Lacey was the first to speak, “Wow, so you’re really famous huh?”
I felt my face flushing and I tried to shrug off the adoration, but then Monica asked, “So are you going to compete again this year?”
I realized then that Meek had figured out who I was. I mean my name is plastered across my surfboard so it wouldn’t exactly take Sherlock Holmes to sniff out the clues.
I shrugged again, “Nah, probably not.” And even as I said it, in the back of my mind, almost like an afterthought, a still small voice could be heard saying, “One way or another I’ll be there!”
Although each of them had done so, Trish frowned the most, “That’s too bad. Meek says you are really good.” When she had said that, she reached out and ran a single finger over my right bicep, which was still clinched because I was holding my surfboard. A shot of electricity raced from my arm to my brain at her touch. I’ve no idea what that was all about, but dang it felt good!
At first Meek and I didn’t get to do too much talking about surfing because those three girls were hanging all over us. Now I am not complaining; I’m simply making an observation, that’s all. Actually, I was really enjoying the attention; that is until I saw Jacquelyn standing on the other side of the pool looking angrily my way. Even from that far away I could tell that she didn’t like the fact that those girls were being so clingy.
I made up some excuse to get Meek and me away from the girls. He picked up on the hint and the two of us headed for the water with boards in hand.
Once in the water I told Meek, “I think I’m in the dog house with my girlfriend again.”
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“I saw her watching me and I don’t think she liked me hanging around with the girls.”
Meek laughed, “Don’t sweat it. I know exactly how it is. See that guy over there?”
“The one with the green striped towel draped over his shoulders?” I asked.
“No, the one with the Black Speedo.”
“Oh yeah! What about him?” I asked.
“That’s my boyfriend and he gets incredibly jealous whenever I spend a little too much time talking to another guy.” Meek said.
“Boyfriend?” I asked not really intending for it to come out the way it did. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I mean… uh… it’s cool. I got a couple friends at school that are gay too.”
“So I’m guessing since you have a girlfriend that you’re not gay?” Meek asked and did I detect a hint of disappointment?
I didn’t mean to laugh but I did, “Nah, I’m not, but I am totally cool with it if you are. I mean, I don’t care who someone likes as long as they are happy.”
“Wow, that’s really a mature attitude to have.” Meek commented.