Page 18 of Try Me

“The best weren’t there,” he insisted.

“What do you mean?”

“I know some of the best surfers in the world: Keoni Makai, Reno Morales, Murray Yabarak, and they weren’t at Worlds. They weren’t invited to the ‘whites only’ beach in South Africa. That contest was a sham. Winning a contest doesn’t mean you’re the best. It just means you beat the people who were there that day, and the ocean decided not to kill you in the process. It sure as hell doesn’t give you any power.”

“Easy for you to say,” Pearl said, feeling the burn of her own anger. Those guys had a disadvantage, but nothing compared to hers. “At least you have the chance to compete.”

Declan’s jaw tightened and he reached up to rub the back of his neck. After a moment, he dropped his hand and darted a glance at her. She saw the apology in his eyes before his lips formed the words. He shifted to face her, propping a knee up in between them. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize what it must be like.”

Pearl saw his heartfelt apology in his eyes, and it made her sorry, too. “I should be the one saying I’m sorry. It wasn’t fair of me to use you.”

His lips moved in a smile, and Pearl saw that he forgave as easily as he shared a wave. “Looks like we’re even,” he said. “I’ll say something to my agent,” he promised. “You deserve that.”

“Thanks, eh?”

“But I’m warning you — I don’t have a lot of sway.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

They fell silent, but it wasn’t the easy silence they’d had on the waves.

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