Summer's Fun (The Boys of Ocean Beach 2)

“They’re the ones that came in the store today.”

“Ah,” he nods. “They work at the boutique next door. Jessica’s mom owns it.”

“Oh, okay.” Not sure why they didn’t just say that in the first place.

A guy with a black skull-cap rolls up. His dark hair curls from under the hat and he’s tall and lanky, with baggy shorts and beat-up sneakers.

“Hey, man,” he says, bumping fists with Justin. He seems a bit older than most the kids down here—not a lot, just definitely out of high school if not college. They talk a little about the marina and the lack of jobs around the town and how tourist season sucks. His eyes flit to me a few times and Justin finally gets a clue.

“Avery.” He nods at me. “This is Summer Barnes.”

His eyes widen. “Oh, you’re Julia’s daughter?”

I tilt my head. “You know my mom?”

“I know of her. She’s basically my favorite super famous author.”

“She’d be happy to know you consider her famous.”

“We don’t have a lot of celebrities around here. She counts as mega famous.” He sits on the bench next to me. I shift into Justin, giving him some room. “I read her book on Gaskins. Hell, I’ve read all her books. She’s an incredible writer.”

“So, you like true crime

?”

“Absolutely.” His voice carries a southern, surfer-skater lilt. “Do you think she’d sign my Gaskins book?”

I smile. “I’m sure she would. She’s on a book tour right now, but bring it by the bookstore and I’ll make sure.”

“Awesome!” His face lights up. “Thanks, Summer.”

He drops his board with a clatter, stands, and rolls off.

“Wow, so he’s…”

“Different,” Justin says. “I’ve known Avery forever. He’s a little odd. Hangs out down here all the time. Dropped out of school.” He grins. “You know that guy in Dazed and Confused? The one that hits on all the teenagers?”

I shake my head.

“It’s a classic. You’ve got to watch it. If you want any idea on what it’s like to be a townie—check that out.” He looks across the pavement at Avery attempting a jump. And failing. “Ouch. Anyway, that’s him. The guy that never really grows up.”

“He doesn’t spend all his time figuring out how to maximize his uncle’s business and dorking out in accounting classes?”

He lifts his leg so he’s straddling the bench, facing me. “Hey, not everyone can just be a pretty face. I can’t help that I have a massive brain.”

“Oh, you mean Pete?”

I copy his move and we’re face to face. He pushes the food garbage to the ground and grabs my hips, pulling me close.

“You think you’re funny, don’t you, Summer Barnes?”

What I think falls away as the sounds of the skate park vanish, drowned out by the thundering of my heart. Justin’s got me pinned with the touch of his hand against my hip and a look. A hard look, and it makes every inch of my body want to combust. My breath catches when he touches my chin, lifting my mouth to his for a sweet kiss.

When we part, my hand is fisted in the hem of his shirt. After composing myself, I ask, “WWATD?”

Justin tilts his head. “What?”

“What Would A Townie Do? Right now. After a kiss like that?”