Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 16

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft, golden glow over the waves as I stood on the edge of the shore, the familiar scent of saltwater filling my lungs. The beach was quiet, empty except for a few early risers and the gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

I closed my eyes, letting the breeze wash over me, carrying away the lingering pain and anger that had clung to me like a second skin since last night. I needed this—needed the ocean, the thrill of riding the waves, the freedom that came with leaving everything behind for just a little while.

"Hey, you okay?" Lily's voice broke through my thoughts, soft and concerned. I opened my eyes to see her standing beside me, her surfboard tucked under her arm, a worried frown etched across her face.

I forced a smile, though it felt weak and brittle. "Yeah, just... clearing my head."

Lily didn't look convinced, but she nodded slowly, her gaze searching mine. "If you want to talk about it—"

"Later," I murmured, shaking my head. "I just want to forget about everything for a little while, you know?"

She nodded again, her expression softening. "Okay. But just so you know, Jake's been asking about you non-stop since we got here. He's worried, too."

I glanced over at the shore, where Jake was waxing his board, his brows furrowed in concentration. He glanced up just then, his eyes locking onto mine with a look of concern that made my chest tighten.

I swallowed hard, forcing another smile as I waved at him. He waved back, his expression softening into a tentative smile, but I could see the worry lingering in his gaze.

I hated that I was making them worry. Hated that I couldn't just push everything down and pretend like I was fine.

But I wasn't fine. I was a fucking mess.

"Come on," I muttered, turning back to Lily and forcing a grin. "Let's go catch some waves."

She hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on mine, but then she nodded, the worry fading slightly as she turned toward the water.

"Race you," she called out with a grin, sprinting forward, her board slicing through the sand.

I let out a soft laugh, the sound strange and foreign in my own ears, and followed her, the cool water washing over my feet as I waded in, my board floating beside me.

Jake joined us a moment later, his gaze flickering between us with a mix of worry and something else—something that looked dangerously close to guilt.

"What's up, guys?" he asked softly, his voice cautious.

"Nothing," I murmured, forcing a smile. "Just... needed this."

He glanced at Lily, his brows furrowing, but she just shrugged, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Alright," he said softly, his gaze shifting back to me. "But if you need to talk, I'm here, okay?"

"Yeah," I whispered, my chest tightening. "I know."

The three of us paddled out, the rhythm of the waves and the saltwater spray grounding me, calming me in a way nothing else could. The water was cool against my skin, the sound of the waves crashing around us filling the silence with a soothing melody.

For a little while, everything else faded away. The anger, the pain, the confusion—all of it washed away with the tide, leaving me with nothing but the thrill of the ocean and the steady, reassuring presence of my friends beside me.

"Hey, Tess!" Jake called out, his voice light and teasing as he caught a wave, his board slicing through the water with effortless grace. "Think you can keep up?"