14. Greg

As Sam rides the wave, I watch her master the ocean with an ease that leaves me in awe. It's quiet, only the sound of seagulls and breaking waves surround us. I hate the tension. Yeah, I fucked up when I threatened Tommy, but honestly, this third wheel thing is a little much.

Tommy clears his throat. "So, erm, were you serious about all that divorce crap?" His gaze followed Sam, obviously appreciating her skill on the board.

"Yeah, do you wanna see the decree?" I'm only half-joking. Deep down, I know that he's sizing me up, trying to figure out what my end game is with Sam. While it's admirable, I don't really like the idea of groveling with him.

Now, groveling with Sam would be easy and hopefully end with us both naked.

Tommy's laughter cut through my thoughts. "No man. I'm just trying to protect her. You get it right? You got any siblings?"

Shaking my head, he continues chuckling. Waves wash under our boards, but neither of us goes for them. "Well, I got two brothers. Both assholes, but when shit gets rough, they always have my back. I like that and try to do that for my surrogate sisters."

"You think of them like sisters?" The phrase catches me off guard, especially considering how close he and Tilly seemed the previous night. The way his hands went all over Tilly's ass wasn't very familiar. If he thinks of Tilly as his sister, then I'm the President of the United States.

"Oh yeah, Tilly and Sam. They're my two best friends here, probably anywhere." I'm literally scratching my head as Tommy's face reddens. Yeah, that dude is thinking of his hands on Tilly's ass too. I almost want to help the poor guy out. Maybe give him some advice about the ladies. But I know that Tommy and I aren't friends, at least not yet.

"I'm just sayin' like, I get it. We were drinking and you didn't want me touching her. Okay, I won't. But Tilly?" Tommy's shiver hinted at complications I'm not privy to but can certainly guess at. "She might not be so easy to convince. Watch your back bud."

"You're not here to give me some speech about staying away?"

Tommy looks at his board, his feet kicking to keep his board steady. After a few seconds of silence, he shakes his head. "I could, but I don't think it'll do any good. The way you came into the shack, all kicked puppy dog and desperate…" He laughs, but I'm not embarrassed. "And then the way she looked at you, like all gooey eyed and shit. Like you control the tides or something. Yeah, I'm not getting in the way of that."

Damn. The words hit me harder than I want to admit. Despite his use of less-than-poetic phrases. ‘Like I control the tides.' I know what that means. It's like she thinks I can bring glassy-wave perfection to her life.

For a moment, I'm struck speechless before something else occurs to me. "Tilly mentioned something about Sam's ex?"

"Oh, shit yeah. I guess he used to beat her up pretty bad. She's never said anything to me, but Tilly's said it's why she doesn't date or mess around." Tommy's revelation hits me hard. There was nothing in the report about abuse. But as far as I know, Sam doesn't have any other serious exes. She was practically a kid when she got married. It adds a new layer of depth to Sam, contrasting sharply with the vibrant woman I'd come to know. And it doesn't match the profile of a murderer I've come to know, either.

The irony wasn't lost on me as Tommy warned, "We've all got a past, dude. Just, don't make me regret not hitting you when I had the chance." His departure on a wave left me to ponder his words, admiration growing as I watched his adept maneuvering on the surf. The way he is able to cut through and back along the wave is more than impressive. Not only that, but the man gave so much wisdom so easily. And didn't hold my outburst against me. Hell, he's even encouraging me to be with Sam.

Is guy crush a real thing? Cause if so, I have one on Tommy.

As I watch, Sam comes paddling back through the break, her hair whipping as she clears it from her face, bringing a smile to my face. "Did he impress you yet?" she asked, her grin infectious.

"For sure. Impress and confuse," I admit. She continues staring at me, her chest rising and falling quickly as she tries to catch her breath. "He said something about Tilly that confused me."

"Wait, he said something about him and Tilly?"

She shifts her board to face mine and kicks her legs until they're touching my surfboard, her gaze hopeful. Too hopeful. I'm starting to think this woman is a gossip addict. "I really don't think I should tell you now."

"Greg, please!" She's begging now, her delicious voice making it all the more challenging to hold back.

The plea and the way my name sounded coming from her stirred something deep within me. But I hold firm, a playful smirk on my lips. "No way, lady. You ask her."

Without warning, Sam leaps into the water and then hops onto my surfboard. Mine sways under our combined weight. She positions herself in front of me, legs dangling on either side, careful to keep her movements calm. I know what she's doing, leaning forward, letting her breasts press together. And I hate myself for it, but it's completely working.

"What'd she say, Greg?" Her voice softens and becomes sultrier, stoking the heat in my stomach.

I resist the urge to yank her over and kiss the shit out of her. Yes. Kiss the shit out of her. Don't ask why but it makes complete sense. I want to kiss this woman shitless.

Instead, I shift to lie on my stomach at the back of the board to accommodate her added weight and start paddling toward an upcoming wave. "Move your hands, woman!" I called out. She laughs and spins around. In one swift move, her knees are tucked up onto the board, and she leans down to scoop at the water. It's presenting a view I force myself to look away from. Her perfect heart-shaped ass is inches away from my face, and I'm the idiot staring at a bird flying overhead.

As the board gains momentum from the wave, I pop to my feet while Sam stays on her belly. Through her laughter, I feel her leaning to the side to throw me off balance as her own board, tethered by the leash, bobs in the water behind us.

Eventually, I fall, crashing into the foam with a splash. Surfacing, I see her right in front of me, her head covered in white bubbles.

"You make wipe outs look good," she says. When I reach out to grab her, she swims away. "Come on, you kook, lunch is on Tommy," she calls over her shoulder. Back on her own board, she paddles into the next wave, and rides it to shore. And as she goes, mermaid-style, I'm left me drowning in more ways than one. I watch her the entire time. Why oh why, tease me like that my beautiful, Sam? Now I'll have to tuck my boner in these stupid little shorts like a teenager at a pool party.

Deciding to visit the surf shop that morning had been a struggle. The sleepless night, spent wrestling with my thoughts about the altercation at the club and what to do next, had left me restless. Yet, the pull towards her was something I couldn't deny.

Despite what my job might expect of me, I find myself unable to proceed with my investigation. The more time I spend with her, the more convinced I become. Sam is not a murderer. For now, my new mission is to learn as much as I can about this woman who rides the waves with such effortless grace.