Lying in the Sand Read Online Free PDF Page A

gaping open. “But it could bite you.”
    “I know.” He drank his water and acted like it wasn’t a big deal.
    “Has that happened before…?”
    “Twice. The first time, I dragged him out of the water and onto the sand. He lost his leg and a lot of blood but he survived. The second time it was a woman. Her arm was severed and she didn’t make it.” He sounded somber, sad.
    “Wow. I have new respect for lifeguards.”
    He shook his head. “Most lifeguards won’t do it. If there’s a shark in the water, we aren’t required to get in. But I choose to.”
    “You’re fucking crazy,” she blurted.
    He smirked. “I get that a lot.”
    “I mean, it’s really admirable and I think you’re amazing. But…I also think you’re fucking crazy.”
    “Wouldn’t you feel better enjoying the day at the beach with your family if someone was watching over you?”
    “Well…yeah. But I wouldn’t expect someone to risk their life for me.”
    “I would.” He said it plainly and without emotion.
    There was more to Bryce than she initially thought. “Do you make decent money doing this? I mean, you’re doing stuff Navy Seals do.”
    He smirked. “The pay is good. I make a hundred thousand a year.”
    Her eyes were about to fall out of her head. “I don’t think I heard you right.”
    He laughed. “The salary is ridiculous, I know. But popular beaches pay lifeguards incredible salaries. You won’t find that at every beach.”
    ‘Then why are you going back to school?” she blurted.
    “Well, I’m not sure if I want to lifeguard when I’m fifty.” He tore the label off his water bottle and played with it in his hands.
    “That’s amazing…I had no idea.”
    He studied her face. “You’re thinking about being a lifeguard now?”
    “No! I don’t want to save people from sharks.”
    He laughed. “That would steer anyone away.”
    She drank her water, still processing what he said. “Just be careful.”
    He gave her a serious look. “I’m always careful, Cheyenne.”
    They fell back into silence while they sat on the couch.
    “I should probably hit the road.” He stood up then tossed the bottle in the recycling can.
    She was disappointed even though she wasn’t sure why. “Okay.” She walked him to the door then opened it.
    “I’ll see you in the morning.”
    “Yeah…”
    He stepped out then looked at her, the seriousness in his eyes.
    Did he not feel something for her? Was he not attracted to her? Why hadn’t he asked her out? Maybe she misinterpreted everything he said and did. Maybe she was wrong.
    “Good night, Cheyenne.”
    “Good night.”
    He walked back to his truck then disappeared.
    Cheyenne sighed when she collapsed on the couch. She could keep waiting for Bryce to ask her out but she knew he never would.

Chapter Three
    “Coen, there’s a barracuda!” Sydney pointed into the water from the boat. “He’s cute!”
    Coen stood beside her and leaned over. “Cute? Those things have some serious teeth.”
    “I want to get closer.”
    “Sydney—”
    She was already in the water.
    Coen sighed then jumped in the water after her.
    Sydney swam down to the bottom of the reef, which was only ten feet deep. The barracuda swam around slowly, its eyes on either side of its head.
    Coen came beside her, a knife in his pocket. Sydney would be pissed if he hurt an animal but he wouldn’t hesitate if anything came after either one of them.
    Tropical fish swam through the reef, and the sunlight flooded the floor. Visibility was good, and they could see several feet around them. The corals shined with different colors. Red, pink, and white decorated the living rock. A stingray swam by, moving slowly. Coen looked at Sydney, seeing the wonder on her face.
    Sydney could hold her breath for three minutes, an incredible skill. Coen could only hold his breath for two. When he couldn’t stay under a minute longer, he tapped her shoulder and nodded to the surface.
    They both swam to the top and caught