Page 5 of Chief's Addiction

“Let’s grab the boards,” I said, getting to my feet. “Tide’s perfect right now.”

Relief washed over Beckett’s face.

Sighing, I handed him a board.

I’d give him the reprieve for now, but I wasn’t letting it go. I’d find out who was hurting and somehow I’d figure out a way to make it stop.

After grabbing our boards, we paddled out in silence. The feel of cutting through the water took some of the tension away.

The ocean had always been my therapy, and as I glanced over at Beck, I hoped it would work the same magic for him.

“Alright, today we’re working on tricks,” I called out once we’d reached our spot beyond the break.

Beckett nodded, his focus immediately sharpening.

Out here in the water was where he came alive. Out here he wasn’t a foster kid or whatever other labels society wanted to slap on him. Out here in the water, he was in his element.

“You first, hotshot,” I told him, forcing a grin.

He shot me a grin of his own. Beck never needed to be told twice. In perfect execution, he turned his board and paddled hard as the perfect wave started to form. His timing was absolutely flawless. I watched in awe as he popped up to his feet right at the sweet spot, riding the face of the wave with this grace that no amount of money could buy.

It was a thing of beauty.

I glanced over at Marley who was straddling her board beside me and couldn’t help but smile. Lord help her, there were hearts in her eyes as she watched her crush sail across the water. When Beckett finally kicked out and began paddling back, she quickly looked away, pretending to be focused on adjusting the leash around her ankle.

I giggled and shook my head.

Kids.

“Show-off,” she muttered when he paddled up.

“Your turn, princess,” he fired back, his eyes dancing as the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

Marley’s cheeks went crimson like they always did.

I pointed to an approaching swell. “That one’s got your name on it, Mar. Remember what we worked on last time.”

She nodded and started paddling. Her technique had improved dramatically over the past couple of months. What she lacked in Beckett’s natural talent, she made up for in sheer stubborn determination.

A girl after my own heart, if I did say so myself.

“Go, go, go!”

Marley paddled harder and caught the wave cleanly. She wobbled for a heart-stopping second, then found her balance and was off.

“Yes!” I pumped my fist in the air.

She rode the wave all the way in, her laugh carrying across the water.

“I knew she’d stick it.” Beck smiled.

I looked over my shoulder at him and my smile faltered.

What the heck was I going to do about him? I couldn’t let things continue. It wasn’t right and I’d never forgive myself if something worse happened to him. But then I ran the risk of him bolting if I reported it to social services.

I needed a plan. Even if it was only a short-term solution until I could figure out something more permanent.

I cocked my head to the side. There was the empty storage room at The Burger Shack? No, Earl would have a shit-fit if he found out.