Page 115 of Whirlwind

Tag stood at the edge of the infinity pool and swept his arms up toward the sky in a yoga move, taking in sun, air, and sea beyond in one deep breath. From the other side of the pool, Violet documented his every move and expression with her camera while Stone and Lars were in deep discussion a few yards away. She laid down on the wet stone and shot Tag from every angle possible.

I grinned. I knew it. I did.

From the moment we’d arrived here she’d been following Lars’s signals, working with Stone. She’d blended in right away, seamlessly became part of the team. She didn’t shy from asking questions, and she didn’t hesitate from jumping in like she was doing right now. And because she was already familiar with Tag’s vibe and liked it, she seemed to be completely in tune with what he’d go for, what to look for, what to capture. Tag dove into the pool, coming up alongside Irina and Kaspar.

Violet came over to me, putting her camera down on the table next to me. “Hey, you.” Her sunglasses hid her beautiful eyes, but her smile shone bright. “You okay?”

“I’m good.” I sucked on my ice coldfrappécoffee. “Enjoying the view.”

“Hmm. Did I tire you out last night?” Her fingertips traced a dazzling trail up my leg.

“In the best way.” I took her hand in mine and brushed it with my lips.

“Dude, come hit the roof with me.” Tag hovered over me, flinging water on me with his hair.

“Not up for it.”

“Whaaaaat?” Tag grabbed his phone that was on the table. He tapped and swiped. “Check this out, Violet.” He showed her his phone.

“Whoa, look at that!”

“What’s he showing you?”

“The two of you, baby-faced and beautiful, surfing in a curl.”

“Hawaii, amazing time.”

“Wasn’t that where you’d done your first big video, Tag? The two of you skateboarding at sunset on an empty highway?”

“That's right. We were in Kauai. Two weeks of mind-fucking bliss.”

“He’d dropped out of school but I’d just graduated.” I took the phone and glanced at the photo. “I went with him to Hawaii that summer to celebrate new beginnings.” I gave the phone back to Tag.

“So awesome.” Tag swiped at his photos again. “We hit every island. It wasn’t a trip like now. No crew, no crazy—”

“No first class,” I quipped.

“Yep. Just us and Lars. Ah, here it is. Check this out.” He gave his phone to Violet again. Stone hovered a few feet away, his camera trained on the three of us.

“Cliff diving?” Violet’s eyes widened.

“Ah, Mexico,” I said.

“We did it all together, and it was the best.” Tag held my gaze. “It was the beginning of everything. Not the very beginning, but after those trips with you, it was non-stop for me. Haven’t stopped since. That’s why I love that you’re here, Beck. We’re OG, you and me, bro. And I need a shot of that right now.”

“Me too, man.” We clasped hands.

“So, if I have to convince you to be a part of this, I will. Let’s face it…this is all good for your rep—being here with me.” Tag laughed

Violet tilted her head. “He has a point.”

“He does,” I agreed.

On a grin, Tag put his phone down on the table and jetted off, quickly climbing the exterior stairs of the villa to the roof, Stone following. A couple of guys and Gabriella were there waiting for him. Tag grabbed her by the waist, moving her toward the edge. Laughing and shouting, they jumped off together, twisting in the air. A drone hovered overhead, recording it all.

Violet slid a hand in my hair. “You okay?”

My spine tingled under her strokes. “Yeah, just…drank too much last night and feeling it right now. I don’t think jumping off a roof is a great idea.”

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