Oceans Apart (Ocean Dreams Book 1) (32 page)

The adrenaline was pumping through her veins and she hadn’t even had contact with him yet. Annie knew there was a chance, more than a good chance, actually, she would see Cam while in Fiji. When the six-month contract was offered to her on the Pro Surfing Tour, Annie took it as a sign. She had thought of Cam often since she left Australia last year. The love and the deep feelings she had for him never ceased over their time apart. She did find herself pining for him some days but learned quickly to shake it off and move on. Keeping in contact with his family and Kirby helped Annie to feel confident in the decision she had made.

Annie returned to Nashville after spending a few days in L.A. She packed the few personal belongings she had and donated the rest to a local women’s shelter. The beach had been a big drawing card in Annie’s decision to return to L.A., which was obviously a big influence from having stayed with Cam. She found a great condo to rent in Newport Beach and bought herself a new car. After spending a few weeks over Christmas setting herself up, she thought it was time for her to find a job. Getting temp work was easy and it led to other opportunities elsewhere; including helping brainstorm and execute a new campaign strategy for a cancer charity. Annie loved doing this work and appreciated the recognition she received for it. She was even offered a permanent position at one firm; but she didn’t feel she was ready to be tied down just yet. She was thoroughly enjoying having the freedom of being able to do what she wanted, when she wanted.

She missed her friends back in Australia dreadfully. Even with the weekly phone calls to and from his family, she felt like a part of her was missing. She never once asked about Cam, and Annie had asked both Carol and Chelsea not to mention him or anything about him. Annie longed to go back and visit with them, but she hadn’t felt strong enough to face Cam then.

Annie was nervous knowing she was going to see him again. She had no idea about anything that had happened in his personal life over the past six months; and she was apprehensive at how he would react to her being in Fiji too. It was very possible Cam had moved on and left Annie as a past thought. He could have a family of his own and not want anything to do with her. But Annie needed to see him. She needed to know if there was still a chance for her…for them. She was ready now and whatever may come of it, she would lay her feelings on the line.

The event in Fiji started on day one of the allotted twelve days. The water was being generous to the surfers and pumping out some quality waves for the guys to show their skills. Annie hadn’t wanted to bother Cam while he was competing so she hung back with her supervisor and learned the ropes about what goes on at an event. She had plenty of time to talk to everyone behind the scenes from judges, organizers, and local tribal groups who supported the event with local volunteers to families and friends of the competitors. It was a busy but relaxed atmosphere to work in. People were in their beach gear or swimsuits and lounging about in the area specially set up for the event. Wooden platforms were built on the beach, so as not to cause much disturbance to the natural environment; and walls, which could be dismantled, were erected on top of the platforms. The surfers had their locker room to the back so they could focus and get ready and their own lounge area at the front for watching the action out on the water.

Annie was amazed at how popular the event was, not only with the locals, but also with the visiting tourists. Some had come to Fiji especially for the event while others made day trips out to watch and soak up the atmosphere. Finding her own quiet corner on the patio of the Tour precinct, Annie sucked in the energy and vibe humming all around her. She watched the surfing on the TV screens, which were set up in the roped off area since she couldn’t quite see the beach, due to all the spectators, but she was happy with that. She made notes on things that could be improved and areas that worked well when it came to PR. Overall she believed the tour and event sold itself. It was such a happy and vibrant community to be a part of. It was no wonder Cam had loved every minute of being on tour.

The first three rounds of the competition were held over the first five days. Cam was surfing strong and his experience was showing through. He was the current tour leader with two wins under his belt and a few other good placing’s. Watching Cam surf in a competition was completely different to a chilled out day at the beach together. Here he was focused and determined. Annie could tell he had a one-track mind and all his energy was going into how he could win his next heat. It was certainly paying off and it showed in his scores. She had planned to approach him on a lay day, if it was called, but seeing how well he was doing, she didn’t want to throw him off his game. Annie certainly didn’t want to be known as the woman who lost the event for CJ Hart. So she kept to her corner during the day, only conversing with fellow Tour reps or family and friends of the surfers, and joining in local festivities at night. Cam and Matt hadn’t seen her or if they did, they didn’t recognize her with her hair piled on top of her head in a topknot and her huge dark sunglasses gracing her face. She could’ve been any beach bunny watching the action.

It wasn’t until day eight, the day Cam had won his heat in very convincing fashion to advance to the quarterfinals, that she was finally noticed.

“Annie,” her supervisor, Grant, called out to her. “Can I get you anything from the catering tent?”

“I’m fine. Thanks, Grant.”

“No worries. I’ll catch up with you after lunch then.” He waved at her and walked away.

Annie looked back at her iPad and busied herself with the notes she had been making for a charity campaign the event coordinator was keen to kick-start. It was only a few moments before she was interrupted again.

“Annie?”

“Yeah,” she said with her eyes still focused on her work.

“Annie Scott. It is you, right?”

“Yes. Can I help you?” she said as she looked up and saw Matt standing in front of her with his arms crossed over his chest.

“You can start by telling me what the hell you are doing here?”

Taking her sunglasses off, Annie tilted her head to one side and raised her eyebrows. “It’s nice to see you again, too.”

“I mean it, Annie. What the bloody hell are you doing here?” The poor guy looked puzzled as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

“I’m working.”

“Working?”

“Working for the tour. I have a six-month contract in the Tour PR department. This is my first event. I’m here getting a feel for things,” she said, finally explaining her presence.

“Really?”

“I can go and get my supervisor if you don’t believe me.”

“Nah, it’s okay. Just odd…that you’re here. Working. On the Tour,” Matt said, his still puzzled thoughts being said aloud. He grabbed a seat and pulled it up so he sat in front of her. “Does Cam know you’re here?”

Annie shook her head slowly. “No. Not that I know of anyway. I wasn’t going to bother him since he was in the middle of competition. Don’t want to ruin his great run.”

“Good,” Matt said nodding his head. “You’re right. He is having a blinder out there. The waves are just presenting themselves to him and he is working his magic. Funnily enough, he’s never done that well here in Fiji.”

Annie smiled at Matt. “I’m so glad he is doing well then.”

“Yeah me, too. He’s been training like an animal. He deserves to win the title again this year.” He paused, and then said, “I know he still misses you. Heck, we’ve all missed having you around.”

A shy smile appeared on Annie’s lips. “Thanks, Matt. I’ve missed you all, too. I needed to go though. Not just for me but for Cam, too.”

“I get it. It took him a little while but he understood eventually.”

“Good. I’m glad. I’ve always only wanted the best for him.”

Matt let out a sigh. “Yeah well, if you don’t mind still doing what’s best for him, just keep outta sight for a few more days. I don’t want his head outta the game and filled with…well, you. I know how much you consume him and his thoughts.” Matt gave her a wink and a friendly smile.

“Hey, you haven’t seen me since the competition started. I’m sure I can keep it like that.”

Matt patted her knee. “As soon as he’s finished with the event…”

“It’s okay. I’ll do my best.”

Matt leaned in and gave her a hug. “I know you will.” He stood up and adjusted the cap on his head. “I’ll see you around sometime.”

“Sure thing, Matt. Catch you later.”

Placing her sunglasses back on her face, hoping they kept her incognito, Annie smiled. She was happy Matt was cool with her being there and he obviously knew she wasn’t there to stir up trouble for Cam.

An announcement over the PA system was calling for the start of Round Five. Cam wasn’t in this round and Annie assumed he had taken off for the day. She turned off the iPad and placed it in the tote bag she had with her. Throwing it on her shoulder, she walked out of the private Tour area and down onto the beach with the spectators and locals. She might not know how to surf but she had now taken a liking to watching the sport and seeing how each surfer tamed their chosen wave.

Finding a vacant spot on the sand, she settled down among the other avid watchers as the next round began. The two competitors were just hanging out the back, waiting for the next set of waves to head toward the shore, so there wasn’t much to see at that moment. Fumbling through her tote, Annie found her sunscreen. She took off her sheer white beach dress, which had covered her royal blue and white bikini, and started applying the cream to her exposed skin. She was having trouble reaching her back when a deep, familiar voice piped up in her ear and made her back tremble with a cold shiver.

“Need some help with that?”

Looking to her left, she saw the bare feet of a man. Her eyes travelled up his toned legs, on to the bright multi-colored board shorts he was wearing, and over his chiseled and well-cut torso. A torso she had run her hands over many times in the past but was now looking more defined than ever before. Annie’s breath hitched as her eyes finally reached his face and she took off her sunglasses to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating.

The cocky grin flashed across his sun-tanned face and even though she couldn’t see his eyes, Annie knew that those Pacific blues were shining down at her.

“Cam.”

“G’day, Nashville.”

Annie got a little flustered when she heard him use his pet name for her. “What are you doing here?”

A quick chuckle rose up from his chest. “Surfing in a Tour event actually.”

“Uh…yeah. Of course.” She could feel her cheeks turning red from the silly question that spewed from her mouth.

“I could ask you the same thing, but I think you need a hand with getting this sunscreen on your back first.”

“Um sure…if you don’t mind?”

“It would be my pleasure.” He took the tube of sunscreen Annie held out to him and settled on the golden sand behind her. He squirted out the creamy substance and rubbed it between both hands to warm it before slowly massaging it into her back and across her shoulders.

Annie’s breathing faltered a little when he touched her with his strong hands. These hands had touched her, held her, and even made her scream his name in ecstasy in the bedroom. The feeling of having them touch her bare skin for the first time in over six months made her giddy with excitement; and if they weren’t in public, she would probably whirl around and jump on him. Annie needed to keep herself calm. She couldn’t let her mind run away with thoughts of a reconciliation when, for all she knew, he was happily living with someone else.