She sat down at the table and tried to join in on the conversation. Val gave her a sly look but she ignored it and laughed with the others about something Jimmy was doing. Brian watched Kate. He went over to the bar and drank a shot of Jack, then poured another one. Zacky came up beside him and poured himself a shot.

“What’s up man?” He asked. Brian looked around, then pulled Zacky into the house.

He sighed and pressed his palms into the counter.

“I almost kissed Kate just a little bit ago.” He said quietly. Zacky chuckled and leaned his back against the same counter.

“Almost? What happened?” He asked. Brian looked up.

“Val happened. She walked in just as I was going to kiss her.” Zacky raised his eyebrow.

“Okay so what’s the big deal? Try again when everyone goes home.” He said with a smile. Brian shook his head and let it drop.

“I can’t try it again Zacky. I shouldn’t have tried in the first place.” He said. Zacky sighed.

“Well why the hell not Brian? I mean it’s obvious you care about her a lot so why not just get things out into the open.” He said. Brian sighed hard and pushed himself off of the counter and pulled Zacky more into the living room.

“Because I think she’s still in love with Scott.” He said quietly. Zacky coughed and shook his head.

“No way. He beat the living hell out of her. There’s no way she-“ Brian cut him off.

“She was looking photos of him when I found her. She was crying. She looked like she was still in love with him. So I’m just going to leave it alone.” He said. Zacky shook his head and put his hand on Brian’s shoulder.

“Look man, if it were me I would just tell her how I felt.” He said. Brian chuckled.

“Oh yeah? What about Mel? You’ve been in love with her forever yet you never make a move.” He said. Zacky flushed and rolled his eyes.

“Come on Brian. Mel doesn’t feel the same way.” Brian shrugged.

“Never know until you try.” Zacky pushed him slightly.

“Yeah, remember that would ya?” The laughed, then walked back outside.

“They’re you are Zacky, where’d you wonder off to?” Mel asked. Zacky looked at Brian who shrugged and winked.

“Mel, can I talk to you for a minute?” Zacky asked her. She nodded and they walked out of Brian’s backyard and into the beach.

Mel took off her shoes and wiggled her toes in the sand.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live anywhere else.” She said as she looked out onto the water. Zacky followed her gaze then swallowed hard.

“Mel, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” She turned to face him.

She was smiling slightly and the way the moonlight danced on her skin made her look all the more beautiful.

“Mel I-“

Mel cut him off by doing something completely unexpected. She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. Zacky smiled into the kiss, then kissed her back a little harder before pulling away. Mel was blushing hard when they pulled away.

“I’m sorry Zacky, I don’t know what came over me I just-“ Zacky cut her off by putting his hand on her cheek.

“You always did know exactly what I was thinking.” She smiled and nuzzled his hand.

Then Zacky pulled her close and kissed her again, softly and slowly.

Brian, who was watching from a distance, smiled and chuckled to himself.

“What’s so funny?” Kate asked him. Brian downed a shot and glance at her.

“Zacky finally got the nerve to kiss Mel, well she kissed him first.” Kate smiled and looked at them.

“They look so cute together.” Brian nodded.

“They always did.” Brian poured himself another shot and just looked at it.

Kate watched Zacky and Mel hold each other on the beach, just watching the waves crash to shore. It made her happy. Brian drank the shot, then brushed past Kate and went to put the bottle of Jack back under the bar. Kate watched him wipe down the bar with a rag, then he just leaned against it and looked up at the stars. Val walked over to her and put her arm around her waist.

“You’re not mad at me are you?” She asked. Kate raised her eyebrow and tilted her head.

“For what exactly?” She asked. Val looked up at her.

“For ruining your moment with Brian?” She said with a hint of question in her voice. Kate looked over at Brian then she looked at Val and smiled softly.

“No Val I’m not mad at you. It might’ve been a good thing.” Val pulled away and stared at her like she was crazy.

“A good thing?! Kate, I interrupted a life changing moment for you and you say it’s a good thing?” She whispered harshly. Kate chuckled and shrugged.

“I don’t know Val I just, don’t think that it’s what he wanted.” Val shook her head.

“That’s not what it looked like to me.” She said. Kate chuckled and shrugged.

“I guess we’ll never know then.” Val sighed and gave her a hug.

“I guess not. Well, I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow alright?” She said. Kate nodded and hugged her back.

“Goodnight Kate.” Kate nodded and went back to the railing that overlooked the beach.

Zacky and Mel were walking up hand and hand, and giggling about something. Zacky caught Kate’s eye and smiled softly. He whispered something to Mel and she nodded hurried past Kate. She smiled then walked into the house. Zacky walked over to Kate grinning like a teenager.

“I asked her out, finally.” He said with a chuckle. Kate smiled.

“I’m glad. Brian said you’ve been wanting to do her since high school.” She said teasingly. Zacky shot a look at Brian, then smiled.

“That I have. Look Kate I just want to tell you something-“ Kate cut him off.

“Zacky if it’s about Brian, save it.” He started to protest, then thought better of it.

“Okay, I’ll talk to you later Kate.” He said. She nodded and he patted her arm before leaving to catch up with Mel.

They were the last to leave, and it was now just Kate and Brian left in the house. Brian was picking up the beer bottles that were on the table and Kate was just looking out at the ocean. When he was finished, he walked up behind her with a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

“You looked a little cold.” He said. She smiled and pulled it closer around her.

“Thanks.” He nodded and leaned his arms on the railing.

“Is this what you guys do every night?” Kate asked him. He shook his head.

“Not always. Sometimes though.” She nodded and looked up at the stars.

“It’s so beautiful here.” Brian nodded and drummed his fingers on the railing.

“Can you teach me how to surf?” She asked. He raised his eyebrow and looked at her.

“What?” She smiled and giggled.

“I want to learn how to surf, can you teach me?” Brian chuckled and nodded.

“I can try.” She smiled and held out her hand.

“Promise?” He reached out and grasped her hand. As soon as he did, he felt a tingle run down his spine. He swallowed and nodded.

“Promise.” She smiled then turned and headed for the house.

“I’m going to bed, see you in the morning.” She called. He nodded back to her, then turned back around to the ocean.

“What did I get myself into?” He asked himself.

Both Brian and Kate got up early to get ready for Kate’s first surfing lesson. Brian went out to get some practice in before the lesson started. Kate woke up and took a quick shower, then dressed in her new bikini she bought yesterday with Val. It was black with the Metal Mulisha symbol on the left side, with matching black bottoms. She pulled her hair up in a bun and picked up a towel out of the drawer. She made her way to the back porch and watched Brian ride out a wave. He rode it out as far as he could then layed back down on the board. He noticed Kate watching and he waved her down. She took a deep breath, and walked down onto the beach.

The sand was warm on her feet and the sun was already hot and it was only 10 am. Brian was waiting for her close to the water. He was leaning on his board watching her walk. She had her towel wrapped around her waist and was swaying her hips as she walked. Her top made her breasts look about two cup sizes bigger and it was hard for Brian to look at her. He swallowed hard and looked down. When she got closer, he pointed to a red board that was lying in the sand.

“Grab that board and lay it down over here.” He said, as he tossed his down.

Kate untied her towel and laid it next to his, then picked the board up and carried it over to him. She laid it down next to Brian’s and waited. He shook his head slightly then put his hands on his hips.

“Alright so first we’re gonna practice the movements on the sand so you have a better idea when you get into the water.” He said. Kate nodded and looked down at her board.

“See that cuff down there?” He asked, pointing to the black Velcro cuff attached to the bottom of the board. She nodded and picked it up.

“Strap it to your right ankle.” He said. She did as she was told then looked up.

“Okay, next lie down on your stomach.” He said. He and Kate both layed down on the boards then she looked at him.

“Now what.” She asked.

“This is how you’ll paddle out to the wave.” He said. She nodded and so did he.

“When you come up on the wave, you’ll have to turn yourself around then push yourself up with your hands and plant your feet like this so you’re balanced and ride it out.” As he was explaining what to do, he did it. Kate watched him in awe. She shook her head.

“I can’t do that!” She shouted. He smiled.

“Yes you can. It’s not that hard and if you can do it on land, you can do it in the water.” She sighed and put her hands firmly on the top of the board.

She pushed herself up and dragged her legs with her and landed just like Brian had. She grinned at him.

“Ha! I did it!” She shouted. Brian chuckled then dropped back down.

“Good, now try it again.” He said. Then he pushed himself back up.

Kate got back down and pushed up again. This time, she was a little off and started to fall. Brian reached over and caught her arm. She pouted and stomped her foot. Brian chuckled.

“That’s okay. Do it a few more times until you feel more comfortable.” She sighed and dropped back down.

She practiced for about 10 more minutes then decided she was ready. Brian agreed and decided it was time to take the next step.

“Okay, now we’ll go in the water.” He said. Kate’s eyes got big.

“Wait, I thought we’d do this in lessons! Like one a day!” She shouted. Brian shook his head and picked up his board and put it under his arm.

“No way. You’ve got to learn it all at once.” She groaned and picked her board up and followed him towards the water.

“You’re the one who wanted to learn you know.” He said as he stepped in the water. She rolled her eyes and stepped in. She was expecting it to be cold, but instead it was nice and warm from the already blistering sun. She could feel the beginnings of a sunburn on her face and shoulders.

“Okay you need to hop on your board and paddle out like I taught you.” He said. He pulled himself on the board then straddled it and waited for Kate. It took her a few tries and Brian to steady the board before she got on.

Then they both paddled out to the middle of the ocean and waited for a wave.

“Don’t worry if you miss it or fall off! It takes a few times to get the hang of it!” He shouted over the water to her. Kate swallowed and nodded and watched the water. She could see a big wave coming and she started to get nervous. Brian nodded and they turned themselves around.

“Ready?!” He called. Kate just nodded and they started paddling.

As the wave gained up on them, Kate and Brian both pushed up and prepared to ride it out. When it picked Kate up, she lost her balance right away and wiped out. Brian had caught the wave, but when he saw Kate fall, he bailed too. Kate came up coughing and spitting up water. Brian swam over to her and helped her back on the board.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get it. It takes time.” He said. Kate groaned and nodded.

Another wave was forming so they got ready to take it. Again Kate did everything Brian taught her and again Kate wiped out. This time when she came up, she was pouting and slamming her fists off of the board. Brian chuckled and held it so she could get on.

“Kate relax, you’re thinking about it too much. It’ll happen trust me.” She nodded, then paddled back out to try again.

About ten waves later, and eight wipe outs and two near fatal wipe outs, Brian decided it was time to call it a day. He paddled out to Kate and helped her on the board.

“Come on, let’s head in.” He said. She pouted.

“But I think I have it now.” She said. He chuckled.

“I know but it’s getting late, and you have to be starving.” Kate looked down at her stomach and on cue, it started to growl. They both laughed, then paddled in.

Brian took both boards and Kate took the towels as they walked up to Brian’s house. Brian set the boards down against the house, then Kate handed him his towel. The heat of the sun already mostly dried them but their hair. He quickly towel dried it, then walked in the house. Kate squeezed whatever water was left in her pony-tail before joining him.

“I’m gonna change.” She said. He nodded and turned on the stove.

Kate went into her room and peeled her swimsuit off. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw that she had a nice sunburn from her cheeks down to the small of her back, arms included. She groaned and pulled on panties and shorts, then rummaged through her bag for an oversized t-shirt. Having no luck, she called out to Brian.

“Hey! Do you have a shirt I can borrow?” She called. Brian walked over to her room and stood outside the door.

“Did you suddenly run out?” He said. She giggled.

“No I’m pretty sun burnt and I need a shirt that doesn’t touch.” She said.

Without a word he went to his room and grabbed a black Harley Davidson t-shirt and knocked on the door. She opened it, just a crack and reached her hand out. Brian put the shirt in her hands and she shut the door.

“Thanks!” She said. He chuckled then went back to cooking.

Kate then pulled the shirt on over her bra. She giggled at the fact that it covered her shorts. Then she went into the bathroom and brushed her hair out. Then she smelt something delicious coming from the kitchen.

Brian had chicken strips in one pan, rice in a cooker, vegetables in another pan, and some sauce in another. Kate walked over and smelled the air in the kitchen. Brian chuckled and stirred the sauce. He put some on the spoon and held it out to Kate.

“Here try this.” He said. He put his hand under the spoon and held it to Kate’s mouth. She leaned in and tasted it. She closed her eyes and moaned slightly.

“Oh my God, this is so good.” She said softly. Brian chuckled and tasted what was left on the spoon.

“I’m glad you like it.” She giggled and pushed around the chicken with the wooden spoon in the pan.

“Can you set the table for me?” He asked. She nodded and got two plates out of the cupboard.

“It’s easier to eat this in a bowl.” Brian said. Kate rolled her eyes and put the plates back, and got two bowls instead. Brian chuckled and turned all of the burners off.

“Bring me your bowl.” He said. Kate did and Brian put a layer of rice down, then the veggies, then chicken, then finally the sauce. Kate smiled and set the bowl down, then grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.

Brian did the same with his bowl, but he grabbed a beer instead. They sat down and Brian waited for Kate to take a bite.

“Stop staring at me!” She said. He chuckled.

“I just want to make sure you like it.” He said. She sighed and smiled, then picked up some chicken with her fork. Brian shook his head.

“No, you have to get a little bit of everything.” He said. She groaned and stabbed some veggies and rice with her fork. Brian smirked and waited for her to put it in her mouth.

Never in her life has Kate tried a vegetable for anyone, but everything just looked so good, she just couldn’t refuse. She closed her eyes and put the fork into her mouth and slowly bit down. As soon as she did, she was bombarded with flavors she’d never experienced before! She was in love. She closed her eyes and savored the tastes.

“Well?” Brian asked, snapping her back into reality. Kate opened her eyes and smiled.

“This has to be the most amazing thing I’ve ever eaten.” She said slowly.

Brian chuckled and took a bite of his food. They ate in silence for a while then Brian cleared his throat.

“So, have you thought of anything you want to do for your birthday?” He asked. She shrugged and shook her head.

“Not really. Last year I spent my birthday in the hospital so anything has to be better than that.” She said. Brian flinched and gripped his fork. Kate swallowed and took another bite.

The rest of the meal was in silence. When they were finished, Kate went into the living room and Brian went outside to have a cigarette.

Kate flipped through the channels for a while, and then she heard her phone ring from her bedroom. She jumped off the couch and ran to get it.

“Hello?”

“Hi baby.” It was her father.

“Hi daddy! How are you?” She asked.

“Fine, just fine. How are you?”

“I’m good. A little sun burnt, but good.” She said. He chuckled.

“Too much time lying on the beach huh?” He said. Kate giggled.

“No daddy, Brian’s teaching me how to surf.”

“Be careful Kate, I don’t want to hear about you drowning on the nightly news.” Kate clicked her tongue off of her teeth and sighed.

“Daddy, don’t worry. Brian won’t let anything happen to me.” She could hear him smile on the other end.

“I know baby. I know.” Kate smiled and laid down on the bed.

“So, what are your plans for the night?” She asked. Her father sighed.

“Oh probably just watch the news and turn in early.” He said.

“Daddy, why don’t you go out and have some fun?” She said.

“Go out?” He asked. Kate sighed and sat up.

“Come on daddy, momma’s been gone for 10 years now and I was just thinking that-“ He cut Kate off.