Crashing Waves (8 page)

"Hey what's up?" Rory asked.

"Not much, when are you leaving for Aspen?"

"I'm not sure, ask Alex. She usually gives me my itinerary a few days before I travel. Why?"

"Just wondering. I'm planning on going to La Jolla that weekend, unless you have something you need me to do."

"No, I can't think of anything. Tell your mom I said hey. I wish I could go with you. I haven't seen her in over a year."

"I will. She asked if you were coming with me. She knows better though."

"Yeah, well my days of surfing until I passed out in the sand are over. We'd better go. I'd hate to be late for my own meeting."

~ ~ ~

Rory waited until Wednesday to read the email from Austin. She anticipated the worst, but hoped Austin would understand the reasoning behind her decision. She sighed as she sat back, putting her glasses on so she could read the screen. She still hated wearing them, but if the only repercussion she'd suffered from her traumatic accident were vision problems, then she was damn lucky.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Redondo

Rory,

 I'd just like to thank you for the time you spent with me at Redondo Beach this weekend. I really appreciate all of the advice that you gave me. Although, I'm not looking forward to learning from someone other than you, I can see where you're very busy. I'll do my best to try and learn some helpful tips from someone who is willing to take the time to train me. So, if you wouldn't mind passing my name off to a good trainer that won't cost me an arm and a leg, I'd be very thankful. Once again, thank you for all of your help and I look forward to being sponsored by your company in the future and possibly seeing you again soon.

                           Sincerely,

A.C. Tinsley

Rory was so shocked she had to read the paragraph twice. She took her glasses off, laying them on the desk.
What changed? I don't get it, Austin. One day you're begging me to train you and the next day you all of a sudden come to the realization that I don't have the time. This just doesn't make sense. What the hell?
Still stunned, Rory put her glasses back on and clicked on the reply button.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: okay

Miss Tinsley,

First off, you're welcome. I'm glad I could be of some help to you. As for a trainer, I'll have to go through a few lists to see who's available. I know you want to get started so I'll do what I can. I have to go to Aspen in two weeks, so I might not have someone for you until I get back. As I said before, I believe you are very talented and have one of the most unique styles that I've ever seen. I want to make sure you get the best training and advice. Don't worry about the money, I'll make sure it's something you can afford and if not, I'm sure I know someone who owes me a personal favor or two. I do have one question though, just out of curiosity, what made you change your mind so drastically?

Sincerely,

R. Eden

After she clicked send, she shut down her computer and rubbed the left side of her head, feeling the four inch scar above the throbbing ache as she pressed the intercom button.

"Alex?"

"Yes, Rory."

"I don't have any meetings for the rest of the afternoon, am I correct?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good. Hold all of my calls and reroute anything important to Martie's office."

"Yes Ma'am. Are you feeling okay, Rory?"

Rory laughed slightly. "Yes, Alex, I'm fine. I just have a few things I need to take care of this afternoon so I won't be returning to the office."

"Sure thing. Have a nice afternoon."

"You too."

Rory dialed Martie's extension and picked up the receiver when she answered.

"Hey, it's Rory."

"What's up?"

"I have a few things I need to do this afternoon, so I'm taking off."

"What! You have never left this building before dark. Are you feeling okay?"

"You sound like Alex. Yes, I'm fine. I just need to get out of here today. It's really nothing, I swear to you."

"I don't know. You're acting funny, Rory."

"Martie, you know me better than anyone. Therefore you should be happy when I'm stressed out and decide take some time for myself. Plus, I have some errands to run. I routed all of my important calls to you. I'll see you in the morning."

"Alright, call me later if you want."

"Okay, have a good afternoon."

"Yeah, you too." Martie hung up the phone knowing damn good and well something was up with her best friend, but getting Rory to talk about anything was like trying to pull teeth from a grizzly bear.

~ ~ ~

Rory ran into Carl, the security guard, as she entered her office building the next day. She felt refreshed after using the extra time off the day before to rest and relax. She'd taken half of a pain pill to stop the agonizing headache and had swum a few laps in her pool to ease the tension in her shoulders. She'd fallen asleep early, and awoke just before her alarm the next morning.

"Hello, Carl."

"Happy Friday the thirteenth, Rory."

Rory's eyebrows cringed together as she walked away. She'd heard the same line reiterated from the receptionist in the lobby as she came through the front door.
What the hell is with these people? It's just another bloody day. Get over it!
Rory stepped into the elevator and the doors opened on her floor with Alex standing in front of them.

"If you say something about the date today, I'm going to fire you," Rory said, squeezing past her and walking briskly down the hall.

Once inside of her office, Rory shut the door and let out a long breath.
Don't check it, today of all days. Come on you don't have the best of luck as it is. You finally get her to realize you don't have the time or the desire to train her, but now you can't seem to hand her over to anyone else. Bloody hell, Eden, you can't have your cake and eat it too! Everyone is already on tour. So, either
you
train the girl or give her to some crony who couldn't give two shits about her or her career. No matter what, you still have to check your email…shit.
She wasn't sure why she was so drawn to Austin or cared so much about her career. Hell, if it had been anyone else, she never would've replied to the first email and probably would have had the person arrested for stalking her by now, but the enigmatic young woman had weaseled her way into Rory's mind and now she couldn't get her out if it. She was astounded by the fact that she actually looked forward to the emails from Austin. "What the hell am I doing?" she said to the empty office as the intercom on her desk buzzed.
 

"What?" Rory asked.

"Really? That's you how you answer your intercom?" Martie teased.

"What the hell do you want?" Rory growled.

Martie laughed.

"Cut the shit, Cruz!"

"Yikes! Grouch! Happy Friday the thir—"

"Don't you dare say it! I swear I'll go through this phone."

"Who pissed in your corn flakes this morning?"

"No one. I'm just sick of hearing that fucking phrase. Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Good, now what is that you want?"

"I had forgotten to tell you that Leann Strong left this past Wednesday for Australia. She's going to be there for the Roxy Pro Saturday and Sunday and she's flying back Monday. I scheduled a post meeting with her for Wednesday at nine."

"Sounds good."

"That's all I needed." she paused. "Hey, Rory, get your head out of the sand. You've been acting really strange this week. I'm around if you need to talk without snapping someone's head off."

"Martie, I'm fine. I just have a lot going on. I find the Friday the thirteenth crap ridiculous and it irritated me with everyone saying it this morning."

Rory spun around in her chair, looking through the floor to ceiling window and down at the busy streets of Los Angeles.
Just check it, Rory. You know it's going to drive you nuts if you don't.
She couldn't take the suspense any longer, so she opened the email from Austin.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: thank you

Rory,

Once again, thank you kindly for everything you have done for me. I know that you're very busy, and I'm grateful that you're taking the time out of your busy schedule to find me not only the best trainer, but also a personal friend of yours. I appreciate it more than you know. As for your curiosity, I have never given up on you training me, and I never will. But, for me to get anywhere in this sport, I have to start somewhere. Unfortunately for both us, you're too busy with your company, so I have to go with option number two. Rory, if I had my choice, it is, as it always will be, you. I've told you before. I'm not just a fan. You're my inspiration and I admire you. Your connection with the waves is something so rare that it will probably never be seen again. I only hope to feel a tiny part of that connection in my own surfing. It made you one of the greatest surfers in history.

 I hope you enjoy your trip to Aspen. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you when you return. Please email me or call me at 454-8001 when you have found me a trainer. Again, thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

A.C. Tinsley

Rory read the email and pushed her chair out from under the desk. "Damn it, Eden, why the hell is this bothering you so much? You don't want to train her, yet you don't want anyone else to either."
You had better think fast because you're running out of excuses.
 

~ ~ ~

The plane touched down on snow covered ground and taxied to its designated terminal. Rory was one of the first passengers off the jet. She headed straight for the baggage claim area, pulling her coat a little tighter around her. She hadn't been to the snow in years and the near zero temperature outside the airport made it balmy inside. Fifteen minutes later, her bag finally came around to where she was standing. Rory grabbed the black suitcase and headed for the car rental area at the front of the terminal. She was quickly escorted out of the line by one of the airport staff.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Are you Rory Eden?"

"Yes. Why?"

"You're car is waiting right out front for you," the man said, point out the window.

"Thank you."

Rory turned around and wheeled her suitcase towards the automatic doors. She saw the large black Cadillac Escalade SUV parked alongside the curb. She walked towards the vehicle and a tall, very well-built, handsome young man, with tan skin and jet black hair stepped in front of her. He was wearing a black suit with a black necktie and didn't look anywhere near as cold as she was.

"Rory?"

"Yes."

"My name's Byron. I'll be your driver as well as your security during your stay in Aspen. It's nice to meet you." The Hollywood-looking guy offered his hand and Rory shook it briefly. She was still in shock and trying to figure out exactly what he meant by security. She was freezing and at that point she wouldn't have cared if he was a serial killer. She got into the warm vehicle, pointing the heater vents directly at her.

"We should be going. I know you're very busy. The hotel concierge has given me your week long schedule," he said as he slid into the driver's seat.

Rory sat back as the car drove off toward the hotel. Security or not, she was glad she had a driver for the next few days. She'd never driven on snow and wasn't about to start now.
Security? What the hell is that supposed to mean? I don't need a personal body guard… Alex. You're trying to make me fire you, aren't you?"
 

She finally settled into her suite and ordered up room service, instead of going down to the hotel restaurant. She'd found out from the hotel manager that Byron was on call twenty-four hours a day and readily available if and when she needed to leave the hotel. She was about to sit down and eat the succulent meal in front of her, when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's me. How's Aspen? See any hotties yet?"

"Martie, I should've known you set this up."

"What are you talking about?"

Rory sat on the couch, putting her feet up on the coffee table with her grilled chicken salad sitting in her lap. "My male hottie bodyguard, does that ring a bell?"

"Um no, but that's interesting though. Too bad you're a lesbian," Martie laughed.

"Cut the shit and tell me exactly why I have personal security while I'm here," Rory said between bites. "And no one knows I'm a lesbian except for you."

"That closet must get awful lonely," Martie teased. "I didn't make your arrangements, so I have no idea. Maybe Alex didn't want you to be bombarded with media, fans, or whoever else wants to bother you."

"I know what you're saying, but this is a little much. I don't need security. I'm a washed up retired surfer."

"Rory, you're a multi-millionaire and you have people falling at your feet wanting you to sponsor them. It makes sense."

 Rory sighed. "He's my driver, so I guess I can pass him off as that."

"Yeah, so anyway tell me what it looks like. Is there snow?"

"Of course there's snow, dipshit. It's a winter wonderland and I'm at a snowboarding event at the top of a mountain, hello! I'm freezing my bloody ass off. It's barely two degrees outside. Oh hey, remind me to thank Alex for putting me up at this beautiful hotel. I have a fully stocked mini-bar and a gorgeous snow covered mountain view from my balcony."

"Sounds great! Now you just need a naked snow bunny to heat up your room."

"Martie, is sex the only thing you ever think about?" Rory chided.

"No, not the
only
thing."

"Smartass. Anyway, I'm planning on seeing our riders tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know. Stephen said he set everything up so you can meet all of them tomorrow morning. I emailed all of that to you."