Meant to Be: Nuralda Series, #1

By Vicki Connellan

Jess isn't looking for love, or is she? It's the start of a new year and as she is reflecting on her life she thinks about who she is and where she has come from. Jessica Murphy owns a very successful development and construction company, a role that she landed in by chance. She had managed to shed all ties to her past, except for her brother, they were the only family that each of them had. Coming from a violent troubled childhood they had both made something of their lives. So why did Jess feel so incomplete, so discontent. Brendan had moved to Sydney to make a fresh start, a new beginning where no one knew about his past year. Like Jess he wasn't looking for love either but when the two cross paths there is a definite spark. Will their romance survive the shadow that has followed Brendan to Sydney and can he overcome Jess's financial success so that they can have a future together. When their roller coaster ride ends in tragedy will it be the undoing of their relationship and of their future together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vicki Connellan
• Release date: Mar 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9780994296504

Vicki Connellan

Vicki was born in Orange, NSW. When she was two years old her family moved to Dapto, a southern suburb of Wollongong. She was kicked out of pre-school at the age of four (for reasons that she will keep to herself).   When she was sixteen she moved with her parents and two sisters (Vicki is the typically misunderstood middle child) to the ACT where, ironically she studied Child Care so she could work in a pre-school. Now, at the age of 45 she still lives in Canberra with her husband and three adult/teenage children.   Vicki works full time (not in the child care industry!) and is an avid baker. She spends her time taxiing her kids around and baking cup cakes for all the kids who constantly fill the house.    Vicki has always enjoyed writing and is now taking the time to put her stories to print.  You can contact Vicki via email at [e-mail] with any questions or  feedback on her book.  If you enjoyed the book please take the time to leave a quick review. 

Book preview

Chapter 1

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Jess

All I could think as I walked out onto the balcony with my morning coffee was that I had yet another Saturday with no exciting weekend plans. I put the cup on the glass top table and dusted off the chair so I could sit down with the latest edition of Property Developers Monthly. I’m 26 years old, I should be reading Celebrity Gossip or what ever it was that other women my age read. God, what is wrong with me? Why am I having these thoughts of emptiness all of a sudden? Yeah it’s another new year, so what if it’s another year of being alone, life was good wasn’t it? I have a beautiful apartment across from the ocean, scratch that, a beautiful apartment block across from the ocean, a job that I love and great friends. True, there weren’t many friends, but they were real friends, not just acquaintances. Life was good...then why do I feel so...lost?

I leant back in my chair and watched the surfers catching waves, the apartments balcony had a perfect view of the surf end of the beach. From here you could watch the surfers catching the waves or just sitting, floating on their boards when the surf was flat. It looked so peaceful out there. The beach stretched out for about five hundred meters, with the calmer, family friendly end of the beach being about three hundred metres up the sand towards the cafes and boutique shops of the suburb. Nuralda was a nice little suburb, only about twenty kilometers from the city CBD but it was still quiet enough to let you think it was a little piece of heaven.

After a few minutes of reading, well, glancing at the magazine I decided to get up and stretch my legs and I spotted the hottest guy I’d seen in a long time. Now that’s hot, so hot, like a fifty on the scale of one to ten hot. Look at those muscles, I eyed the man who had just pulled into a parking spot out the front of the apartment building, he was reaching up to untie the surfboard from the roof of his topless jeep. I had a great view from the balcony and what I saw I liked. A very well toned body, you could see all of his muscles, he looked just like a GI Joe action figure that Matty had when he was little. A nice well defined body with incredible biceps and that v shape that went from his six-pack abs to the top of his low hung boardies. Nice. He came around to the passenger side of the car so he was off the road. That’s nice, hot body and safety conscious, that’s good. OMG, wow, as in all kinds of wow, I must have let out a pretty loud gasp when he took his singlet off as he looked straight up at me. Stupid, stupid, stupid, I mumbled to myself as I stumbled back bumping into the table and knocking my coffee flying. Was that a little smirk on his face? Shit, he must have seen me. Least he couldn't see me now, now that I was sitting down cowering back in the corner of the balcony as far away from the clear glass railing as I could saying ‘please don't let him see me, please don't let him see me’ over and over in my head.

I sat there frozen for a minute or two until I saw Mr. GI Joe hottie jogging across the road, surfboard tucked under his arm, heading for the waves. Once he was safely across the road and a fair way down towards the water I stood and pulled myself together. Well that was just stupid, what the hell was that all about? Guys, especially ones that I didn’t even know, never flustered me. I work with guys all day, some of them are pretty damn hot too. Shaking my head I decided it was time to get dressed and go for a run, that would clear my head and banish all thoughts of GI Joe.

Ten minutes later I was heading out the front door of the apartment building, stopping to do some stretches on the steps. There were only four apartments in the block, I wanted to keep it small and spacious when I’d designed the building just over two years ago. It had taken about one year to get all of the plans approved through council, then another year to build ‘The Sands’. I stood there for a minute looking up at the building, this was something that I was so very proud of. With only four apartments it wasn't the biggest apartment block on Ocean Drive, but it was in a perfect location. Each apartment had three bedrooms, a nice size lounge and dining area, top of the line kitchen, beautiful bathrooms and an ensuite off the master and each had it’s own laundry. The only difference with them was that my apartment, apartment one, had an extra room, the one I used as my office/photography room. It was a big room at the back of the apartment and the door was concealed, just a little quirk that I’d added into the design. It wasn’t technically a ‘panic room’ but if the need be, it was there. The room had a big desk, couple of filing cabinets, and a huge printer where I could print out canvases of my photos. In the corner there was a stack of simple timber frames of all sizes leaning against the wall just waiting to have canvases stretched over them and have them hung on the wall. The two apartments on the bottom floor had nice little courtyard gardens at the front and the two top floor apartments had decent size balconies looking out to the ocean. There was a secure parking garage underneath the apartments with each apartment having two parking spaces and a lockable caged storage area. Out the back was a common area for all of the residents. There was a covered bbq area with a big stainless steel bbq and pizza oven, kitchen sinks and a small fridge. There was enough seating for about thirty people. This area looked out onto the heated in-ground pool. The pool was enclosed by a seamless glass fence so the two areas blended together as one. At the other end of the yard there was a small-grassed area with two giant palms in either corner, perfect for lying back on the deck chairs and reading a book while baking in the rays of the sun. I’d moved in the day after they were finished, three weeks later the first of the bottom floor apartments was rented out. 

I smiled thinking about my lovely neighbours. I had come across Mary and Lilly whilst in the cue at the local post office. Lilly kept looking at me with a sad little puppy dog face while hiding behind her Grandma’s legs. After a few winks and me poking my tongue out at Lilly the little girl let out a giggle and a big smile. Mary said that it was the first time in a long while since she’d heard Lilly laugh so much. After Mary explained to me about being evicted from her apartment because she couldn't afford the rent increase I offered her apartment three, a bottom floor apartment for less rent than she had been paying in her old run down unit where she shared a bedroom with Lilly. Since they moved in we’ve had regular afternoon teas, she reminded me of a younger version of my Gran.

The other bottom floor unit housed a young couple that were expecting their first baby. They too paid a very modest rent given the size, location and fit out of the apartment. Mac worked on one of my construction sites as a laborer and at the age of nineteen his parents kicked him out when they found out he had gotten a girl pregnant out of wedlock. His girlfriends parents reacted the same way, which was expected seen as thought her parents were from the same church as Mac’s parents. I’d gone to the site early one day and found them asleep in Mac’s car. That afternoon they became the occupants of unit four, 240 Ocean Drive, Nuralda. Apartment two, the other top floor apartment was still empty, must get onto that soon I thought.

As I limbered up, stretching my calf muscles I heard a familiar little voice calling my name. Lilly was four years old and cute as a button. She’d been taken from her parents at the age of eight months and been placed in the care of her grandmother. She had no idea that her parents had neglected her so badly in her early months that doctors feared that irreversible damage had been done to Lilly as a result of malnutrition and mistreatment. Fortunately for Lilly her Grandma was relentless in pursuing doctors and treatments and she was now pretty much on par with her peers.

Jess, Jess, Jess, the little girl was twirling around in the front courtyard of her apartment.

Hello Lilly, you look beautiful today, is that a new dress? I always made a point to comment on her pretty dresses, she loved it. Lilly was always dressed in cute flowery dresses and little Dorothy shoes.

Yes, Gran bought it for me, we’re going to a party for Gran’s birthday, are you coming to the party?

I smiled back at Lilly. No Lilly, but I’m sure you and Gran will have a great time, see ya, I gave Lilly a wave as I jogged off up the path. Made a mental note to pop in later with some flowers and a present for Mary for her birthday.

After crossing the road and stealing a quick glance out at the surfers to see if I could spot GI Joe I popped in my ear buds, selected a playlist and took off up towards North Point, the family end of the beach. It was a nice morning for a jog, sun shining, no wind, and not many people about, perfect for zoning out and clearing the mind. Clearing the mind of thoughts, very impure thoughts of GI Joe. Stop it, I told myself, focus, this is supposed to be a year of focusing on yourself, a new year, a new you...it’s long overdue.  You’ve had the first two weeks of January to ease into the New Year, now it’s time to plan and make changes and focus on yourself and make more time for photography. The business, Murphy Constructions, was doing really well, 2014 had been a great year for the company, one of the best yet. There were three more weeks of ‘shut down’ to go then once February hit we would be back into it. I went over this in my head, planning schedules and deciding which new buildings to start first. There would be three this year plus work that was still to be done on the two current builds, one of which was near completion. While I wanted to hand over more responsibility to Mike so I would have more time for myself, there were a few things that I wanted to do this year in terms of the company development as well. I wanted more staff training and to take on a few more apprentices. I’d take on apprentices from kids I knew at the center, ones that didn't have a lot of opportunities in life. I made a mental note to sit down and work out exactly how many new apprentices I could take on. I didn't want to put Mike offside by hiring too many workers. He didn't like that, he could see that I was being a good person by employing people who needed the jobs, but it also made his job difficult when he had too many men and not enough work. A man needs to feel useful he’d tell me, and a man doesn't feel useful when he’s standing’ around doing’ nothing. Mike was my company foreman and the husband of my best friend Jamie. I didn't know many people when I first moved to the city, or to Nuralda, but the minute I met Jamie we just clicked and had been best friends for the past four years. Mike and Jamie had three tear-away little boys who were absolutely gorgeous and they all made me feel like I was part of their family.

I let my mind wander back into the past, I knew that I should stop and not think about those years. It had been twelve years since my brother Matty and I had left Hillston, the town where we’d grown up on the family vineyard, Hillside Winery. The first nine years of my life had been okay, not great, but okay. I had a wonderful mother and a big brother who loved me, and I loved them both just as much in return. Matty was only a year and a half older than me and we had always had a close relationship. We would look out for each other and do what ever it took to stay away from Dad. He was not a nice man, not a kind man, and not a good father by anyone’s standards. No, not good to be thinking about those times. Think about everything that had happened since leaving Hillston I told myself. Going to live with my grandparents on their remote cattle station had been an adventure but saying goodbye to Matty had been the hardest. The day that we parted in Sydney had been hard. I boarded another bus and headed for the top end, while Matty went onto the house where he was to be living with the family of one of his teammates. Matty was a brilliant rugby league player and had made it into the junior rep team for NSW. This meant that he had to leave Hillston and move to Sydney. There was no way that he was leaving me behind to deal with our father on my own, and no way that I wanted to stay there. Since our mum had died when I was nine and Matty was ten, things had gotten way worse than they were when Mum was alive. Matty found the name and address of our mother’s parents, people that we’d never met, and bought me bus tickets for the two buses that I needed to get there. They lived on a remote cattle station in the top end, about five hours west of Brisbane.

It took a while to fit in there too, for the first six months I was as lonely as could be. I missed Matty terribly, and while we talked often on the phone it wasn't the same as sitting on the couch with someone, sharing a meal or talking face to face. My grandparents turned out to be lovely people. They were in their late seventies when I went to live with them at the age of fourteen, and while they were old they were still very active around the station. Grandma Eve would cook all day, making more than enough for the three of us, and all of the station workers and Grandpa Ed would still go out and check the cattle and the stock of feeds in the huge hanger size shed. He didn't ride the fences anymore, choosing the comfort of his ute to patrol the perimeters of the yards instead. He was a quiet man, but when he did speak you know he was about to say something important and useful. I grew to love the old people and it didn't take long for them to fall in love with me either. I loved the openness of the cattle station too, it was about two hundred thousand acres in total, with about fifty thousand head of cattle at the busiest time.

I smiled to myself as I jogged along the beach and up through the little park at the far end of Ocean Drive. I thought I would jog around the point, up to the lookout, down along the esplanade and then turn around to come back, about ten kilometers all up. That should clear thoughts of GI Joe and my past right out of my head, for this morning at least. I settled into an easy rhythm and was humming along to my favorite tunes. Yes, life was good. Matty would be back in about eight weeks, in time for the footy season to start for the year. I couldn’t wait to see him. He’d been in England for too long, we Skype all of the time, but like those days of living on the cattle station, it just wasn't the same as having him here in person. I could see it now, Nick and I would pick him up from the airport, we’d go straight home, Nick & Matty’s place, and he would fill us in on all of his English team mates and I would tease him for being so pale after having no time in the sun.

Since moving in with Nick and his family Matty had become a keen surfer just like Nick. The two of them went everywhere together and had become best mates within hours of meeting. Nick had to give up football a couple of years ago due to a reoccurring knee injury and he was devastated. A huge part of the reason that I had bought the land here at Nuralda and built my apartments was because Matty and Nick lived in Nuralda. They’d bought an apartment together when they made the big time and had both been lucky enough to sign contracts with the Sutherland Cobras. Not long after they bought the apartment Matty and Nick bought the local pub and they had both worked at re-decorating and turning the bar into the ‘go to’ place. Not that it took much to make it the ‘go to’ place. Once word got out that two of the best looking footballers from the Cobras worked behind the bar and mingled with the customers people started turning up all the time. It was always busy at the bar but Thursday through to Sunday nights were always packed. Lucky for me I had a permanently reserved table in the back corner of the pub. 

Since having to give up footy, Nick ran the bar and spent most of his waking hours there. I jogged past the bar and for a minute thought about popping in to see Nick. He’d been like a big brother to me since I came to the city four years ago, he was just as protective as Matty was, especially when Matty was away playing footy. Apart from Matty, Nick was the only other person who knew about my childhood and my secrets, but he didn’t know all of it. I started to cross the road to the pub but then remembered what time it was and that no one would be there. I’ll come back tonight for a quick drink and a chat with Nick, but then this just reminded me that it would be yet another Saturday night that I would spend alone. So it was either sit home alone or at the bar alone talking to Nick. The bar would win. I wasn't ready to become a sad recluse crazy cat lady just yet.

Reaching the lighthouse I decided to turn around and head home. There were a few things I wanted to do today and I thought I’d make a start while I was motivated. As I jogged down the road and got closer to home I could see that the topless jeep had gone. A quick glance across the road at the surf and I could see why, the waves had gone as flat as a week old beer. I smiled to myself as I added ‘buy a wetsuit and surfboard’ to the list of things to do today. I just decided I was going to learn to surf.

***

Chapter 2

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Brendan

It had been a long four weeks I thought, as I got ready to go out. Some of the guys from my new unit had convinced me to go out for drinks with them, as we didn't have to work tomorrow and it was the first Sunday since arriving in the city that I didn't have to work. I didn't want to spend it with a hangover so I decided early that I was not going to have much to drink tonight, two beers tops, well, maybe three, and that would be it. The waves were supposed to be good tomorrow morning and I wasn't going to miss that.

I think too much when I’m shaving I decided. Should probably focus on the task at hand, but my mind kept wandering back over the past couple of years. The sadness, the emptiness, the realization that I needed to move on, and for me that meant moving on from my town and moving to a new city. A place where I didn't know anyone, but mostly a place where I couldn't be reminded of what had happened last year. Okay, too much thinking going on here, just get yourself dressed and get going. Jay was sitting on the couch waiting for me when I came into the lounge room, he was in my new unit and a nice guy. He’d offered me a place to stay when I moved to town, and while it was a nice flat in a nice location, only a short drive to the beach, it had very thin walls and Jay had a regular stream of girls in his room. I’m not begrudging him for all the action that he was getting, it’s just that I was sick of hearing it every, yes, every night. Tomorrow after a nice long surf session I’d start trawling the Internet looking for a place to live. I’d love an apartment near the beach, but a cop’s salary only stretched so far so this was not likely to happen.

Ready Scotty? Jay said as I walked into the room, all of the boys in my new unit had been calling me Scotty since we were introduced four weeks ago. Scotty on account of my name being Brendan McDonald, you can’t get more Scottish than that so the name has stuck. Lets go snag some arse for you for tonight, you’ve been here for four weeks mate and you haven't brought a girl back here yet, you need some action. Charming I thought, and the sad part was, he might be right. But I just wasn't in the mood to go chasing one night flings right now. I had no doubt that he’d be brining a girl back here tonight though, he would have his pick of any girl he wanted. He was twenty-four, three years younger than me and while girls seemed to throw themselves at him, he was definitely not looking to settle down with one girl. Me, I could probably have any girl too if I was being honest with myself, but I wasn’t interested in finding anyone yet, not for a long time, if ever.

Jay called us a cab and about ten minutes later we were out the door and waiting on the curb. Just as we got out there Megan and Fiona were pulling up to park. Megan had been in the unit for about six months and Fiona had joined us last week. I wasn't too thrilled that Fiona had followed me here, I wanted to get away from everyone I knew and having her here didn't help. She knew about my past and I knew she wanted more of a relationship with me but I just wasn't interested in her, never had been. There was just something about her. I couldn't put my finger on, not a dislike, but uneasiness. Anyway, let it go I thought, she said that she had come here to advance her career, maybe I was just reading too much into it.

Everyone was laughing and joking around as we walked into the bar, looking around we could see the others sitting at a booth towards the back of the pub. This place was packed tonight and it looked like there would be live music later. The girls made their way over to the table and Jay and I went to the bar to get a round of drinks.

Happy Birthday Sonny, I said as we approached the table, raising our glasses in ‘happy birthday’ cheers, I looked around at my new unit. They were a good bunch, eight of us in total, we worked each shift together in two teams of four. There was my temporary flat mate Jay, he was the youngest at twenty four, then there was Megan, Sonny, Troy and Mitch, all twenty five and they’d been in the unit the longest, then Sophie, she was the eldest at thirty. Then there was Fiona and myself, the newest additions to the unit and both aged twenty seven.  The only one missing was Max, he was our team leader and was now a desk jockey who monitored us from the station. He was in his forties, although he wouldn't tell us exactly how old, somewhere at the top end of forty I suspected, he was a really nice guy. Married, kids, mortgage, and the works. From what I could gather in the last four weeks since I joined the team he didn't go out to pub night or socialize with the team outside of work very often.

Here’s to Scotty and Fi, our new team mates, Mitch toasted and everyone raised their glasses again. The time seemed to pass with everyone making small talk, the guys ribbing each other about the footy teams they supported, the girls talking to each other. Before I even noticed how hungry I was someone suggested going to the bar for some menus. Seen as though I was on the end seat of the booth I offered to go get them. I’d taken about two steps towards the bar when I saw her come in the door, god she was beautiful, gorgeous curves, gorgeous smile, gorgeous hair, just plain gorgeous. Actually not plain gorgeous, there was nothing plain about this girl. It was the girl from the balcony this morning. She was all of about five foot four, a little package of gorgeousness. I couldn’t believe she walked in here alone. The way those skinny jeans clung to her legs, those short gorgeous legs, tucked into brown boots and the white button up shirt that hung off one shoulder, she was even more gorgeous now than when she had blushed on her balcony this morning. I peeled my eyes off her long enough to grab some menu’s from the bar and head back to our table where I sat down and took a hold of my beer. I couldn't stop looking at her, she made her way to the end of the bar and I nearly choked on a mouthful of beer when the big guy came around from behind the bar and gave her a hug, a hug that lasted too long for my liking. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and went back behind the bar and fixed her a drink. Jay must have noticed me staring in her direction, he gave me a nod and that look as if to say ‘bring her back tonight’. I shook my head Nah mate, not tonight.

Everyone decided what they wanted and Jay offered to go order for everyone. I watched him walk straight up and sit next to her at the bar. He looked over his shoulder at me and gave me a wink as he slipped his arm around her. I put my head down, I was so not up for this, not here, not tonight, but I wasn't going to let him pick her up like one of the cheap and easy floozies that he bought home every night. I didn't even know her but I knew she deserved better than that. I gave him a few minutes to back off and when he didn't I got up and headed their way. No thank you. God, she had such a soft sweet voice.

Oh come on, you won’t be disappointed, was all I heard Jay say.  Just as I was about to tell Jay to back off the big guy from behind the bar came over and told Jay to piss off and if he caught him bothering her again he’d be thrown out. Jay got up and headed back to our table telling me to order the food. The guy behind the bar turned his glare to me

If your friend comes near her again you’re all out.

It’s okay, I replied. I’ll make sure he stays away from her. I looked at her as I sat on the stool next to her, she didn't look at me, just kept looking at her drink. I’d like to order some food please, I said to the big guy, who looked vaguely familiar.

I’ll send one of the waitresses over to your table, he said as he walked back to the other end of the bar. She still hadn't looked up, god she was gorgeous, and she has a sweet scent of jasmine coming from her hair.

Sorry about my friend, I’ll make sure he doesn't come your way again, was all I could manage. What was wrong with me? I never had trouble talking to women before, and I’ve talked to my fair share of gorgeous women, but something about this one made my brain scatter. When it didn't look like she was going to look up or speak I got up to go.

Thank you, but I can take care of myself, she said in that soft sweet voice and as she looked up our eyes met. Those beautiful emerald eyes. She gasped when she looked at me and quickly looked away.

I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself, but just the same, I’ll keep him away. She looked up at me slowly and a smile came across her face, she looked me up and down. My heart just about melted right down to my feet and I couldn't speak, just stood there like a dumb ass then nodded and walked back to our table.  What the hell was that? I was asking myself. You froze up, what the hell? Now she thinks you’re a goddamn idiot. Great. Just Great. The only girl that had remotely interested me since Cassie and I freeze up like a god damn idiot. I took my seat opposite Fiona who was glaring at me...WTF? Why is she looking at me like that? And more importantly, why is she giving the gorgeous girl at the bar a death stare that could kill anyone who made eye contact? I don't like Fiona and I don't like the way she was staring at Shorty over there.

The waitress came and took our order, while we waited for our food, while we ate and while we chatted I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I had to talk to her again, make her see that I wasn't a complete idiot. Her big friend, god I hoped he wasn't her boyfriend, behind the bar didn't wander too far from her though. I had to find out who that guy was, he really did have a familiar face, just couldn't pick it tonight, not with my brain being scrambled by Shorty.

I watched her the whole time she sat there, then after about an hour or so she got up, reached over the bar to give her friend a kiss on the cheek and headed out the door. I can’t believe she’s going home alone. After she’d gone out the door and it closed behind her I looked back to our group, once again Fiona was glaring at me, what is her problem? I’m going to have to call her on this it she keeps doing this, it’s pissing me off and it’s weird. She’s weird.

******

Jess

Geez, it’s busy tonight, Nick came around the bar to smother me in a big bear hug. He might not be able to play footy anymore but he still worked out, that combined with his height made him one giant of a man. Twenty-seven years old, tall, muscle and very good-looking, he had his pick of any girl any night. And he usually did.

What’s up Jess, want the usual?

Yep, one light beer thanks, I offered up my cutest grin, it was nice to be around people that I knew. I can’t wait till Matty’s back, I miss him.

Yeah, replied Nick, me to. Have you eaten dinner yet? I shook my head. Nick headed into the kitchen and ordered some food for us both. Want to sit at the bar or at your table?

Bar’s good, that way I can chat to you while you work.

I didn't look up when someone sat on the bar stool beside me, and I didn't look up when he started talking to me, but when he put his arm around me, that is when I looked him in the eye. Despite how I felt inside I spoke calmly. No thank you, in response to him asking me to come back to his place for a night I will never forget. He was persistent, and it wasn't until Nick came back to my end of the bar and told the guy to get lost that he really took the hint. Nick was way bigger than this guy and he spoke like he meant business. The guy got the hint and walked away. I really had no time for guys like that, just looking for a quick one-night stand with anyone they could convince to come home with them. No. Thank. You.

It took me a second to register that Nick was still talking to someone, and when that someone answered I heard the sexiest, deepest, most sensual voice that I had ever heard. I blushed as my thoughts went straight to the bedroom with that voice. OMG, Jess, stop thinking like that about someone you don't even know I told myself. I was ever so aware that he’d sat down at the stool next to me, the one that sleaze bag had just vacated. After Nick finished talking to him he stayed seated while Nick went to serve at the other end of the bar.

You give me a shout if this guy starts bothering you okay Jess, Nick said while looking at the guy.

It’s okay, I won’t be bothering anyone, said sexy voice.

I still couldn't look up. He spoke to me, apologized for his friend’s behavior and told me he’d make sure his friend didn't bother me again. I felt so stupid still looking at my hands twirling my glass, just look up at him Jess, just look up I kept telling myself. Just as he stood up to leave I told him I could take care of myself and I looked up into his eyes. All that come out of my mouth was a loud gasp. GI Joe, he was the owner of the sexy voice. OMG again, how embarrassing. I looked down again. He was even more gorgeous up close, he had a very well defined jawline, with a very deep scar across the left side of his chin, it went from just near the back of his jaw to the corner of his chin, about seven centimeters all up. I looked him up and down, the boy had biceps like rock melons and you could clearly see some nice six-pack abs under the tight grey shirt that was hanging out over some low-slung Levi’s. Holy snapping duck poo Batman, this guy is all kinds of hot. Jesus girl, for heavens sake, get a grip, you’ve been fantasizing about the man all day and now, here he is talking to you, say something, say something smart. After what seemed like an age, but was probably only about a minute, when I didn't respond he walked away. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. I scolded myself, what the hell just happened? Shit.

Nick came back and we chatted about the last couple of days and what we’d been up to since we had seen each other two days before. It was easy talking to Nick, it always had been, he was just like a brother. We chatted, ate and laughed for over an hour. Nick, can I ask you a favor? Can you teach me to surf?

Sure, when do you want to start? 

‘How about tomorrow morning," I was keen to get into it and I knew that Nick didn't need to be at the pub on a Sunday morning.

No problemo, meet you down on the beach tomorrow morning at seven.

Seven, I coughed. That’s a bit early for a Sunday isn't it?

The waves are better early in the morning.

Okay then, see you at seven am sharp. The pub was just about full now, Nick reached over the bar, gave me a peck on the cheek and headed off to the other end of the bar leaving me to finish my drink.

After berating myself repeatedly over another beer I took a quick glance over at GI Joe, shit, he was looking right at me. I headed out of the bar to walk home. One of the women in GI Joe’s group was staring absolute daggers at me, maybe she was his girlfriend, figures that he was taken, being all kinds of hot, I knew he wouldn’t be single.

It was only about two hundred metres from the bar to my apartment and it was a nice clear night with a full moon. A good walk to clear the head was what I needed. Once home I wasn't in the mood for watching telly or reading, or sleeping. That would mean lying in silence and thinking about how stupid I looked in front of GI Joe. I grabbed my laptop and went out onto the balcony with a glass of cold soda water. I’m not a big drinker, only drank socially really, except when I was watching the footy. Whether I was at a game or home alone watching Matty on telly I always had a cold beer. It was a tradition that I had started with Grandpa when I lived on the cattle station and we use to watch Matty’s games together. Grandpa was so proud of Matty, even though they had only spent a small amount of hours together you could see the pride oozing out of Grandpa whenever we watched the footy. If it was a Saturday night game Grandpa would have Luke, one of the station hands drive us all into town for dinner at the pub so they could watch the footy on the big screen and Grandpa would tell everyone, repeatedly, that Matty was his grandson. Watching the games made me both proud and sad. I missed him so much when we first left Hillston. God, where did all of those memories come from, I shook my head as if to try to clear the thoughts away.

Firing up the laptop I went straight to You Tube and looked up ‘beginners surfing tips’. There were so many videos. This looked easy, how hard can it be?

***

Chapter 3

––––––––

Jess

I was up early, couldn't sleep, tossed and turned all night thinking about GI Joe, what was his name, who is he? Does he have a girlfriend or worse, a wife and kids? Come on Jess, who are you kidding? There is no way that a guy that hot is single. Focus Jess, focus. Get up, have a cold shower, ah, no way, no cold showers under any circumstances, have some brekky and get your arse down to the beach, this is the first day of the new adventurous Jess.

The shower was divine, I loved the massive oversized showerhead, it rained down all over me like a waterfall, and I could stay in here for hours. After I had actually been in there for ages I quickly got dried and dressed. Bikini bottoms under the wetsuit but a rash vest swimming shirt. I had never been out in public without my back covered. I don't wear strapless dresses, halter neck tops, bikini tops or regular swimmers. My back showed my past, and I didn't want anyone to know about my past. There were only two other people in my current life that knew my secrets and I trusted both of them with my life. I knew they would never tell anyone. Enough thinking about the past Jess, lets get moving.

The buzzer to my apartment went off, Nick knew the code to the undercover garage so he could park easily when he came to visit me, all of the units came with two parking spaces but I had four, one of the perks of owning the building. I had two cars but this meant that there was always a spare spot for Matty or Nick when they stopped by. Nick had only been here twice, the day he helped me move in and then a couple of days after that to watch Matty’s game. His English team was doing really well in their competition, at this rate they would make the finals. I was happy for Matty but sad at the same time. If his team made the finals it meant he wouldn't be home for another month later than we expected him to be.

I grabbed my surfboard and headed out the door. Nick was on the steps waiting for me. He had a huge grin across his face.

I can’t believe you want to learn to surf, what brought this on? he asked.

Oh, I just decided to try something new and I live across from the beach so I thought, let’s give surfing a go, how hard can it be?

Nick laughed, A lot harder than you think Jess. We headed over to the water. I need to be outa here in an hour Jess, promised Dad that I’d help him with his car this morning. He and Mum are taking a run up to Newcastle to see Aunt Maggie this arvo so we’re giving Dad’s car a bit of a service before they go.

I liked Nick’s family, they took me in just as they did Matty. I sometimes got the feeling that Barb, Nicks mum, knew what Matty’s life and mine was like after Mum died, she never said anything, but I could tell she knew. I liked his dad too, he was such a great husband and father and you could tell that even after thirty-five years together they were still smitten with each other. I hoped I would find that one-day.

Nick stopped about twenty metres from the water and dropped his board.

What are you doing, I thought you were teaching me to surf? I was surprised to see him not moving.

I am Jess, we start here, come put your board down. And this is how my very unsuccessful first day of surfing started. Nick had me lying down on my board, on the sand, paddling like I was in the water, then I had to jump up and stand on my board. I felt like such an idiot. We did this for a long twenty minutes then Nick finally said I was ready to have a go at the real thing. Tucking my board under my arm I felt pretty confident with myself. This confidence didn't last long. Man this was hard, I got dumped more times than I could count, missed wave after wave because I didn't time it right, and when I did time it, as soon as I got to my feet on the board I was landing back in the water.  After about half an hour of this we headed back in.

That is so much harder than it looks, I don't think I will ever get the hang of this.

Nick was shaking his head and laughing at me while he toweled off, geez he was good looking...shit, where did that thought come from? I’ve never thought of Nick as anything but a brother figure, god damn, must be all those hormones racing through me because of GI Joe.

You’ll get the hang of it, just keep practicing, I’ve got to head off to help Dad now, I’ll catch you later Jess, he leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I looked out at the other surfers for a few minutes then decided to give it another go. As I headed out a big wave smashed me backwards about ten metres, shit I thought, this is not going to beat me, I will learn to surf. I paddled out to the back of the waves and just sat there for a few minutes floating on my board, watching the other surfers and how they would paddle into a wave then stand, they made it look so easy. I paddled to the break point and caught a wave, I was so happy with myself. I managed to stay standing for a few seconds, which felt longer than it actually was, before being dumped again. I tried again and again, I was getting a little better and each time managing to stay upright for a little longer. I must have got carried away with it all because I didn't realise that there were only a few other surfers left in the water. At about the same time my stomach started to grumble, I’d skipped breakfast because of my lovely long shower. I paddled back in, time to call it a day I think.

I sat on my board with my knees tucked up under my chin, looking back out at the few surfers that were left in the water, the waves had died off a little and more people were starting to appear on the beach, joggers mostly, a few people walking their dogs, it was only just after eight, so still early for a Sunday. I didn't think to bring a towel with me, but I had my wetsuit on so I should be good for a while. One of the surfers caught a wave into shore, he rode it pretty well for a small wave, really knew how to make the most of it. He came out of the water with his board tucked under his arm, he started heading in my direction. Holy crap its GI Joe. OMG, Jess, get a grip, think of something to say, think of something smart to say so you don't sound like a god damn idiot again. I thought of just getting up and heading home but my body had other ideas, it wouldn't move, Jesus, what was going on? Move Jess, just move. I watched him as he stopped and picked up a towel, he looked back at the water and unzipped his wetsuit down to the waist and peeled off the top half so it was hanging down from his waist. When he turned back in my direction all I could see was six pack abs and that nice v shaped line down to his groin, god he was gorgeous. The way the sun shone on his handsome face and wet hair, holy shit, I could just imagine running my hands over that body. Shit, I was in trouble. I put my head down on my knees to try and get my head together, after a few seconds a shadow came over me. I looked up to see GI Joe standing there looking down at me.

Are you okay? Jesus, that voice had me wet faster than I could blink.

Yeah, I’m fine, just taking a breather, he laid his board down next to mine and sat down.

Mind if I sit? Yep, I'm in trouble I thought. I looked at him and gave a smile and a little nod. Shit, big trouble. 

I kept my knees tucked up and my arms wrapped around my legs, there was silence for a minute or so, not an awkward silence, just silence.

I’m Brendan, Brendan McDonald, he said, holding out his hand. But everyone just calls me Scotty, I think I’ll stick to Joe for now I thought with a little smile.

Jessica, Jessica Murphy, but everyone just calls me Jess, I smiled as I reached for his hand. The instant that our hands touched I felt a jolt go through me and everything melted, everything including my bikini bottoms. I pulled my hand back with a start. Wow, did you feel that? I asked, I couldn't help smiling, what the hell did you say that for Jess? This chat is going to be over before you know it if you scare him off saying things like that!

Yeah, I did, he said and flashed me a drop dead gorgeous smile that made his eyes sparkle, holy crap, my heart just skipped a beat. Those pale blue eyes that just willed you to look into them. At the corner of his smile was the cutest little dimple, just above that scar. For a brief second I wondered how he got that scar, it must have hurt a hell of a lot when it was a fresh wound, it wasn't just a surface scar. I should know, I have enough scars of my own and I know a surface scar from a deep wound scar. It made me sad to think of him in pain.

He broke into my thoughts with that oh so sexy voice of his. So, either this was your first ever attempt at surfing or you’re a really bad surfer, he said while looking at me. I let out a laugh.

Were you watching me? Oh my god, how embarrassing, I didn't think anyone but Nick was paying attention to what I was doing, I shook my head and laughed. Yeah, this was my first ever time on a surfboard, I body surf or use my boogie board most of the time, surfing looked like fun so I thought I’d give it a go, and Nick was happy to give me a start off lesson. I noticed his face crease up a little when I mentioned Nick’s name...was he jealous? I don't think I did too bad actually, I said tilting my head to the side and giving him my best Cheshire cat grin. He laughed a nice soft chuckle, shit, if I thought my bikini bottoms melted when he touched me, they damn near caught on fire when he laughed, so hot.

Yeah you did okay for a rookie I guess, you had your timing right there in the end, just need to work on your balance now. Wow, so he had been watching me, and sounds like he was watching me for a while.

Well, thanks for the tip, I’ll work on that next time I’m out there, I looked back out to the waves.

"I use to teach little nippers how to surf down at Broulee when I was stationed at the bay. I can give you some lessons if you like,