On The Rocks

“I have. Just like I told you on the phone… and by email. I’m thinking about it, but I’m not sure what to do.”


“You know these offers won’t last forever,” Keith points out. “If you don’t make a decision, they’ll go on to the next hot surfer and make the same offers.”

“I know,” I snap, frustrated with the way he’s hounding me but equally frustrated I have no clue what to do. “I didn’t fall off the turnip truck. I’ve been in this game long enough to know how the game is played.”

Keith holds his hands up. “Easy, dude. You know I’m just doing my job… looking out for you.”

“You’re looking out for your commission, Keith… at least be honest about it.”

Narrowing his gaze at me, Keith leans in and practically snarls, “Yeah… you take these deals, I’m going to make a lot of fucking money, but don’t ever think I’m not looking out for you, Hunter. You screwed the pooch when you walked away at the top of your game, and if you have even the slightest desire to get back on the Tour, you need me to help you do it.”

Letting out a sigh, I nod. “I’m sorry, man. And I know you have my back. You always have. I just don’t know right now… I have a lot of shit on my plate,” I say as I look down the bar at Brody. “How much time can you buy me?”

“A week… maybe two.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, running my hand through my hair, because I’m not ready to make this decision.

“Look, man. Let’s talk this through. What are your concerns? You know I’m your sounding board,” Keith says sincerely, and it’s true. He’s been representing me since the first endorsement deal came to my parents when I was just seventeen. Keith has been a good friend and a trusted advisor.

“Yeah… we need to talk,” I tell him, casting my gaze down to Brody again. I left the Tour to come home for Brody, but now I’m not sure that was the best idea. Of course, now I’m saddled with a business I bought, and I just can’t walk away from that, either. I would need someone who I could trust to take it over, and Brody made clear to me that he didn’t want a partnership. “Let’s go take a ride down the coast, but first, I want you to meet someone.”

Keith gives me a smile and then follows me when I head out on the back deck. As soon as I open the door, Gabby’s curses hit my ears. “Fuck, Smitty. I told you to move the scrap out to the parking lot. I almost just broke my fucking neck tripping over it.”

I grin as I walk toward her, loving the fierce way she stands with her hands on her hips, glaring at Smitty, who is a beast of a man. He just hangs his head in shame and says, “Sorry, Gabby. Got sidetracked.”

When I reach her, I take ahold of her elbow and love how she doesn’t flinch, because she knows immediately it’s me. Turning her around, she hits me with a stunning smile.

“Hey you,” she says in welcome.

“Hey,” I tell her, giving her arm a squeeze. “Want you to meet someone… This is my agent, Keith Carr. He flew in from L.A. to discuss some offers that are on the table for me.”

Looking past me to Keith, Gabby flashes him a full-blown smile as well and gives him a firm handshake. “Good to meet you, Keith. Hope you’re taking care of our boy here.”

Keith’s eyebrows shoot up, and he looks from me to Gabby. “Our boy?”

Slipping my arm around Gabby’s waist, I say, “This is Gabby Ward… my girlfriend.”

It feels so odd, yet so right, calling her my girlfriend. She claimed she was mine last night, and I took her at face value. I’m sticking with that moniker for now.

“Well, this is a nice surprise,” Keith says, and I think I sense an undertone of censorship there, but his face looks completely open and happy for me. “How long have you two been dating?”