Page 110 of Off-Limits
Her response is immediate.
I’ll explain later.
Locking my phone, I curse and throw it onto the passenger seat and then bang on the steering wheel. The happiness I was feeling moments ago dissipates, and in its wake is a sick and dreaded feeling.
Swallowing, I do the only thing I know to keep me occupied, I message Johnny and tell him to meet me at the beach so we can go for a surf. It’s been a long fucking time since I’ve hopped on my board, but it’s the only outlet I have right now, besides downing a bottle of Jack.
Johnny hits me back straight away, and I’m relieved he’s free and happy to meet me there. It’s a three-hour drive, but I know if I stick around here, I won’t be able to keep away.Starting the truck again, it roars to life, and I gun it down the street and back home to grab my board.
I just hope the drive and surf is kind to me so I can clear my head.
Ridingthe wave to the shore, I jump off the board as it reaches the sand, narrowly keeping my feet. Johnny chuckles behind me, and I turn around and flip him off before picking up my board and cradling it under my arm.
Walking over to where we placed our stuff, I put my board down and fall onto the towel, looking out into the vast ocean. It’s so freeing and calming, it’s my happy place. Well, besides with Dottie.
My mind starts swimming again, the serenity when I was in the water fades away and I’m left with a deep-seated gnawing in my gut. Something is wrong, and although I want to race to find the girls, I know that Arrie has told me to stay away for a reason.
Johnny drops his board and sits beside me, snapping me from my thoughts.
“So, are you going to tell me why you made me drive three hours for a surf at the last minute?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Damon, I have known you for over three decades, so, yeah, I know when something is up with you. Plus, you said Archie gave you good news, so the fact you look like a sour puss, speaks volumes.”
Groaning, I turn and face my best-friend.
“After Archie gave me the good news I was sitting in mytruck, and Arrie and Dottie flew past. Arrie was driving Dottie’s car and messaged me not to follow them.”
“Right. Let me guess, yourspidey sensesare tingling?”
“Yeah,” I say, sighing. “Something like that.”
“Did the surf at least help?”
“In the moment.”
Johnny sighs. “Yeah, wankstain, I get that.”
His tone sounds sombre, and it gives me pause. Glancing over at him, I watch his dark hickory brown eyes scan the length of the ocean. He looks pensive and lost in thought..
“What’s eating you, Gilbert Grape?”
Johnny groans.
“I hate that movie.”
“No, you don’t and don’t change the subject, asshole.”
“It’s a fucking sad movie!”
“You think?” I jest, and he turns to glare at me.
Even though his glare is firmly in place, it’s the first time I’ve noticed the bags under his eyes, and the strain in his jaw. Something is going on for him and I feel like a prick for not picking up on it sooner.
“Spill it.”
“You have your own shit going on, Damon, you don’t need my mediocre two cents thrown in.”
