Chapter 43

By the time he finally stops, Colby’s hands are slick with the suntan oil and the scent of coconuts laces the air. They’re on an empty stretch of beach south of the boardwalk, out where developers have bought up the land. In a few years, condos will dot the landscape here but at the moment, there’s nothing but chiseled black rock poking up through dark sand. The waves roar beneath a strong breeze, and every few moments the sounds off the boardwalk blow down around them. Here it’s dark, night already fallen, the stars not yet awakened, the moon hovering somewhere at the edge of the world out of sight. The only light comes from the small bulb set in the roll bar above; it washes everything inside the Jeep with a faded glow. Van cuts off the Jeep and stretches in his seat, then unbuckles his seat belt and turns to give Colby an arched look. Holding up the shorts, he asks, “Lose something?”