White Water: An epilogue novella (Ryder Bay Book 5) Read online

  WHITE WATER

  RYDER BAY EPILOGUE

  JORDAN FORD

  © Copyright 2019 Jordan Ford

  www.jordanfordbooks.com

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

  Cover art (copyright) by Emily Wittig Designs & Photography

  https://www.facebook.com/emilywittigdesignsandphotography/

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  CONTENTS

  Note from Author

  1. Aidan

  2. Harley

  3. Griffin

  4. Jed

  5. Skylar

  6. Harley

  7. Savannah

  8. Lettie

  9. Jace

  10. Jed

  11. Aidan

  12. Harley

  13. Griffin

  14. Savannah

  15. Skylar

  16. Jace

  17. Lettie

  18. Savannah

  19. Skylar

  20. Harley

  21. Jed

  22. Aidan

  23. Jace

  24. Lettie

  25. Jed

  26. Skylar

  27. Harley

  28. Griffin

  Dear Reader

  For Emily — the cover designer every author needs.

  Working with you is so much fun. You are so talented, patient and kind. Thank you for all your amazing creativity.

  NOTE FROM AUTHOR

  Writing a novella epilogue has been so much more fun than I thought it would be. I seriously need to do this again sometime. One of my favorite things about this whole process was writing multiple points of views. In this novella, you’ll get insights into all eight of the main Ryder Bay characters. I hope you enjoy this spring break snapshot, and I hope you’re happy with how I see their futures. Although, if you’re not, you can always make up different endings for each of these couples. Haha :D That’s the beauty of your imagination.

  Thank you so much for being a part of this Ryder Bay series with me. I’ve loved writing every one of these books and fallen pretty hard for the characters in this world. I know they’ll stay with me for many years to come.

  I’d also like to thank Lenore, Beth, Kristin, Rachael and Emily. You are all key components in the making of each of my books, and I value your time and help so very much.

  Thank you to my review team, proofreaders and reader group. I love you all. I love how you contribute to the process as well, sharing your opinions on cover designs, titles and character names. It’s so cool to have you as part of the journey.

  My precious family, thank you for making life so fun. Thank you for letting me sneak away to write and for pulling me out of my cave when I need to get back to the real world again. I love you so much.

  And to my beautiful savior who has walked every step of this life right alongside me. Thanks for never leaving my side, and always being there when I need some direction. I love you always and forever.

  xx

  Jordan

  1

  AIDAN

  THE SUN IS BEATING DOWN on us, a happy shine that’s contagious.

  I grin as I scrape my fingers through my salty hair and cruise down the main street toward Freshmart.

  The top’s down on my convertible, and the wind is making Harley’s hair dance around her face. She snatches it into a ponytail, a grumpy scowl marring her expression.

  I try to hide my smile when she glances at me. I’m not the one who had to cut our surfing session short to get to work on time. My shift at Ryder Rentals is tomorrow. If I wanted to, I could head right back to the water after I’ve dropped my girlfriend off. But I won’t do that. She’d kill me.

  The thought makes me grin as I picture her all fired up. Although I don’t particularly love her anger being directed at me, feisty Harley is a sight to behold. The way her eyes spark and her hands fly everywhere, making these big gestures of annoyance…

  For someone so little, she can make a pretty big bang, and I love that about her. I also love her when she’s laughing at something funny or smiling just at me, her eyes taking on a warm, tender quality that turns my heart to putty. And her tired face is adorable too, that sleepy grin she gets.

  Oh man, I am so gone for this girl.

  I love all her faces. They dance through my brain constantly, even when we’re not together.

  I’m so incredibly stoked that it’s finally spring break. Come Monday, I won’t be driving to school and having to squeeze in time with Harley. Instead, I’ll be heading to the beach to spend all freaking day hanging out with her. I’m guessing we’ll hit the water most days. I can’t wait.

  I turn into the Freshmart parking lot and Harley lets out a loud huff.

  “Come on, babe. It’s just a four-hour shift. It’ll be over before you know it. Do you want me to come pick you up? You could come to my place for dinner.”

  “No,” she mumbles. “Don’t your parents have guests coming?”

  “Yeah, but they won’t mind you being there.”

  “I’ll be all right.” She shakes her head and reaches into the back for her skateboard. “If you could just drop my surfboard home for me.”

  “Sure. No problem. I’ll do that now.”

  “Thank you.” She gives me a glum smile, and I tip my head at her.

  Leaning across the car, I cup her cheek and kiss the end of her nose, trying to think of something to say to cheer her up.

  I was kind of hoping she would have managed to pick up enough regular clients that she could have surfing instructor as her only job, but not enough have come through and she still has to work a few shifts a week at Freshmart to save.

  College is looming, and even though she’s applied for financial aid, it still might not be enough to cover everything at the community college she’s looking at down in San Diego.

  Dreams of the future skitter through me, and I feel that thrill of excitement as I think ahead.

  I got into UCSD, just the way we’d planned, and Harley will be attending a community college nearby. The only decision left to make is on housing. My parents can afford to have me board on campus, but Harley will have to commute from Ryder Bay. It’ll take her forever on the bus, so I’m wondering about staying in Ryder Bay myself and driving in with her each day.

  It’ll add a few extra hours to every day, but I want to help her out.

  I’d do anything for this gorgeous, grumpy girl beside me.

  I snicker at the look on her face and decide to just ask her now. I was planning to ask her over a romantic dinner this week, but what’s the point in waiting? I want to see her smile already.

  Brushing my lips across hers, I pull back enough to look into her eyes and softly whisper, “Will you go to prom with me?”

  She goes still, her beautiful eyes rounding ever so slightly, before she wriggles out of my grasp and shakes her head. “No.”
/>   “What?” I chuckle, completely thrown. I was expecting a dreamy smile and a yes.

  She shakes her head again, giving me a tight, awkward smile and saying, “Sorry, I mean, no, thank you.”

  “No, thank you?” I let out this confused cough and frown at her. “You don’t want to go to prom with me?” The last word comes out on a high squeak. It’s impossible to mask my surprise.

  She’s still shaking her head. I wish she’d freaking stop doing that.

  “Why?”

  “Um…” She winces, glancing out the window and swiveling her body toward the door like she wants to escape.

  “Harley.” I gently grab her elbow before she can leave.

  “I’m gonna be late.”

  “You’re not leaving this car until you give me some kind of explanation. Come on, it’s senior prom. My last one. I want you there with me.”

  She sighs, her shoulders deflating before she flicks my hand off her arm. “I don’t do proms, okay? They’re stupid. Why don’t you take Skylar or Savannah or something?”

  “Uh, they both have boyfriends who are already taking them.”

  Harley cringes and starts shaking her head again.

  “Would you stop that already?” I mutter. “It’s one night. Please. Can’t you do this for me?”

  I give her my bestest, sweetest, most earnest look.

  She gazes at it for a second and then metaphorically punches me in the face with a swift “Nope.”

  Her door shoots open and she jumps out of the car before I can reach her.

  “Harley!” I shout, but that just makes her start running.

  With a stunned sigh, I slump back in the driver’s seat, gripping the wheel and wondering what the hell is wrong with my girlfriend.

  2

  HARLEY

  POOR AIDAN LOOKED SO confused by my rejection.

  Guilt hounds me as I run into Freshmart and make a beeline for the back room. Storing my stuff in a locker, I rest my skateboard against its usual spot on the wall and quickly get changed into my heinous blue shirt.

  It was kind of unfair what I did to him.

  He was so expecting me to say yes. I mean, any normal girlfriend would.

  But I can’t do prom.

  I swore them off after “that guy,” and I’m not going to another one. Not even with Aidan—the world’s best boyfriend.

  But how do I tell him that?

  I can’t swear off proms just because I think they’re stupid. That’s not a valid reason. When you love someone, you sacrifice for them. You help them out. And he wants to take his girlfriend to prom. That’s reasonable, right?

  I pause, catching my reflection in the small square mirror. Memories of the only prom I’ve ever been to flash through my mind, and I shudder.

  “I can’t do it,” I whisper, my expression crumpling. “But I can’t tell him why either.”

  I don’t even know how I would begin that conversation. It scares the crap out of me, and I was hoping that I’d be able to somehow survive the rest of my life without ever telling Aidan that I was raped. Which is so ridiculously stupid, because one day he’s going to want to do more than just kiss me, and my subtle “I’m not ready” will not fly forever.

  He’s really good about it now and always pulls back when we start to take things too far. He’s the most respectful guy, and I love that about him.

  But one day he’ll want more.

  And I mean, I kind of want more too. He’s pretty damn hot, and his lips can set my body on fire. Sometimes when we’re kissing, I feel this yearning inside of me, like I want to take things to the next level.

  But the only sex I’ve ever had hurt and terrified me.

  And it was on prom night.

  “I can’t go,” I grit out, my fingers trembling as I wrestle my nametag onto my shirt and head out of the back room.

  My shift sucks.

  Trying to be polite and smile while I check out people’s groceries is damn near impossible. My brain is working overtime, and no matter how hard I try to think of anything other than Aidan’s sad eyes when he was silently begging me to say yes, I can’t. His face floods my brain.

  Dammit.

  Things have been going so well.

  We’ve been mapping out a future together. Aidan got into UCSD. It’s freaking awesome, and he’s so stoked. His whole family is. I’m planning to go to a community college close to his campus, so we can hopefully grab lunch together some days. Aidan’s probably going to move there, whereas I’ll have to endure the one-hour commute each morning and then again in the evening. But I can’t afford a place, and living with Mom is free. It’s my only option, really.

  It won’t kill me.

  And Aidan and I can spend weekends together. He’ll drive back up so we can surf and hang out. He’s aiming to become a career lifeguard, which is super exciting for him. I’m seriously so proud of my boyfriend. I only want good things for him.

  Like a normal girlfriend who can handle going to his last school prom!

  I wince at my internal snarkiness and have to force a smile at the lady who’s about to pay. “Cash or credit?” I squeak.

  She holds up her Mastercard, and I press the correct button on my screen.

  As she pushes her cart away, I slump my shoulders, feeling rotten all the way to my core.

  I always swore “that guy” would never beat me.

  But I think he finally has.

  Tears scorch the back of my eyes, and I fight them with venom for the rest of my shift. By the time I skate home, I’m exhausted.

  Thank God Mom’s not here. She’s working her shift at the bar tonight.

  I’m gonna have a hot shower, make myself a yummy stir-fry and then binge-watch something…anything…on Netflix. I’ll take whatever distraction I can get.

  Leaning my skateboard against the carport wall, I jerk up with a frown.

  Where’s my surfboard?

  Aidan said he was going to drop it home for me.

  “Shit,” I mutter, a couple of horrible thoughts flashing through my mind.

  Either he was too pissed off with me after I ran away from him and he forgot, or worse, he’s going to hold on to my board until I tell him exactly why I won’t go to his stupid prom!

  3

  GRIFFIN

  THE SUN WILL BE SETTING in the next hour or so. I gaze out at the water, loving the sound of the waves crashing to shore. It’s been a good day for surfers. I’ve been busy and am looking forward to some time off tomorrow.

  Time off to spend with my girl.

  I watch her chatting with Aidan while they wait for me to close up.

  He arrived a few minutes ago, looking kind of agitated but not saying why. I bet he’s telling Savvy about it right now. That girl can get anything out of anyone. She’s just so sweet and genuinely caring that it brings out the truth in people.

  I think about the rejection letter sitting on my desk at home and wonder how long it will take her to get the truth out of me. We had it all planned out at the end of last year. She had a list of colleges she was going to apply to, and I boldly agreed to do the same so we could be together.

  Problem is, I haven’t been accepted to any of them yet.

  I don’t know if it’s because of my record or the fact that I missed a few years at school. I’ve been working my butt off at online school, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. I’m probably going to have to settle for working at Ryder Rentals for a few more years or look into community college. That’s not a terrible option, but I was really hoping to attend college with my girl, and I hate that I’m letting us down.

  My past is a weight I just can’t shake. Even though I’ve moved on. Even though the big brother I was hiding from is now serving time for armed robbery and is no longer a threat. Even though, with the help of Marshall and Denee, I’ve set myself free, it’s still there in the background, always nagging, like a little tether that’s going to keep me from realizing my dreams.

  I swallow and
push a smile over my lips when Savannah glances at me. She drags a lock of hair off her face and tucks it behind her ear, giving Aidan a sympathetic smile.

  Man, she’s so beautiful.

  I love her so much I can hardly stand it. I wish I could be more for her. I wish I didn’t have to tell her about these rejection letters. I should probably do it sooner rather than later, but when I notice Aidan scraping his fingers through his hair and looking ready to pull out fistfuls of it, I set the thought aside and approach them.

  This is more than just a mild complaint. Something is definitely up with Aidan, and I don’t think Savannah should have to bear this all on her own.

  I wander over with a light step, sliding my hands into my hoodie pockets and going for casual. “Everything okay?” Reaching Savannah, I glide my arm across her shoulders and pull her against me.

  She snuggles in, wrapping her arm around my waist and giving me a sad smile. “Harley doesn’t want to go to prom with Aidan.”

  I shoot him a confused frown. “Why?”

  “I don’t know!” Aidan throws up his hands, frustrated. “All she said is that prom is stupid.” He tuts and shakes his head. “Can’t she just do this one thing for me? It’s my last prom.” He looks to Savannah for answers, but she just shakes her head as well.

  “I have no idea why she doesn’t want to. Did you tell her we’d all be going together? It’ll be fun.” Savannah bites the edge of her lip. So cute. I love it when she does that. “Maybe it’s the whole dressing up thing.”

  I chuckle. “Just tell her she’s allowed to come in jeans and flip-flops. Maybe that’ll work.”

  Aidan throws me a warning glare, and I press my lips together.

  “Not helping, babe.” Savannah pats my stomach and puts on a bright smile. “You could tell her that I’ll help her pick out a dress. I’ll make the whole thing as easy as possible for her.”