“For real,” I say, climbing into the truck. Bodhi follows right behind me. “Morning boys,” I say to Coop and Beck. “Ready to get your asses beat in the sport of fishing?”
Coop lets out a hoot. “You did not just say that, Miss. Eva.”
“Oh, but I did. Last time I went fishing, I caught twenty-two,” I tell them all. “And that was just three hours on the beach, using sand fleas I found in the tide with my own hands.”
Beck looks at me through the rearview mirror. “You telling tall tales, Eva?”
Bodhi laughs next to me. “She knows how to fish. I’ve seen her do it.”
“I’ve grown up on the Halifax, guys,” I point out. “Did you forget? I fish off my dock pretty much every day. Beck, hit the road. In about five minutes, my dad’s going to be pulling out of our driveway right there,” I point. “I don’t think you want him to see me in your truck, with the three of you.”
Beck hits the gas and lurches us all forward.
“You really catch twenty fish in three hours?” Bodhi asks me in my ear.
“Twenty-two, with sand fleas.”
The boys like to put their boat in the Halifax further down south, in Ormond Beach. We have a bit of a drive. I take this to my full advantage by resting my head on Bodhi’s shoulder, my one hand in his and my other holding my coffee. His thumb keeps rubbing up and down my fingers, and every once in a while, I catch him staring at me. Almost like he’s questioning if I really am sitting right next to him. It makes me laugh every time I look up and his face turns red and he looks away.
Once we are in the water, we cruise for a while as Beck looks for the perfect place to anchor the Lady Luck and claim our fishing spot. Coop is up front arguing with him on where to drop our lines, which is rather comical to watch. These two are definitely entertaining.
“They argue like an old married couple,” Bodhi says. He sits down next to me and puts his arm around my shoulder. “It’s annoying, but you’ll get used to it again.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. They’ve always made me laugh. For years. I’ve missed it. I’ve missed them.”
Bodhi takes my hands in his. “We’ve missed you, Eva. How are you this morning?” He’s rubbing my wrists now without even looking at them. “I’m not going to lie. I’ve been thinking about you since I left you last night. I can’t stop thinking about you. You might be the one and only thing my mind is allowing me to think about.”
I smile at the thought and push up my sleeves to show him what my wrists look like today. Dark purple, finger sized bruises. “How am I today? Better now that I’m with you. Much better,” I tell him as he smiles. “But these?” I point to my wrists. “Pissed. Angry. Embarrassed. Mortified. Done. So done.”
He kisses both wrists. “Done?” he questions.
“Porter will show up at some point today. He’s called seven times since he left last night … texted a few times too.”
Bodhi rolls his eyes. “Pretty ambitious little bastard. Have you responded at all?”
“Not once.” I look up at Bodhi. “I’m not going to, but he won’t give up. And the fact I’m not answering his calls or texts, is going to piss him off. I’ve never done this before. Just ignore him. I always answer him. I’m going to have to see him today at some point, unless …” I leave my thought hanging.
“Unless?” Bodhi raises his eyebrows.
I smirk as I say, “Unless I don’t come home and stay with you tonight.”
Bodhi’s eyes go wide. “Jesus Christ, Eva. I can make that happen, if you can.”
I laugh and brush the one lone curl off his forehead with my fingers. “I’m sure that’d be a pretty interesting night,” I grin. “But I have to go home so that Porter can come over, so I can break up with him. So, this can all be over with. He needs to know. He needs to hear me say it.”
Bodhi only looks disappointed for half a second, but then he nods his head in agreement. He’s tracing a pattern with his fingers on my leg as he says, “I’m not going to let you do that alone.”
“I know you won’t.”
“Do you have a plan? Something tells me Porter isn’t going to take it calmly and head home and cry all day.”
I laugh at the thought. “No, no he won’t, but I do have a plan. My mom. I think I’m going to tell my mom everything. She’s been different. I’m not sure what’s changed, but she and I—we’re sort of getting along for the first time in years.”
“Alright ladies!” Coop shouts from the wheel. The boat has stopped and I look up to see he’s already grabbed his fishing pole and is baiting his hook. “First one to catch a fish has bragging rights for the entire summer. Last one to catch a fish, swims home.”
I jump up and grab a pole. I’m busy baiting my hook and claiming a spot but ask, “And what about the person who catches the most fish today, Coop?”
Coop points to Bodhi. “That’s usually your man right there.”
I cast my line out. “I like those odds.”
Bodhi pretends to be hurt. “Ouch, Eva.”
“Damn, Bodhi,” Coop shakes his head. “Good luck, man.”
Beck throws his line out. “You catch more than Bodhi, I’ll buy you some ice cream.”
“Nah,” I smirk. “Dinner. I want dinner. Lobster. And steak. And then ice cream.”
“Deal,” Beck agrees.
A few minutes later, all four lines are now in. It’s so quiet I can hear myself breathing. The boat is swaying with the ripples of other boaters that pass, and I close my eyes and breathe. I like the quiet. I can think in the quiet. I’m alone in the quiet, which is how I prefer to be. I also like the quiet while I’m fishing. I feel like I can hear them, the fish, on the other end of my pole.
Someone closes in on me. “What are you doing there, Eva?” Bodhi whispers.
I glance up at him with one eye closed. “Being one with the fish. Shh. I’m focusing.”
Someone snickers, probably Coop, but wouldn’t you know it, two minutes later I feel that familiar tug on my line and I’m reeling in the first fish of the day. A massive catfish, that I unhook myself and then hold out to the guys as it wriggles in my now slippery hands.
“That’s one,” I say as I toss him back in, wiping my hands on a towel hanging from the pockets of my jean shorts. “Anyone got a scorecard?”
The looks on their faces. I will never forget the looks on their faces.
This goes on for about an hour, and after that hour it’s clear I’m kicking their asses. I wasn’t lying when I said I fish off my dock daily. I’ve had a lot of practice. The boys are growing restless each time I reel one in. I love to see them squirm when I yank my pole back with anticipation of what’s on the other end.
“It’s cause you’re a girl,” Coop declares as I secure another trout in the cooler for Beck’s grandparents. “We’ve never fished with a girl before. That’s what it is. Fish love girls.”
I laugh and pick up my pole. “You can’t tell me you guys have never brought another girl on your fishing adventures before …” Coop shakes his head, so does Beck. I turn to Bodhi. “Not one? Ever?”
“You are the first, Eva Calloway.”
Flattered, I go to bait my hook but change my mind. I secure it on the side of the boat and say, “I’m going to do you boys a little favor and let you catch up. I’m roasting anyway. I need a break.”
I unzip my hoodie and take it off, throwing it and myself under the only shade on the boat. My bikini top is the only thing I have on underneath, and I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to strip down to just this. I stare at my chest as it bursts from my bikini. My boobs and I have a love-hate relationship. I have no idea where they came from. My mom and I could be twins with our facial appearances, but I didn’t inherit my voluptuous boobs from her, that’s for sure.
Am I self-conscious of them? Hell no. What I am self-conscious of are these goddamn bruises though. They’re like a bracelet of shame around my wrists. I sit under the shade, rubbing them away even though I
know it won’t make them disappear.
I don’t see Bodhi as he sneaks up in front of me until his shadow covers the rest of the sun. I jump when I glance up and see him standing there. He takes one look at me, rubbing my wrists, and reaches for my hands, pulling me into an upright position. I blush as his eyes wander a little. It’s been a long time since Bodhi’s seen me in a bathing suit. There’s no denying that a lot has changed since we were fourteen.
He brings his face close to mine and says so quietly only I hear him, “I love to see you blush when I look at you.”
I blush even more.
“I will never meet anyone more beautiful than you, Eva.” His hand goes up to my face. His fingers stop on my lips. “I forget to breathe sometimes when I look at you.”
“Don’t do that,” I let out a small laugh.
He grins. “The guys,” he continues, nodding to them, “they know about these,” he points to my wrists. “I told them last night.”
“You told them?” I exclaim.
He nods and smiles a bit. “Damn, you’re even more beautiful when you’re mad. Don’t be mad though. You can trust them. You can trust me. This …” he points to everything and everyone on the boat, “this is all safe. I promise.”
“We already knew Porter was a dickhead!” Coop shouts to me. “Don’t be mad at Bodhi! Dude was confirming our suspicions!”
Bodhi shakes his head. “Safe, but not always private.”
“You want us to toss him off the back of the Lady Luck?” Beck asks. “Porter. Not Bodhi. Although, I can arrange a two for one special.”
I laugh. “I’ll handle Porter,” I say, as I push Bodhi in his chest. “And Bodhi for that matter.”
THREE HOURS LATER, we call it a day. I didn’t beat my personal record, but I came close, and I did indeed beat Bodhi, so that’s all that matters. I sit down next to him, snuggling my way into his side as we sail the boat back to where we dropped it in. Coop throws himself down next to me.
“Who taught you to fish like that?” he pokes and asks in amusement.
“Self-taught. Self-taught after lots of hours alone on my dock and boat.”
“Nah. I don’t buy it,” he shakes his head. “Bodhi, you’re going to need your grandpa Calvin to give you some fishing lessons if you’re going to keep up with this girl.”
“He is always out on his boat,” I smile up at him. “I’m sure if you say please.”
“Speaking of boats,” Coop jumps up. “Yo, Beck! Bodhi found his secret grandpa on a picture in Tackle Box today. Standing in front of the boat Wanderlust that his dad left on, and he was with that dude that disappeared a while ago, Owen Edwards.”
“Owen Edwards?” I choke.
“You knew him?” Bodhi asks.
I shake my head. “No. I knew of him though.”
“Wonder how your grandpa knew him?” questions Beck.
“Anyone else think it’s extremely screwed up that Owen and Bodhi’s dad both disappeared at different times from Flagler?” Coop chimes in. “And that your dad,” he points to Bodhi, “just so happened to disappear on a boat that your grandpa and Owen had in their possession at some point?”
“Yeah …” Bodhi mumbles. “Nothing adds up. Guess I can ask Calvin later tonight how he knew Owen?”
My heart’s racing. Trust. Bodhi said I could trust them. I definitely trust Bodhi, I always have, but should I tell them what I know about Owen Edwards? What I overheard my dad say about him to Mr. Channing? Is it time to let that little secret become unearthed?
What do I have to lose?
“Actually,” I blurt out before I can change my mind, “I know something else about Owen Edwards. But you guys have to promise me what I tell you stays on this boat.”
Coop kisses his fingers and holds out the peace sign. Beck nods his head, and Bodhi says, “Of course, Eva.”
So I tell them. I tell them everything I heard that night.
chapter eleven
Bodhi
W e’re back at Beck’s and hosing out the boat after a long morning of fishing, where Eva kicked all of our asses. Watching her fish in tight jean shorts and a bikini top, I’ll admit, it was next to impossible to keep my hands off of her today. She’s like a magnet to my body. I don’t feel normal unless my hands are touching her somewhere, anywhere. And her lips. God, her lips. I can’t even look at them without feeling a quiver in the pit of my stomach. I’ve wanted to kiss her for years but couldn’t. Now that she’s here, back in my life, within kissing range, it kills me I haven’t done it yet. I need her lips on mine almost as much as I need air to breathe.
I’m watching her as she takes all the fishing gear from the boat and places it back in its correct spot in Beck’s garage, as if she’s done this every day for her whole life. My eyes are glued to her as she jumps off the back of the boat carrying the cooler. Her chest bounces as her feet hit the ground and I let out an incoherent moan. Jesus Christ, I have to lean up against the house to keep my legs from giving out on me. I can’t help but spray her with the hose as she walks by, although I should probably spray myself.
“Bodhi!” she jumps. “Damn you!” She shoves me right into the garage as I laugh at her.
Coop and Beck jump down from the boat too.
“Lady Luck looks good,” Beck announces.
I walk around to the side of the garage to turn the hose off, sensing they’re both following me.
“Dude,” Coop places his hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah?”
He waves his arm around as if gathering everything in the air. “Eva? Porter? Owen Edwards? Mr. Calloway? Mr. Channing? Your grandpa? Your dad? Do I need to continue?”
“Eva needs to get out of that house,” Beck declares. “And you need to stay the hell out of that house. It’s like the goddamn twilight zone over there. Bring her here, kidnap her if you have to. You have an empty house, take her there.”
“I’ve got it guys. I’ll be fine. She’ll be fine.”
Beck pokes my shoulder. “You’re in over your head,” he declares, following me as I walk back to the garage. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Bro’s in love,” Coop chimes in. “His head isn’t thinking anymore.”
Eva walks out of the garage, stopping dead in her tracks at the sight of the three of us staring at her. My eyes go straight to her chest. I can’t help it. I move my body in front of the guys, knowing that’s where their eyes are looking too.
“You boys look like you committed a crime,” she comments.
Coop makes a gurgling sound under his breath as he mutters, “Well, my shorts just committed—”
I stomp right on his foot. “You ready to go?” I ask her, turning and glaring at Coop at the same time.
“Go where?” she questions, narrowing her eyes on mine.
“It’s a surprise. Later dudes,” I say to Coop and Beck, taking her hand and leading her to the jeep.
“Stay out of trouble!” Coop yells after us. “Please, for the love of Jesus, stay out of trouble!”
Eva turns around and points to Beck. “You owe me a lobster and steak dinner,” she reminds him. “And ice cream.”
“Dammit,” he mumbles. “Yeah, yeah,” he says back, waving his hand as he disappears into the garage.
We drive along A1A in an exhausted type of silence. The Florida heat does that to you, renders you spent by early afternoon if you’ve been out in its sun all day. I have the top down and Eva’s hair is blowing behind her as the jeep moves. She has her hands out the side, catching the wind with her fingers. My heart has stopped a million times today. I’ve never been with a girl that makes me question if I’m indeed dying every time she’s around.
I turn off A1A, and Eva smiles as she looks over at me. “I was hoping we were heading here,” she says.
My house. I brought Eva to my house. A place we both have been inside so many times, but it’s been so long since we’ve stepped foot in my house together. I park the jeep and open the door for her.
>
“Welcome back,” I say.
I’ve been inside my house a few times since that last morning with my mom. Mainly to gather clothes and grab a few things here and there. It doesn’t feel normal, being in the house by myself. Every time I’ve come back, I ask myself if I’ll indeed come back again. This house without my mom inside isn’t home anymore. Yet here I am, back again, and as Eva and I walk through the garage and head upstairs to the main floor, something is different. A good type of different.
The first thing I do is slide the balcony doors open to let in some fresh air and light. The balcony stretches the entire length of the front of my house with the beach across the street. We’re lucky to be high enough up that we have an amazing view. I turn back to Eva who’s standing near the kitchen, leaning up against the wall, watching me. I can tell she’s a little uncomfortable, but from what, I’m not sure.
“Everything okay?” I ask her.
She nods, but stays right there. “Just lots of memories. Everything looks the same,” she weakly smiles.
I’m suddenly overcome with the realization that maybe bringing her here wasn’t the best idea. “You want to change?” I point in the direction of the bathroom, like she didn’t already know where it was.
She nods again and heads that way with her bag. I need to make this okay. I need her to be comfortable here, like she was in the past. I have an idea, and I pray it helps. I walk into the kitchen and search the fridge for the things I need. It’s pretty bare and it takes me a brief moment of shuffling old condiments and salad dressings out of the way, but I find everything I’m looking for.
I take out two small cans of Sprite and pop them open. I then grab the grenadine syrup and pull the jar of maraschino cherries from the side of the fridge, mixing them in with the Sprite I’ve poured into cups. The bathroom door creaks a little, and I sense she’s moved over to the balcony. I grab the drinks and turn. She’s standing with her back to me, leaning on the railing, looking out at the ocean. My heart about falls out of my body right there in the kitchen. I’m an idiot, standing there watching her, but sometimes when I see Eva, my entire body forgets it can move on its own. It’s almost as if I have to tell my brain, move you idiot.
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