Read Online Always Summer by Nikki Godwin - Free Book Online Page B

warm welcome to the Drenaline Surf family.
Not even close. I mean, I won the Sunrise Valley Tournament, and I
don’t think one person congratulated me on it.”
    That’s a day I’d personally like to
forget.
    “In my defense, I was fired from my job and
broke up with my boyfriend that day,” I say, even though it’s a cop
out. I wasn’t happy that Logan won, either.
    He shrugs. “Yeah, that day kind of sucked
for everyone,” he says. “There was so much drama with Vin and
Topher and then Colby’s parents. I don’t know why I expected anyone
to care that I won.”
    My heart sinks into my stomach like an
anchor, except it doesn’t stay planted. Instead, it sort of drags
around in my gut, carving pain and sorrow into my being so I can’t
forget this moment later. We’ve really screwed this guy over. He
came out here with big dreams and a lot of hope, and we’ve steadily
been crushing every single moment of it, as hard as we can. It’s
not like anyone’s invited him to hang out or tried to get to know
him. I haven’t even talked to him once about his career plans, even
though I know exactly what Topher, Miles, and Colby all want
individually.
    “We screwed up,” I admit, pushing my hair
back behind my shoulders. “But we’re going to fix this. Who do you
want to be? Tell me what you want, and let’s make it happen.”
    He forces his sunglasses up into his hair.
“I want to be Colby Taylor,” he says, causing my jaw to drop to the
ocean bottom. “Without the drama, obviously.”
    “Say that again,” I say.
    He laughs. “He has a huge following. People
are excited to watch him surf. And aside from the mess with his
parents, he seems to be well-liked. Ocean Blast Energy likes him.
Shaka Magazine praises him. People turn up to see him surf, drama
or not,” he says. “I want that. I want to excite people. I want to
be one of those surfers you either love or love to hate. And you
know, I want to give back to the community and stuff.”
    He reminds me of a beauty pageant contestant
– highlighted hair and a perfect tan, camera-worthy smile, and what
seems to be a genuine personality. Of course, then they like to
throw in that line about world peace or ending world hunger.
    “And how do you plan on giving back?” I
prompt him. I wait for a few stammers or half-answers, but he
surprises me.
    “I’ve always wanted to work with the sea
animal conservation, like saving sea turtles. They’re my favorite
animal, and there are more of them here than in Florida,” he
explains. “I like all that environmental, go-green kind of stuff. I
don’t eat as clean as Colby does, but I have more in common with
him than he realizes. Oh, and surf lessons. I’ve love to give surf
lessons.”
    Surf lessons. How freaking genius! That’s
something Drenaline Surf hasn’t offered in the past. It’d give
people an experience rather than an item they bought on vacation.
They’ll remember the brand. They’ll remember the surfers. It’s
priceless – for a price.
    “If we started up a program, like if we
could team up with some of the tourist venues or trip planners,
would you be willing to help with a strategy for how to manage surf
lessons? Like help head the program?” I ask.
    “Are you kidding? I’d do it in a heartbeat,”
Logan says, his eyes wide and surprised more than excited. “Tell me
when and where. I’m in.”

Chapter
Nine
    “This is fucking horse shit,” A.J. shouts,
slamming the oven shut. “I’m not doing it. I’m not fucking doing
it, and he can fire me, and I’m done. I don’t care. I want Vin
back.”
    None of us react because A.J. has been
saying the same thing for the last half hour. Reed pushes him aside
to check the boiling noodles, and Alston makes a remark about not
letting the garlic bread burn. But A.J. isn’t really here
tonight.
    “Haley, you have to do something about it,”
A.J. demands. He leans against the countertop of the kitchen bar,
staring across at me. “I can’t