My eyes watch the feisty, curvy, and ballsy woman in front of me slowly begin to fade away behind the foamy waves crashing down around her. Just a short interaction with the Hawaiian beauty has my chest tightening with the powerful tension she left behind.

Not being able to bear another second of not knowing her name, I shout out over the commotion going on around me, "I didn't get your name." I smirk, feeling my heart rate pick-up and holding onto the hope that she indulges me and my curiosity.

I watch carefully as she stills for a minute in the water, only giving me more time to skim over her well-endowed body. Her golden skin shines against the light reflecting off of the water, while thick, jet black waves of hair cascade their way down to the middle of her back.

"Lelani," I just barely hear over the static breaking of waves.

Lelani..... I like that. I really fucking like that.

Not wanting the bystanders around me and my friends back at the volleyball net to notice my god-awful ogling, I pivot my heel, feeling the grains of sand brush beneath my feet. My fingers rustle against the top of my head, trying to gain control of the disorderly brown strands. Finally feeling enough courage, I lift my eyes up to my friends, mischievous grins covering both of their goddamn faces.

"Woooo doggy," Murphy hoots out, waving his Marine's hat in the air and giving me a quick peek at the auburn curls hiding underneath. "That right there is what you call god-given fucking beauty."

I shake my head, trying to hide the heat I can feel beginning to form in my cheeks. Delk voices his opinion on the matter. "That speaks for two of them. I ain't ever seen two pretty best friends," he teases, alluding to that god awful, viral TikTok. Murphy and Delk shoot a look to each other, practically reading each other's thoughts instantly and belting out together, "UNTIL NOW!"

The two of them clamber over each other, kicking sand as they squeeze each other and break out into a fit of laughter, looking like a couple of idiots as they do so.

"Well, well, well..." An all too familiar voice speaks out from behind us. "If it isn't jackass one, two, and three."

"Hammond," I groan under my breath. I can never seem to get rid of the haughty bastard, no matter how hard I try. My eyes look over in his direction, noticing his bright, cocky smile and regular four-man entourage following behind him. "Small island, huh?" I ask, trying to mask the annoyance from my voice.

"I guess you could say that." Hammond cuts his eyes past me, motioning to Delk and Murphy and the pretty much vacant game of volleyball we have going. "Need more players?"

Murphy shakes his head feverishly behind me, wanting to avoid any and all engagement with his prime antagonizer, but maybe serving a few savagely-mannered spikes in Hammond's and his arrogant friends' direction would be good therapy for us all. It was obvious we were short manned, and what's better than a little bit of a playful rivalry?

"Sure," I answer for us all, unable to hide the wicked grin that I can feel spreading across my face. "We're short a ball, though."

"It's a good thing we've got one," Hammond sings out, reaching into his backpack and throwing the ball roughly in my direction. My reflexes work fast and my hands quickly catch the ball, feeling the competitive force that was put behind it.

"Best two out of three?" I bite out, finding my place on my team's side of the net. Murphey and Delk spread out in front of me, while Hammond and his team disperse themselves opposite of us.

"Yeah, but let's make it fun," Hammond suggests, cutting his eyes over to his friend's and laughing. "You guys win, and you get bragging rights and dinner on us."

"Okay?" I begin agreeing cautiously, "And if you guys win?"

"If we win, we get bragging rights," he says with a smug smirk, "And dibs on those two."

I follow his fingers, my attention landing straight into the water and onto Lelani and her friend. They both paddle side-by-side, in their own friendly competition to see who will be the first to catch the next wave. Lelani reaches the peak first, claiming the ride as her own. In one swift motion, she pushes her chest off the top of her purple surfboard, bringing her legs up through her arms, and mounting her feet perfectly on top of the glossy deck. I'm impressed, unable to take my eyes off of her as her arms stretch out on each side of her body, balancing her body with the movement of the ocean. She rides along the edge of the wave, a barrel of water forming just behind the edge of her board. With her feet planted, her torso and hips twist hard, pivoting and turning the surfboard effortlessly against the white water. She dips her hands into the salty sea of blue, as she continues riding out the rest of the wave.

"Do we have a deal or no?" Hammond asks, offering out his hand underneath the bottom edge of the volleyball net.

I bite hard against my lip, unsure of the prize arrangement Hammond's proposing to us. "Did they agree to this?" I motion back towards the water, "Because last I recall, they didn't volunteer to play the roles of the trophy prizes in our game."

"Aww, would you look at this, boys," Hammond pokes fun at me. "We've got a feminist on our hands. Either that or someone's just damn terrified of losing."

"You know what?" I say, taking his hand firmly into mine. I wasn't one for betting on a girl's attention, but there's no way in hell I'm letting Hammond win this game, and it would be an absolute honor to spare my newly acquainted friend, Lelani, the chance of dealing with his supercilious ass. "Deal."

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Okay, so maybe winning a game of beach volleyball is a lot more difficult than I anticipated it to be.

My lungs work overtime, as I crouch over in the hot sand, trying hard to regain my breath before the final match begins. "Delk, Murphy," I barely get out through my exasperated breaths. "Team huddle. Now."

Delk jogs up to my side, filled with the adrenaline from our last gain of the game- evening out the score between our teams- while Murphy practically hobbles his way over to join us. The three of us stretch our arms around each other, our heads butting together as we work out our final play strategy.

"We have to pull it together on this last match, you guys. Delk," I start, blinking away the sweat from my eyes, "it's your serve. Get that ball over that net, and we all make sure it's kept in the fucking air, okay?"

My friends both nod in agreement, but Murphy loses his confidence as he whispers out, "Dawson, I don't know if we can win this last one." He tiredly tugs on his ballcap, still panting from the heat of the Hawaiin sun and physically challenging rivalry. "Hammond is slicker than owl shit. He'll find some way to snake his way to a win."

"Snap out of it!" I command, sparingly patting against his cheeks with the palms of my hand, and slapping some sense into him. "Now's not the time for your unwarranted negativity, Murphy."

"That Hawaiin babe better be worth every goddamn drop of sweat you're making me spill right now." Murphy's pale skin glows a bright red, completely masking the freckles speckled across it.

"This has absolutely nothing to do with her," I argue back, brushing aside the candid comment.

"Oh, yeah... I'm sure," Delk chimes in, taking Murphy's side. "She better be worth my volleyball she stole, too."

"She didn't steal it," I laugh, replaying the feisty encounter once more in my head. "It was her compensation for both of your unnecessary catcalling. Now, as I was saying," I assert, bringing our conversation back to the matter at hand, "We keep that ball in the air, unless they hit it out of bounds, got it?"

"Got it," Murphy and Delk say together. We give one final fist bump to each other, before breaking away from our huddle and taking our places back in front of the net.

"Let's get this game over with," Hammond provokes us, kicking his heels and slinging sand our way. "I'm ready to claim my prize."

His head motions silently over beside us, just as Lelani and her friend start to tread their way out of the ocean water. I feel my teeth bite hard into the side of my lip, holding myself back from responding to Hammond's snide comment. Just as my eyes are cutting away from Lelani, her glance meets mine, drawing my attention right back onto her like a magnet. I watch her carefully and attentively, taking in her every movement. She meets the edge of the shoreline, tossing her surfboard into the sand and unhooking the velcro strap attached at her ankle. Lelani's hands reach up, gathering the tangled, wavy, and wet strands of black hair onto the top of her head, and tying them up into a messy bun.

"Dawson!" Delk shouts, bringing me back to reality once more. "Focus."

Right. Volleyball match. Focus.

Delk pitches the white ball into the air, bringing both of his hands together and forming a tight fist just before serving it perfectly over the net. Hammond's friends scramble on the other side, one of them hitting the ball right back to us. Murphy grunts as his short body jumps up, reaching up to the ball just by the tip of his fingers, and bumping it over in my direction. My hands just barely make it in time to pitch it over the net, directly to Hammond. Hammond's eyes send a wink my way before his hand spikes the back of the ball hard, sending it flying far past both of my teammates. My feet dig hard into the sand, refusing to let this be the winning play. With every single force of energy in me, my feet sprint backward, but just as I reach the ball, I hit hard into a solid force, sending my body rolling into the sand.

I land onto my back, feeling the wind completely knocked out of me. My entire body is aching, and panic takes over as I hear someone grunt beside me.

"Are you kidding me?" A voice nearly whimpers out beside me. I drag my back up out of the sand, pitching my body up and gathering myself to my knees as my eyes cut over to the unfortunate soul that I basically trampled in my path.

Oh god, no.

Lelani's face contorts in pain, as she begins shoving her body off of the ground, dusting off the grainy sand sticking to every inch of her arms. I scramble over to her, gripping onto her forearm and pulling her up to her feet. "Oh shit, I am so sorry," I quickly mumble out. "I had no idea you were there...I couldn't see behind me. Are you okay?"

Her friend quickly rushes to her side, asking the same question. Lelani yanks her arm out of my grip, indignation flooding her features. "I'm fine!" She bites out, her voice shaking with obvious discomfort.

Hammond cuts up from behind me, quickly whispering into my ear, "I've got dibs, remember?" Without another word, he grazes past me, brushing hard against my shoulder and making his way towards Lelani. His hands reach down into the sand, picking up the surfboard that took the fall with her. "Where are you parked?" He asks smoothly, his face appearing concerned and I'm suddenly aware that he was playing his own strategy all along. "Let me at least help you get this to your car."

Lelani's fingers grip onto the board, tugging it slightly away from Hammond's hold. "I can carry my board just fine," but as soon as the words come out, she's hisses in pain, drawing back her arm and clutching her shoulder.

Lelani's friend reaches out to her tenderly. "Come on Lela, don't be stubborn. You're hurt. Let him carry it," she advises, cutting her eyes over to Hammond. He sends a warm smile Lelani's way and I watch her scowl soften as she looks back up to him.

Murphy was right. Like a snake in the goddamn grass.

My fists tighten at my sides, realizing that the balls have been in Hammond's court this whole time. Lelani finally speaks back up, her voice still thick with aggravation, "Fine. Just to the car, that's it." My stomach sinks as she starts to stomp away, with Hammond sauntering behind her, Lelani's surfboard at his side, but she stops dead in her tracks, pivoting on the soles of her feet, and looks me dead in the eyes. "And you can carry my bags and volleyball to the car," she commands sternly.

A chuckle escapes my throat, undeniably amused by her bold personality. I ignore Hammond as he rolls his eyes at me, and I gesture a salute to Lelani before trailing my feet through the beach and gathering her belongings. The four of us trek our way towards the parking lot, Hammond's and I completely leaving our friends behind back at the volleyball net. We finally reach Lelani's car, and she wastes no time in instructing Hammond on how to tie the surfboard to the top of the roof.

"I didn't get you and your friend's name," Hammond inquires, as he pulls the last strap over the surfboard and ties it to the roof rack.

"I'm Alana," her friend speaks up first with an enthusiastic grin covering her face, "and her name is-"

"For me to know, and you to never find out," Lelani interrupts. Alana nudges her arm, sending a humiliated look Lelani's way.

Hammond pushes off the edge of the car, landing on his feet with an arrogant smile. "And why's that?"

Lelani's arms cross against her chest. "Because you're a Marine," she points out, suddenly cutting her cocoa-colored eyes up to mine, "and daddy's always told me to stay away from those." Her words send my head whirling, and I can feel the pulse in my neck intensify.

This girl could make a grown man cry if she wanted to.

"I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again soon," Hammond says confidently, rustling his fingers through his coal-black hair as he backs away from the green Jeep. "Marine's aren't as horrible as the rep they get. Maybe I could change daddy's mind."

I can't hold back the scoff that leaves my lips as I watch Hammond stride his way back to the beach, sending a flirty wave back to Lelani as he fades out of view. Alana begins strapping her surfboard to the top of her car, parked in the spot right beside us. I take that as my chance to approach Lelani, who speaks up first, "Your friend's quite a catch," she taunts as she climbs up into the front seat of her car, her words dripping in sarcasm.

I chuckle, shaking my head at her misunderstanding. "He is not my friend. He just works in the same shop as me. He's a prick is what he is."

"He seemed nice enough to me," Lelani says flatly, shrugging her shoulders. "At least he doesn't trample random strangers on the beach." I watch a slight smile crack from the corner of her lips.

"I'm so sorry about that," I begin to apologize, playful humor suddenly stirring inside of me. "But I think you should take partial responsibility for our collision..."

Her jaw drops in surprise at my words, and a laugh escapes her, "Oh, really now?! How is that so?"

I smirk, feeling delighted at our light-hearted banter. "I mean, you seem like a smart girl and all. You should know it's dangerous to walk that close to a volleyball match."

"Well, Brodie," and I can't help but enjoy the way my name sounds coming from her lips, "Touché."

"Touché," I repeat back, resting a hand on the rim of the Jeep's door frame. I cut my eyes down to her red and swollen shoulder, immediately feeling guilt once more. Without thinking, my fingers graze across the bloated area, "Is your shoulder going to be okay? I really am sorry."

Lelani's gaze nervously darts away from me, and her fingers lightly push mine away, a blush quickly crossing her cheeks. She covers a hand over where my touch last was, her tone returning serious again.

"I'm fine," she hushes out.

Alana slaps the hood of Lelani's Jeep with her hand, seizing our attention. "Gotta head out, chicka. Call me if you need anything, okay?" Lelani nods her head, and Alana directs her last words to me as she climbs into her car, "Give it up, Jarhead. Lela has strict boundaries for you Marines."

Lelani's hand pulls the driver's door shut, and she cranks on the car's ignition. She rolls down her window, motioning her hands to me and reminding me that I was still holding onto all of her belongings. "Right," I say, handing her bag and volleyball over to her.

"Thanks...Brodie," she smiles, licking her lips and pulling on a pair of sunglasses.

"You're welcome...Lelani," I respond, grinning back. Without another word, Lelani begins backing the car out of the parking space and starts to drive away. I turn my head back down to the beach, but one last time my attention follow's in Lelani's directions and I notice a white-sheet of paper fly out of one of her rolled-down windows. I catch it perfectly between my fingers, turning it over and skimming over its contents.

Alana's words replay in my head, "Give it up, Jarhead. Lela has strict boundaries for you Marines."

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't grown up wanting to learn how to surf... and after all, the thrill is in the chase, isn't it?

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