Page 78 of Beyond The Break

“Something like that,” she smiles warmly, “I think a public surf day where we open up The Shredder Beach to locals that want to surf with the team is a good start, maybe some volunteer surf lessons with the younger fans; things that involve the team with the community.”

“Those are excellent ideas,” Gabriel says, clapping as she reaches the final slide which is a picture of the team smiling, “I’ll leave it up to you to arrange the production and publishing of those. Amazing job, Eli.”

“I’ll need your help with one thing,” she says, removing her USB from the laptop and walking over to us, “I need all the footage you have of every member as far back as you’ve got.”

He nods. “Not a problem, I’ll have that to you by tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” she says, smiling at him before turning to me. “Do you have any footage or photos from the last six months while you were recovering?”

I stiffen. “You want to include that in the documentary?”

I had told myself that no one would see what I went through during those six months. It's one of the reasons I didn't let anyone visit me, but if it's to help Eliana then I’ll do it. If it makes her happy then it’s worth it.

She nods. “I think showing the world what you went through is going to be the most impactful part of the documentary.”

“Okay,” I breathe out slowly. “I’ll send you everything I have after tomorrow’s competition.”

“Great,” Gabriel claps his hands together. “I’m really pleased with everything you’ve shown me today, Eliana. Your content plan for the year is impressive and I can’t wait to see the results of your hard work.”

She blushes as she smiles at him and when he smiles back, I clear my throat and frown at Gabriel. His eyes slide to mine as his mouth pulling into a smirk, and I realize he’s played me.

Did he set this up? Me developing feelings for her?

He gave her a room, which is unusual for non-surfing members of the team, which just so happened to be next to my room. He made me her first campaign subject, forcing us to work together. He treats her differently in front of me, as if he’s waiting for a reaction.

A reaction I just gave him.

“Was there a reason you came looking for us, Griffin?” he asks, his smirk becoming more pronounced as he studies me.

I freeze, staring into both of their eyes as anxiety claws its way up my throat.

“Wasn’t today your physio appointment?” she asks, brows pulled together in concern.

“Is everything okay?” Gabriel asks when I don’t answer.

“Everything is fine,” I lie, releasing the breath that I’m holding.

I was set on telling them that tomorrow is my last day surfing when I walked in earlier, but after seeing all the work that Eliana’s put into this campaign, I can’t bring myself to do it. Seeing how excited Gabriel is about it too adds a whole new layer on top of it. I can’t let them down, not today.

They both stare at me skeptically, my discomfort growing under their gazes. I stand up quickly and throw an arm over Eliana’s shoulder, guiding her out of the room with a forced grin.

“See you at practice, Gabriel,” I say over my shoulder.

I turn to shut the door behind us, my eyes connecting with Gabriel’s. He doesn’t say anything as he watches the door close but I catch the narrowing of his eyes. It's only a matter of time before he finds out, but I have to be the one to tell him.

TWENTY-THREE

ELIANA

I blinkawake as the soft morning light filters in through my bedroom curtains. It’s Tuesday, and the Regional Surf Team Finals are today. The whole house was on edge last night, especially Griffin. He’s been acting strange ever since returning from his physiotherapy appointment yesterday, but each time I’ve asked him if he’s okay, he insists he’s just nervous for the competition.

I can tell he’s lying to me, but I don’t feel like I have a right to call him out on it. Not when I’m hiding things from him too.

I rub at the sleep in my eyes and yawn, but as I move to stretch my body, I realize I’m trapped by two strong arms wrapped around my waist. I look over my shoulder and find Griffin asleep beside me. The soft morning light softens his features, his worry and exhaustion lines invisible.

I had let him spend the night with me because he claimed Colton snores too loudly for him to fall asleep, but in truth I think he just wanted my company last night. We haven’t had sex yet, and I’m not sure why. I’ve made it clear to him that I’m ready, but he’s kept it strictly oral this whole time.

My eyes trace the contours of his face, lingering on the faintbeauty mark that sits on his upper lip. It’s my favorite part of his features. I never realized how safe I would feel to have him next to me, holding me in his comforting embrace. His chest rises and falls with each steady breath that he takes.

---