Page 73 of Hawaii Can Suck It

Death by hotness is looking real likely.She’s got that red string tied around her neck, drawing my eye like a goddamn beacon. I’m glad my fans can’t see the filthy ways I’m fantasizing about her.

Focus, you thirsty idiot.

“Uh, hellooo?” Astrid says, her voice so shrill it could neuter a dog on a neighboring island. “Isn’t there, like, a shopping option? Or maybe”—she slides closer to Kai, batting her lashes— “a little one-on-one coaching? Y’know, something more… horizontal?”

“Ah, passionate one.” Kai’s voice drops an octave. “Sadly, Hawaii state law requires that the most vigorous activities happen behind closed doors.”

“Mmm, yeah, that’s what I was hoping for,” Astrid purrs. “Maybe you could stretch me out? I hear you’re very… hands-on with your instruction.”

“DUDE!” Blaze bounces between them. “Are you guys talking about CrossFit? That shit’s intense!”

I grab Cam’s arm before I’m forced to watch any more. “Kai says this trail leads to a cliff jumping spot.”

“Perfect for content.”

“Speaking of…” I wave my phone. “Let’s go live. You do the intro.”

“That’s gonna be a hard pass, boss.”

“Counter offer: I’ll do the intro, you work the camera for the hike?”

“Deal.”

I study her face, catching anxiety in her features. “Why does going live make you nervous?”

“It doesn’t—”

“Morales.”

She sighs, twisting the scrunchie on her wrist. “No editing. No do-overs. Just me, live, probably saying something stupid while a million people wait to attack me in the chat.”

“Okay, first of all—you’re so wrong that it’s physically painful,” I tell her, resisting the urge to cup her face in my hands. “You’re fucking incredible at this. The chat was geared up to start a Cam fan club yesterday.”

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the ghost of a smile.

I’m going to fix this.Step one was apologizing for being Supreme Overlord of Dickheads. Step two is rebuilding what I helped break.If I can only figure out how to boost her confidence without pushing too hard.

Because watching her doubt herself?

That shit ends today.

I hitGo Live,and my screen explodes with notifications. The viewer count rockets past fifty thousand.

“Hey, DareSquad! It’s your boy, Reece, coming at you live from the most insane mountain in Maui.” I pause, grinning into the camera, and then bring Cam to my side. Her warmth instantly bleeds through my shirt.

“And, of course, I’m here with my stunning girlfriend, Camila.”

Her body stiffens for a split second before she gives the lens a quick, awkward wave.

“Guys, let’s take a moment here for some girlfriend appreciation.” I turn the camera, starting at her face and then tilting downward in a slow, deliberate sweep. “I mean, look at this masterpiece. Those eyes, those lips, those—”

“Reece!” Cam’s jaw drops, and she elbows me hard in the ribs.

“What?! I’m just admiring my lady.”

“And we’re done. That’s enough of that.”

“Well then, Morales, what’s your favorite part of your man?” I gesture to myself as if I’m on a gameshow.

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