Page 68 of Jesse's Girl

“Still?”

Marcus shrugs.

“Okay,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Too bad Renee had to work,” he adds. “Means you can use her board, though. Silver lining?”

“Yeah.” I look at the time again, then pocket my phone and puff out a breath.

“What’s with you, Jess? You seem pretty stressed about the time for a guy who’s basically on vacation,” Marcus notes, raising a brow.

“I’m not,” I say, frowning. “I don’t know why I keep checking.”

The truth is, I’m all in my head about what the hell I’m doing with my life. Although it hadn’t even occurred to me before Ada said something, it suddenly feels urgent to figure out. What’s really in Australia for me, anyway? Transient farm work doesn’t make for a very compelling answer. I only moved there to run away from my family. Am I just going to stay there and avoid them forever?

As much as I want to shoot the shit with Kai and Marcus, these swirling thoughts have me too agitated to shelve it all right now. The prospect of sluggishly paddling the sleepy river feels almost painful in light of my feverish need to figure out where I belong on this fucking planet.

What’s tying me to Australia? And what’s drawing me home to Lennox Valley?

The memory of holding Ada in my arms swims into focus, and I hate that I even entertain the thought of her being a factor in this decision. If I move home, it should be for my own reasons. I have no claim on her and definitely shouldn’t make a major move like this to be closer to her. All that would do is continue this torture, knowing it can never happen. I examine the fading bruise on my right hand.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Why can’t I shake this feeling off?

Kai’s Jeep convertible finally pulls into the gravel parking area abutting the river’s edge. Deeply tanned and wearing dark sunglasses, he looks like some kind of surfer—or like he belongs in a beer commercial, slinging drinks poolside. When he pulls his sunglasses up to rest on his head, there’s a distinct tan line along each of his temples.

“Hey, Bailey! Long time no see!” he says, reaching out for a move I can only describe as the triple whammy of male greetings—equal parts handshake, hug, and pat on the back—that has me bracing for him to call me bro any second.

“Kai, shit, yeah, good to see you,” I say, rubbing my forehead.

He throws a look at Marcus. “You didn’t tell me Jesse got ripped, dude.” Kai turns back to me, shaking his head, and folds his arms over his chest.

“You should have seen him when he first showed up here,” Marcus puffs, pausing with the pump handle pulled up. “What’d Ada call you? Bigfoot or some shit?”

Kai darts his dark eyes between us in obvious confusion.

“Sasquatch. Yeti. Take your pick.” I gesture awkwardly to my face. “I had longer hair… big beard. Got it cut last week.”

That fucking haircut… She’s not even here and I can’t get her out of my head.

Surprise pulls at Kai’s dark features. “Well, shit.”

“Hey, congrats on getting engaged,” I offer, grateful to have thought of something to change the subject.

“Oh, yeah, thanks!”

“When’s the wedding again? Marcus told me but I?—”

“August 24th.”

“Right! Pretty soon!” I say.

“Yeah, I know. How long are you in town, man?”

I frown, thinking about leaving Lennox. I have to admit, my urgency to get back to Oz isn’t what it once was—though I try not to think about why. “Uh, end of August? Haven’t booked my flight back yet.”

Kai snaps his fingers, pointing at me. “Dude, if you’re still here, you should come!”

“Oh, you don’t have to—” I start to protest.

---