Below the Barrel (Saltwater Springs #2)

30. Maliah | Oahu, Hawaii

THIRTY

MALIAH | OAHU, HAWAII

The drive to Koa’s childhood home feels like something out of a movie. The sun is high in the sky, and the lush, tropical greenery surrounds the winding road as we head further inland. The ocean sparkles on the horizon, but we’re moving away from beaches and into the heart of Oahu. I can feel the warmth of the island even with the windows rolled down, the breeze carrying the scent of saltwater and hibiscus.

Koa’s hand rests on my knee, his excitement radiating off him like heat waves. He hasn’t stopped smiling the whole drive, and it’s infectious. But underneath my own smile is a layer of nerves I can’t seem to shake. I’ve never met a boyfriend’s parents before. What if his mom doesn’t like me? What if I don’t fit in?

I try to push the thoughts aside, but they linger as we continue driving. The scenery is breathtaking, yet my focus is consumed by the knot in my stomach. The closer we get, the tighter it becomes.

Finally, we turn down a dirt road lined with towering palm trees, and I see it—his childhood home. It’s nestled on a large plot of land, a cozy, inviting house with wooden beams and a wide porch that wraps around the front. The whole place feels like it was built with love, and it has this charm that makes me feel a little more at ease.

“This is your home?” I ask, my voice full of surprise as I take in the size of it.

Koa laughs, squeezing my knee. “It was. What, were you expecting a little shack?”

I feel guilty for thinking it, but I definitely wasn’t expecting a house that looked like it could rival the Saltwater Shredders’ house back home. It’s bigger than I imagined, yet somehow still feels intimate.

“My dad built this house from the ground up with his brothers,” Koa says, his pride evident as he climbs out of the car. “After our first comp win, I sent all my earnings back home and they were able to renovate and make it bigger.”

I follow him, taking in the wide-open space around us, the rolling green hills, and the distant sounds of animals in the background. Before I can process much more, I hear a high-pitched screech and look up to see a group of people rushing towards us from the porch.

A woman—who can only be Koa’s mom—reaches him first, tears already in her eyes as she throws her arms around him. A few girls around our age follow close behind, and a couple of guys, including Kelani, join the group.

Koa’s mom holds him tight, sobbing as she presses her face against his chest. He hugs her back just as fiercely, his eyes closing as the biggest smile spreads across his face.

“Hey, Mama,” he says gently, his voice full of warmth and love.

As Koa’s mom clings to him, I stand back, feeling like an outsider to this emotional reunion. My heart swells seeing how much she loves him, but it also intensifies the nerves I’ve been trying to push down. I try to take a deep breath and calm myself, reminding myself that this moment is about Koa. He hasn’t been home in so long, and I know this means everything to him.

The rest of his family circles around, laughing and chatting as they greet him with hugs and pats on the back. Kelani grins and gives Koa a playful shove, and the girls are all beaming with excitement, peppering him with questions about the tour.

For a moment, I just watch them, unsure of where I fit into this scene. Koa finally pulls back from his mom, still holding her hand, and turns to look at me, his eyes searching for mine. He steps towards me, wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me in close to his side.

“Everyone, this is Maliah,” he says, his voice full of pride. “My girlfriend.”

I try to smile through my nerves, feeling the weight of all their eyes on me. Koa’s mom, who had been crying just seconds ago, turns her attention to me. She wipes her tears and steps forward, giving me the same warm, loving look she gave Koa.

“Maliah,” she says softly, reaching out to take my hand in hers. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

I blink, taken aback. “You have?”

She nods, squeezing my hand. “Ever since Koa left home to join the team, you’re all he speaks about. We barely know how surfing is going because it’s always Maliah this and Maliah that.” She winks playfully. “I’m so happy to finally meet the girl who’s made my son so happy.”

Her words wash over me, soothing some of the tension in my chest. I glance at Koa over her shoulder and he’s beat red, pulling a genuine smile out of me as I feel the weight of my worries lift. “It’s so nice to meet you, too.”

Koa’s mom pulls me into a hug, surprising me with how tight it is. She smells like coconut and something sweet, and I can feel the genuine affection in the way she holds me. When she pulls back, she’s smiling warmly.

“You’re family now,” she says, and I can tell she means it.

One by one, the rest of Koa’s family greets me. Kelani gives me a lopsided grin and a hug that’s more of a bear trap, while the girls, Koa’s cousins, bombard me with questions about surfing and what it’s like traveling around the world. It’s overwhelming, but their excitement is contagious.

We’re eventually ushered inside the house, where the warmth of family life is everywhere. The smell of food hits me instantly, and I can hear laughter coming from the kitchen. The house feels like it’s alive, full of memories, love, and history.

Koa grabs my hand again, guiding me through the front door. “You good?” he asks, his voice low, meant just for me.

I nod, squeezing his hand. “Yeah. They’re really great.”

“They are,” he agrees, looking around with fondness I’ve rarely seen. “And they’re going to love you. I promise.”

The living room is warm and filled with the scent of pine, cinnamon, and the sound of laughter as we all sit around the bare Christmas tree. Koa’s mom wouldn’t let anyone start decorating it until Koa and I arrived.

“Alright, now that we’re all here, we can finally get started,” Koa’s mom says with a beaming smile. She passes out bowls of popcorn, and we all begin to string it together, weaving it through the branches of the tree. Koa and I work in sync, our hands brushing occasionally as we drape the strings around the branches, and every touch sends a small thrill through me.

As we decorate, Koa’s mom hands us small, sentimental ornaments—pieces of Koa’s life wrapped in memories. A tiny surfboard with his name etched in the wood, a glass ball painted with Hawaiian flowers, and an ornament with a picture of Koa as a baby inside. Each piece feels like a window into his past, and I feel honoured to be part of this moment, placing his family’s history on display.

We take our time, laughing and telling stories, and when the last of the popcorn garlands are hung and the ornaments perfectly placed, Koa stands back, looking at the tree with a content smile.

“All that’s left is the star,” he says quietly, his voice filled with a touch of nostalgia. His eyes linger on the empty space at the top of the tree. “That was always my dad’s job.”

I feel a lump form in my throat as I glance at him. There’s a weight in his voice, and I realize in this moment how important this tradition is. “What happened to him?” I ask softly, expecting to hear the kind of story that breaks my heart.

But before Koa can answer, I hear a voice behind me, warm and full of life. “Nothing crazy, just can’t reach the top anymore.”

I turn around to see a man that looks so much like Koa—but older, with deep lines of experience etched into his tanned face. He’s sitting in a wheelchair, and the resemblance between them is undeniable.

“Dad,” Koa says with a chuckle, walking over to him. He bends down and hugs his father tightly, the warmth between them palpable.

Koa’s mom emerges from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel before gently rubbing her husband’s shoulders. She smiles at him with so much love, it makes my chest ache a little.

“I was just about to call you,” she says softly.

He reaches up and takes one of her hands, kissing the back of it before turning his attention to me with a friendly grin. “And you must be Maliah.”

I take a step forward, holding out my hand nervously. “It’s nice to meet you.”

His grip is firm, but he pulls me into a quick hug instead of just a handshake. “C’mere, give me a real hug.”

I laugh, hugging him back, surprised by the affection but grateful for the warmth of it. He squeezes me tight but quick, then pulls away with a smile. “We’ve been waiting to meet you for years. I was hoping I’d meet you standing on my own two feet, but life had other plans. Wheels will have to do.”

There’s no bitterness in his voice, just acceptance and a lightness that puts me at ease. I smile, touched by how easygoing he is. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, wheels or not.”

Koa steps back to the tree and picks up the star from the box of decorations. He walks back to his father, kneeling beside him. “Ready for the finishing touch, Dad?”

His father’s eyes light up. “Go for it, son.”

With a soft smile, Koa reaches up and places the star at the top of the tree, carefully adjusting it so it sits perfectly. When he steps back, the whole tree seems to glow even brighter. His dad watches with pride, his smile full of emotion, while Koa’s mom gives his shoulders another gentle squeeze.

“Perfect,” Koa’s dad says softly.

And it really is.

“Koa tells me you like to bake! How about we head into the kitchen and whip up dessert together and leave these guys to catch up?” Koa’s mom asks, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

My eyes light up at the invitation, a little thrill running through me at the thought of spending time with her doing something I love. “I’d love that,” I reply, following her into the kitchen.

As soon as we step inside, I’m in awe. The kitchen is spacious, with warm wooden cabinets lining the walls and a large island in the centre. The countertops are polished granite, and the air smells faintly of coffee and coconut. A set of open windows lets in a soft breeze, carrying the scent of the ocean and the distant hum of waves. It’s cozy and homey, with a lived-in feel that immediately puts me at ease.

“What were you thinking of making for dessert?” I ask, excitement bubbling up inside me.

She taps her chin thoughtfully, a playful glint in her eye. “Hmm, what’s your favourite Christmas dessert?”

I think for a moment, recalling the recipes I used to make during the holidays. “I haven’t made them in a while, but I used to love making chocolate cupcakes with peppermint frosting,” I offer, almost shyly.

Her face lights up as if I’ve just suggested something extravagant. “That sounds absolutely delicious! Let’s make that.”

Her enthusiasm makes me grin, and soon enough we’re pulling out ingredients from the cabinets, setting everything up on the island. The kitchen fills with the sounds of mixing bowls and laughter as we chat and work side by side, quickly falling into an easy rhythm.

We spend the next thirty minutes prepping the dessert together, carefully measuring out cocoa powder, sugar, and flour, whisking it all into a rich batter, Koa’s mom stirs the chocolate mixture with graceful familiarity.

“You know, Koa was always so passionate about surfing,” she says, her voice softening with nostalgia. “From the moment he could walk, that boy was drawn to the ocean. It became his whole world. I swear, he spent more time in the water than on land. It was clear early on that it wasn’t just a hobby for him—it was everything.”

I smile at the thought, imagining a young Koa with that same determined glint in his eye, probably the tiniest surfboard tucked under his arm. “I wish I could see what he looked like back then.”

“I’ll sneak you some pictures when he’s not looking.” She laughs as she wipes her hands on a towel. “Sending him off to The Saltwater Shredders was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We’re such a tight-knit family. My sisters, their kids, they come by almost every day. It almost feels like we all live here together in this house. And the idea of not having Koa around, not seeing him at the dinner table every night, it broke me.”

I glance over at her, seeing the quiet pain in her expression as she remembers those days. I feel a wave of guilt knowing that his time with The Shredders is what kept him away from her. From here.

“But,” she continues, her voice lifting with a smile, “when I heard how much he was loving it there…because of you, Maliah…I knew I made the right decision for him. He speaks about you a lot, you know. I can hear how happy he is in his voice.”

My heart skips at her words. I never thought Koa had talked about me with his mom, and hearing it now sends a warm rush through my chest. “He does?” I ask quietly, almost not believing it.

“Oh, he does,” she says with a knowing smile, setting the cupcakes into the oven. “He always said you kept him grounded, kept him focused on what really mattered. It was like he’d found someone who finally understood him, in a way none of us ever could.”

I swallow the lump forming in my throat, overwhelmed by the unexpected compliment. “I didn’t know he felt that way,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

Koa’s mom smiles warmly at me, reaching over to give my hand a gentle squeeze. “He always has, and he still does.”

Koa walks into the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe with a soft smile. “Hey, do you mind if I steal Maliah for a bit?” His voice is casual, but there’s something in the way he looks at his mom that catches my attention.

His mom shares a quick, almost secretive glance with him, but it’s gone as quickly as it came, and I try not to overthink it.

“I can’t,” I argue lightly, pointing at the oven. “I still have to pipe the frosting onto these when they’re out of the oven.”

“Oh, it’s alright, sweetheart,” his mom says with a warm smile, waving her hand dismissively. “The cupcakes will need some time to cool before we can do that. You two go on, enjoy yourselves for a bit. I’ll finish up dinner, and once they’re ready to frost, we can come back and do it together.”

I hesitate, glancing at Koa, who’s now grinning at me like he knows something I don’t. His mom gently ushers me out of the kitchen, her hand resting on my back, as if silently encouraging me to go. “Go, have some fun,” she says softly, her tone full of kindness.

I nod, feeling a mix of curiosity and excitement bubbling up inside me as Koa leads me out of the kitchen and down the hall. “Where are we going?” I ask, glancing up at him.

“You’ll see,” he says, that mischievous smile still lingering on his lips as we head outside.