Just Good Friends?

Chapter 56 - Happy place

Nate.

"Hey Ben! It's good to see you. How's things? And how is Jake? Still surfing?" Bex stops by an older guy standing near the waters edge. I recognise him from a couple of parties. I think i remember her teaching his son to surf.

"Bex! My god! It's been a while! I'm good thanks, and yes, Jake is still surfing. He's in now as it goes, got pretty good too! So how are you? How's college? Oh sorry," he looks at me now "I remember you, Nate wasn't it? You've grown quite a bit from what I remember. You lot have always made me feel inadequate" he laughs at himself then. He seems like a nice genuine guy, probably around 8, maybe 10 years older than us.

"Hey dude, yeah, Nate. Good to see you. Did anything ever take off with you and Bella? I remember Joe pushing you 2 together" I smile at him.

"Ha! Yeah, he did didn't he! Actually, it all worked out pretty good. We went on a few dates after the first party of yours I went to, and we've been together since. So thanks Joe! Where is he anyway? Surely he isn't far away?" He says looking arojnd

"He'll be down soon. Probably to kick my ass for being a d**k to him" I laugh "anyway, I'll leave you to it. Bex, I can see a few of the old football guys over there. I'm going to see them whilst you surf ok beautiful" I kiss her gently and head off.

......

Ben.

"So, you two an item now then I take it?" I motion to Nate as he walks away. He's certainly grown in muscle a hell of a lot since I last saw him. Jesus, I think he must be the hottest guy on this beach.

"Yep. Nate is it for me. Its been a really tough year. Nate has been a rock" She smiles in his direction, and I see something in her face, that I never saw before. She is totally devoted to him. As if he senses her looking, he turns towards us, and I see his face visibly soften, and the love in his eyes says it all.

"Yeah, I never got a chance to say before... I was so sorry to hear about Mike. I never really knew him, but he seemed like a nice guy" I'd heard about it off Bella. Such a shock to everyone. And such a loss, so so young.

"Thank you. He was amazing. He was my best friend, and I loved him. We didn't have much time together in the end, but what we had was worth it. I'm glad you and Bella worked out, it seems Joe has a gift for match making" she laughs. She really is beautiful, and has grown up even more since I last saw her. "Anyway, we're having one of our legendary parties tonight. Come if you can. Be good to see you there" she grabs her board and heads in to the water. She stops briefly where Jake is, and has a little chat with him, then heads out further, to where some other surfers are. I look over to Nate, and he's laughing with a few guys, but he sees her going in.

I see Joe then, running towards him, and jump on his back and try and wrestle him down in to the water. But Nate easily flips Joe around and drops him. Christ that guy has really improved his strength. Its really quite impressive. Joe stands up and shoulder hugs a few guys. He has a quick chat with Nate, looks out towards Bex, then heads back out to pick up his board that he dropped on the sand. Then he heads in towards Bex.

"So, the Bay Watch gang are back are they?" Jase has come up beside me and I hadn't realised.

"Hey, yeah, they're having a party tonight. Up for it?" I ask, knowing his answer.

"Always! I'll let the boys know. Bex in surfing is she? I heard she's with that guy Nate now? He was Joe's mate wasn't he?" Jase is messaging the boys as he speaks.

"Yeah, that's the one, but f**k, you should see him now. Look, he's over there" I nod towards where Nate is, and now Harry and Cal have joined them too.

"f**k me! As if he wasn't fit enough before! s**t, being with Bex has really f*****g been good for him hasn't it!" Jase is literally staring open mouthed.

"Shut your mouth Jase, anyone would think you were jealous" I laugh.

"I f*****g am! Look at that kids abs!" And he's not wrong.

......

Nate.

"How's Bex doing now?" Tom comes over to me.

"She's doing good. She's working, getting lots of plans together, won lots of comps as usual and keeping us all in line" I tell him. I'm very proud of Bex, she's accomplished so much after going through all the pain she has in her young life.

"I was surprised to hear that you and her got together after you left here, but then I realised, you'd spent so much time together, it was only natural something happened. Happy for you mate. And honestly, what the f**k has happened to you?! You been on the roids or something? You're f*****g huge! Look at those pecs! Think I've got me a bit of a man crush" Tom jokes and jabs me in the arm.

I laugh then "all my own hard work dude" and I flex my muscles at him in a piss take way "and thanks, me and Bex are good" I smile.

"Still a man of very few words I see " he laughs, then heads off to speak to the others. I decide to go in for a swim.

......

I leave the water and go and grab my towel from where I dropped it on the sand earlier. The swim was just what I needed. I've really missed this place, I didn't realise how much. I know we live right on a beach, but it's not this beach.

"Hey Nate, party tonight Joe said? OK if a few guys from college come? They're cool" one of the other guys off our school football team, Tyler, comes over.

"Hey Tyler, yeah sure. You know their parties, all welcome! All good with you?" I ask as i wipe the water from my face. Then I feel arms snake around me and I know it's Bex. I pull her around to the front of me, and lift her up so her legs can wrap around my waist. She wraps her arms around my neck and leans down and kisses me. "See you later then you 2" i hear Tyler say as he walks away.

"Oops, did I interrupt you 2?" Bex asks with a smirk on her face.

"You know you did beautiful, but you also know you can interrupt me doing anything, any time you want. I love you." I say smiling at her "and by the way, you looked f*****g awesome out there as usual" she gives me a big grin then.

"Yo Nate! Either put my sister down for 2 minutes, or bring her over here with you, but get your hairy ass over here!" Joe shouts over to us, and I drop my forhead against Bex and groan.

"How do you know he's got a hairy ass?" Tom teases.

"Oh trust me dude, I found out the f*****g hard way!" And Joe shudders theatrically.

I don't put Bex down of course, I carry her over to where everyone is in the shallows.

"Who we playing next? Tom reckons we've got them coming up pretty soon" Joe asks when we get to them.

"Yeah, we've got Poiston up next, then you lot. Did you really just disturb me and pull me over here to ask that?" I ask Joe with mock disgust.

"f**k you Nate, you both need to cool off" but before he gets the chance to push me, i drop Bex gently but quickly down on to her feet, then grab Joe around the waist and tackle him back in to the water. We have a little play scuffle, then come back up for a breather, and Joe laughs.

"f**k sake, even with a f*****g head injury this dickhead can drop me. I said before that I needed to up my game, well f**k me, I need to get on it quick, whilst he isn't allowed to f*****g train!" He shakes his head laughing and punches my arm.

"Pack it in you 2. Nate, taking it easy remember!" Cal warns us.

"Sorry Doc" we both say in unison.

I pick Bex up in my arms, and carry her out of the sea "right, I'm off to take it easy, later fuckers, and I flick the v behind my head and hear them all laugh.

"f**k you Nate! And if I see that hairy ass of yours when I get home, I'll find the strength from somewhere to slam you dickhead!" Joe's shouts after me, but laughing at the same time.

"f*****g knock dude!" I shout back. I put Bex down by her board and she picks it up. I drape my arm over her shoulders, kiss her head, and we head back to the house.