responded.

“Okay, good. Get your board and get a good practice for your competition in a few weeks. Healani, call Junior and tell him I said to get his ass here now. Tell him if he’s not here in twenty minutes, I’m sending Ewing, and I know he doesn’t want that.

I have words for you, too, young lady,” Mom instructed.

“Yes, ma’am,” Healani answered in a pouty tone. We all knew how scared Kai was of Ewing. Ewing is the oldest. He served two terms in Iraq, and when he came back, he started his own security company with some of his brothers-in-arms.

“Mom, please take it easy on Healani. I told her not to say anything,” I stated, gently rubbing her arm to ease some of her frustration.

“I’ll see what I can do,” she replied, then kissed me on my forehead.

“Have fun out there, baby girl, but this ain’t over,” Dad added.

“I know. I know.” I waved bye, then removed my board from the full-length surfing stand and walked to the beach.

I inhaled and exhaled the smell of the ocean as I stared out at the waves. My brother’s voice coursed through my head like it always did before I surfed.

“You about to make those waves yo’ bitch, sis?”

My tears wanted to well, but I wouldn’t allow it as I swiped them away.

I loved my brother so much, and I always kept his spirit and memories with me.

Today wasn’t the day for sadness, especially when I had a date with Pryde tonight—only joy and peace today.

I swam out into the water, and when I felt like I was one with the waves, I hopped up and did what I loved.

I rotated my board to the beat of the wave, and as soon as I saw the huge wave coming my way, I made it my bitch and rode it out.

Tears still fell down my face as my board washed over wave after wave, but I wasn’t sad. These were happy tears.

After a couple of more hours of practicing, it was time to head home and rest for my date with Pryde.

I locked my board up, grabbed my things, and headed home.

I removed my wet clothes before diving ass-naked under my covers.

It was my way of really relaxing after pushing myself so hard in practice.

Within minutes, I had dozed off into a deep slumber.

Hours later, my alarm went off, and I groggily snoozed it for fifteen more minutes of sleep.

What was supposed to be fifteen minutes later became much longer because I now heard my doorbell ringing.

Tiredly, I rolled out of bed, slipped into a big tee shirt, and trotted to the door.

I peeked out of the hole and shrieked when I saw Pryde standing there with a beautiful bouquet of green flowers.

I’d never seen such a stunning array of florals before. Quickly, I snatched open the door.

“I’m so sorry, love. I pushed myself in practice this morning and overslept afterward. Please forgive me,” I confessed. Discreetly, I tried to remove the sleep evidence from the corners of my mouth.

He gave me a sexy smirk. He looked edible in his black, collarless, short-sleeved Oxford shirt and his black distressed jeans.

He paired suede, dark brown ankle boots with his attire that tied the whole look together.

Pryde’s high top, curly fro, and full beard carried a light sheen.

His dark brown complexion and a slight curve in his legs made my mouth water.

My tastebuds craved the delectable meal that stood in front of me, and he knew that from the cocky grin that adorned his face.

Pryde cleared his throat, and I snapped out of my examination of him.

“Of course, I forgive you, beautiful. I understand all the way. Do you still want to go out, or do you want to reschedule?” he asked.

As scrumptious as he looked, there was no way in hell I was about to reschedule our date.

My clit thumped in agreement with me, and I smiled internally.

“Of course, I still want to go out, love.” I waved for him to come in, but he didn’t move. Did he not understand the gesture of ushering someone into your home? “What’s the matter? I waved for you to come in.”

“Nothing is the matter, beautiful. I just have to be invited in for me to come inside,” he simply stated.

I snickered until I noticed he didn’t laugh. “Oh, wait… you’re serious. What are you… a vampire or something?” I teased him.

His eyes lowered, and his lips pursed to the side before he smirked at me. “I’ve been called worse,” he expressed.

I shook my head. “Come on in, funny guy.”

“Thank you.” Pryde stepped over the threshold. When his feet touched down inside my home, a gust of wind breezed past, and my hair fluttered some.

“That was weird,” I stated as I shivered. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be ready.”

“Take your time, beautiful. I love your home, by the way,” Pryde voiced as he looked around and examined my sanctuary.

“Thank you, love. Make yourself comfortable. I have drinks and snacks in the fridge if you want anything.”

“You’re welcome, and thank you for your hospitality.” Pryde took a seat on the couch when he was done looking around.