Page 78 of Best Year Ever
“Perfect.”
CHAPTER 27
Rori
The drive out to his boat takes roughly an hour. With the July sunshine and summer temperatures, we have the AC blasting, and I wear the minimum necessary to be decently dressed. Specifically, a red bikini that’s too small for me to wear willingly in public, but I know will drive Landon wild with its cheekiness. Over it I put a short, white cover-up that’s loose, so I can stay as cool as possible.
Landon has his swim trunks on and a thin t-shirt. His curls are still a little wet from the shower, but no complaints here. He looks so sexy and relaxed. Grover and a cooler stacked with beverages and snacks are in the back.
“So when did you learn how to captain a boat?” I ask.
Landon laughs. “I don’t have actual captain-level skills. When I was growing up, we’d go to a lake to camp, and my dad taught me my way around boats there. During my first off-season here, I treated myself to this small motorboat and got real lessons for my license. You’ll see, the boat’s small.”
He looks over at me. “Perfect for you, me, and Grover though.”
“Well, I’m excited. I love being on the ocean,” I say, unable to hide my big smile.
We’re sending Landon off to training camp in style.
I can’t believe that in just one more week, he’ll be sequestered, and we’ll be apart again for a while. There’ll be no easy way for me to see him, except for a couple of Sundays he can come home. Other players’ families will apparently stop by for certain parts, but that isn’t possible in our circumstances.
I block all that frustration out, though, to focus on our boat adventure. When we pull up to the marina, I notice it’s a small and private operation. Only a couple of people are there, and they don’t seem to notice us.
“Follow me,” Landon says. He grabs Grover in one hand and our cooler in the other.
Landon walks up one of the docks and stops in front of a motorboat. It’s indeed small, but the blue frame is glistening and the interior is pristine.
“I can fit all four Battle siblings comfortably in here,” Landon explains as he steps in and gets everything situated. “So at least you have room to spread out.”
I sit down on one of the cushioned seats near the steering wheel, where Landon will be driving us.
“This is awesome,” I say to Landon, with sincerity. “Isoneeded this day.”
He breaks out into a big grin. “Me too, beautiful,” he replies before giving me a quick kiss on the lips.
I help a little, with his instructions, so he can get the boat off the dock. He motors us along the coast for a few minutes. I’m assuming he has a plan because he isn’t hesitating in his navigation.
The day is glorious, if a bit warm. And there’s nothing like being on the ocean, staring out into the open sea. Taking in the sights, I lose track of time, and suddenly we’re slowing down. I look around and see that we’re in a cove, with only trees and shrubs on the shore, no buildings. Turning in the other direction, all I see is the expanse of the ocean.
Our own private sanctuary. So perfect.
Landon gets us anchored as we come to a full stop. The waves are lapping along the boat, and some birds are squawking nearby, but otherwise there’s only silence and peace.
“Landon, this is breathtaking.”
“I know, right? We discovered this spot fishing one day, and I’ve kept coming back ever since. Sometimes just with Grover and me when I need to think.” He comes to me and grabs my hand. “Come here. Carefully.”
He leads me to the bow of the boat, where there’s more open space. “I brought some beach chairs if you want to lie out, get some sun.”
“Oooh, definitely,” I agree. He grabs the chairs and towels and we get set up. He reaches into the cooler and grabs non-alcoholic seltzer for us both.
“Triple berry, that’s your favorite, right?” he asks. I nod and accept the can. Another thing he must have picked up from his stays at my house.
Then I realize that it’s time for my surprise for Landon. This teeny red bikini is about to be revealed. And reveal is the right word. The top is made up of two small triangles and string, the bottom just one small triangle and string. There’s about to be a lot of me on display.
Without warning, I whip off my white cover-up. “Hey Landon,” I say, as he’s turned back to the cooler to grab his own drink.
“Yes, babe,” he says, turning around.
