Always Summer by Nikki Godwin Read Free Book Online Page A

and a
long, lazy day on the beach both slip away the moment we step
inside Colby’s house. Part of me wishes I’d gone home first, just
to hang on to the lingering glow of the twinkle lights that I can
still see in Topher’s eyes when he smiles. Why couldn’t this
weekend last forever? Or, you know, at least a week? I need a
longer Drenaline Surf vacation.
    “Get in here and watch this shit,” Miles
says, reaching across Colby’s couch for the remote. He rewinds the
DVR and pauses it on Colby’s parents.
    It’s definitely back to reality. No more
seashores stories or masquerade masks. No more ukuleles and
browsing expensive vendor booths for the perfect souvenir for
Emily, the only one who’d truly appreciate it. We’re back in
Crescent Cove with Colby’s parents on TV and Miles on crutches.
    We settle in between the two blonde surfers,
Topher next to Miles and myself next to Colby. Then Miles hits
play.
    “I’m joined today by Linda and Paul Burks,
the parents of surf star Colby Taylor,” a girl’s voice says, even
though the camera remains on the parental units.
    Colby’s mom sits stoically, dressed in a
business suit and a pearl necklace. His father looks less
professional, simply wearing a polo shirt and khakis. I expected
him to look the part of a lawyer or businessman. Maybe he’s hoping
the downtrodden father act will gain him sympathy.
    The camera zooms out, capturing their
interviewer on screen. I recognize her. The blonde in the high
heels.
    “Oh my God. Isn’t she the one who had the
interview with you for SurfTube? Bridget something?” I ask, turning
toward Colby.
    “Yeah, four inch heels in the sand? That’s
her. Bridget Parker,” he confirms. “What a bitch.”
    Bridget tucks her hair behind her ear and
angles herself toward the camera, as if she’s trying to get her
best side while conducting the interview.
    “It’s been a rough few weeks for you guys,
understandably, and I appreciate your taking the time to sit down
with us and help surf fans and our community understand exactly
what’s going on,” she says, giving them a sympathetic smile.
    Mrs. Burks is the first to speak. “Thank you
for giving us an opportunity to explain things,” she says. “It’s
been such an emotional time for us, and I never dreamed we’d be in
this situation. Although we’re relieved that our son is alive and
well, we’re heartbroken over how this has played out.”
    The creases under her eyes crush together as
she squeezes her eyes closed, as if she’s in massive pain and
trying to brave her way through it.
    “Bullshit,” Colby mutters.
    Bridget clears her throat. “If you don’t
mind, we’ll begin with a few questions,” she says, waiting for a
nod before moving forward. “Is it true that you don’t support your
son’s career choice?”
    “Oh, no, not at all,” Mr. Burks says. “He’s
done well for himself, as anyone can see. It may not have been the
path we’d have chosen for him because it’s not something you can
fully depend on, but he’s clearly talented and was able to make a
name for himself.”
    His parents continue a well-rehearsed speech
about how they’ve begged and pleaded with their son to let them be
involved in his life, but he’s consistently shut them out.
    “We offered to move our lives to
California,” his mom says, fighting back a sob. “I would leave my
life behind to be part of his if only he’d let me. We spent our
life savings trying to find him, and this is how we’re repaid just
for loving our son.”
    Colby jumps up from him couch and paces
across the room for a moment before walking over to the kitchen
counter. He keeps his back toward us. Miles pauses the DVR.
    We spend about thirty seconds in the eeriest
silence before Colby spins around. “ I offered to move them
out here, pay for it all,” he says. “I told them I’d made a name
for myself, that I had a career. I’m somebody here, even if
no one believes that. I offered to fix this, to