Chastity grinned. “Let’s sunbathe for a bit, then go for a swim.”
He smiled back, nearly stopping her heart. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Come on then!” she said, taking her first step onto the beach. The sand was so soft it felt like it coated her skin. “Wow,” she said. “Why is this sand so weird? So fine?”
“It’s like flour, isn’t it?” Matt said, smiling. “I don’t know why, honestly. But it’s nice to lie on. Impossible to wash off you, though.”
* * *
When Dylan finally arrived, Chastity couldn’t keep her eyes off him. The guy was gorgeous! Lean in all the right places just like Matt, with a completely disarming smile that made her heart stop, her breath quicken, and her center quiver. He had that typical beach boy look – bronzed, a bit messy, and with a confident swagger.
“Hi!” she said, sticking out her hand. “I’m Chastity.”
“Nice to meet you,” he said, his large hand swallowing Chastity’s up. “Dylan.”
“You’re late, Dylan.”
He glanced at his watch. “Only a little.”
“Well, let’s get to it.”
Dylan looked at Matt, who only shrugged back, and then shrugged himself. “Okay, let’s get to it. What do you know about surfing?”
“You stand on the surfboard, and ride the waves, and don’t fall off.”
Dylan laughed, and Chastity felt a pang in her gut. He had a great laugh, and she loved that she had made him laugh. “Okay. That’s pretty much all you need to know, actually.” He set down the two surfboards he was carrying, and picked one up by its nose, standing it up and gesturing for Chastity to take it.
“This is yours today,” he said. “Bit smaller, bit easier to handle. First thing we’re going to do is just get used to it, okay? We’re going to spend about an hour just paddling on it, climbing up onto our knees, and trying to stand gradually. You’ve got to get the feel of the balance right.”
Chastity nodded. “Right.”
“You have a spare t-shirt?”
“Yup.”
“Go put it on.”
“Why?”
“We’re going to be on our fronts for a long time. Good way to avoid the sunburn on your back. Also, make sure you get some lotion on the backs of your thighs and legs. If you burn them, you won’t sleep tonight.”
Chastity nodded enthusiastically, before leaning the board back over to Dylan. She did as she was told, and not long later they were out in the sea, and Chastity was standing on her very own surfboard for the first time in her life.
* * *
“You did really well today, Chas,” Dylan said, and he gripped her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “You caught on quick.” They had just finished their barbecue dinner, and were now getting ready to play, at her step-father’s urging, a game of cards.
Poker, specifically.
“Do you know how to play?” Dylan asked, grinning at her.
“No,” she said. “But we’re not playing for money, right?”
“We’re not?” Dylan asked, feigning disappointment. “But it’s so much more exciting that way.”
“No money,” Matt said, sitting down at the table and unpacking the box of cards. “Because this girl doesn’t have any.”
“Daddy, can I have a-” Chastity froze. She looked from her step-father to Dylan, who was trying his best not to smile. That was the first time since she was a young girl that she had called Matt that, and she couldn’t believe that she had let it slip out.