Chapter 36

He sat in the wet sand of the surf with his arms resting on his knees. The damp seeping in through his board shorts was slightly uncomfortable, but it helped to offset the heat. He squinted as he looked up at an airplane slicing through the clouds. He’d forgotten his sunglasses, too. Oh well.

The soft sounds of feet padding against sand came from behind him, followed by the muffled cough of a cleared throat. After a few moments of silence, the footsteps started up again, and Jack appeared next to him.

Jack sat down and dug his toes into the sand. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Rob smiled at him. “I don’t suppose you brought water, did you? It’s hot as hell out here.”

Jack shook his head. “Nah. Sorry.” He chewed on his lower lip. “I…I wanted…”

He trailed off and stared down at his toes. Rob didn’t push his to say anything further. Eventually, Jack sighed and tried again.

“I’m sorry I was an asshole. You don’t deserve that.”

“Thanks,” Rob said. “I’m sorry I got snippy.”