AllFreeNovel
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Get it together, Quinn.
I set out across the private beach. Sand immediately gets between my feet and the rubber. I stop and kick off my shoes, leaving them behind. It’s still early afternoon, but the sand is already burning hot. Closer to the water, it cools off.
I love our family’s little sanctuary, but the lack of human interaction is starting to get to me. The longer I’m with myself, the more I realize I’m alone, and the more I realize I’m alone and probably always will be, the more I hurt.
The walk to the public beach only takes ten minutes, and before I know it, I come to the first lifeguard stand. The beach is crowded, but the roar of the ocean blocks out most of the noise. There are hundreds of towels and umbrellas and chairs lining the beach.
Children are building sand castles too close to the water. A wave slithers up and destroys their tower, and one kid starts to pout while the other two furiously try to repair the damage the water did. A couple holding hands races by and splashes into the ocean, laughing as they nearly get knocked over by a wave. I smile to myself, remembering all the hours I put in working this very beach. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of being a kid.
“Is that Quinn Fairport?”
Shielding the sun from my eyes, I tip my head back to look at the lifeguard with graying hair and leathery skin. “Holy crap! Gary?”
My old boss laughs and climbs down, keeping his attention trained on the water and the kids wandering around the beach. “What are you doing back here?”
“I’m house-sitting. What are you doing up there?” I jerk my thumb toward the tower. “I thought that was grunt work.”
“It is. Someone called in.” His eyebrows pull down. “Someone is always calling in nowadays. Kids don’t work like they used to.” He spares me a glance before focusing on the water again. “Any chance you’re looking for a job?”
“Uh, well.” Watching a toddler wobble toward the water, I pause, my stomach fluttering. I prepare to intervene, but the child’s mother swoops in and picks up the little one. Gary and I both breathe out a sigh of relief. Anyone drowning is horrible, but it’s especially horrible when it’s a kid. “I’m actually trying to find an internship at a CPA firm, but I haven’t had any luck this last week.”
“A CPA, huh?” Gary frowns at a couple of teenagers who are out a little too far. He picks up his megaphone. “You’re too far out!”
The kids toss a few nasty looks in Gary’s direction, but they swim a little closer. People always think we’re being assholes, but when it’s the lifeguards against the ocean, it’s hard to cut through the waves and save people when they stray too far from the shore. It doesn’t mean we won’t try. It’s just safer for them to stay where we know we can get to them.
“I’m not a CPA yet. I’m finishing up my degree and need an internship to graduate. Then there’s the exam.”
Gary grunts. “Heard that’s hard.”
“Don’t remind me,” I mumble. Honestly, I don’t really want to take the CPA exam. I’ve seen peers suffer through hundreds of hours of studying, only to fail over and over again. I don’t think my heart can take any more rejection than it already has.
“So, you’re unemployed now?”
I bristle. “I’m a student.”
“Easy, Fairport. I was only going to ask if you wanted to help me out until you get a job.” He glances at me. “I’m tired and my best guard is going on vacation, and I still haven’t found a sub for him.”
I chew on my cheek and glance around. It’s been years since I worked the tower, but I’ve kept up my ability to swim in the ocean. Sweat runs down my spine, reminding me how hot it is and that I’ll be out here every day in the sun. Or I couldsit around the house and overthink everything. And Gary needs help. I can’t leave him hanging when there’s no good excuse.
“Okay, Gary.”
“Good. I’m taking my lunch.” He pushes the megaphone into my hands and drops the rescue tube over my shoulder.
“Uh, I don’t have any water, and I didn’t put on sunblock.”
Gary points to the tower. “A cooler full of water and sunblock awaits you. See you in a few hours.”
“A few hours?” I splutter. “I thought you were going to lunch?”
“And I might take a nap.” He beams at me and pats my shoulder. “Thanks for helping me out, Fairport. I’ve been pulling doubles for the past week.”
Well, when he guilt trips me, I can’t exactly say no. “No problem, Gary.” I smile but it’s definitely forced. My old boss doesn’t notice, because he’s already halfway across the beach. Well, at least this is better than being cooped up in the house with scents that are sure to drive me mad.
Thirteen
AUSTIN
The restaurant is closed on Mondays, but the crew came in for the weekly meeting. I’m dying to get home, and when Marquis dismisses everyone, I gather my things, but he asks me to stay and heads into his office.
