Laurent Marie - Changing Swell(1)

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Pink Petal Books, an imprint of Jupiter Gardens Press, publishes romance novels where the
relationshipisprimary.Itdoesn’tmatterifyouwanttoreadsupereroticorsweetinspirational
books. Pink Petal Books believes that love is a beautiful thing, no matter what form it takes. For
more information about Pink Petal Books visit http://www.pinkpetalbooks.com/.
The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other
means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please
purchase only authorized editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic
piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
Permission is granted to make ONE backup copy for archival purposes.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the
author’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,places,
organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
CHANGING SWELL Copyright © Marie Laurent, 2012
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Cover Art ® 2012 by Winterheart Design
Edited by EM Petrova
ISBN# 978-1-938257-41-4
Originally published in the BOYS OF SUMMER anthology
Cover Art ® 2012 by Winterheart Design
Edited by EM Petrova
ISBN# 978-1-938257-17-9
Print Publication Date: July 2012
Electronic Publication Date: July 2012
Standalone Electronic Publication Date: October 2012
This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without
written permission from the publisher, Jupiter Gardens Press, Jupiter Gardens, LLC., PO Box 191,
Grimes, IA 50111
Formoreinformationtolearntomoreaboutthis,oranyotherauthor’swork,pleasevisit
Also by the author
Changing Swell
Marie Laurent
Jason gazed out the window of a rusty, beaten car, eying the approaching land. The ferry
ride had been two hours, but the drive from home had been much more than that. Stretching his
legs and getting some food had been a welcome break from the driving. At least he could sit in the
boat's Seawest lounge and watch a movie on his laptop without the city flying by beside him.
"Are you sure we're going the right way? It's so cold out."
The driver turned around, rolling his eyes. "Have you never been to BC? It's always like this.
What did you think—just because there's surfing it'll be like California?" Everyone in the car
laughed—including, to Jason's embarrassment, his girlfriend Sara. "Besides, summer's just starting.
We'll get some good weather. Or you can get out and walk back home. You should be able to get
there before classes start."
Jason huffed at his friend, rolling his eyes back at him before settling against the seat, arm
over Sara's shoulder. He was not anticipating the next hours in the car with the excitable group.
They didn't seem to notice that they'd been driving for a whole day. Pulling Sara into his chest, he
yawned.
~* * *~
"Well, we're here. Jason, help me with my bags."
Groaning, he sat up, exited the car, and walked around to the trunk, pulling a backpack
onto his back and dragging Sara's suitcase behind him as she pranced ahead with her purse. Key
cards were produced, and the group headed upstairs.
Jason gazed out the window of his room. It was still overcast, but not pouring anymore, and
he could see some stars peeking out. The clear, refreshing air of the outdoors poured through the
window, though he wrinkled his nose at the scents of the beach: fish, kelp, and salt. The trees
waved in the wind, huge evergreens all around, their scents peppering the room. Though the hotel
was not spectacular, the view and the location would make up for it. He turned around.
"Isn't this nice, Sara? A room to ourselves, no pushy roommates around, nothing to worry
about, and all the time we want..."
Sara still stood at the door. "Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you about that. I think I
want to share a room with Melanie instead. You know, so we actually get some sleep at night." She
was looking away. Jason began to respond, but she turned and walked out of the room.
"Hey, what is this? You were so excited about this for weeks, and now you don't want to
share a room?" He grabbed Sara's wrist as she tried again to head for her friend's room. "What did I
do this time?"
"Look, Jason. You've been fun and all, but this just isn't going to work out. Are you going to
try to say that you haven't noticed something's wrong? You don't treat me any different than you do
your friends. You don't treat me special, and you don't hardly kiss me anymore. What am I
supposed to think?"
"I don't treat you special? All the things I buy you, all the times I carry your shit, that's not
special? You know what, you're right. You shouldn't be around me anymore."
Sara was shaking. She glared at him for a moment, and then stomped into her new room,
slamming the door. Jason stared at the door his now ex-girlfriend had passed through, picturing
her and Mel hugging behind it. They would be happier sharing the room anyway.
All of a sudden, Jason's chest felt empty. He was single again. How had that happened? She
was the hottest girl he'd met, and he had let her go.
But it didn't really matter, did it? She was nice enough, but there was a reason he hadn't
kissed her in so long, even if he couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe he had known they were
destined for a breakup. Jason swallowed, and felt his chest warm, the emptiness leaving. The door
swung closed with a click behind him when he entered the room once more.
Sitting on the bed in his empty hotel room, Jason flushed. The bed was so big. It was all he
could focus on, for a while. How was he supposed to warm it by himself? He wanted to cry, but no
tears were coming. In fact, he was fighting smiles as he thought about it. He had just lost a
relationship with the hottest girl he'd ever met, and he couldn't help but smile. Perhaps, he
thought, she was bad from the beginning. It just took until now to consciously realize it. That had
to be where the relief had come from.
"Hey, Jason? Can I come in?" At Jason's beckoning, Luke walked in, a bit tentatively. Upon
seeingJason’ssmile,herelaxed.Ididntwanttowalkinonabrocrying,youknow?Butyoulook
fine. Sara's really torn up from being yelled at like that, not that she wasn't asking for it."
"I feel better than I have in a long time. So, how are we sleeping now?"
Lukewasnttoopleasedwiththeresultofthegirls’planning.SaraandMelaniewouldshare
a bed, and Luke and Jason would share a double room. Everyone would be comfortable, and it
wouldn't cost much more.
Jason just shrugged. "I'm taking the bed by the window. I want to go surfing in the morning
and want to see the weather." It was already dark outside; the travel day had been a full one.
"Have you even surfed before?"
"I learned with my family in Hawaii a couple years ago. Don't worry about it. At worst I'll get
too cold and come in."
"Whatever. Maybe I'll invite Mel in once you're out for the morning." Luke grinned at Jason,
who rolled his eyes and turned away.
Lying in bed, Jason really hoped he wouldn't embarrass himself out there. A couple girls
from biology who he'd been looking at were going to be in his fall class too, and if he came back
from the summer with pictures of him riding the waves, he'd look just about perfect, he was sure.
Sara was out of the way. Even back home, especially back home, he could get a good tan, and mix it
with his story of surfing at the beach all summer.
They would be impressed and even those ex-high school jocks, who only were there on a
sports scholarship, would be jealous and look up to him. Though not all of them were so bad, of
course—Kyle was pretty nice, and Jason loved impressing him. It was all the more reason to do
better on the water in the morning. Even if he was a little rusty, Jason was sure he could improve his
skills over the weekend and get some other tourist to take pictures for him.
His mind set, Jason yawned. It had been a long day of travel, and hotel beds were always so
inviting.
~* * *~
The sun woke Jason, and he groaned when he looked at the clock. Only seven-thirty. The
sun rose too early in the summer, and despite its brightness, he could see fog rolling out over the
beach.
He looked over to Luke, who was still snoring on his bed, tangled in his own blankets.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]