Caught in the Riptide

Chapter 11

Cali pulled back into the parking lot of the Shack, which was now cautioned off with the yellow tape around the doors. There was two police officers talking to one another, but otherwise everyone had gone. Except for one.

It was dark on the beach, but she knew who it was immediately. She made her way out on the beach to sit next to him. He had his phone in his hand, waiting eagerly for Blake to answer him. 

"She's not going to answer you right now." She said taking a seat on the sand next to him. Luke sighed, but didn't say anything. The only sound was of the ocean waves in the distance. Luke finally clicked off his phone.

"I figured as much." He sighed.

"Like I told her, give it time." Luke shook his head.

"I lied Cali. I didn't want to hurt her, I didn't."

"I know. But you had a job to do, and you ended up saving us."

He turned and looked at her.

"You don't hate me?"

Cali shook her head this time. "Something wasn't adding up with you, but no Luke, I don't hate you. And Blake doesn't either. She just needs time."

There was more silence for a few more minutes, the two of them just watching the waves come in. 

"Blake has had her heart locked up in these, boxes, you can say, for a long time. It was nice seeing them opened up again. And you were the one to open them all." She nudged him with her shoulder with her own. Luke finally turned to face her.

"I did want to help you guys. Really, when I saw what was happening here after I got assigned to it, I wanted to do everything in my power to stop it." he smiled faintly. "I didn't think I'd fall this hard for Blake either."

"Oh man, we are so popular the FBI is checking us out." Cali huffed a laugh as she stood up. "She fell pretty hard too, I could see it coming when she offered surf lessons. She hated teaching people." 

Luke's smile remained slightly as he stayed sitting on the sand. Suddenly, Cali punched his shoulder. He flinched and grabbed it quickly.

"Geez! What was that for?" he asked, rubbing it.

"That's for lying to us."

~

Sunlight streamed through the window as Blake fluttered her eyes open. She let out a long sigh and rolled over. The previous night's events hit her, and her heart ached. She didn't know what to think still. Yes, he did come and save her and Cali but, was that all a part of his assignment? Was he even into her? Was this all planned? Was he just going to leave?

Her thoughts were swimming. She wanted to be mad at him, and yet she didn't.

Curse him for being hot.

She reached over and grabbed her phone. She turned it back on and wasn't to surprised to see all the notifications. Four missed calls, five unread texts and three voicemails.

She sighed and started filtering through them all.

Missed messages from Luke: 

Blake, please pick up.

Blake, I need to talk to you.

I care about you.

I never wanted to hurt you I swear.

Please.

Four unheard voicemails.

Voicemail one: "Blake please come back; I need to talk to you."

Voicemail two: "Blake, I messed up. Please pick up the phone."

Voicemail three: "I'm not good with words. But I care about you Blake. I never meant to hurt you. I was undercover and I didn't know it would go this far. Not-not that I regret anything ...fuck I'm sorry. I care so much about you Blake. Please allow me to explain.

Blake had to wipe away another tear. But she told herself that she was done crying. Her heart swelled at him saying that he cared, but she didn't want to immediately fall and forgive him. He had still hurt her. But she felt a little glimmer of hope that it would turn out fine.

If he already didn't leave the island.

She dialed Cali, who picked up on the second ring.

"Hey you! How are you doing?" she said a bit excited.

"I'm okay." she said softly. She heard a hammer and drill in the background. "Where are you?"

"Good news, the insurance is covering everything. I sent them the security footage and their hearts broke. So, we are getting all new widows, door, security, and a few new tables of our choice."

Blake felt relief hit her a little bit in her chest.

"And! And Ramone came back and opened up the stand in the lot here and said all of his proceeds today go to us to help fix this place up. Isn't that great?!" she almost squealed.

Blake let out a chuckle. "That's awesome Cali. Do you need me down there?"

"Nope! I got everything covered. I am going to open a mini juice bar next to the taco truck if that's okay?"

"That sounds like a great idea."

"Sick. You just rest up and clear that melon of yours."

She smiled and rubbed her hand over her eyes. She wanted to ask about Luke.

"Yes, he's still on the island Blake. I told him to give you space."

"Stay out of my head." Blake groaned.

"When you stop thinking so loud I will." 

"See you later, call me if you need anything."

"Will do. Later!"

She hung up the phone and glanced at the clock. It was already ten am. She never slept in that late. She assumed her body needed it. She got up and began making breakfast. She put a jazz record on and cracked some eggs into a pan. She began making toast and smudged an avocado all over both pieces before scraping the eggs onto the toast. She poured a glass of guava juice and went and sat on her patio.

She let the sunrays hit her face and she took a deep breath. She began eating and thinking about Luke. His smile, his kindness, his hair. She rolled her eyes and smiled to herself. But she wondered what he knew the entire time of being with her. And was she just another assignment to him? Was his boss going to let anything form from this? 

Well, you'll know if you talk to him.

She swore that voice was her mother's talking to her in her head. She sighed, grabbed her phone and sent one text to him.

Come Over.