Upside Down: One Fond Embrace, #2

By Crista McHugh

Caz Miller. Surfing god. Arrogant Asshole.

Or at least, that's what Kayla's assessment of him has always been. But in a cruel twist of fate, she finds herself at his mercy. Dropped by her sponsors, homeless, and pregnant, how could she not accept his offer to crash in the apartment above his garage? It's just until she can get back on her feet. That doesn't mean she'll fall for him all over again…or does it?

Kayla Gilmore. Queen of the Waves. The one he can't forget.

By the time Caz realized how much Kayla meant to him, it was too late. He knows better than to ask for a second chance. She deserves someone better than him. The best he can hope for is to get the asshole title dropped from his name. But what starts out as an offer to earn some karmic points rekindles the fiery passion between them, and he finds himself in same precarious position as before. This time, though, he's determined not to break her heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crista McHugh
• Release date: Dec 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946620330

Book preview

Upside Down

(One Fond Embrace, Book 2)

by

Crista McHugh

Caz Miller. Surfing god. Arrogant Asshole.

Or at least, that’s what Kayla’s assessment of him has always been. But in a cruel twist of fate, she finds herself at his mercy. Dropped by her sponsors, homeless, and pregnant, how could she not accept his offer to crash in the apartment above his garage? It’s just until she can get back on her feet. That doesn’t mean she’ll fall for him all over again…or does it?

Kayla Gilmore. Queen of the Waves. The one he can’t forget.

By the time Caz realized how much Kayla meant to him, it was too late. He knows better than to ask for a second chance. She deserves someone better than him. The best he can hope for is to get the asshole title dropped from his name. But what starts out as an offer to earn some karmic points rekindles the fiery passion between them, and he finds himself in same precarious position as before. This time, though, he’s determined not to break her heart.

***

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Chapter 1

As the timer on her phone went off, Kayla Gilmore finished a silent prayer and hesitantly glanced down at the second pregnancy test she’d taken that morning.

Shit!

It was positive, too.

Her knees buckled beneath her, and she slumped back against the wall until she hit the cold tile of the bathroom. Talk about rotten timing. The surfing season was about to begin, and if her sponsors found out she was pregnant, they’d yank her from every competition from now until delivery day.

But at least all the weird symptoms she’d been having over the last couple of weeks made sense. The nausea. The breast tenderness. The bad taste to some of her favorite foods.

A loud bang pulled her from her pity party. Kayla, Mariana Silva, her roommate and unofficial rival, shouted from the other side of the door, some of us have to use the bathroom, too.

Use the guys’, Kayla barked back, ignoring the bile rising into her throat. She needed time—and more importantly, privacy—to process this.

Their bathroom is disgusting. Mariana’s knocks grew more insistent. I’m kind of in a lot of pain right now.

So am I. Surfing career side, Kayla had no idea how to break this to Justin. It wasn’t like they had the most stable of relationships to begin with.

That’s it. I’m going to get something to pick the lock. Mariana’s footsteps vanished down the hall.

Kayla jerked her attention to the two positive tests on the counter and jumped to her feet. Heaven forbid Mariana see those. Once she got a peek at them, everyone would know. She hadn’t even told Justin yet.

She grabbed the two tests, wrapped them in toilet paper, and dumped them into the trashcan.

When she opened the door, Mariana was standing there with a screwdriver and a credit card. She grabbed Kayla’s arm and shoved her out of the way, slamming the door behind her. Finally.

Kayla’s hands shook as she wiped the sweat off her brow. Getting rid of the evidence had been the easy part. Breaking the news would be ten times harder. She already knew what Justin would say. He’d blame her. He’d try to pin all the blame on her, even though he was the one who’d insisted they stop using condoms since she was on the pill.

And like an idiot, I listened to him.

Outside, a horn blared. Lewis, get your ass out here, Justin shouted from his truck. We’re going to miss the good waves.

Kayla’s pulse quickened. Those idiots weren’t thinking about going surfing today, not with a hurricane coming so close to Oahu. But as Lewis pushed past her to dash out of the North Shore home they all shared, she realized they were stupid enough to try it.

She chased after them, banging on the driver’s side door as he started to roll out of the driveway. Stop! Where do you think you’re going?

Justin rolled his eyes as he lowered the window. His inherent cockiness marred what could have been a cute face and added iciness to his hard brown eyes. Babe, they’re reporting thirty-foot swells at the Pipeline. I want to grab them while I have chance.

But it’s dangerous. She squeezed her lips together, her gaze darting between the father of her baby and his best bud. She wasn’t about to break the news in front of Lewis. Please, don’t go. I really need to talk to you about something.

You always want to talk about something. It’s really cramping my style. Justin started to roll up the window, but Kayla wedged her fingers over the edge and pushed it down with all her might.

Please, it’s important.

Babe, those waves are important, and you’re keeping me from them.

But the riptide warnings—

I can handle them. He and Lewis exchanged high-fives with a laugh.

Her eyes stung with tears. He wasn’t even going to listen to her. And now she was going to have a baby with him? Justin, please, just give me a minute—

No, he shouted. That’s it. I’m done with you. You’re such a nag. We’re over.

The news hit her like a slap to the face, rendering her body numb. She stumbled back a step. What?

On the edge of her vision, she caught a glimpse of the conspiratorial grin on Lewis’s face as though this announcement had been brewing for some time now.

You heard me. We’re through. I can find someone who’s less of a killjoy to bone, he said before rolling up the window and zipping out of the driveway, barely avoiding a collision with another car. The V-8 engine of his truck roared like a beast as he sped down the highway toward Ehukai Beach.

Her breaths came sharp and fast as she processed what just happened, unable to shake the anxiety zinging through her like a thousand little shocks. She’d run out to plead for his safety and ask him to give her a moment to break the news, and he’d dumped her.

The indignity of it all suddenly seized control of her, and she curled her fingers into her palms one by one until she was left with two fists. Her heart still pounded at the same frantic pace, but it was fueled by anger now, not fear. That son of a bitch.

If he wasn’t going to listen to her here, then she’d make him listen to her there. She’d announce it on the beach in front of everyone. Then they’d know what kind of lowlife scumbag he was.

She spun around and dashed back into the house to grab her bicycle helmet. A car would’ve been faster, but parking was always a nightmare on that beach. It was easier to chase him down on her bike.

She barely missed Mariana as she barreled down the hallway to her bedroom. Her roommate was holding something in her hand, but Kayla didn’t pause long enough to find out what it was.

Kayla, are you okay?

No. The single word came out a growl, matching her mood. She may’ve just learned she was pregnant, but the fierce mama bear in her was rising to the surface, ready to rip the father of her baby to shreds.

Even though the clouds obscured the bright Hawaiian sun, they intensified the humidity, turning the air thick and swampy. Her face was already covered in sweat by the time she’d mounted her bicycle. She pedaled down the highway like a Tour de France athlete, pushing her body as hard as she could. She needed to catch him before he paddled out.

The glimpses she got of the ocean from the road through Haleiwa matched the mood. It was dark and angry, churning with the ferocity of the distant category three hurricane. Dangerous riptide warnings had been issued last night, but when she got her first peek of the beautiful swells the storm created, her body tingled with the rush of excitement. She was a surfer, and waves like that called to her. She understood why Justin and Lewis would want to risk our lives to surf them, but the tingle of excitement couldn’t dull the stronger warning in the pit of her stomach.

By the time she reached the beach, a crowd had gathered along the road. At first, she thought they were there to admire the waves. But as she looked closer, she saw the familiar bob of surfers on their boards in the distance. The faint whine of the Sea-Doo engine pulling surfers out to sea could barely be heard over the crash of the waves.

She stopped, the coarse sand seeping between her toes, and shook her head. How many suicidal surfers do we have here?

More than enough, a familiar voice said beside her.

She whipped around to find the bane of her existence—Caz Miller—standing beside her. And, of course, he was still as good-looking as ever, living up to the Malibu Ken nickname his friends had given him. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Tan and well built, all tempered with the arrogance of someone who knew he could turn a woman’s insides into goo just by flashing those dark blue eyes on her.

But time had taught her how to be immune to those seductive eyes, and she blamed the flush burning her skin on the heat of the day rather than the man standing next to her. I’m surprised you’re not out there with them.

I have more than an ounce of self-preservation, he replied before giving her the same crooked grin that had made her heart skip when she’d first met him eight years ago.

Unfortunately, time had done little to dull the effect of that very same grin. Her heart gave three uncharacteristic thumps before settling back in the frantic pace it had held for most of the morning. She pushed Caz from her mind and peered out at the surfers floating on the swells. Have you seen Justin?

Yeah, I think that’s him over there. Caz pointed at one of the surfers.

Kayla zeroed in on it, finally recognizing the flash of bright fluorescent yellow on the tip of the board. Justin liked to brag that he was lightning on the waves, and his surfboard bore his symbol. But seeing him on the ocean did little to dull the anxiety jolting through her body. How did he get out there so fast?

He cut ahead of the other surfers, Caz replied, even though she’d asked the question more to herself than him. But as usual, Caz felt the need to butt in and act like a know-it-all.

I wasn’t speaking to you.

Could’ve fooled me. Instead of taking a hint, he stayed by her, arms crossed, his vision fixed on the surfers as they paddled down the mammoth waves. Looks like your loser boyfriend is dropping in on another surfer.

She wanted to snap back that he wasn’t her loser boyfriend—that he’d actually dumped her this morning—but she didn’t want to reveal that sort of information to Caz. Besides, her breath had frozen in her lungs, a prisoner of her fear while she watched Justin rise over the top of the wave and then shoot down into the barrel. Her fingers turned cold as he carved up and down inside the wave before disappearing behind the curl. The wave crashed to shore, but when the barrel collapsed, he didn’t reappear on the other side.

Wipeout, Caz muttered with a hint of glee.

If it had been under different circumstances, she would’ve laughed with him, but that sickening feeling of dread chased away any mirth inside her. Something was wrong. Her gut told her that much. She released a shaky breath, her legs quivering like Jell-O. Where are you? she whispered.

She’d been so mad at him, but as the seconds ticked by, she forgot about her anger. A chill raced up her arms, closing in around her throat, making her wish harder and harder that Justin would emerge from under the waves.

Beside her, Caz’s arms fell to the side, and he took a step forward. Come up, dude, he murmured, his voice embodying the same tension that was threatening to suffocate her.

And then, as though this was all part of a nightmare, a limp body floated up to the surface.

Justin! The scream that broke forth from her was filled with anguish and horror. Kayla dropped to her knees in the sand, her vision blurring from tears.

In the distance, someone blew a sharp whistle, and a team of lifeguards raced toward the lifeless form bouncing facedown in the foam.

Hot tears streamed down her cheeks. As angry as she was at Justin, she’d never wish this upon him. Please let him be all right. Please let him be pulling one of his ridiculous stunts.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around her, and Kayla surrendered to the comfort they offered, not realizing who held her until he spoke. They’re bringing him to shore, Caz informed her in a calm, soothing voice.

She lifted her head, wanting to watch was happening through Caz rather than see it herself. His face reflected the same worry in her heart, and the sturdy hold his arms never faltered as his agonizing minutes stretched.

They’ve got him on the beach. He looked down at her. Do you want me to help you to him?

She shook her head. Distance was her friend now. She didn’t want to get in the way of the medics as they worked on him.

Caz tightened his hold on her, directing her head back to his shoulder. Her tears soaked through the soft cotton of his T-shirt, yet he didn’t seem to mind. They’re doing their best, Kayla. Justin is stubborn. We both know that.

Stubborn was putting it mildly. Justin was arrogant, mule-headed, a total prick at times. But even with all his faults, she still wanted him to live.

Caz’s breath caught, and he squeezed her closer. Kayla, he started before his voice cracked, they’re starting CPR.

She dug her fingers into his shirt, scrunching the fabric into her fists as another sob broke free. She clung to Caz out of desperation while she prayed the medics would bring Justin around.

And then the irony of the situation struck her. Who would’ve thought the person she despised the most would become a pillar of strength for her during this ordeal?

Caz’s Adam’s apple bobbed against her forehead, and he threaded his fingers through her hair. Kayla, I—

The mournful wail of an ambulance siren sounded over the distance, coming closer and closer. And with each crescendo, she sobbed even harder. Damn you, Justin! Why didn’t you listen to me? Why did you have to be so reckless? How dare you leave me like this!

The ambulance is here. Caz loosened his hold on her, but she still cleaved to him like a barnacle on the strongest seaworthy boat. Do you want me to take you over so you can ride with them?

I can’t. A shudder ripped through her, an acknowledgment of the one thing she never wanted to acknowledge. She’d always prided herself on being strong and independent, on having nerves of steel that had propelled her through the toughest highs and lows of this sport. Injuries happened. Surfers died. But this was too close, too personal. I can’t.

You’re his girlfriend. He needs you.

No, he doesn’t. She wanted to scream that she wasn’t his girlfriend, but she couldn’t, not at a time like this.

Yes, he does. Caz scooped her into his arms and lifted her up from the sand as he rose to his feet. He needs someone who loves him at his side right now.

The ugly truth hit her right then.

She didn’t love Justin.

She never had. He was just someone