Baewatch - Xavier Neal Page 0,10
from the gear and the time of morning that you got up to be one with the waves before work?”
“You are correct.” I stretch my legs out straight ahead to let the water line touch my heels. “Mostly.”
“Mostly?”
“I am definitely up this early to be one with the water and my board. Work doesn’t really factor into the decision.”
Brooklyn’s brow pulls together in a silent request for more information.
“My hours for work are basically the definition of flexible.”
“What exactly do you do for a living?”
Her specifically phrased question is what has me answering in a guiltless nature. “I own and operate Shoreside Treasure Chest.”
“That secondhand thrift store?”
“You’ve been?”
“Who hasn’t?!” She enthusiastically counters. “That place is basically a staple around here for locals and tourists alike. I remember when it was featured on one of those travel shows as one of the must-sees of Texas. Then there was when it was featured on a popular YouTube hair and makeup channel that did a special on it for their Beach Week theme after discovering that really unique sand dollar hair barrette. Oh! Oh! And, when Levi Stone, the famous actor, and his wife stopped in, bought a bunch of random things, and blasted it all over social media because they were excited, which then caused other celebrities – like Cooper Copeland, the country music star – to get excited and to make sure they drop in when they’re in town.”
Pride pushes my shoulders back.
“Oh! And how could I forget when the world-famous chef, Wyatt Kutner, found some fancy dessert spoon that had once belonged to royalty! My grandmother went on and on about how jealous she was over his discovery for an entire year.”
“You’re gonna make me blush if you keep the bragging afloat much longer.”
Brooklyn doesn’t bother hiding her giggles. “Have you always owned it?”
“Yup.” More water caresses the edge of my feet. “It started back in college as this little shack shop that I only kept open during the summer. Back then, I didn’t think or care if anyone glanced at it twice; however, over the years, primarily through word of mouth, it became the bigger deal that it is.” I leave out little minor details that aren’t necessary at this moment and depending on how everything works out, possibly ever. “What about you? Is it safe to assume by the uniform you’re a lifeguard?”
“Section Chief.”
“Oh shit, I didn’t even realize there were rankings.”
“There are. Next time you’re hanging out on the beach-”
“Like an hour from now?”
Her new snickers are attached to an eye roll. “Pay attention to the different colors of the lifeguards’ uniforms. Section Chiefs are in this shade. Beach captains are in the navy blue. Seasonal lifeguards are in the stereotypical red while year rounds are in red and white. We’ve also got other things you probably don’t think about like Rescue Boat Captains and On-Site Paramedics. You’ll typically seem them in red and yellow. If you ever see one in all white, it’s not good.”
“We talkin’ ‘someone stung by a jelly fish’ not good?”
“More like a ‘death in the water’ not good.”
“Shit.”
She solemnly nods.
“Did you…always wanna do this?”
“What? Sit on the beach with a hot guy who thinks I can’t see how he keeps stealing peeks of my toes?”
“Have uglier feet.”
More full-hearted laughs leap out of us both, and I can’t ignore the way it feels better than any ride on any of my boards ever has.
“I honestly had no idea I was going to end up here. College was a mixture of shit for me. I toyed with the idea of Marine Biology – too much complicated creature categorization to remember, then I considered Oceanography, which is arguably even more complex, and then I had a single self-morning debate on Maritime archaeology that ended with me day drinking.”
I lean back onto my own palms at the same time I sigh, “I can see how the idea of studying humans’ interactions with water-based areas might lead a person to reach for the tequila sans the juice before noon.”
An impressed expression instantly appears. “You know what Maritime archaeology is?”
“Yup. Just like I know Oceanography is a generalization that can actually be broken down into four different branches. And that Marine Biology covers organisms in both the water and the land due to the way they categorize creatures by environment.”
Her jaw cracks open in shock.
“Did I forget to mention I am much more educated than your average beach bum?”
“I’ll fucking say…”
There’s a lot I want those full lips