Page 48

Story: Chasing Riddick

Flanked by both Makoa and Jake, I watched the Leviathan rise over the horizon like a hulking demon. Its pipe was a great, dark maw, looking to swallow the lives of any surfer foolish enough to try and tame it.

Even Jet’s face was grave, his easy half-cocked grin nowhere in sight. I was the only one practically vibrating with excitement.

It was finally time.

I’d worked toward this. I’d been waiting, and I was not a patient man.

Jet cut me a dark look, his lips pursing as he took in my inability to contain my excitement. My entire body was humming with adrenaline as I watched monster after monster continue to roll onto the beach.

“Easy, surf star,” he said softly. “Let’s not rush into anything.”

Jake grunted his agreement just as I whined in protest .

“What do you mean rush into anything? This is what I’ve been training for!”

Jet chuckled, shaking his head, and Jake scowled at me.

“Tomorrow looks like it’s gonna be better conditions. Also, I have Kai renting a Jet Ski, so we have a better chance of saving your ass if anything goes wrong.”

Jake looked like he might kiss Jet on the mouth, and an unwarranted spike of jealousy coursed through me at the thought.

It was stupid to be jealous. Jet couldn’t even see him… but still. I didn’t want my man looking at anyone but me like he might kiss them, even if the kisses were because Jet was trying to keep me safe… which was pretty much Jake’s biggest turn-on.

Safe Finn = Jake boner.

No fake.

“––Turtle here, anyway?”

“What?” I asked, realizing I hadn’t heard anything Jet had just said. I’d been too busy thinking about Jake’s kisses and safety boners.

Jet chuckled, cuffing my shoulder affectionately.

“What’s going on in that head of yours? You’re always off on some crazy brain adventure.”

I grinned at him, shrugging. “You don’t wanna know.”

Jet laughed and nodded. “Probably not. Anyway, I was just saying, don’t you want Turtle here anyway? I’m sure he’s gonna want to be around to watch you ride your first true Leviathan.”

My toes curled in my slides at that, and I grinned, nodding.

“Yeah, you’re right.

I needed the Turtle Man with me. I could wait one more day.

“Great.” Makoa smiled. “Let’s hit up the cove for now. You can brush up on your basics. A solid active-rest day is just what you need before your big debut.”

“He’s right,” Jake whispered in my ear, causing me to shiver. “You’re getting a little lax on your foot placement. ”

Makoa had his back to us as we made our way back to the shack, so I was safe to give Riddick the eye-roll he deserved.

“You’re such a helicopter mom.” I smirked, and he huffed a laugh, his blue eyes shining with mirth.

“You know it, shark bait.” He chuckled, slapping my ass hard enough that I jumped and giggled.

Jet glanced back at me, that smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“What’s so funny back there?”

I grinned at him, shrugging. “Nothing. Just more brain adventures.”

Jet laughed, shaking his head.

“Crazy fuckin’ kid.”