Together

141. No wrong choices

Living life like a robot
I am following the lead
Of the formulas in my head
I'm just a rote machine
Darling won't you see
Why I'm feeding on all I know
Shifting all my gears
While I'm holding on your soul
So set me free
-Vin Bogart

They hit up Trestles, which is where JJ is going to be competing the next few days. It's obviously not for beginners as the waves are fairly high. The swell is beautiful yet menacing.

Kiara couldn't take her board with her on the plane, that would have been just too much when she wasn't competing. So, she settles for lying in the sand and soaking up the California sun with Shoupe reading through that fishing magazine he was so invested in on the plane.

JJ and Nicki, however, take the to water like two children ready to brawl it out. JJ has to give it to her in the end too, she was way better than he was expecting. Not to be dick, but she was related to Shoupe and that guy couldn't so much as stand on his knees to ride a wave.

Nicki was like a pro though. Expertly gliding down the waves and through the tunnels. JJ cheers her on, impressed with her fearlessness. Usually he's the stupid one.

When she returns from her run, paddling in his direction she goads him on. "Let's see what you got."

"You sound like Shoupe when he took me surfing the first time," he reminisces.

"Vicki went surfing with you?"

"I wouldn't call it surfing," he jests.

Nicki laughs. "Go on, otherwise I'm gonna think you're stalling," she teases.

He just shakes his head, picking out the wave he wants and begins to paddle. The water is clear and smooth. Like he's riding a sheet of glass. His movements are swift and agile, not losing his touch over the break he took in the winter.

It was a good decision to come out early to at least see what he was going to face though, because these waves were somewhat more challenging than the competition in Florida, and that's with the weather being decent. He makes the run, though he'll admit his legs shook a little at the end. But that was probably more from excitement than fear over wiping out.

Nicki celebrates with palms clapping over her head as he makes his way back to her.

"Wow," she concedes. "I'm impressed, you're not all talk."

"Okay, first off, I never said I was the best surfer there was—"

"I didn't say that either."

He laughs, unable to keep the false malice in his tone when he scoffs. From the shore he catches the sound of a few people laughing. He wouldn't be drawn by it, but when he does he sees a young child playing in the water, splashing who he assumes is his mother. She's laughing and chasing him around.

Makes JJ think about Clair for a minute. Maybe they went to the beach back in the day. Before she up and left him.

Why did she come back? Didn't even really coming back though, did she? She's an hour and a half away, in San Diego. For probably the first time in over ten years they are in the same time zone. What was he supposed to do about that?

"Do you feel ready?" Nicki asks him.

His gaze gets pulled back and he starts, confused on what she's asking. He shakes his head when he realizes she was talking about the surf competition.

"Oh, um, yeah, I think so."

Nicki gives him a polite nod, recognizing that he wasn't really in the conversation. "Your head has to be set before you take on a wave, JJ."