Page 46 of Cut up
“You’re right, that probably tastes better too.” I grin. “I’m in. I’m just going to have a quick shower first.”
We grab our boards, carrying them under our arms as we pad barefoot back toward the cars to put them away.
Then we walk over to the outdoor showers near the footpath. The concrete still warm beneath our feet. I drop my towel on the stone seat and step under the spray, the cool water rinsing salt from my skin. Lucas takes the one beside me. He tilts his head back, running his fingers through his hair as the water streams down over his shoulders and chest.
I try not to stare.Try,being the key word.
There’s something oddly intimate about standing here, showering beside him, even with people milling around in the distance. We’re not touching. We’re not saying anything. But something crackles in the silence between us.
I sneak a glance his way and catch him looking at me too. He raises an eyebrow and smirks, water dripping from his jaw.
“Refreshing, huh?” he says, like we’re both pretending this is nothing.
“Yeah,” I breathe. “Nothing beats an outdoor shower.”
We finish our showers and I wrap a towel around myself and pull up my denim shorts. Lucas pulls a shirt on over his still wet chest, letting moisture gather against the fabric. He looks over at me and smiles, and I feel it settle deep in my chest.
We start to walk over to the shops across the road. The sand sticks to our wet feet, and the late afternoon breeze dances across my skin. I feel peaceful in that—post swim in the ocean kind of way.
He glances over at me as we walk. “You’re glowing.”
“It’s probably just sunburn,” I say, though I have a feeling he means more than that.
He laughs. “Nah, it’s because you’re beautiful Cam.”
My heart flips, but I don’t respond.
We step into the little takeaway shack. It smells like salt, vinegar and hot oil. It makes my stomach growl in response. The menu is stuck to the wall in faded plastic, and the old bell on the counter rings when we order.
Half an hour later we’re sitting on the grassy hill overlooking the beach, our dinner in a paper bag between us. The sky is soft pinks and purples, with streaks of orange bleeding into the horizon. The ocean looks calmer. The day is slowing down.
This feels like a date. But it’s not a date.
We’rejustfriends. I should know, I made that decision. Why did I make that decision again?
I have to keep stopping myself from holding his hand. The feeling of wanting to be close to him just won’t go away.
Lucas peels the bag open and hands me a piece of battered fish. I take it gratefully. “This smells insanely good.”
He takes a big bite out of his piece. “It tastes even better,” he confirms.
We eat in silence for a bit, hands brushing occasionally as we reach for the same chip. I lean back on my elbows and look out at the sea.
“I forgot how good surfing makes you feel. Like everything else fades away, and it’s just you and the waves.”
He nods, still chewing. “That’s what I love about it. It’s simple. Everything else gets quiet.”
I glance over at him, feeling the buzz of the day lingering in my chest.I already want to do it again. “I’m going to have to buy myself a board.”
“I have a handful of different boards in the shed,” he says softly. “You’re welcome to borrow them whenever you want.”
I look at him. “Thanks Lucas.”
I’m really starting to understand that Lucas is a very giving person, and I definitely don’t hate it.
But I already decided while I was out on the water, that I will buy my own.
After a long, quiet moment, he looks over and catches my eyes. “Think you’re going to be sore tomorrow?”
