Table Of ContentHead Above Water
Amber Garza
Photographer: K Keeton Designs
Cover Designer: Mae I Design and Photography
Copyright: @2014 Amber Garza
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living
or dead, is purely coincidental. The author holds exclusive rights to this work.
Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Other titles by Amber Garza
Contemporary Romance Falling to Pieces
Star Struck
Love Struck
Tripping Me Up
Winning Me Over
Finding Me Again (Novella)
Single Title Suspense Engraved
Delaney’s Gift Series Dazzle
Shatter
Betray
YA Christian Thrillers The Prowl Trilogy
Prowl
Entice
Unveil
To connect with Amber Garza online: http://www.ambergarza.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/AmberGarza-author
Or to sign up for my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/sp8Q9
To Cambria Hebert and Cameo Renae. Our daily check-ins keep me on track
and motivated. I treasure our friendship more than you know. I look forward to
the day we can meet in person and share a cup of coffee and lots of laughs. With
your words of encouragement and daily chats, I truly feel that “writer power.”
Keep wearing your glittery capes and tiaras, ladies! We’ve got this!
1
HARPER
I WOULDN’T BE here for anyone else. Kate is the only person on the
planet who could talk me into stepping foot on this beach, and the only reason I
said yes today is because it’s her birthday. If it had been any other occasion I
would’ve said no. But Kate loves the beach and it is her day, so it’s the least I
can do.
“I can’t believe you made it.” Kate pulls me into a big hug. Her curly
bright red hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail, she wears large black
sunglasses, and her lips are painted blood red. The freckles sprinkling her face
look even darker over her pale skin in the glaring sunlight. All of her other
friends are sitting on beach towels chatting and drinking, or running around in
the sand behind her. Ice chests and chip bags litter the area.
“Of course. You’re my best friend. I wouldn’t miss your birthday party.”
“I wasn’t sure. You know, because of the location.” She gives me a
knowing glance.
“It wouldn’t have been my first choice,” I admit, my gaze darting around.
When it lands on the water, I involuntarily shiver.
Kate peels off her bathing suit cover up, revealing a hot pink bikini that
reminds me of bright bubble gum. Then she discards her cover up in the sand
and looks at me through her enormous sunglasses. “Oh, come on. You don’t
have to act so scared. It’s not like a shark is going to come out of the water and
chase you down the beach. You’re perfectly safe.”
She knows the real reason I’m scared of the beach, but she also knows I
don’t like to talk about it, especially in front of strangers. And that’s exactly who
this group of people are surrounding us. Sure, they’re not strangers to Kate. Most
of them work with her at the restaurant, but I don’t know them. Kate’s pretty
much my only friend, and I’m fine with that. I don’t have the energy or
motivation to try to make any new ones.
“Well, help yourself to a beer or something.” She indicates one of the ice
chests. “And mingle. Maybe you’ll even meet someone.”
I roll my eyes, knowing that’s not going to happen. Kate’s always trying
to fix me up with one of her guy friends, but it never works out. I’m starting to
wonder if I’m completely un-dateable.
“Is it okay if I go in the water for a bit? Cool off?” Kate asks.
“Of course. Go. I’ll be fine here.” I pat the large bag slung over my
shoulder. “I brought a soda and a book.”
“Wow. You’re such a party animal,” Kate says sarcastically.
I giggle, shooing her with my hand. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. We’ll eat cupcakes when I come back.” Kate smiles and then
whirls around. While she heads to the water, I find a folding chair to plop down
into. Even though I’m sitting far from the water, I still feel a chill creep up my
spine. I hug myself and stare at the soft sand near my feet. Then I pull a can of
soda out of my bag and pop the top. A shadow casts over my shoulder, and I
glance up to see a young man standing over me. He’s not bad looking if you like
the whole surfer boy look. He runs a hand over his white blond hair, and his
hazel eyes glisten in the sunlight.
“Can I sit down?” He indicates the empty chair next to me.
I nod before taking a swig of my coke. The sweet liquid coats my tongue
and slides down my parched throat.
“Are you a friend of Kate’s?” He asks as he sits down. The chair creaks
under his weight. He’s wearing nothing but swim trunks, and his chest is tanned
and muscular.
I try to pretend like it doesn’t faze me at all. “Yeah. We’ve known each
other since we were little kids. What about you? I’m guessing you work at
Seaside?” I fidget with the tab on my soda can, flicking my nail across it.
“Yeah. I’m a waiter there.”
“You like it?” I ask, to make polite conversation, since I hate awkward
silence.
“It pays the bills.” He shrugs.
But I know it does a lot more than pay the bills. Kate makes bank at the
restaurant. She certainly makes a lot more than I do working as a receptionist at
a law firm. Of course, I’m too chicken shit to be a waitress. I know I’d drop a
tray or pour a margarita into some poor guy’s lap. Hiding behind a desk and a
computer is much more my speed.
“I’m Jacob.” He thrusts a hand out to me.
“Harper.” I set down my Coke, take his hand in mine and shake it. His
grip is firm, his hands calloused.
He leans back in his chair, tilting his head to the sky. Some others from
our group throw a Frisbee in front of us. I glance out at the water to see Kate
bobbing in the waves with some guy I don’t recognize. However, I surmise he
must be Chad, the guy she keeps talking about from work.
“It’s hot out here today,” Jacob says.
“Yeah.” I wipe sweat from my brow.
“Why don’t you take off your outfit then?” Jacob smiles at me, and my
skin crawls.
“What?” I snap.
His face colors. “I-I just meant that you could get into your swimsuit and
cool off.”
“Oh.” I feel like a jerk. The truth is that I do have a swim suit on
underneath my shorts and t-shirt, but I hadn’t really planned on taking off my
clothes. I mean, what’s the point? There’s no way I’m getting into the water.
Sweat slides down my shoulder blades and spine. But Jacob’s right. It’s got to be
at least a hundred degrees out here. It would feel better if I was only in my suit.
“Of course.” I force a laugh. “I knew what you were saying. I was only teasing
you.”
No need to show this guy how crazy I am the first time we meet.
With shaky fingers I peel off my shirt. Then I stand up and shimmy out
of my shorts. If Jacob is disappointed, he doesn’t show it. But I still feel self-
conscious in the little purple bikini Kate insisted I buy last time we shopped
together. I’m not nearly as skinny as Kate, and not nearly as developed.
Shielding my body with my arms, I sit back down in my chair.
“So, what do you say we go for a little swim?” Jacob slaps my thigh with
a large hand.
It catches me off guard, and I flinch. “Um…no, that’s okay. You go
ahead.”
“C’mon.” He reaches for my hand. “It’s too hot to sit out here in the
sun.”
I yank my hand back, my heart starting to pick up speed. “No. Really.
I’m good right here.”
His brows furrow in a look of confusion, but he shakes his head. “Suit
yourself. If you change your mind you know where to find me.”
Pressing my lips together, I watch him jog toward the water. Sand sprays
from his feet, and I hold up my palms in an effort to stop it from hitting my face.
He probably thinks I’m the biggest loser on the planet. Sighing, I stare out at
Kate splashing in the water with that boy. Pretty soon Jacob joins them and the
three of them flip around in the waves. It should look like fun, but it doesn’t. It
looks awful and scary.
It reminds me of death.
Biting my lip I realize that it was a mistake to come here. Reaching for
my shirt, I grab it in my fingertips, fully intending to get dressed and get the hell
out of here. But a wet hand latches on to my other arm and tugs on me. I whip
my head around to see Jacob drawing me toward him.
What the hell?
He’s wearing a goofy grin, and his grip is surprisingly strong. “You
didn’t really think I’d let you off the hook that easy, did you?” He laughs.
I wriggle out of his grip. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking you for a little swim.” Bending down, he grabs me around
the waist and hoists me up. My face nears his, and it’s then that I smell the beer
on his breath. He holds me over his shoulders and I can’t break free. Panic grips
me. I know he thinks this is a funny party prank, but it’s not.
“Seriously, Jacob,” I plead, kicking my legs. “Let me down. I don’t want
to go in the water.”
“Sure you don’t.” He laughs, running down the beach with me in his
arms.
As he nears the water, I find it difficult to draw breath. “Please. I’m
begging you. Put me down.”
“Oh, I’ll put you down alright.”
My heart sinks at his words. The water is getting closer. No, no, no. This
can’t be happening.
“Jacob!” I yell his name this time, firmly, hoping he can hear the
desperation in my voice.
“Oh, my god,” I hear Kate cry out in the distance. “Jacob, she’s not
joking around. Let her go.”
But he seems undeterred, and keeps moving. He’s now knee deep in the
water, and I can see it rushing beneath my body. Dread fills me to my very
bones.
“Put me down now,” I shriek. “I’m not kidding!”
“If you insist.”
“No!” I scream as loudly as I can as I feel my body falling.
The cold water hits me and steals my breath. As the water covers me, so
do the memories. Her blond hair swirling around her head, her pale arms
reaching for the surface, her fingers slipping from mine. Terror snakes around
my heart. It’s happening again. I scream, water filling my mouth. Thrusting my
hands upward I start to flail with my hands, and kick with my legs.
Strong hands grab me under my armpits and carry me upward. Warm air
beats down on my face. I suck in a breath. My body is dragged to the shore.
When I finally know that I’m safe, I allow my chest to expand. I open my eyes
all the way and look straight into the most gorgeous face I’ve ever seen. He
looks like a hero in one of those romantic comedies Kate likes so much, with his
tanned, chiseled face, icy blue eyes, and tousled dirty blond hair.
“You okay?” He bends over me, water dripping from his defined chest.
That’s when I notice the red shorts, whistle hanging from his neck and the buoy
by his feet.
Oh, god. I had to be rescued by a lifeguard. How humiliating.
“What happened?” He asks.
“I don’t know.” I pry myself off the sand, mortified that everyone is
staring in my direction.
“Oh, Harper. Are you alright?” Kate rushes to me, kneeling in the wet
sand.
“Yeah. Fine.” I push a wet strand of hair from my face. The scent of salt
water wafts under my nose making me queasy.
“It was only like two feet of water. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Jacob walks by, peering down at me with a look of disgust.
I feel sick.
“I think she asked you not to throw her in the water a few times,” the
lifeguard snaps in Jacob’s direction, surprising me. “Maybe you should’ve
listened.”
Even Kate raises her eyebrows in appreciation.
“Whatever. I was only trying to have some fun.” Jacob waves away his
words and heads down the beach.
“Have you been drinking?” the lifeguard asks me.
“No.” I sit up straighter. “Not that it’s any of your business. I’m of age.”
“I was wondering, you know, because of how you reacted in the water.”
My cheeks flame. I glance over at Kate. She gives me a wary look. “I
don’t swim.”
“You don’t swim,” he repeats slowly.
“I don’t know how to swim,” I clarify. Thankfully, most of the other
beach goers have lost interest, so we don’t have an audience.
“You’re old enough to drink but not swim?” He looks amused.
Irritation bubbles inside of me, and I push myself up off the ground. “Just
because you clearly enjoy swimming doesn’t mean that everyone else does.” I
stand up, brushing the sand from my legs. But it’s a losing battle. Mud cakes my
entire body. It’s disgusting.
Kate stands up too, giving me a warning look. Obviously she doesn’t
want me provoking the sexy lifeguard. But seriously, he asked for it.
The lifeguard laughs, looking me in the eye. Frankly, it’s unnerving.
“Hey, it’s fine. I’m surprised that’s all. It’s rare that you meet a young woman
who doesn’t swim. Where are you from?”
“Here. Born and raised.”
