Crashing Waves Read online

  "Rory, the snow team is ready for you."

  "Thank you, Alex. Please tell them that I'll be right down."

  On the way to the elevator, Martie caught up to Rory, carrying a small manila folder and a cup of coffee.

  "That shit will kill you, you know," Rory chided.

  "It's only coffee and besides, I'm an adult. If I want to drink shit, I will. Did you get an email from the Billabong Pro director?" Martie replied.

  "No, why? Was I supposed to?"

  "Well it went on over the weekend and I had received a letter from them last week saying they'd wanted to give you some kind of achievement award."

  "What? I never received anything about that. Oh well, I haven't achieved anything award winning since I left the tour. Did we at least have a representative there with our boards? Just because I don't care to be there in the middle of it doesn't mean my company will suffer."

  "Yeah we were there. I sent Greg Underwood. He's been working with Cara Mann. You know the girl that's leading the tour right now."

  "Yes, I saw that. Did she re-sign her contract?"

  "Of course she did."

  The elevator stopped and both women walked down the hall to the first door on the left. A large oval shaped table sat in the middle of the room with two empty seats out of thirty chairs that surrounded it. Rory sat at the head of the table with Martie on her immediate right side. The head of the snowboard design team, Stephen Silver, sat to her left. He was a tall, physically trim guy in his early thirties with dark brown hair.

  "Well, I'm glad we could all make it on time this morning. I've called this meeting so that everyone can catch up on the upcoming events. This is the second full week of December and we still have a lot to do before January gets here." She paused to put on her titanium, thin-framed glasses, so that she could read the schedule and documents in the folder that Martie had slid over to her.

  "The last weekend of January through the first three days of February is the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. Everyone is well aware that I will be attending these events. I'm excited about the direction we are headed with snowboarding and I'm looking forward to personally meeting Ezekiel Jones, the new snowboarder that we signed. You all know him of course, since you've been working for two months on his prototype boards. Also, coming up in February from the tenth through the twenty sixth is the XXIV Winter Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. I will also be attending those games for about nine days. Stephen please update us on exactly how many riders we've signed for the X Games and the Olympics."

  "Yes ma'am, we'll be sponsoring three American men at the X Games and then in the Olympics we have those same three riders since we're in binding contracts with them, as well as twenty more men and women from all over the world for partial and full sponsorships. We've also had a record number of riders purchase custom and prototype equipment from our lines solely for the Olympic games," Stephen answered casually.

  "Have we gotten any further with the three female riders that you and I spoke about last week?"

  "I'm still working on that. They are all locked into contracts with other companies until after the Olympics."

  "Alright, let's meet again next week. I want to know exactly what is going on and with whom before I get to Aspen."

  "I do believe we're suppose to unveil a brand new prototype called the Rapture in March at the Women's US Open Snowboarding Championships, is that right?" Martie asked.

  "Yes. Rory will be in Vermont for that event and the testing on the new board should definitely be completed a few weeks beforehand."

  "Well, hopefully we have an American female contracted with us and riding our board at the event. I can't tell you how bad that will look for us if it doesn't happen, Stephen." She eyed him, pursing her lips.

  "Other than that, it looks like we're starting our snow season off with a bang guys. I want all of the information on the prototype boards for the X Games and Olympics on my desk by the twenty-eighth of this month—that includes the test documentation as well." She took her glasses off and slid them into the pocket inside her suit jacket.

  "Yes ma'am, our test teams are supposed to leave this week. One crew is headed to Stockholm and the other to Aspen. Both groups will be back by the twenty-sixth and our final drafts should be completed by January fourteenth," a redhead with a bouncy ponytail replied.

  "Thank you, Johanna. As head of our testing department, it's up to you to make sure everything runs smoothly. We'll meet again when you've returned with some results for me. As for everyone else, this is it, this is where we make it or break it. This is our first trip as a corporation to either of these events, and we're pushing to be the lead equipment sponsor, so I'm putting it all on you guys to make sure we're definitely invited back, and as always, above everything else, the main factor here is our boards. Let's do everything we can to make sure our boards come off the line number one and stay there. I would expect that each and every one of you has the same pride in this company that I do. There is a reason why riders in other countries are calling on us to purchase equipment. Let's make sure we pursue the top riders in all fields. The more people that are seen riding our boards and using our equipment at these upcoming events will directly affect our retail sales. Keep that in mind."

  Rory stood up, grabbing the files that were handed to her from Stephen and Johanna before exiting the room. Martie stayed behind to have a smaller meeting with Stephen, Johanna, and a few of the top designers.

  ~ ~ ~

  "Rory, I'm stepping out for lunch. Would you like me to pick you up anything?"

  "Oh no, Alex, I'm fine. Thanks for asking. You might want to see if Martie wants anything. I haven't talked to her since the meeting this morning. You usually eat lunch early. Are you feeling ok?"

  "Yes ma'am. I'm just running some personal errands today, so I decided to do it later. I spoke with Martie briefly about an hour ago and she said she'd pick something up."

  "Ok, well, have a nice lunch."

  Rory dialed Martie's extension leaving a voicemail when she didn't answer. She headed down to the second floor to take a look at some of the new snowboard and surfboard prototypes that were being manufactured. Usually, Martie accompanied her, but she had gone alone since Martie was obviously out of her office. She'd been on the production floor for nearly an hour when her cell phone rang.

  "Hey, where are you?" she answered.

  "I'm on my way down," Martie said." I just got back from having lunch with a guy that you'll remember very well. He's now working for Extreme boards, in your old position."

  "Oh, how nice. You had lunch with one of our rivals and my old employer. I hope I'm not paying you to help out the competition, Martina!"

  "Come on, Rory. You know better than that. I'm as loyal to you as a dog. He called me to see how you were doing and he wanted to get together and talk for old times' sake. Nothing really to do with work."

  "Ok, you've got me. I could really care less what you do on your lunch break, mate, but I'm sure you want me to ask who it was that you were talking to. I guess I'm a little curious. So, who was it and what did they want?"

  As soon as she paused, the line went dead. Oh how cute, Martie. Lead a thirsty horse to an empty trough. You're such a pain in my ass. Some best friend you are. Rory spun on her heels to walk back to the elevator.

  "There you are. I hung up when I saw you," Martie said, greeting her.

  Rory shook her and smiled.

  "So, I had lunch with Stewart Gunner. You remember him right? He won the Men's WCT in 2013. We used to—"

  "Yes, I know who he is. Why is he bothering you?" Rory asked.

  "He just moved here and isn't surfing the pro tour anymore. He said he got my name from a friend. Who knows? Anyway, he sure hasn't changed much."

  "Ok anymore blasts from the past up your sleeve today? I'm really not in the mood for a stroll down memory lane ok, Martie? We have a hundred things that need to be done before next month. None of them include surfing. This is our
snow season. Oh, I almost forgot, you need to make sure you send a representative to the Roxy Pro in Australia next month. After that there is nothing on the surf calendar until March. So send someone to make sure our riders are on our boards at the event. Then, I don't want to hear the word surfing until after the Olympics."

  "Yes ma'am, Captain." Martie threw up a mock salute and Rory shot her a go to hell look from her ice cold baby blue eyes.

  "Come on, I'm almost finished. I have one more person to visit and then I'm going to step out for about two hours and grab some lunch."

  "While you're out, call Angel. I'm sure she'd like to hear from you today, especially since you're sending someone to Australia in your place next month."

  ~ ~ ~

  Rory hadn't noticed the time flying by, until Alex knocked on the door to say she was heading home. It was six-thirty and most of the office staff and design staff had gone for the day. Martie had been on her way out behind Alex. She'd stopped to check Rory's office and sure enough she was typing away at her computer and had just hung up the phone.

  "Come on, Rory. Let's get out of here. You've been here all day. I'm sure you're ready to go home and relax or at least eat something. I bet you skipped lunch while you were out, didn't you?"

  "I'm fine, mate and I have a lot of work to do still."

  "Damn it, Rory, working seventy hours a week is ridiculous. You shouldn't be working like a dog, especially today. You're not the only one with deadlines and piles of work to do. Let's go have a drink or something."

  "No, and today of all days, I'm fine! How many times do I have to tell you, Martina? I'm fine. Okay? I've moved on with my life. The past is the past! Now if you would please excuse me, I have things that I need to get finished before I leave."

  "Alright, if you want to act like an ass, go ahead, but don't you come running to me when it catches up to you, and trust me, Rory Eden, it will catch your ass one day!"

  Martie slammed the door and walked down to the elevator. Being best friends with Rory was one of the hardest things she'd ever done. She had to sit back and watch a woman that she loved like a sister, throw her life away over a near fatal accident. She hurt inside almost as equally as Rory did, yet she couldn't understand why Rory had never faced what had happened to her. She slowly recovered and had gone to work a year later, never surfing again. The only time she'd ever spoken about surfing was for work purposes. Four years had gone by and Rory had suffered inside every day. No one saw it except for Martie because she saw right through the façade.

  ~ ~ ~

  Rory drove her Audi through the iron gates, up the driveway and into the garage, just after eight p.m. She got out, carrying her briefcase and cell phone as she walked into the house, setting them both in the study, before walking upstairs to her bedroom.

  Ten minutes later, Rory stood in the sand on the beach behind her house, wearing a sports bra under her sweat shirt and a loose pair of warm-up pants. Her feet were bare in the cold, wet sand. She started the slow motion of Tai Chi, moving her body in rhythm, gracefully from one stance to the next. The full moon cast a shadow behind her, mimicking her every action. It was a clear California night, with stars blanketing the ocean as far as the eye could see. It was an absolutely perfect night for most people, but not Rory. Her body moved through the motions as her mind played back the painful memories and her heart felt the sadness of her loss.

  An hour later, she sat down in the sand, listening to the waves crashing against the shore as a few tears fell. The beautiful scenery reminded her of a time when she had been happy. A time when no matter what day it was, as soon as she'd seen the sky, smelled the salt of the ocean and heard the waves crashing, she'd been happy. That happiness had died with her on that beach in Hawaii and it hadn't been resuscitated with her in the hospital.

  Back inside, she poured herself a glass of whiskey, sipping it on her way up the winding staircase to her bedroom. She showered off the salty sweat and tears, finishing her glass before crawling between the sheets and forcing herself to forget for another year.

  Chapter Two

  Two weeks had gone by since Rory had faced the anniversary of her accident. She'd trained herself to focus further away from it every year as it passed. Nothing seemed to change her routine. Christmas also passed right by. Rory had spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Martie's. They'd exchanged a few gifts and watched old movies.

  Rory fell right back into her work routine Monday morning as she awoke at four a.m. to the buzzing of the alarm. Knowing she had to get up, she slowly slid out from under the covers and into warm-up pants and a sports bra. Outside on the beach, she went through a short Tai Chi routine to wake up her muscles and stretch out, before taking off in a jog. She always returned to the house, galloping like she was a champion sprinter. This had been the only thing that still made her feel alive; that and the hot steamy shower that usually followed.

  Rory made her way downstairs, stopping in the kitchen. She hadn't realized she still needed to go to the grocery store. Luckily, she still had a half gallon of fat free milk, so she poured herself a small glass and drank it while she buttered a plain piece of toast. I really need to go to the store. This is crazy. One morning, I'm going to wake up and have to stop at Mc Donald's for breakfast. She cringed.

  ~ ~ ~

  The tiny convertible Audi with the license plate- BRN2SRF looked like a black streak as it turned the corner into the parking garage for her office building. Rory stepped out, shuffling her briefcase to her right hand and scrambling to answer her ringing cell phone.

  "Rory Eden."

  "Hi, Rory. This is Carl Farmer with security. I'm calling to make you aware of an early morning visitor. A young woman has been trying to contact you for approximately a week now and it appears as though she has somehow entered the building. I'm sending a guard to escort you inside."

  "Carl, I've told you a hundred times I'm not a child and I don't need a personal security escort to enter my own company. When you find the girl, tell her I'm tied up in meetings all day and leave it at that." Whoever this girl is, she must be very hard up for a sponsorship, either that or a washed up autograph, neither of which she will get.

  Rory ended the call and entered the doors on the first floor of the building in time to see a young blond being escorted out of the side door emergency exit.

  "Wait! Wait! Let go of me you asshole! Miss Eden! Can I speak to you please? It's very important!"

  "I'm not sure what you want, but I stopped signing autographs four years ago. A representative will speak to you if you'd like," Rory said, ignoring the girl as she stepped into the elevator.

  On the top floor, the doors swung open and Alex was standing there with Martie. Both women looked as though 9/11 had happened once again.

  "What? Why the hell are you two staring at me like that? Did I forget to put something on?"

  "Did you see her down there? Carl said there was a girl in the building searching for you. How close did she get? Are you ok?" Alex asked.

  "Rory, I had no idea she was in the building. Carl told me you wanted a rep to speak to her, so I sent Lisa down there. I didn't know she was coming after you. My God, the nerve of that girl. She'll be lucky if she doesn't get arrested. I swear these kids will do anything for a chance to be famous or in a damn magazine."

  "Calm down. Alex, you sound like I was mugged and Martie, do you not remember the hell we went through to get sponsored? Give the girl a break. Yeah she's a little headstrong, but I'm sure she's harmless. Besides, she doesn't even know how things work around here. Talking to me isn't going to help, that's why I wanted a rep to speak with her. If I took the time to personally look at everyone that wanted a chance, I'd never have time to run this company. Everyone back to work, we have deadlines around here people. Chop-chop," Rory said, sidestepping the women on the way to her office at the end of the hall.

  ~ ~ ~

  Rory sat in the overly comfortable executive leather chair behind her desk, taking off her glasse
s and tossing them on top of the folder sitting next to the computer monitor. She'd attended three meetings with the Snow Team and had held fourteen national and international phone calls. Lunchtime had already come and gone. Martie had stayed at her own desk most of the day, working on her own agenda.

  Just as she stood up to stretch, Rory's cell phone rang in its holder on her belt. She looked down at the caller ID and immediately pushed the red button, sending the call to her voicemail. She glanced around her spacious office, her eyes pausing momentarily on the framed magazine covers on the wall. Her name and photo grazed every one of them. Rory took a deep breath, shaking her head slightly and walked out into the hallway.

  "Alex, have you seen Martie this afternoon. She hasn't been in my hair since the last meeting this morning. She didn't take off early did she?"

  "No ma'am. She's been in her office just as you were. Is there anything I can do for you?"

  "Oh no, I'm fine, just stretching my legs. I get tired of staring at those same four walls." She smiled and laughed a little as she started down the hall. She stopped at the closed door a few feet away, knocking softly as she opened it. Martie was turned around, facing the floor to ceiling window and talking on the phone. She quickly spun around in her chair and hung up the phone when she noticed Rory standing in front of her desk.