Loving Dad’s Best Friend

HER SCHEME

CHAPTER 4

“Gracie, sweetie. Blake is downstairs waiting for you. You have to surf today. Have you forgotten?” Dad knocked on the door and announced Blake's arrival.

I opened my eyes, and my blurry vision checked the time on the wall. It was a little past seven in the morning; no wonder half of my body was still asleep. I stretched under the bed cover and yawned, but I remained too lazy to sprung out of bed.

"Gracie--"

“Bail, dad! Tell him I'm not feeling well,” I yelled and buried my head under the pillow. I didn't have to face Blake, dad could relay the massage to him.

“I will let him go there.”

“No, dad! I want to sleep more. Just tell him to go alone.”

"Okay!"

Dad moved away from my door, and I heard his heavy steps fading away.

I was a fool if I even expected that it was the end of it. If dad could respect my wishes, I knew by heart that Blake wouldn't. And just like I thought, Blake barged into my room a few minutes later without even knocking.

I remained curled in one piece under the sheets. I could smell the scent of freshly brewed coffee even under the sheets, but my eyelids remained tightly together.

“So—“ he started. Blake sighed soundly, “How much longer do you intend to avoid me?” without looking at his face, I knew he was smiling roguishly.

It had been three days since the night we spoke, and each time he was in the house, I refused to go down and join them like before.

I didn’t reply, so he pulled up and took away the sheet covering me in a flash. I was likened to a chick, left unprotected by the hen. The cold morning air immediately entered my frail body, chilling me to the bones.

“Blake! Damnit!” I screeched, expressing my annoyance, although my eyelids remained tightly pressed. “What do you want?”

I pulled my oversized t-shirts down because I knew he could see my butt and panty as I curled my body even more.

“We both signed up for this surfing competition, and we agreed to do our best to win it. You did not attend our practice sessions the past two days. How do you expect us to win? If something didn't mess up your head, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to miss this. Now…out of bed young lady, and let’s go surf.” His voice was a little shaky, I observed.

“I am feeling a bit crook,” unwell, I meant, sick. Sick with my life as I craved him with every fiber of my being. He, who didn't want anything to do with me...which made me a pathetic i***t in his eyes.

“The hell! You are not sick. Get up!” To my surprise, he spanked my buttocks gently. He hit me twice. Damnit.

“Fvck! Are you deaf? I said—“ I opened my eyes. His hands were big and heavy; even a gentle strike caused a painful sensation.

“Shut up, Graciella. I know you are just avoiding me!” He scowled and hissed at me.

I momentarily stopped breathing when I saw him standing close to my bed, and my heart raised out of control. I openly gawked, taking in every freaking detail about him: his hair, his face, and his body.

He wore a plain white shirt and faded-ripped jeans with his muscles all over screaming manliness. I also noticed his dark chocolate eyes were a little deeper than usual but the dark bags under his eyes, evidence of his lack of sleep for whatever reason, didn't even reduce the sexiness of the man.

Oh good, Lord! Why was I so bewitched by his presence, even if he did invade my space, and I should be very annoyed with him? I should be mad at him for the intrusion on my privacy, not mesmerized by his presence like a fangirling school girl..

"You are avoiding me, right?" with that kind of smile on his face, expressing his fondness when he saw me slowly move.

I folded my legs --knees up and tucked them inside my oversized shirt, sitting in bed--now fully awake.

I inhaled and exhaled soundly. To regain my composure...I gave him a sarcastic smile and said, “Aye, I am." Even if my heart threatened to jump in my throat, I met his gaze, "Are you happy now?” I looked at him sharply, “Get the hell out of here and let me live my life!”

Blake sneered, and his gaze became more intense, “Your life? It hasn’t even started, and you want to destroy it already? How do you think we could settle, knowing you are about to commit the greatest mistake that will surely ruin your future?”

The truthfulness of his words and the intensity of his gaze left me speechless for a while. I didn't know what to say, but I revolted against the idea of sleeping with him being a mistake.

"Graciella--"

I could sense Blake was about to give me another bout of his rejection speech, so I snapped. I was not ready to hear it, “This is my body. I know what I want, and I will do what I want with it. End of discussion!”

“Graciella. I only have a few weeks left here. Are you going to let go of an opportunity because of your idiotic whims?”

I was cut in half by his words. Touched by his intent to make his last few weeks with us worthwhile, but-- it also pissed me off that he considered me a stupid person with unsensible caprice.

“Are you saying I’m an i***t? Really? For choosing to learn well, I’m an i***t?”

Blake shook his head repeatedly. He crossed his arms under his chest and continued to look at me intensely.

“Graciella, you never gave your father something to worry about; why start now?”

“My problem…is not my dad’s problem, and my body is not his either. If you will just lecture me about this again, armed with your OLD people ideology…Please-- give me a break!”

“Get up there. Let's compete. It doesn't matter if we win or not. We just need to show up and compete. It is a commitment Graciella.”

He released a heavy breath. I knew he was struggling to be the voice of reason, "I won't leave unless--"

I raised my hand to cut off the rest of his words. He could be a hard ass when he wanted to.

“Fine.”

I saw a slight smile on his lips, claiming his victory.

“Leave me now,” I barked, pointing him to the door. I wanted to wipe away that annoying victory smile on his face, but I could do nothing right now.

And just like in any of our conversations, he always has the last say, “Ten minutes.”

With that, he went out. I seriously contemplated throwing the mug of coffee he brought for me, but I liked it. I didn't want to waste it. I sipped it instead to calm down my tensed nerves. As expected it did wonders.

So…we traveled through his rover a short distance to reach the beach, in awkward silence. When we arrived, the place was full of both surfers and supporters. It was a local competition, not a professional one but the residents well supported it. Blake and I waved at some familiar faces.

I no longer waited for Blake as he unloaded the surfboard from the land rover. I took my bag to the nearest outdoor dressing tent and changed into my full surfing suit. A blue and black wet suit that covered me from neck to ankle, the water this time of year was a bit cold. Blake bought our matching outfit after signing for the competition a month ago.

When I stepped out of the tent, after securing my hair, I saw two of my friends approaching.

“Gracie—“ called Vitta and Pierre, two of my friends from school, both locals. I kissed them both on their cheeks.

“Competing?” Pierre asked. He had grown into a fine young man. His muscles were well-formed, rather than a few years ago when his body was like a stick broom. Gym and surfing might have helped develop his muscles.

“Yes, I’m with Blake,” I replied.

“Wow! Tandem surfing? The waves are ten to fifteen feet high, be careful.” Pierre warned.

“Yeah, anyway, Blake is a professional surfer, and I will just follow his instructions. At most--expected from us in this tandem-surfing is to stay up on the board as long as we can and ride those waves three times.” I explained.

“Bloody oat. That’s what I heard. Where’s Blake?” Pierre asked.

“Registration area, perhaps.” I couldn't see him, in the area, but he knew the time that we had to be in the water. Surely he would show up soon.

“Hey! Later there's an after-event party. Do you think you can stay and join us?" Pierre asked.

"Yeah, Grace. It will be fun! Join us this time," Vitta supported him.

A party.

It has been a while since I attended one. I needed it, especially now that I wanted Blake out of my headspace.

"We will bring you home," Vitta voiced, which solved the next issue I would have asked.

"I will introduce my cousin, Keeno. He’s from Hawaii, and he’s also competing but for singles.” He looked at the shore and pointed in the direction of a tall guy carrying his surfboard, “There he is, Grace.”

“He’s oozing sexiness, Gracie. Boyfriend material,” Vitta giggled. If she didn't have a boyfriend, I was sure she wouldn't allow Pierre to introduce his cousin to me.

I rolled my eyes, but I smiled at them. “Ohh—. I reckon,” But--how may I have hots for other men when the ultimate object of my desire was just nearby?

Pierre’s cousin didn’t look bad at all. Athletic body, tanned to perfection, I couldn't see his face clearly due to the distance, but his jaw was pretty prominent.

“He’s already twenty-six and single,” Pierre added.

My smile got more extensive due to what he said. A decent age that could probably hold my interest, not bad at all. He could be a perfect material to make Blake realize I was bloody serious.

I nodded, “Okay! Introduce him to me later.”

Making Blake jealous was impossible, but he would always protect me. Being cozy with Keeno, a stranger in our community, might make Blake realize I was serious about being laid. Blake had been protective of me for years, he would surely sense if the guy had an interest in me, and with my state of mind now, he would assume that I would use the guy to fulfill my foolish fantasy.

A little competition would increase Blake's chances of agreeing to my proposal.

"Sure! I can introduce you over lunch. What do you think?" Pierre suggested.

"Just on the party." Blake had planned our day, he had packed lunch for sure.

“What was that about?” Blake suddenly appeared at my back.

I suppressed, laughing in front of him. He surely overheard my conversation with my friends, and of course, he was curious.

“Party later,” I responded innocently, “You may leave me with my friends after the competition."

I tried to look away from his god-like form in a surfing suit similar to mine, but my eyes were returning to it repeatedly, again and again like a magnet.

“The hell, I will leave you here. Your father will be waiting for you.” His voice was as hard as the look in his eyes.

I sighed and rolled my eyes heavenward.

“Did you roll your eyes?” Again his stern tone banged my eardrums.

We glared at each other for several tense seconds before I turned my back on him, wanting to escape another snarky remark and argument. I had stepped a few distances when he grabbed my wrist and swung me to face him.

“Graciella!”

“Oh, Please! Blake, stop intruding. Let me worry about my father. That’s why I have a phone, and I will INFORM him later.” I stressed the word inform.

Heavens, the little game I played with him was slowly draining my energy. I hoped Blake would give in as soon as possible, so we could return to our usual lively conversation.

“Graciella—“

“Rack off, Blake,” I cut him off, “and…It's also time to compete.”

I turned to my friends, “See you later, mates.”

“Careful Grace and good luck!” they chorused.

I stepped ahead of Blake towards the shore. A jetski with a driver was already waiting for us to bring us ashore. Without waiting for Blake, I rode the jet ski seat at the back of the driver. Marcus, our driver, was also an experienced surfer and swimmer, like Blake. Me? Dad and Blake taught me everything I know about swimming and surfing. I had never applied to any affiliation, despite Blake’s reminders.

“Sweetie. Are you competing with your Dad or Blake?” Marcus asked an almost 50-year-old man but still very fit.

“With Blake. There he is.”

Blake was a few steps away from us, and he was carrying the big surfboard on his arm, effortlessly.

“Marcus,” Blake greeted him when he reached us. Marcus helped him position the board safely.

“Be careful with the waves. It's a combination of ground and wind swell with occasional set waves. One string can go up to 15 feet or more.” Marcus warned.

“I see—. We are not aiming for the barrel. We only compete in tandem. At most, we should not be ragdolled,” Blake explained.

We needed to stay on top of the surfboard for as long as we could hold on to it together. They expected no stunts from us, and we had nothing to show them. After five tries with three successful rides, the accumulated successful rides time would be the overall score. That was the rule. We hoped to be included among the three winning slots, but that was before our friendly relationship became a mess.

“Just be careful and stay out of the water as soon as possible. By its looks, the waters could be stronger within the next hour or two.” Marcus cautioned. His knowledge about the waves was deeper than any of us.

“Copy that!” Blake agreed. Noting Marcus's precautions.

I didn’t join in the conversation. I have no idea about risks and cautions. I could surf well, but—-only with the guidance of Blake or dad. I never enrolled in formal surfing school.

Marcus brought us to the far enough portion, where we could harvest some good waves. He dropped us off, and as soon as my body touched the water, a wave trough with all the bubbles and splashes hit me. I swallowed some water and coughed repeatedly.

Blake was instantly at my side paddling on the surfboard.

"You okay?" He asked.

I usually, went down the jet ski when he was already set up, but since I was pissed with him. I jumped in the water without his go-ahead. Just my luck, the trough hit me, as my punishment!

"Truce Graciella. Let's compete first. Your anger won't help." Blake laughed at my back.

I didn't utter a word and climbed to the board. I never thought bitchiness could be so exhausting. After just two days of talking like a spoiled brat to Blake, my energy and vitality have been consumed.

He followed me and tried to balance our weight, we've done this many times before, and we both knew when and how to position.

'So--truce? Come on Graciella," Blake insisted, he grabbed me from behind and planted a gentle kiss on my nape.

That kiss was electric! I almost lost my balance and dropped onto the water.