Read In Too Deep for Free Online Page B

today?”
    “I’m going over to the Gap. Dad’s taken Cyndi there.”
    “I think I saw them earlier,” Chris said, nodding his head.
    “Have you seen them come back?”
    “No, I don’t think so, but I’ve been busy in the back of the clubhouse, so they could have come through then.”
    “Alright then. I’ll go and have a look to see if they’re still there.”
    “Catch you later,” Chris said and turned to another lifeguard who was standing on the other side of the IRB. “Come on, Brendan, let’s get her out.”
    Josh turned and walked towards the left-hand side of the beach where the headland of Tasman Lookout extended out, hovering over a rocky outcrop known as Pakiti Rock. Even at high tide most of the rock was above the water level, except in extremely high tides and rough seas. Today was calm and, even though the tide was coming in, it was easy to get to the rocky base of the cliff. Josh hopped from rock to rock until he reached the first of two rocky outcrops, over which he had to climb. He made his way over them and stopped for a moment where the rocks formed a flat ledge with rock pools.
    He turned at the sound of an outboard engine and saw Chris and Brendan flying past in the IRB. Chris raised his hand in greeting and Josh waved back, watching them as they sped in the direction of Lion Rock, riding in the trough between the waves. He followed their progress until they rounded Lion Rock and were lost from sight.
    He turned to continue along the ledge towards the sandy beach and from there the Gap, but a voice behind him stopped him.
    “Hey, surfer boy!”
    He glanced over his shoulder. Bevan climbed over the last of the rocky outcrops and came towards him. Gina was behind him, not sure of her footing on the uneven rocks. Bevan didn’t wait for her but walked over to Josh.
    “Out on your own, eh?”
    Josh looked over his shoulder. There was no one in sight. He was alone and vulnerable.
    “Leave me alone.” His voice sounded stronger than he felt.
    “Oooh, I’m scared.”
    “You got me for knocking you over. Now we’re quits.”
    “That’s what you think.”
    Gina had now come to stand just behind Bevan, silent and wary. “Leave him, Bevan,” she said as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
    “This prick crashed into me.”
    “He didn’t mean it, Bevan. It was an accident.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Mitch told me.”
    “What does Mitch know?” He turned on her. “Whose side are you on anyway?” It seemed like Bevan was going to hit her and she cowered away from him
    Josh stepped forward and said, “Leave her alone.”
    Bevan rounded on him. “Stay out of this.”
    “Don’t take it out on her.”
    “Then I’ll take it out on you,” Bevan said, and pushed Josh back.
    Josh stumbled on the uneven surface. He tried to maintain his balance, but failed and fell on one knee, the jagged rock edge cutting through his skin. Still unbalanced, Bevan shoved him with his foot so that he fell backwards into a rock pool, the water soaking the seat of his boardies.
    “Weakling,” Bevan said.
    “Stop it, Bevan,” Gina said, pulling at his arm. “Someone will see.”
    “Better look over your shoulder all the time, surfer boy. You’ll never know when I’ll be creeping up on you.”
    Bevan threw his arm around Gina, pulled her around and together they walked off, heading back to the beach. They separated as they reached the rocky outcrop and Gina looked back at Josh who was getting up out of the water. He met her eyes, but couldn’t read them. Was it sympathy or contempt? He couldn’t tell.
    He looked at his knee. It was bleeding and he used some of the water from the rock pool to wash it away. He made his way to the base of the cliff and sat down on a rocky ledge. The sound of an outboard motor carried to him and he glanced up to see the inflatable, with Chris and Brendan in it, returning to the beach. He looked over to the left, towards the Gap and decided he’d forget about going out