Surge : A Stepbrother Romance Read Free

are the ones I live for. The rest of my day is packed with back-to-back
lessons of both kids and adults. I always make sure that people know my
philosophy on surfing—all ages, all generations can surf. Most importantly is,
surfing is not a competition. Surfing is personal. No judgement allowed, ever.
     
     
    Exhausted
after a long day in the sun, I make my way to the local pub on the beach. I
pick a spot in the back of the bar to avoid being bothered. As soon as I order
my beer, I see Mick and he is coming over to harass me. Mick is my overly
successful stepbrother. He has made his money by somehow becoming the best
professional surfer in the world. When we were kids, if you would have asked me
if I thought he would amount to anything, the answer would be no. All he did
was smoke pot, drink beer, and surf. Who knew that would be training for his career?
I hated Mick. I hated Mick like oil hated water.
     
     
    “Hey there, young
lady.
     
    I am less than amused.
“What do you want?”
     
    “Can a guy not
come over and say hello to his sister?” He smirks.
     
    “You have said ‘hello,’
now go away.”
     
    As always, Mick is
persistent. “How is your surf school going?”
     
    “Going great Mick,
thanks for asking.” I say sarcastically.
     
    He laughs. “I
can’t believe you are teaching surfing. I am a way better surfer than you.”
     
    “Mick,
surfing and teaching surfing are two different things. You don’t have the
intelligence or patience to teach.”
     He
narrows his eyes. “Anyone can do it. In fact I am sure I can do a hell of a lot
better than you.”
    I
take a step back so I don’t lose my cool. “Okay, then. Put your money where
your mouth is.”
     
    “Gladly,
what’s the bet?”
     
    “I
bet I am a better instructor than you. How about this: if I can teach more
people how to stand up on a board tomorrow than you can, then you have to publicly
endorse my surfing school.”
     
    “And
what do I get if I win?” he asks.
            I
hesitate. “Well, what do you want?”

    The
corners of his mouth curl up in the most unnerving of ways. If I didn’t know
better, I could swear he is undressing me with his eyes. I am starting to feel
naked and uncomfortable.
     
     
    “Well, what?” I
stammer.
     
    “I
will think of something and let you know.” Mick looks away with that same smirk
on his face. I don’t trust it, but regardless, there is no way he was going to
win this bet.
     
    “Okay.
So we have a deal?”
     
    Mick
obnoxiously shakes my hand too hard. “Deal.”
     
     
    I
can’t believe he agreed to that. Mick is not able to focus on anything for more
than two minutes. He has no idea how to teach and no patience for anyone. This
could really be a big deal for my school. Everyone knows Mick Anderson. His
endorsement could make me a very wealthy woman.
     
     
    “How
will I find you?” Mick asks.
     
    “Meet
me at the pier tomorrow at two p.m.” I raise my chin.
     
    His
eyebrows suddenly lower. “Okay, Sam, but this is ridiculous. I’m the best
surfer in the world. You’re just a low-level instructor.”
     
     
    I
stand up to leave. So many of my interactions with Mick end this way. He makes
me so angry, and I am not about to make a scene. Not here. I walk past Mick
face to face, thinking angry thoughts. His eyes are so beautiful. Wow, I
never really noticed. Has he always been this good-looking? I shake my
head, both in disappointment at myself and at him. Focus, Sam. Focus.
     
     
    “Fuck
you, Mick.” With my finger held high, I make sure he knows how I feel as I walk
past him. “If you don’t show tomorrow, I will consider that your admission of
failure and endorsement of my school.”

Chapter 3 - Mick
     
            I
step out into the cool morning air and notice the sun rising up over the
horizon. Resting my arms on my balcony, I welcome the new day. I love my place,
which I should, considering it cost me a king’s ransom. Right now I have lots
to