Page 6 of Memories By the Shore
Jasper removes it from my hand and returns it to my cheekbone. The chill forces a breath. “You’ll want to leave it on a little longer,” he says, leaning closer. “The ice will help with any bruising.”
He’s only a few inches from my face. I was never good with math and have had a tutor since middle school, but I bet thereare less than four inches between our lips.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“How are you doing, sweetie?” Helen barges into the house with two friends close behind her, breaking the tension between Jasper and me.
Jasper backs away and stands up. “I grabbed Avery some ice.”
The way he says my name, drawing out each syllable to savor, makes my heart beat faster.
“I’m fine, I promise,” I reassure her with a smile.
She frowns. “On your first day here too.”
“It’s usually not that violent on our little strip of the beach.” Her blonde friend adds sympathetically.
“I spoke with Dr. Waverly, and he said that he’s sure you’re fine as long as your pupils dilate and you can walk in a straight line,” she rushes out with a worried tone.
I rise from the couch. “I promise, I’m totally fine.”
Helen glances over at Jasper. “Thanks for bringing her back.”
“No problem.” His eyes flicker to mine. A bolt of electricity shoots up my spine.
Jasper turns to walk out, but I’m still reeling from our moment. Not sure if I should say bye to him or not.Why wouldn’t I?That would be weird if I didn’t. “It was nice meeting you!”
He smiles at me from over his shoulder while running a hand through his messy hair. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
And that was it. That’s all it took for me to become intrigued by him—his confident go-with-the-flow attitude and messy surfer hair.
Chapter Three
Then
Jasper
“Ican’t believe you hit her in the face,” Riley spats, straddling his surfboard while we wait for another wave to break. Easton and Bodhi went into Joe’s to grab a fish taco. Those fuckers haven’t stopped giving me a hard time since last week when my rogue volleyball came into a direct collision with Helen’s niece’s face.
The event unfolded in slow motion as I ran at full speed through the thick sand and over to her.
“I was annoyed our game was interrupted,” I puff.
“We were for sure going to lose the game to those bastards from Shadow Falls anyway,” Riley replies, shaking out his wet hair. “But I can’t let you live down how shitty that spike was.”
“It was an accident,” I repeat for the hundredth time this week.
“Sure,” Riley retorts. “And you didn’t look that annoyed when you carried her into Helen’s house. Like some knight in shining fucking armor.”
My heart skidded to a halt when my eyes fell on her darkbrown hair and tiny freckles on the bridge of her nose. It’s true, I wasn’t bothered any longer. I was pleasantly surprised at how that situation worked out for me.
“I hit her in the face.” My palms flip into the air. “What else was I supposed to do?”
“I’m just saying, dude.” His voice drawls out, letting me know I won’t be living this one down for a while.
“Fuck you,” I reply. We both share a laugh. With my legs draped over either side of my board, I lift myself with locked arms and glance over my shoulder for the wave. “The water’s too calm today.”
“I saw her yesterday at Shore’s Bikinis.” He smirks, ignoring my attempt to change the subject.
