"I'm sorry pumpkin, you know how your father gets during football season."

JT sighed, "Yeah I know exactly how he gets. He controls every aspect in my life."

"I love you honey," Darlene said in a sullen tone. "And I know he irritates you but your father only pushes you so hard is because he loves you too and wanted the best."

JT understood that she didn't want to come between him and his father, and appreciated that she stayed in the middle the best she can. "Love you too Ma," he said while his friends snickered in the background. "Tell Dad I'll be home soon."

"Okay, bye pumpkin."

"Bye Ma," JT rolled his eyes and hung up. Finn bursted out in laughter from across the table, nearly knocking over his fries he'd ordered from the nearby food kiosk. Mitch just smirked quietly while crossing his arms.

That's how JT's closest friends were. Finn was the socializer, the type of guy to always be laughing and cracking jokes while Mitch was the quiet, mysterious type guy, driving girls to think they could 'break' his silence. JT smirked at his outrageous friend while putting his phone away, "You're going to get it."

"No I'm not," Finn laughed. "It's past your beddy-bye time."

"Don't do it," JT warned with a smile.

"Mommy won't tuck you in and tell you a story if you're late," he said, trying to hold back his laughter.

"That's it!" JT tackled his friend out of his chair. "You're going to eat your words today, kid."

Finn was laughing uncontrollably while they wrestled in the grass, drawing attention from the other fair-goers, "You tackle like a bitch!"

"At least I can take a tackle!" JT shot back through laughter. Mitch just watched them from the table and finished off Finn's fries as if watching TV.

"Okay. Girls, girls! You're both pretty," Mitch said while throwing the empty paper basket at Finn's face while JT had him in a headlock. "Get up before we get kicked out."

JT and Finn continued to shove each other around while getting up, then cleaned up whatever mess they left. "So do you guys want to stay and scout around," Finn said wiggling his eyebrows, "or head over to my house and play pool or something?"

"Let's just go to your house and hang out before we have to head to camp," JT decided.

"Oh yeah!" Finn exclaimed. "Before I forget again, do you guys want to go surfing after we get back? One last oorah before school and before the season starts?"

Mitch answered with a shrug, "Sure, I'm down."

"What about you JT?" Finn questioned.

"Yeah I'll be there. Might have to sneak around my dad some, but I'll be there," JT assured.

"Sweet," Finn said.

A week later the boys planned to meet late-morning. JT was about to leave when he realized he hadn't gotten a new rash guard since his last one was stolen. 'Shit,' he thought. 'I'm going to be late.' He was already running late as it was and it was too hot out for him to wear his wetsuit. He would just surf without a shirt but football pads wouldn't feel very good on a sun burn.

JT shoved his phone into his pocket and got in his truck where his board was already secured. The drive to the pier was relaxing as always, even though JT was in a rush. This will be one of the last times for relaxing until after football season.

When getting to the pier where The Surf Shack was located, it took JT nearly ten minutes just to find a place to park. Making it in the store he went straight to the men's section and began his search. What made JT finally slow his pace was a girl around his age. She was shorter than him, had brown hair, and a nice butt. He walked up to her with a smirk, "Excuse me, can you help me find something?"

The girl turned from the T-Shirts she was folding to face JT, "What can I help you with?"

JT was surprised by how pretty she was. Her green eyes intrigued him. JT cleared his throat before continuing, "Well babygirl, there's a lot you can do for me, but we're in a public space. I'm in need of a rash guard."

She rolled her eyes and said, "We have a few hanging up over here. The rest are on the shelves next to the ones on the hangers."

"Show me the way pretty lady," JT added on, knowing fully well he could find his own way.

The girl shook her head and turned. "Do you know what style you're looking for?" she asked in a professional voice.

"Just replacing my old one, a white Body Glove," JT answered while looking at her butt.

She turned towards him making him notice he was in the Body Glove section. "Do you want it insulated or not?"

"Good question," JT replied with a smirk. "Do you think my body's hot enough?"

The girl looked at him with wide eyes, "Ye-, uh wait, what?"

'Got her' JT thought, then he said with a smirk, "Don't you think insulated will make my body too hot?"

She cleared her throat and said, "If you get insulated it'll keep you warm in colder water."

He was just about to respond when his phone went crazy with texts.

JT looked up from his phone and looked to the girl's face. "I'll just get the non-insulated. Drives the girls crazy to see my muscles," he said with a wink.

Her face blushed as she looked down, shaking her head, "Anything else?"

JT put a hand to his chin and looked up to the ceiling with a pondering look, "Well..."

"Anything else to do with surfing or the shop?" she corrected, realizing where his mind was going.

"Yes," JT smirked. "Come surfing with my friends and I."

"I can't," she said. "I would like to keep my job."

"Okay, I'll let you slide on that one," JT teased. "Well, that'd be everything darlin'. I'm ready for you to check me out. Are you ready for that life changing experience?"

"Ha! You wish," she laughed at him. "Van will check you out up front and I don't think he's into guys."

"Damn. You're just crushing all my hopes and dreams today aren't you?" JT joked with her. "I didn't happen to catch your name."

"Probably because I never gave it," she said with a look.

"Well how else am suppose to say who gave me wonderful service, describe you? Let me tell you right now babygirl, I'm horrible at descriptions," JT said, curiosity rearing to know her name.

"I'm the only one working the floor," she bantered.

'And working the floor you are darlin' ' JT thought but continued to stand where he is, showing no sign of leaving. The girl sighed, "Will you leave if I tell you my name?"

"Of course, you're making me late babygirl," JT teased with a smirk.

She responded with a glare and said, "Keeley. My name is Keeley, now get out of my hair."

JT smiled, "Well Keeley, you can call me," then he paused almost as if not knowing his name. He strangely wanted this girl to like him, not person his father pushed him to be. He wanted to start fresh with this girl, Keeley.

"Talon. Call me Talon."