When Summer Ends

Chapter 27

3-10-2022

Rylie and I spend the next day around Topsail, and it takes me a while to figure out why it's a weird feeling. We're sitting in the water hanging onto our boogie boards, just feeling the waves roll underneath us when I finally figure it out.

"Rylie," I say, and her head that's resting on her board turns lazily to face me. "Have you felt sort of... weird all day?"

"Well, I mean we did have sex like five times already today." She says with a laugh.

"Not that kind of weird." I giggle. "I guess it's just weird being back here and literally five minutes from the Salt and Light camp, but this time we don't have to..."

"Sneak around? Share secret touches beneath the blanket at firesides? Hide under the lifeguard stands to make out?" I laugh at all of Rylie's examples, remembering specific instances for each one. She grins and floats closer to me before hooking her legs around mine, and placing her board on top of mine so we can set our arms on top.

"It just feels weird, even after all these months. But it doesn't feel weird anywhere else, just here in Topsail."

"It makes sense, Aspen. This is where our relationship started. We spent a lot of weeks having to hide what we had, and now that we're back where it all started, it's normal to feel weird." Rylie reassures me.

"You're right. But I like not having to hide." I smile. "I'm kind of sad that the others are at a competition today, it would have been fun to see them!"

"I know. But hey, we'll see them in a little over three weeks for the reunion!" Rylie reminds me. "And hey, we've got some fun things to do around here anyway." She smiles.

The waves seem to be getting a little bigger each minute, but we're far enough out that they're not crashing on us yet. They come roll underneath us and lift us a few feet higher before dropping us back down and doing it all over again a minute later.

Rylie and I spend the rest of the morning boogie boarding before heading to shore so we can get lunch. As we walk across the long stretch of sand towards the board walkway leading towards our hotel, I quickly feel the heat.

"Can we run now?" I ask Rylie. We always made it a competition to see who could stand the hot sand the longest. I generally lost.

"Hop on." Rylie grins, and I don't hesitate before hopping on her back. Our boards trail behind us in the sand and we quickly make it to the small showers and rinse our feet before heading through the gate.

The hotel had two pools and several hot tubs, but we hadn't used them because we really only cared about the ocean. The lobby inside was huge and packed with people checking in, or waiting for the elevator to go up to their rooms.

"Oh, perfect timing." I groan before turning to Rylie. "Stairs?"

"Stairs." She grins. Our room was on the 16th floor, so we obviously only took the stairs up a few floors. The trick was to go up a few floors and catch the elevator there, where no one would be waiting. We're back in our room within minutes.

"Pizza for lunch?" Rylie asks as she dries off and throws on some shorts and a T-shirt over her swimsuit.

"Yes, please." I grin while throwing on a sundress. "Can we go surfing after?"

"Aspen!" Rylie gasps. "A girl after my own heart. I was just going to ask the same thing. I hope you're ready to be demolished." She smirks.

"Pride cometh before the fall." I shrug. Rylie laughs before slipping on her sandals and pulling me out the door.