BackWash (Editing & Completed)

Chapter 17: Surfing Emotions

"Where's Chase today?" 

I shrug, looking up to meet Caleb's gaze. "I honestly don't know. He never came in this morning," I explain briefly before adding, "so if it's about another surfboard you broke, you're on your own. I sure as hell am not fixing it."

"Jeez." Caleb chuckles. "You're quite a grump without Chase."

"Am not!" I snap teasingly.

"Whatever keeps your boat afloat Gabs." Caleb winks at me playfully to which I roll my eyes at him. "I just love these one-on-one moments we have together." Caleb grins, pushing my buttons.

"We have so many one-on-one moments because you don't do anything," I point out. All that Caleb does is surf. "Even Stells is busy today," I remind him. It's usually Caleb and Stells with free time, but today Stells is seeing her relatives. She keeps herself preoccupied when necessary. Caleb seems to think surfing all day is a blast and that doing other things is not important. He's a surfing addict. He probably has it worse than Chase even.

"Psh what a loser," Caleb scoffs. "No one wants to keep busy."

I shake my head at him, a small smile on m face. "You're impossible."

"I'll take that for the compliment it is." Caleb grins down at me tauntingly.

"Don't you have other people to go bug?" I joke. I don't really want him to go. I enjoy his company...at times.

"Plenty, but you're my startup for the day," Caleb teases just as Jacob pitches. Jakie's not doing anything either 'cause school is on spring break. He's enjoying vacation at its best. Everyone else has responsibilities to tend to.

"Hey, Sis," Jakie greets, earning a warm smile from me. You gotta love Jacob.

"See, look, here's my second victim, right on time," Caleb motions to Jacob as he takes Jacob under his arm and forces him into a noogie.

Jacob merely laughs, used to Caleb's behavior. He shoves Caleb away before turning to me. "Where's Chase today?" He asks, inquisitive. I shrug in response, wondering when I became Chase Fuller's keeper. "Damn. I wanted to ask him for some pointers."

Caleb feigns hurt as he places a hand over his heart. "I'm offended. You could always ask me for some surfing tips, New School."

"Stop calling me New School," Jacob says in response. "Besides, I want pointers from a professional, not an idiot who surfs in rock pools."

Caleb's grin drops. "One time and everyone holds it against you," he mutters beneath his breath as Jacob and I laugh at his expense.

Jacob changes the subject. "So, you get your cast off tomorrow? Well, so says Stella. She knows everything about everyone."

I smile, elated that this stupid cast can finally be removed. "Yeah."

"That's great, Old School!" Caleb cheers with a single fist raised in the air.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Stop calling me Old School."

Caleb and his nicknames.

"You don't surf anymore, hence, you're old school. Jakie over here is moving past the basics of surfing, hence the term new school," Caleb explains with that devious grin of his right intact. 

"Don't force me into hitting you," I warn him as I gesture to Jacob to hit him. Jacob shrugs but complies nevertheless and whacks Caleb upside the head.

"Gabriela!" Someone shouts, someone I really don't feel like seeing.

Where's Chase when you need him?