Free Second Chances by Tracy Younker Page B

the sun's rays on my chilled flesh. Sam is doing the same on the floor beside me. I can't believe how much my abs ache. Some of it may be from boarding, but I suspect more has to do with all the laughing. It's been a very long time since I've laughed like that. Griff and the guys are always goofing off and making me chuckle, but this is different--freer somehow.
    It's pretty quiet over here in this particular cove so as I lay in the boat sunbathing, the guys' voices carry across the water's surface easily. I close my eyes against the glaring sun and listen to them. Griff and Max are grilling Chase about what it is like to compete in the King of Wake series. It is the biggest series of wakeboarding competitions around, and there is even a place here in North Carolina where they come each year. I've never been, so it's interesting to listen to Chase as he describes it. Plus, the sound of his voice is like a familiar balm to my soul and makes me feel at ease.
    It makes sense that Griff has the most questions since he and I had kicked around trying a competition sometime. Something smaller at first, of course, but it cost money to enter. Mom and I are doing okay financially since Dad's death, but I certainly don't need to be throwing money away at wakeboarding competitions when I can come out here and bomb around almost anytime I want. Dad had things in good order when he died, even though he shouldn't have had to worry about leaving us at such a young age. Mom works and that's good for her, because she desperately needs something to focus on other than the fact that she lost her partner and best friend. They were so close, so it really is no surprise that she still isn't over it. I also work here and there whenever I can. Griff's dad is awesome and lets me come in and help out at his clinic when I have a chance, and a few families around the lake who knew my dad and me paid me to give their kids wakeboarding lessons. Griff did that with me from time to time as well. It is enough to put gas in the boat and keep up with my equipment. Mom knows that I help out Dr. Michael's, but she doesn't know about the lessons, so I can't do it a whole lot.
    I'm suddenly drawn back to the guys' conversation as I overhear Parker asking Chase what the 'chicks' in California are like. My heart stills as I listen for his response.
    “I guess the biggest difference is that a lot of them come from money and they're entitled and pretty shallow,” Chase tells him. I feel like a kid trying to eavesdrop on my parents.
    “But are they hot ?” Max emphasizes.
    “Yeah, some of them are pretty hot, especially if you like them enhanced,” I could hear that Chase's voice has gotten softer and I feel like someone has shoved a knife into my heart.
    “I bet they're all over you at those competitions,” Parker speaks up. “How many did you nail?”
    I swallow hard and put my arm up over my eyes as I feel tears building behind my eyelids. I'm used to hearing guys talking about girls like they are objects and I never really gave it much energy because the girls who put themselves in those situations probably know they are being objectified and don't really care. This is totally different though. I'm not a naïve fool. I know that chances are Chase has hooked up with girls over the last few years. I mean look at him for God's sake! I can just imagine girls literally throwing themselves at his feet. Chase has always been easy on the eyes, but he'd never been a one night-stand kind of guy though. I don't want to think about Chase and his probable hook-ups though, and I sure don't want to have to listen to it.
    “That's really none of your business, man,” Chase replies and I hear the other guys scoffing and blowing off his remark. They are trying their damndest to get a response out of Chase, but I don't hear anything more from him. The conversation shifts then and I hear them talking about some friend of theirs who has just found out he is going to be a dad.