Read Online Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick - Free Book Online

attached to the ceiling, are stacked neatly against the wall, and a few are actually hung on the wall. I’m not sure if they’re decorations or if they are actually available for purchase.
    I notice a price tag on one and get my answer.
    There are shirts, wet suits, board shorts, and tank tops hung on the racks throughout the store. Hats, sunglasses, and other little things are on displays as well. I see a cute pair of pink board shorts and stop myself from checking the price on them. I’m not here to shop, but if I were, I’d totally buy them.
    “Hey, Dillon,” Carson says.
    I look up to see Dillon waiting at the counter. He’s rubbing something on an orange surfboard and when he sees me, he breaks into a smile.
    I take a step forward so I’m standing by Carson. It smells like coconuts and I’m not sure if it’s Dillon or the surfboard.
    “Oakley,” he says, taking a pair of sunglasses off his head and pointing at its logo. He laughs.
    Like I haven’t heard that one before. I smile anyway.
    “What brings you two here?” He glances curiously at Carson.
    “Just taking Oakley out to see the pier.”
    So that’s where we’re going. Huntington Pier. I’ve heard of it, but obviously haven’t been.
    Dillon shoots Carson a look I can’t read. “Really? It’s pretty cool.”
    “I’m taking her on a bike ride first.”
    What? Is he joking?
    “Why didn’t you just ride your bikes instead of drive?”
    “Because my bike is here . And so is Keilani’s. Oakley’s going to borrow hers. She won’t mind.”
    Dillon laughs. “That’s what you think. She’ll kick your butt if she finds out.”
    Carson shrugs. “I can take her.”
    I stare at both of them with wide eyes. He would beat up a girl over a bike? He must be joking.
    “I get off in an hour or so. Maybe I’ll join ya,” Dillon says.
    Carson glances at me and hesitates before nodding. “Sure.”
    “We can show Oakley how to have a good time.” He smiles. “There’s tons of stuff to do around here.”
    “Sounds like a party,” I say. Dillon raises an eyebrow and gives me a wicked grin, which confirms I’ve said the wrong thing.
    Carson clears his throat next to me. “You ready?”
    “Sure.” But I’m really not. I haven’t ridden a bike in years and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a disaster. Actually, I’m positive it will be.
    “See you later, Dill,” Carson says.
    I feel Dillon’s eyes on me as I follow Carson to the back of the store.
    He leads me through a doorway with beads hanging down to the ground, past a bunch of surfboards and a pile of boxes, and finally to the very back of the store. Several bikes lean against the wall and he points at a light blue one and hands me a helmet. “You can ride this one.”
    I stare at him, the helmet in my hand.
    “What?” he asks. “You know how to ride a bike?”
    “Well, yes, but—”
    “Then you’ll be fine.” He smiles and opens the back door. It’s getting dark but there are streetlights everywhere. He walks his bike out to the boardwalk. Lots of people are out even though it’s almost sunset. How would it be to live in a place like this forever? I don’t think I’d mind it.
    “This is the boardwalk, which I’m sure you already know. It’s the same boardwalk across the street from your aunt’s house, but we’re about six miles away. It stretches from Sunset Beach, goes through Huntington Beach for about nine miles, and then you can go three or so more miles until you hit Newport Peninsula. It’s a great workout if you’re into that sort of thing.”
    I nod. “Cool.”
    “The pier’s right there. Past all those shops.”
    I look where he’s pointing. There’re a bunch of shoppers and I’m pretty sure I’m going to kill someone.
    “That’s where we’re going.” He smiles and puts his helmet on. “Don’t run anyone over, okay?” He grins and gets on his bike.
    “I’ll try not to.” I feel really self-conscious but put my helmet on and swing my leg