The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 28- Another New Friend

Men's semi-finals start today, and Lindsay and I waste no time in finding Norm to get the official schedule. My eyes scan the paper and I notice that Cody isn't going until the last heat. I haven't spoken to him since the Spotted Whale, so I'm not really sure if we're cool.

I make a mental note to keep an eye out for him while I work. If I see him, I want to try to apologize for Luke's behavior. However good-hearted his intentions were, he was pretty rude.

It turns out that I don't even have to go looking for him because after I finish taking photos of the first heat, he comes and taps on my shoulder. When I turn around, I can't help the wide grin on my face because he is wearing one of the headbands I bought him.

He notices my smile and points at it. "I've been practicing with it, and you're right, I am so much better."

I roll my eyes, but my smile stays put. I can't believe he's actually wearing it. "Yeah, well I guess we'll see today, huh?"

He smirks. "I'll be back when I'm number one on that board, alright?" He points behind me, referring to the challenge I set for him last week.

"I look forward to it."

With that, he backs away from me and disappears into the throng of surfers. It's not long before he's replaced by Lindsay.

"So flirtatious," she says, bumping my shoulder.

"Him or me?"

"Whichever." She smiles out of the side of her mouth before reaching for the camera around my neck. "Let's see what you've got so far."

We spend the break between heats going over the shots I took of the first set of contenders. She whistles at a few of them, which I take to be a good sign.

"You know, flying an intern all the way out here seemed like a hassle to me at first, but you really are paying off. I won't be surprised if this is one of our best-selling issues."

I blush at her statement, smiling shyly. "Thanks."

"It's true." She shrugs. There's a pause. "Soooo..." I can tell that she's trying to find a way to change the subject, and I can guess where she's going based on the fact that she won't make eye contact with me right now. "About your friends."

I smirk.

"Seen any more of them lately?" She poses the question innocently, but I can bet her intentions are anything but innocent.

"A little bit."

"What did you guys do?"

"Well, Luke came to the movies the other night, and we all went to their friend's barbecue the other day."

She chuckles. "How very Australian. Wait! Did you say movies? You and Luke went to the movies? Wow...Ashton was right..."

"Okay, first of all, whatever Ashton told you, he's full of crap. And second, it wasn't just us. Cody actually invited me to go with some of his friends, and Luke ended up coming too."

"You invited Luke on your date with Cody?" she scoffs, raising an eyebrow.

"It wasn't a date! There was a group of us."

"Let me guess, you, Luke, Cody, and then one other boy and girl?"

I swallow when I realize she's right. She notices my reaction.

"Oh my gosh! You totally brought another bloke to crash your double date with Cody! That poor guy!"

"It wasn't a double date!" I abruptly rise from the sand where we had been sitting and stomp away. To my horror, she follows me, prattling in my ear.