Page 38 of Erase Me
“During the day, you obviously have better visibility.You can see the waves, gauge their size, shape, and direction more easily.”
“I assume that’s crucial for beginners.”
“For sure.And it’s also important because you have more eyes on you.”
“Making sure I don’t drown,” I said with a wry smile.
“Exactly.”
“So, what’s the draw about night surfing?”I asked.
“The thrill, I suppose,” Reed admitted.“But there’s also a meditative, Zen quality to it.You’re out there in the darkness, sometimes by yourself.There’s no boundary between the ocean and the huge canopy of sky above you.You can hear the waves breaking on the shore, but you’re almost protected sitting on your board out beyond them.And the swells rise and fall beneath you lifting you up and easing you down.It’s a powerful feeling.”
I poked him in the chest.“Until a shark takes a big bite right here.”
He moved quickly, and before I knew it, he had me in a tight embrace.His speed and strength were impressive.I’d started this.But still, the sudden closeness took me by surprise.And, even more surprising, it felt so natural.
I liked Reed, more than I wanted to.
But he knew nothing about me.He knew nothing about all the ways that I was planning to work against him.I would challenge him, fight him, even kill him if I had to.In this situation, there were no rules of fair play.Honesty played no role.
It had to be that way.I had to win.
Even with all that in mind, Reed’s strong embrace felt like a shield.It was ironic, but it made me feel safe in the face of the chaos I knew was coming.Chaos I would be responsible for.
But despite all that, in this moment, everything outside faded away.It was just the two of us in our own little world.
“Thank you for ditching your friend and coming out with me.”
I was on the verge of making a wiseass remark and pulling away.
I needed to create some distance before this transformed into something romantic.The thought of having sex with someone you might have to kill in the next couple of days just seemed a bit awkward.I wasn’t going back to his place.Now that I knew who he was, we weren’t going to have sex again.Ever.
But our gazes met, and I found myself leaning closer.The night air surrounded us, and the sea breeze and the sound of waves filled my senses.He gently cupped the side of my head, tilting it, his mouth brushing over mine.
The spark between us was so damn perfect.I must have made a sound that he took as permission.Maybe it was.He kissed me hungrily, exploring my mouth.
I felt the pressure building inside me, and I broke off the kiss.
“Reed…I have to get back,” I murmured.
“I know.I can’t think straight when I’m with you,” he confessed, leaning his forehead against mine.“When can I see you again?”
“You’re going to teach me to surf tomorrow.Remember?”
“Oh, yeah.Tomorrow.Do we have to wait that long?”
I smiled, pulling out of his arms.Just then, a voice called out from the road beyond the metal footbridge above us.
“I still got it.Your bag.I’m keeping it.”
The darkness concealed the speaker, but we both knew who it was.The strange man in the parking lot off Del Mar.
“What’s that about?”I asked him.“What’s the big deal about this bag?”
Reed shook his head and led me back down the steps to the beach trail.“I have no idea, but I’m not going to worry about it.”
From the frown he cast up toward the bluff, though, I could see he wasn’t entirely happy.
