The Perfect Spiral (by Ashley Constantine) novel Chapter 38

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As I settled into the flight bound for Savannah, Andy’s head found a resting place on my shoulder, her snores echoing directly into my ear.

Her hand, heavy and warm, lay on my upper thigh, occasionally stirring in her sleep to stroke my leg while she murmured my brother’s name.

I’d glance over at the man seated next to us, offering him a silent plea for help. His response was always a quiet chuckle, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Andy’s hand would sometimes wander dangerously close to my private area, leaving me puzzled and slightly offended. Why on earth would she mistake me for Kyle?

I’d gently move her hand back to her own lap, but it always found its way back to mine. We were crammed into economy seats, after all.

I hadn’t informed my brothers about our arrival date. I didn’t want to be upgraded to first class by the usual suspect, and I wanted to surprise them.

Andy was all for the surprise, but we let Eric in on the secret so he could pick us up from the airport.

Speaking of first class, Wes had flown back to New York to visit his grandparents before heading down to Savannah. It was now mid–June, and a lot had happened since the Super Bowl fiasco.

After the whole debacle with Knox, I hadn’t spoken to him until three weeks ago, when I confirmed that I was still coming to Savannah for the summer.

I’d been ignoring his calls and messages, but I refused to tell anyone why I was upset. The truth was, I didn’t even know why I was so annoyed with him and Lauren. I didn’t own him, he wasn’t my boyfriend.

I didn’t have feelings for him, and he didn’t have feelings for me. Andy tried to pry it out of me, as did my mom and Sam, but I kept my lips sealed. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone, so I did what any normal person would do–I swept it under the rug.

Ben and I had grown closer than ever. We hung out nearly every day, either at his place or mine, always with food involved.

Andy was smitten with him from the moment she laid eyes on him. “Fuck, he’s gorgeous! Are you sure you wouldn’t go there? I mean, damn girl! He’s abs–olutely fuckable! If you know what I mean.”

Poor Ben, but he secretly reveled in the attention from the ladies. We got to know each other better, but our relationship was purely platonic. We didn’t see each other in that way.

Wes initially disliked Ben, but he warmed up to him after spending some time together on the beach. Andy adored him from the get–go. “He’s got the perfect sense of humor!” she’d gush. I loved being

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around him.

I was so happy with him and grateful that we’d met that day on the beach. We texted and called each other every day, and there was never any awkwardness between us–unless one of us was intentionally creating it.

He mentioned that he’d visit us in Savannah over the summer since he’d never been there. I was excited for him to meet my family. I knew they’d love him, especially the girls.

With the start of summer and the end of college exams, I was looking forward to feeling the hot white sand between my toes, the warm water of the hot tub, and the waves washing over me in the sea.

I also told Wes that we needed to stop kissing until I could sort out my feelings. He wasn’t thrilled about it, but he eventually came around. My mind had been a jumbled mess for the past few months, and I needed some time to myself.

I’d been avoiding Drew, too, dodging his phone calls, meetups, and messages. I wasn’t ready to face him yet, to give him a straight answer. I was a mess, and the only people I confided in were Ben and

Andy.

Sometimes I’d call Hannah, but it was hard to keep her updated all the time when she was so far away.

We landed at two in the sunny afternoon. It would take about an hour to get to the house. Eric greeted

us, tossed our bags in the back, and opened the doors for us to climb in.

He was always such a gentleman. I wished I could find a guy like him. He’d always been kind to me growing up. I’d given him a hard time at first, but I’d warmed up to him over time.

He understood why I’d been so standoffish with him. I was afraid he’d turn out like my own father. But over time, I realized he was nothing like him.

“So, everyone’s awake and down on the beach right now. You girls have your swimsuits with you?”

We nodded in unison, and I rummaged through my bag for some tinted moisturizer. Airplanes always dried out my skin, and I needed some SPF.

“How did college go for you ladies? You guys doing alright?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder to check for oncoming cars.

“Yeah, it’s fine. Boring, but fine. So happy it’s over and it’s summer now! Give me alcohol, parties, hot boys, and food, and I’m good to go!”

Andy and my brother had a silly fight before we left, and she was still upset about it. Her reference to ‘hot boys‘ was a clear indication of her annoyance,

She sat with her sunglasses on and her arms folded, her expression hidden. But I knew she’d shed a few tears on the way here.

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“Well, Savannah is the place for you ladies!” We chatted and caught Eric up on everything during the drive to the house. Then Andy took a call and retreated into her own little world.

I think it was her parents, but I couldn’t be sure.

“So, kiddo, how are you? Why didn’t you come to Texas?”

“I’m doing well, actually. Made a new friend named Ben. We met at the beach and hit the waves. together. I was trying to keep a low profile,” I said, shrugging nonchalantly. To me, it wasn’t a big deal.

“Did you invite him to visit? I’d love to meet him. He must be a good guy if you took to him so quickly. But sweetheart, what happened that night?”

“I did invite him. He said he’ll come down over the summer, so you’ll meet him then. You’ll like him, and so will all the ladies! As for that night, nothing happened.”

“Oh, he’s one of those charmers! I’ll have to keep an eye on Annie then. But why were you crying, sweetie? I know when you’re lying, so don’t try to play that ‘nothing‘ card with me. It doesn’t work. It never has and never will,” he teased, poking my arm.

“Yeah, he’s one of those! But he’s a fun guy. Look, it’s really nothing. I don’t want to talk about it, it wasn’t a big deal,” I pleaded, turning my body to look out the window.

I rolled down the window and let my hand dance in the hot air, feeling the warmth slip between my fingers. The sun–kissed ground reminded me of the beach. God, how I missed this place.

“Alright, sweetie. If you ever want to talk, you know I’m here.” I thanked him and he left it at that. I took out my new Canon camera and started to capture the things that made me happy.

Ben had been teaching me how to use it. He took a photography class one summer and now he was giving me lessons on how to use my own camera and how to edit the photos. He even offered to take me to the darkroom to get them properly developed.

We finally reached the house and Eric took our bags, telling us to head to the beach. My board was in the shed out back. Andy had broken her board a week before coming out here, so she planned to get a new one here. In the meantime, I lent her one of mine. We stripped down to our bikinis and I could see my family in the distance.

We hadn’t told them we were coming today, so it was a surprise. I was wearing an orange criss–cross bikini top and black bottoms, topped with a black SnapBack to keep my hair in check while surfing. Andy was in a pink top and black bottoms. We looked like twins.

“You ready?” She beamed at me. I nodded back.

“You look hot as fuck in that bikini, by the way! I think you’re turning me on, girl!”

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I burst out laughing at her and we walked towards my family in the distance.

Nearing them, I saw all the boys engrossed in a game of beach football, with the girls standing around ogling them. At one person in particular.

“Alex!” “Andy!” We heard two little cries in front of us, making everyone snap their heads around to us.

We set our boards down and picked up Adam and Noah, giving them a quick kiss and hug before my mom and Delilah screamed over and hugged us tight, barely letting go of us both.

We laughed, chatted, and caught up for a little while, but the guys still hadn’t noticed us. They were too focused on the game. I heard lots of girls screaming, watching them from the side. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at their squeals.

All I wanted to do was get into the ocean. So we picked our boards back up and jogged past the boys, who now noticed us and started to whistle at us, trying to get our attention.

“Hey! When did you guys get here?” Kyle asked, running over to Andy, picking her up, and kissing her.

“Just now, but I’m still mad at you!” Andy spoke in a hushed tone.

I rolled my eyes at them and focused back on the ocean. I took off my hat and put it on Adam’s little head, “Here, hang on to this for me, will you?”

He put both hands on his head to keep it on and nodded, showing his teeth.

“Damn, Alex! You get hotter every time I see you!” Tyler made his way over to me, followed by the other boys.

“I’m going surfing. Catch you guys later,” I said, running in the opposite direction of them. I made eye contact with Knox as I kept running. I could feel a lot of eyes on me as I approached the water.

A group of guys to my left started to whistle at me, trying to gain my attention. They’d gain my foot up their asses if they kept going. I ran through the water, feeling it climb up my body before I was fully

immersed in the ocean.

Diving under an incoming wave, I resurfaced, stroked my hair back off my shoulders, and began to paddle out further to catch a wave.

Once I was out far enough, I sat on my board and watched the sun in the sky. “I miss you, Pop,” I whispered to myself, stroking the water between my open fingers.

I heard Kyle shouting in the distance, “That’s too big!” I looked behind me and saw a large wave making its way over to me. This was perfect.

“You got this one, girl! Get it!” Andy, still wrapped around Kyle, waved her hand through the air in

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support. She was right, this one was mine. I frantically started to paddle so I could catch it perfectly.

Running out of time, I needed to stand up. It was now or never. I rose up off my board as quickly as I could and began to glide along with the wave about to break.

Squatting down even lower to my board, fully aware that my ass was on show, I didn’t let it stop me. I took in the smell of the saltwater, bobbed up and down on the board, and swerved it on the wave.

As I glide along the crest of the wave, my hand skims the surface, breaking the tension of the water. I adore these kinds of waves. They start to diminish, lowering as I prepare to emerge on the other side.

“Go, girl! You’re on fire!” Andy’s cheer echoes over the water as the waves continue to shrink to half their original size. I submerge myself in the sea, then stand, retrieving my board.

I make my way back to the sand where my mom is clutching her chest, her eyes shooting daggers at me.

“Alex! You nearly gave me a heart attack! Good Lord!” I flash her a smile and wrap her in a hug, apologizing. I forget she’s not accustomed to my surfing antics.

“That was incredible! You’re amazing, I had no idea you were that good. Damn! Can you teach me? I’m a quick learner,” Tyler proposes, his eyebrows dancing suggestively.

Tyler is handsome, but he’s not my type. His light brown hair is peppered with stubble, and his brown eyes are always sparkling. He’s a hit with the ladies because of his carefree charm. Just like now.

I turn my head to the right at the sound of squeals and spot Knox standing there. His arms are crossed, his stance wide. He’s wearing dark blue swim shorts that hang low on his hips, and a pair of sunglasses.

I can’t tell if he’s looking at me or not.

“Sure, I’ll teach you, Tyler. But keep your hands to yourself,” I warn, a smile tugging at Knox’s lips, indicating that he is indeed watching.

I shift my attention back to Tyler, who’s standing there grinning like a fool. “I can teach you when I’m teaching Adam,” I smirk, then head over to the towels to apply some lotion.

Andy helps me with my back, and I can’t help but glance over at Knox, who’s still looking in my direction. I don’t care. I plant my board in the sand and untie myself from it.

“Hey! You’re the one who caught that wave out there?” I look up to see a blonde guy towering over me. I can’t see him clearly, so I shield my eyes from the sun with my hands.

Getting a better look, I can see he’s quite attractive. He’s tanned and has the whole surfer bad boy look down pat, complete with a ripped body, defined abs, and a deep V line.

His deep, husky voice instantly grabs my attention.

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“Uh, yeah, that was me.”

“Damn! That was a big wave. You looked good out there! Wait, you’re Alex Thompson? Holy shit! Hi! Can I get a picture with you?”

“Uh, with me? Really?” He nods, pulling out his phone and swiping to the camera.

“Why?”

“Because you’re famous! And hot as hell! You’re even hotter in person! Are you–um–single?” He grins at me, boyishly.

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