Beach Book Reads Novels & Stories

We say our goodbyes and I toss my phone onto the couch next to me, looking around the room. It's quiet when Santos has the kids. Almost too quiet. And there's nothing to do. I've deep cleaned the entire apartment from top to bottom. I've done four loads of laundry and put it all away. I even threw dinner in the crockpot already, so my regular chores are done. I tap my fingers on my leg and the Kindle shoved between couch cushions catches my eye. Ooh. I could read for a bit. What is the name of that author I like? The one who writes about all those bearded brothers? Penelope Reads? Penny Reads? Penny Reid! That's it!

A sadness creeps over our group as we think of returning to KC and for most, work tomorrow. While the others soak up the late-summer sun, I choose to read in the shade of an umbrella near the pool. I finish one book and start the next in the series before it is time to head to the condo. It takes no time at all for me to pack my bag. I lounge on the sofa, reading while waiting for the couples to pack. Kennedy interrupts, “You and your reading.” She teases. “You would love Kirsten Ashley’s books,” I assure her.

Anton murmurs to me as I sit next to him, facing Laila, who sits against the far arm of the L-shaped couch. I just pat Anton on the head before conjuring up a cup of coffee and reaching for a donut from the table. “What are you reading, Laila?” “A book on earth’s oceans,” she murmurs, flipping through the pages with wide eyes. “You have fascinating marine life.” “Good choice of distraction,” I say, grinning at Anton and taking a bite of my donut, enjoying myself even despite the rather harrowing start to the morning.

The shelves are lined with clams, I guess these are their books. I grabbed one from the shelf and open it up, there are no pages inside. How am I supposed to read these? I look over and see one of the mermaids holding it up to his ear. I put the clam to my ear, suddenly I can hear the words of the book in my mind. This doesn’t sound like the book I needed so I put it back on the shelves and wander the rows of clams looking for something that catches my eye.

When the boat finally touched the wooden dock of the island, the guests quickly scattered across the beach to find the best spots. Waiters in white shirts began carrying trays of cold drinks across the sand. Alice found a large, comfortable cabana in the shade and sat down to read a book. I grabbed my beach bag and kicked off my sandals, feeling the hot, soft sand between my toes. I was wearing a simple, bright red two-piece swimsuit under a thin white cover-up. I took a deep breath of the salty ocean air, trying to calm my racing heart. "Let's find a spot near the water," Finn said in a deep voice.

Aiden's POV The beach house was perfect, even perfect now that I was all by myself with just the sea and sand being my companions. Right now I craving nothing but the crash of waves and the salt in the air. No school work, no people trying to use me for my abilities. Just me, a stack of books I’d discovered last time I was here and I'd been meaning to read, and the endless stretch of sand outside the sliding glass bedroom windows. I’d done exactly what I wanted: slept late, swam until my muscles burned, cooked simple meals, and let the sun bake the tension out of my shoulders. Solitude had never felt so good.

“I agree wholeheartedly, Your Grace.” * * * * Lindsay stood next to Barry in front of a clergyman as he read out of the Book of Common Prayer. Her grandmother had told her she’d be nervous today, but Lindsay wasn’t. Excitement ran through her veins, and she couldn’t stop smiling. Love blossomed inside of her, and each new day with Barry would only be an adventure, she was certain.

“You know what? You’re the most hardworking person I know. I can’t believe you’re spending the whole summer break just… working. Don’t you even have a plan to go on a vacation? Catch some rays? Hiking? Sightseeing? Beach?” Beach. A sudden memory tickles at the back of my mind. The scent of salty air, the feel of grainy white sands against my skin… and the crystal blue water that greets my eyes every morning. Yeah, I used to live on a beach, alright. And I’ve had enough fill of that to last a lifetime. Now, I’m not excited to go back. “Nah. I’m good. Working at the café is an exciting getaway too.” I take a deep breath and slide the bookmark onto the page before tucking the book back into my

June 5th, 1990 An old man walked by wearing a Speedo swimsuit that left nothing to the imagination. You've got guts, dude, I thought, and then snickered in my head. Yup. You’ve got guts- and that's the problem! The man continued to strut up the beach, but my eyes didn't follow him. I was pretending to read a book, laying on my stomach facing the ocean, but really I was just people watching. I had read the same paragraph four times and hadn't turned the page yet. The tourists were just too interesting.

And now, it’s too late to change that. As I walk, I notice someone sitting alone on a beach chair, a woman with dark hair, reading a book. She looks up as I pass, and our eyes meet for a brief moment. There’s something familiar about her, but I can’t quite place it. I give her a nod, and she smiles slightly before returning to her book. It’s a small interaction, but it sticks with me as I continue walking. I make my way to the edge of the water, the waves lapping at my feet. I stand there for a while, just staring out at the horizon, trying to figure out what the hell I’m doing.