by Sierra Hill
“Yeah, right, bro. You can always hope.”
I laugh along with him. “Well, let’s hope you can at least be on time tomorrow so you can watch the front while I get Ellie started on her new hire paperwork.”
“Sure thing, boss. Will do.” He clicks his tongue and shoots me the cocked gun sign with his fingers.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Chapter 3
Ellie
“I’ll give you a quick tour before Cody gets in.”
Deacon steps back from the hug he gave me and smiles one of his friendly, boyish grins, gesturing for me to follow.
It’s Monday morning and I arrived at eight-thirty a.m., the time he had requested, so he could get my paperwork started before the store opened at nine. He mentioned something about his employee, Cody, likely being late, so he wanted to get me started in the event he had to open the store without him.
Powell’s Surf Shop & Sports had been around and in his family for over thirty years. His father, Allen, had opened it right after he and his mother had married and before Deacon was born. For as long as I can remember, it’s been a big draw within the small hometown of Hillside Cliffs, where people flock to during the summer seasons to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest coastal living. The winter months are much quieter with fewer tourists venturing out when the cold winter winds blow in and the ocean brings out her feisty side.
Those are the months I’ve always loved the most. When you can bundle up and take walks out on the sandy beaches when no one else is around. When all you hear is the wind whipping from the west and feel that sting of Mother Nature snapping her damp force across your face.
I follow Deacon around the store as he points out the plethora of surfing gear, fishing poles, sea kayaks, bicycles and other rentals that I’ll need to learn. The shop boasts an impressive stock of anything a vacationer could possibly need during their ocean retreat.
“What in the world is this?” I ask with interest, picking up a gigantic inflatable contraption.
“Ah, that’s the latest craze. It’s a sumo surf suit.”
I choke out a laugh. “A what?”
He pulls out a card that provides a brief description of the odd-looking tube vest and hands it to me.
“It’s the latest craze that allows you to surf and skim across the waves wearing this giant inflatable tube vest, no board required. You don’t even have to learn how to use it and doesn’t take years of practice to get good like surfing.”
I briefly scan the instructions and nod.
“Sounds fun and probably something I should try out. No matter how many times you tried to teach me, you know I could never learn to surf.”
While the waves in this area can be good for surfers, you don’t find the kind of a surfing folk here that you do in California. The water temperature in the Oregon ocean is vastly different and the breaks here aren’t as big or predictable. South of our town about thirty miles is an area called Cape Kiwanda where many surfers will hang out with swells of over six feet. That’s where we’d go in high school with our friends and hang out.
Deacon chuckles, his face lighting up with mischief. “Remember that time you, me, Kari and Sanders went down to Kiwanda for a weekend? God, those were good times.”
I stick my tongue out and roll my eyes. “Right, it was all fun and games until I got pummeled by that giant wave that hit me so hard, I nearly drowned.”
Deacon scratches at his short beard and raises his eyebrows, then snaps his fingers and gives me a pointed stare. “Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. You’re never allowed to go out on a surf board again, young lady.”
I stuff the information card back into the rack and turn to look up at Deacon, who stands nearly a foot taller than me. Although not clean shaven like he used to be, he hasn’t changed much. His sandy-blond hair still looks tousled, like he’s come straight from bed or the water. His brown, maple-syrup eyes are dark, but hold a gentle concern for everyone he talks to. And his bright-white toothed smile always lights up a room.
The memory reminds me of all the fun we had in high school. And of Kari.
“Have you heard from her recently?” I ask point blank, not needing to clarify who it is I’m referring to.
Deacon turns away and shrugs as I pick up a paddle and hold it to occupy my hands from reaching for him on their own accord.
“Not since the last time she was in town after her dad died, I think three years ago. But I think she’s happy with her life now. She definitely got the hell out of Dodge.”
I snort laugh and my eyes volley between Deacon and the oar in my hands. But then an uncomfortable silence descends between us, as we both seem to be recalling our past and the way things had once been and what could have been.
“How about you, though? Are you happy with your life, Deac?”
Deacon gives me a wide, enthusiastic smile, throwing his arms out to his sides, Vanna White-style.
“Of course, I am, Ellie Belly. I have the world at my fingertips,” he playfully acknowledges, although I hear a strong hint of sarcasm in his tone. “Who wouldn’t want all of this?”
Deacon and I had some long talks when we were still in college about his desire to do something more than run the shop. It was in his blood, but he’d secretly wanted to become a sports analyst and commentator. He loved all kinds of sports - most of all, swimming. His dream was to be a network commentator and someday broadcast for the Olympics.
Instead, he returned back home and is living a completely different life than one he dreamed about all those years ago.
Still, he’s got a pretty good gig, considering that one of us currently has absolutely zero career prospects at all at the moment.
I swat at him playfully with the paddle before putting it back and following behind him as he begins our tour once again.
“I think what you’ve done with the shop is pretty damn impressive, Deacon, and I’m sure your dad is really proud of you. He must trust you a whole lot if he just handed over his business to you like that.”
Deacon moves behind the front counter as I stand in front of it. The way he looks at me sends goosebumps skittering down my arms for no good reason. It’s weird, but I’ve noticed a shift between us, and I can’t quite put a finger on it. But I do know it started the night of my graduation party.
The night he almost kissed me.
But he didn’t, and we both moved on, never discussing what almost happened and neither one of us taking action to make it happen again.
It’s obvious he doesn’t hold the same type of feeling for me as I do for him, otherwise something romantic would’ve happened between us by now. Anyway, it’s too late now since he’s now my boss and I need to let that idea go.
But it’s so damn hard when all I want to do is kiss him. Deacon is the classic boy-next-door in looks, charm and hotness. Being around him gives me crazy ideas and very naughty ideas.
I’m staring at his lips as he speaks, so when he places his elbows on the counter and clasps his hands together in a thoughtful pose, our lips nearly touch. I swallow and step back to avoid temptation.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I’d like it as much as I do. I mean, of course I knew the business from working here every summer since I was fourteen. But the responsibility was always on my dad to run the thing and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do it. I’ve found that I really enjoy it and it’s going…well.”
This is Deacon in a nutshell. He never boasts about anything, not even when he was named All-State Swimmer two years in a row in high school and earned a scholarship for his swimming abilities.
Patting his hand, I give him a look that says, ‘don’t be an idiot,’ but say, “You’re far too humble, Deac. Your dad let the shop go because he knew you could handle it and look at it now. The place is thriving. You’ve remodeled, advertised, grown the business. You’re amazing.”
Deacon turns his head and downplays the compliment with a wave of his hand.
“Whateve
r. It’s just because I’ve put a lot of energy into this and have spent every waking hour making it work. I paid the price, though, with my lacking social life.”
I take a step back and place my hands on my hips. “Lacking, huh? Well, good thing I’m here to help you remedy that this weekend. Let’s go out and get you laid.”
It’s almost comical the way his eyes bug out when he turns his face to meet my gaze. He blinks a few times and stares at me like I’ve turned into a zombie or something. Until I realize he’s misinterpreted what I mean.
Giving him the jazz hands, I shake my hands in front of me. “No, no, no…I didn’t mean me! World’s Best Wing woman right here.”
His head drops to the counter as he punches some buttons on the cash register and mumbles something that sounds like, “Would that be so bad?”
But then he returns his smile to me and accepts the invitation. “Sounds good. Shall we finish your orientation so I can put you to work?”
Giving him the thumbs up sign, I grin widely, just as someone enters from the backroom. The guy looks to be in his late-teens, with disheveled white-blond hair, a round freckled face, and clothes that look like he slept in them last night.
Without even turning his head, Deacon says with a wink, “Cody, I just changed the scheduled. You’re closing Saturday night and opening Sunday. I’ve got plans.”
Chapter 4
Deacon
The week flew by in a blur as I continued to train Elle on the in’s and out’s of the store, merchandising and inventory, and completing safety and deposit intakes for customer rentals.
I’ve never had so much fun conducting a new hire orientation before. With Elle, it’s just like old times and something about personalities just click. She understands my moods and dry sense of humor and is just an easy woman to be around. She’s no bullshit, no drama and makes even the tedious tasks seem fun.
The only thing that has changed between us is my repressed level of attraction.
Goddamn, I haven’t been this turned on by a woman’s presence in years. There were moments this week when I literally had to go hang out in the back storeroom because my hard-on was so obviously noticeable it looked like I had one of those water noodles stuffed in my pants.
The question is, how the hell am I going to manage being around her tonight without blowing my cover?
To complicate matters, she’s not just my long-time friend, but she’s also now my employee. What a cluster fuck for my overactive libido.
The one girl I’ve waited for and have always wanted in a capacity more than friendship, is now completely off limits to me. There’s no chance in hell that I can make a move on her now, even on the off chance that she would be interested in me in that way.
Ellie’s voice chimes in the air and brings me back to the present. I’ve been rearranging some products shelves and Elle and Cody have been up front, helping customers. Although only the beginning of June, we’ve already seen an influx in sales and new vacation arrivals. It’s been very good for business and I’m hoping it stays that way through the summer.
Taking on Elle as a second employee wasn’t risky, per se, but having both Cody and Elle as full-time could be a weight on my payroll. But the weather has been unusually warm so far, bringing in more customers than normal.
“You ready to hit the road soon?”
I’m stooped over a pile of inventory, sitting back on my heels as I turn my head over my shoulder to see Ellie standing there wearing her bright blue Powell’s logo T-shirt and khaki shorts. My eyes automatically stall at her long, toned legs before moving up to her face, her eyebrows quirked inquisitively.
My words slur together as my brain tries to clear itself of inappropriate thoughts. “Yeahinjustaminute.”
She laughs. “Everything okay with you today, boss? You still want to go out tonight?”
Oh, did I mention she’s begun calling me boss and it sends my cock into overdrive every time with the sexual implications? Fuck, I want to hear her say that in the bedroom.
I’ll show her who’s boss.
I push up to a standing position, carrying the box in hand and walk past Elle, getting a whiff of her cinnamon and sugar scent. Honestly, I’m not sure I can trust myself around her tonight. It’s taken all my willpower and restraint this week to keep myself in check and hands to myself.
Nevertheless, I give her a reassuring smile and bump her hip with mine as I move around her.
“Yep, we’re all good. You can clock out now and I’ll swing by your place at seven.”
Ellie gives me the thumbs up and is just about to leave when we hear my name being called from the front of the store.
“Heeeeey, Deacon. Where ya been hiding, my little water bug?”
My head swivels and I catch Ellie’s green eyes that have blown wide at the sound of her old high school nemesis, Bethany Stewart. She was unkind to Elle in high school, to say the least, and sadly hasn’t changed much since. Except with me, because I was dumb enough to sleep with her last summer.
I wouldn’t say I was desperate when I hooked up with Bethany, but I was a little lonely. Living in this small beach town can really become a drag when you’re a young single guy. Bethany had just gotten divorced and was spending the summer living in her parents’ beachside cottage. It was a no-strings-attached fling and by fall she’d moved back to the city and it was over.
Unfortunately, it sounds like she’s back in town and possibly hoping to pick up where we left off.
Fuck. My. Life.
Bethany rounds a sales clothing rack, her hips swinging wildly from side-to-side as she comes into view, her painted-red smile diminishing the minute she locks eyes with Ellie.
I stare between the two women feeling I’m in the crosshairs of something big about to go down. Like an eruption of Mount St. Helens or a tsunami that’s about to hit land. Ellie’s gaze volleys between Bethany and me, and I can tell that she knows within a matter of a second with no words exchanged that Bethany and I have hooked up.
And I feel like a complete asshole.
My hookup with Bethany was a secret and I never told Ellie about it. Had I shared it with Elle when it first happened, she probably would’ve given me a good ribbing because of how we both felt toward Bethany in high school. In all likelihood, Ellie would’ve understood and there’d be no hard feelings.
But not so much now.
Now Elle’s surprised gaze has turned into a mutinous glare directed toward me. I swallow and put on a cheery, shit-eating grin.
“Oh, hey Bethany. I didn’t know you were back in town.”
Bethany stops within an inch from colliding with me, tips her head to the side and fluffs her hair with an air of superiority that even has my hackles up. I steal a sideways look at Elle, who looks on as if she’s watching a train wreck.
Bethany licks her red lips and leans into me, her fake boobs pressing into my chest and plants a kiss on my slack mouth.
Shit, this is not good for any chance I may have had with Ellie. I don’t think I could recover from this duplicity.
I fail to return Bethany’s kiss and take a gigantic step back, crashing into a well-stocked shelf full of water toys and sand buckets that topple all over the floor. Elle kneels down to pick up the mess, but I stop her.
“I got it, Elle.”
I touch her shoulder and she stares up at me with pleading eyes. I know exactly what she’s trying to say. “Please get this bitch out of here.”
Bethany must finally catch on to the reason for Ellie’s presence and says something only a bitchy, jealous, catty woman would say.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Ellie Green, back in town and working as a…” she flutters her hand, as if unsure of what to label her. “As a shop girl. How very quaint.” She emphasizes the T through her gritted teeth.
Practically ignoring her, Ellie stands up and brushes off her knees. “I’m going to go clock out. I’ll meet up with you later. Oh, and hello to you, too, Bethany.”
I nod as she turns to leave and then I hear Elle mutter, “At least I have a job, bitch.”
Bethany obviously hears it too and huffs out a derisive noise but returns her attention to me, scaling a manicured nail down the center of my collarbone to my chest.
“I see you must be short on good help these days. Lucky for her she has such good friends who take pity on her.”
Her smirk is evil, like Cruella Deville. All she needs is the puppy fur coat to complete the look.
I begin restocking the shelf, turning my back to her. “Knock it off, Beth. Ellie is just taking a temporary break this summer before moving on to her next job. So, exactly what can I help you with? I’m about ready to head home.”
Wrong thing to say.
“Oh, that’s perfect! I just dropped off my Mercedes at Lyle’s shop to have some work done and I could use a ride back home. You’ll drive me home, won’t you, sweetheart?”
Everything within me wants to say no but I know Bethany and she won’t take no for an answer. Plus, it’s not in my nature to leave a woman stranded when I can be of help.
Avoiding her overly-made-up face, I keep my attention focused on my task as I respond.
“Yeah, sure, Bethany. But you’ll need to wait outside. I still have a few things to do before I leave.”
She claps her hands in ecstatic delight and I cringe. She’s so annoying.
“Thank you, Deacon. You’re such a sweetheart. I knew I could count on you.”
A noise comes unbidden from my chest. “I’m just dropping you off, because I already have plans tonight.”
Bethany snickers as I stand up and turn around. She sucks in her bottom lip with a look that clearly says, “I’m sure I can change your mind.”
“Of course, darling. Just a ride.”
Chapter 5
Ellie
I pace like an expectant father by the front door as I wait for Deacon to arrive.