"HEY MAN, HOW'S it going?"

Resting my phone between my ear and my shoulder, I toss the snorkel somewhere in my boat and take off the fins as I greet Easton. Running my hand through my wet hair, I sit perched on my boat that is anchored further out from shore. However, not too far where I can't see Sandy Cove still.

I look around the peaceful area of the ocean and can see a few boats further out to sea, bigger than my motorboat, that's for sure. My boat rocks slightly with the current as I peel off my rash guard and lean back against the side of the boat.

Easton's voice floats through the phone. "Same old, same old. How's everything there?"

"Slow. It always is when it's not tourist season. You know that," I say, flicking through the photos I took while snorkeling.

"I miss those days," he says, chuckling and I raise my eyebrow, even though he can't see it.

"Traveling the world too hard for you, East?" I joke and he laughs.

"Nah, it's the dream. But home will always be home, you know that. Speaking of how's grandma? Do you know how hard it is to talk to her over the phone when she can't even use it?" He mentions and I chuckle, knowing she refuses to use the phone that he got her.

"She's fine. I'm going to see her this afternoon. She loves it there, kicking everyone's ass at chess," I reassure him as I pack everything away and bring up the anchor so I can head back to shore.

"Thanks for always checking on her. I know it's been a long time since I've been able to come down. Training is kicking my ass and so is the season," he sighs.

"Well, from the way it looks, you're killing it out there," I remind him, starting up the engine. "Where are you off to next?"

Keeping the phone close to my ear as I head back to shore, I can hear him. "Tahiti. Those waves are enormous. Speaking of, how is Thal doing? She seemed shaken up after her accident," he questions. "Sometimes the wipe-outs can get to you."

"She hasn't been surfing since she got here, or in the water for that matter," I explain, and he hums on the other end of the phone.

"The media are like rabbits here, wanting to know if she's coming back for next season," he adds and I sigh, knowing this is what she wants to avoid. "Unfortunately, lots of people, media, and surfers, had opinions on what happened. What she could have done differently."

I scoff. "Vultures." As I get closer to shore, I see Gabi sat on the sand on the beach outside my apartment with a box next to her. Going to visit June later, Gabi offered to grab her favorite things from the bakery while I went snorkeling. "I'm curious. She mentioned you're on the circuit together but not best friends, so I'm wondering why you offered to let her stay here."

"No, I haven't slept with her if you're thinking that's why I offered it to her." Easton laughs as I turn off the engine and jump into the shallow water to pull the boat back onto the beach. "I sympathize with her. Wipeouts like that can be detrimental and I know she spent a lot of time in the rehabilitation center and figured she would need a change of scenery. I know if it was me, I'd want to come to Sandy Cove."

Gabi mouths a question to ask me who's on the phone and when I mouth back 'Easton', she rolls her eyes. "Well, it was good of you."

He hums in agreement before clearing his throat. "Hey...how's Gabi?" He cautiously asks. My eyes flicker to Gabi as she helps me secure the boat.

"How's Gabi—" I repeat, and her eyes widen, she makes gestures with her hands, and I can't help but smirk. "She's doing good. Overworking herself at the café, as always. But she made friends with Thalia."

"Why am I not surprised? Oh shit. I have to go. Tell grandma I'll try my best to visit soon, and can you tell Gabi I called?"

"Will do, miss you man," I say, and he returns the sentiment before he hangs up before I turn to Gabi and scoff. "Subtle."

She shakes her head, shooting me a glare before shoving the box into my hands. "What did he want?"

"A catch up. Asking how June was—you."

Packing the equipment away and covering the boat, I take the camera before we make our way up the beach, and she crosses her arms. "Even when he left, he's still everywhere."

"Why don't you just talk to him?" I ask her, sighing, and she waves me off before I hold my hands up in defense. "Okay, I won't bring it up, but you know you have to when he comes back for visits."

She points at me with a proud smirk on her face. "Not true. Remember, I avoided him that last time."

"You jumped behind bushes when you saw us coming," I exclaim, throwing my hands in the air.

Her eyes widen before she grins sheepishly. "You saw that?"

"I'm pretty sure the whole town saw it," I say, and she winces. "It looked like it hurt, too."

"It was a thorn bush too," she says, and now it's my turn to wince at the thought. "But my point still stands. Plus, it's not like he even comes back much, anyway."

"He misses you Gabs," I admit to her, and she stays silent. "Ok, enough of the topic. I have to get going to see June. Thanks for bringing these."

"No problem. Tell her I say hi," Gabi says, smiling, and I shake my head at the change of attitude.

"At least that's one Moore family member you'll talk to."

✺✺✺

I make this drive every week.

My van rumbles as I drive along the coast and through the slightly bigger towns compared to our own. The residential home where Easton's grandma and my adoptive grandma June lives is a few towns over since Sandy Cove doesn't have one. My sunglasses rest on my face and I keep pushing my hair away from my eyes. Arriving in the town, I make my way to the residence, parking up before jumping out seeing family members and residents move in and out of the home.

Grabbing the box from the bakery out of the van, I walk inside. Nodding to the security guard on the door as he recognizes me from being here every week, I make my way to the counter, seeing the familiar blonde smiling as I approach.

"Hey Atlas, here for your weekly visit with June?" Stella asks, grabbing the sign-in sheet and passing it to me.

"Yeah, I brought her favorite cakes, too. Where is she today?" I ask, pushing the sign-in sheet back to her.

"Out in the garden with the other residents," Stella says, pointing and I thank her before making my way out of the back doors. I squint as the sun faces me as soon as I walk out and I search around for June, seeing her sitting at a table with her friend playing chess. Making my way over, her friend notices me over June's shoulder.

"Your handsome visitor is back again June," Margery, another resident here, says as she sees me approaching. June turns around and smiles when she sees me.

"June, Margery," I greet as I lean down to kiss June's cheeks. "Who's winning this time?"

"2-1 to June," Margery says, standing up. "I will let you take over for me. Maybe you'll have better luck."

She waves goodbye, and I take the seat opposite June as she eyes the box. "Did you bring my poison?"

"In five different flavors," I tease, handing the box over and she smiles. Looking at the chessboard, I make a move. Growing up, she taught both East and me how to play chess, but she always beat us.

"You're a godsend," she says, before making a move. "How is my grandson today?"

"Which one?" I joke and she laughs. "I'm good. The business is quiet. Not unusual since we're out of tourist season, but I'll be busy for the next six months helping with setting up the surfing competition."

"What's new in town? Any gossip?" she asks, always reaching for the gossip pool we have in town. The problem with the small town and everyone knowing everyone is that they know everything, and it is impossible to hide anything.

"The usual, Beverly is still running gossip through the town. Tina is running for town Mayor again and old man Jones still shouts at the school kids if they go anywhere near his boat," I list, and she chuckles. "Although, we have an out of towner staying in Sandy Cove."

"Oh yes! The surfer Easton asked me if it would be okay for her to stay at the house for the time being while she recovered from an injury. I'm assuming you've met her?" June asks and I nod my head.

"I have," I admit, an amused smile on my lips from the first time we met.

"What is she like?" June asks, raising her eyebrow.

"She keeps to herself a lot. Seems to be dealing with her problems herself. I don't think she enjoys burdening people," I explain. "Gabi has been spending some time with her, inviting her to town events."

"That's nice of her. It will be nice for Gabi to have another girl around. God knows she wanted to castrate both you and Easton growing up," she says, and I chuckle before she leans her elbows on the table and looks at me, as if reading me. "You want to help this girl?"

She could always read me like an open book. I nod my head before admitting, "I can see it in her eyes. She's beating herself up, and she's scared to surf again. Like you helped me, I want to help her. I know it will take time and I won't push."

June pats my hand. "Good. Only help if she asks for it. Now let's finish this game of chess. I have water aerobics at two."

"Bring it on, Grandma."

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A U T H O R  N O T E

June is gonna be that one character everyone loves! An insight into Atlas's point of view, the further we get the more we learn about his background. Also who else thinks Easton misses Gabi?