Page 119 of Our Deceptive Heat

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, it's just…I wrote the lyrics to that song.”

His eyes go wide. “No way!”

“I’ve never said that out loud before. But that’s how I know them. I help them write their songs.”

Eben holds out a pen and a journal.

I stare at it in confusion. “What’s this?”

“I want your signature. When it comes out that you wrote that music, I want to say I have your first ever signature.”

“Oh, but I-”

“Please?”

I reluctantly take the pen and book and squiggle a short note and autograph it.

“Are you sure you aren’t ready to face them? I’d love a picture of the five of you.”

I shake my head. I can’t stay angry with this guy. There is something so infectious about him.

“You are the most interesting stranger I’ve ever shared a meal with. I wish you luck, and I hope your brother finds his happy place.”

Eben sweeps me into a hug before I can protest, squeezing me before he lets me go and steps back, waving enthusiastically. Before I can so much as get out a goodbye, he’s gone.

And I’m left with a whole lot of questions.

Chapter thirty-seven

Envy

On my knees, onlit coals, begging, pleading- Envy Fate

While the others stalk out different places on the island, I organise for Gael to pick me up.

I don’t go to any tourist trap or beautiful scenic spot. I head straight down to the local surf spot. I’ve thought about this a lot over the last few weeks, getting close to her is impossible. I need a direct approach, something to get past those mile high walls of hers.

Gael parks the car on the top of the cliffs and gets out, leaning on the bonnet and watching intently.

“Who’s out there?” I ask, hoping to lead the conversation to Kelly.

“See that guy there, he’s mad, like insane crazy. Takes all the risks, but, man, the guy has skills when he’s on a board. That’s Ezy.”

“Ezy?”

“Ezekial Boothe, but everyone calls him Ezy.”

I watch as he seems to effortlessly glide on the wave, traveling an amazing distance before he disappears under white water.

“Is Kelly out there?”

“Kelly Raines?” Gael smiles widely. “Oh, yeah, Kell’s is out there. Where else would he be? He hasn’t got blood, he’s got ocean water.”

“Which one is he?”

Gael points to a surfer sitting not far from some others. I can’t see anything about them. They are too far away, but there is an innate languidness to his body shape that makes me think he’s as content out there as we are on the stage.

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