The Café

Chapter 12

There is nothing quite like floating on my board in the ocean. Fresh air, nature, quiet.

Well almost quiet, I can hear Tom talking about the waves he is going to catch from about 20 metres away. He is very vocal about his so-called ability. We are yet to see any of it though.

"I swear! Last time I got out for a surf I caught the biggest wave anyone had seen in years! It was epic!" Tom brags.

I try to drown him out and just enjoy the peace.

"Here comes a good one!" Evan calls out from behind me. I lay on my board ready to begin paddling. I catch the wave and ride it as far into the shore as I can. Georgia cheers from the sand. I paddle my way back out to the surf ready to go again.

Tom is still floating on his board back there.

"What happened?" I ask Tom when I get a bit closer.

"My foot got stuck in my rope." Tom sighs. "But I'll definitely get the next one!" Link paddles up beside me on his board. His toned upper body glistening as the salt water drips off of him. The smell of the freshly baked cookies and the ripped body floating in front of me was almost making me sweat, if I wasn't floating in the ocean.

"That was a good wave Tess!" Link compliments. I feel my cheeks blush as I'm busted admiring him.

"Thanks!" I smile back.

"You gonna have a ride today Tom?" Link teases. Tom just huffs at him. We had been out here for half an hour and Tom still hasn't caught a single wave.

I lay back down on my board and begin to paddle back out to catch the next wave. I start moving and Tom slaps me on the arse as I move past him. The most guttural growl comes from Link in response. Even I am a little scared by it. Tom's eyes go wide and the colour drains from his face.

"What the f**k Tom?" Link spat at him angrily, slapping the water at the same time.

"What? I'm just admiring the view." Tom replied like a smart-arse.

I turn back to Link and put my hand on his shoulder. The fireworks set off instantly and I can feel his anger slowly dying down. I don't know why I did it, it was instinctive.

"It's ok Link. Just ignore him." I look back at Tom, "I do." I state before continuing my paddle away.

I hear a splash and see Tom flapping around in the water trying to get back onto his board. Link is chuckling to himself as he paddles away as well. I know all too well it wouldn't have taken a very hard push to knock Tom off of his board.

"For f***s sake!" I hear Tom complain as he keeps flipping his board trying to get back on.

"Need some help Tom?" Pete calls from beside us. Everyone was laughing at the comic performance in front of us.

"Oh shut up you d**k head." Tom daggers at him.

"What was that with Link and Tom?" Georgia asked me as she plonked herself on the sand beside me.

"In the water?" I question, playing with the sand between my toes.

"Yea, we all heard the growl." Georgia said quietly. We were lucky this beach wasn't a huge spot for humans.

"Tom slapped me on the arse as I was paddling away. That's all." I downplay.

"So it was Link who growled?" Georgia questioned.

"Yep." I confirm.

"Should have known..." She sighs.

"Should have known what?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

"That it was Link. He was been staring at you all day." Georgia states. "Haven't you noticed? Him and Tom have been at each others throats!" I had noticed that things were tense but didn't think it was about me.

"That's nothing to do with me though, surely." I stutter.

"Well considering Link's position in the pack its not a surprise." Georgia adds while waving to Pete playing cricket on the sand.

"His position?" I ask - I still had no idea where he fit in within the pack.

"Don't you know?" Georgia sighs. "He's..."

"Tess! Come get an ice-cream with me!" Tom yells from the other side of the towels interrupting Georgia mid sentence.

I groan.

"Give me 5 minutes!" I yell back to him. He has the worst timing.

I turn back to Georgia to hear what she was saying but Pete has already stolen her attention.

"You coming?" Tom calls out to me again.

I stand up and make my way over to him. I put my shirt back on as I walk.

"You should leave that off." Tom snickers as he flicks the sleeve of my shirt. I roll my eyes at him and he grins back. "So, are you having a good day?" He asks.

"I am. Just what I needed." I reply happily.

"I noticed your scars have all healed." Tom remarks.

"You noticed did you?" I tease lightly.

Tom laughs in response. "Oh, I certainly noticed!"

I blush. "What ice-cream are you going to get?" I ask while searching through the freezer for the raspberry ice blocks.

"I'm a sucker for a good ol' chocolate covered ice-cream on a stick." Tom states holding it up in front of him. Its amazing how different he is when other people aren't around. Doesn't have to play the famous celebrity.

We pay at the register then head to the bench outside to eat.

"I'm not sure what is up with Link today. I think I have done something to really annoy him." Tom says, his face looks as if he didn't mean to say the thought out loud. "He's a bloody idiot." he adds.

"What is his deal?" I ask Tom desperately wanting some information.

"His deal? Well his Dad told him to watch out for me while I'm on his territory. Like a bodyguard of sorts. Not that I need protecting." Tom adds quickly and puffing his chest. "He's a bit more laid back than me so I don't think he is really enjoying the partying etc."

"Why do you need to be protected while on the packs territory?" I push. Link must be part of the guard by the sounds of it.

"Because I am a guest. Alpha Steven invited me here for his sons Alpha ceremony. They needed entertainment and apparently his daughter, Kirra is a big fan of mine. I mean, why wouldn't she be?!" Tom laughs at his own joke. I'm not surprised Link is on edge. Being made to babysit someone you don't particularly like would be annoying. I am deep in thought when Evan, Penny, Georgia and Issy meet us.

"Link and Pete have packed the car up. We're ready to head home." Evan announces.

"I didn't even take my board to the van yet!" I stress standing up to rush over to the boards.

"Link said he would pack up your stuff for you. Don't worry." Issy replies to me.

"Only the best for my Tess!" Tom laughs putting his arm around me. I feel the warmth but find myself missing the fireworks from Link's touch.

"You're Tess?" Penny asks with raised eyebrows.

"He wishes..." Georgia laughs before she is on the end of one of Tom's icy glares.

"No ones Tess." I confirm to Penny before turning to Tom, "Cool ya jets mate." Making Evan howl with laughter.

"What's so funny?" Link asks as we approach the car.

"Tess just really put his famous-ness in his place." Evan laughed. Penny elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up.

"About time." Link muttered under his breath knowing full well everyone could hear with our wolf hearing.

"Come on Tess!" Tom called from inside the van. "You're next to me again. I can rub some aloe vera on your back if you want?" He flirts. Link yanks the straps on the boards tight.

"Careful Link!" Pete calls out.

I deliberately brush my shoulder against Link as I get into the van to feel the fireworks again. They are just as I remember - magical.

Link turns to watch me get into the car before sliding the door shut behind me and getting into the drivers seat.