Chapter 32 Saltwater Confessions
"Max—wait!" The word escaped my lips before I even knew what I was doing. He had already walked several steps down the wooden deck toward the private beach, surfboard tucked under one arm.
He turned slightly at the sound of my voice.
And I was frozen like a statue.
Max stood there in nothing but black boxers, the morning sun catching on his beautiful inky black tattoos on his torso. His black hair was pushed back messily, damp from saltwater or sweat, and his body glistened with a thin sheen that made every defined muscle stand out, making him look like a Greek god carved out of a sculpture.
Looking at him, my heart didn't just skip a beat. It somersaulted, and tripped over itself, forgetting how to function entirely.
"Max… I—" I swallowed, suddenly hyperaware of how ridiculous I sounded. "I didn't really mean to—"
Before I could finish, he stepped close... so close the scent of salt and warm skin filled my lungs—and gently placed a finger on my lips.
I froze, despite the warmth of the beach. Damn... his single touch felt so light... but it struck me harder than any kiss ever had. I could feel my pulse hammering in places I didn't even know had a heartbeat.
"Shh," he murmured. "You don't owe me an explanation, Veronica."
His eyes held mine—deep blue, looking unreadable. There was vulnerability there but he was trying desperately to hide.
"If you choose my brother," he said quietly, "that's fine by me."
Fine?! My chest tightened painfully. He really was fine about it?!
He stepped back a little, giving me space, though his gaze never wavered. The distance he created felt calculated... like he was forcing himself to do the right thing even though everything in him wanted to stay close.
"I mean it," he continued. "If you choose Theo, I'll be… happy for you both."
But he didn't look happy... even so, he tried to be casual. For a muscular man he was, he was slightly trembling now, which was a crack in his armor, the hairline fracture that revealed the truth beneath his words.
He definitely wasn't okay! And it only made me feel deeply for him.
He paused.
Then his jaw flexed, like he was fighting himself. I could see the war playing out in his features... love for his brother versus whatever this thing was between us.
"But Veronica…" he said, coming closer once more. He tilted his head, eyes dropping to my lips before meeting my gaze again. The intensity in that look nearly knocked me backward.
"I know you still feel something for me."
My breath caught in my ribs.
"And when the time is right," he said slowly, deliberately, each word weighted with promise, "it'll come out. And then…" he smirked. "…we'll have that talk."
I stood frozen, feeling weak, resisting the urge to reach out and pull him back in my arms... when he inevitably walked away from me.
He looked sideways to flash a boyish grin, and then spun around, and sprinted toward the shoreline with his surfboard.
As he hit the sand, sunlight poured over him like liquid gold.
A couple of women sunbathing nearby lifted their sunglasses to stare openly at the handsome man with surf, whispering among themselves. Even the male joggers slowed down, gawking at his shirtless form.
He literally stood out on that beach... and I knew that I should get back to working, but I waited to watch him dive into the ocean.
With his surf in hand, he moved like he belonged to the water.
He paddled out effortlessly, muscles rippling, and when the first wave rose, he took it with a grace and intensity that felt almost unreal to watch.
He rose onto the board, his body curving with the motion, perfectly balanced, and his eyes looked straight at the waves rising against him, like that of the hunter.
He wasn't just good. He was exceptional. Too mesmerizing to even watch.
Not just me... now a small crowd had gathered near the shoreline, admiring Max's surfing, just like I did.
Every time he rose with a wave and cut through it like a blade, people clapped, some even cheering.
I didn’t even hear Theo approach; he just appeared quietly at my side.
For a moment, heat rushed into my cheeks... I’d been staring at Max far too intently. I expected Theo to look at me with jealousy, maybe even hurt at my behavior.
But he didn’t.
Instead, Theo’s eyes were fixed on his elder brother with unmistakable pride, his green eyes glowing softly. “You know,” he said, smiling, "He doesn’t study nearly as much as I do, but when it comes to surfing and sports? He’s unbeatable. I can never match him in that!"
He said that with pure admiration.
“You should see him surfing on a full moon night,” Theo went on, shaking his head fondly. “I would literally scream at him to stop sometimes. You know, in full moon... the tides get too strong, and the darkness makes it impossible to see the waves coming. Only expert surfers take risks like that… but he never listens. He’ll keep going until he’s satisfied.”
My eyes widened slightly as I followed Max’s movements across the water... fluid, fearless, and exhilarating to watch.
“That sounds incredible,” I murmured. "Now that you said it... I really want to watch him surf in full moon nights."
Theo let out a chuckle. “Just wait two more days… it’ll be a full moon." He said it so casually, without even checking his phone to verify the astronomical calendar. "Max's surfing would turn this whole beach into a party by then.”
“What?” I gaped at Theo. “Don’t tell me you keep track of full moon phases like an astronomer.”
“You don’t?” he blinked.
I could only smile after that.
I glanced between the two brothers... one was a walking encyclopedia, the other a walking adventurer.
Both of them had such unique and incredible talents.