Page 108 of The Beach Shack Summer
They made their way down to the beach, Tyler carrying both his camera bag and his board, having decided to get some water shots after capturing from shore.
The break was perfect—clean, consistent sets rolling in with that early morning perfection that would disappear by eight when the wind picked up.
“Okay, so the reef here shapes everything differently than Bondi,” Stella said, studying the waves withprofessional interest. “Less aggressive, more sectiony. I can work with this.”
“You’ve got the outside break, then that inside section perfect for cutbacks,” Tyler added. “Nothing like fighting off two hundred people for a closeout.”
“Luxury,” Stella agreed. “Might actually get to complete a wave without someone dropping in.”
Meg stood at the water’s edge, wetsuit on but looking deeply skeptical. “It looks bigger from here.”
“That’s what you said when you were in high school,” Luke said, moving beside her with her board.
“And I was right then too.” She glanced at him. “You were very patient. Even when I spent more time underwater than on.”
“You were determined,” Luke said softly. “Also, you looked cute when you were frustrated.”
“I looked like a drowned rat.”
“A cute drowned rat.”
“Oh my god, get a room,” Stella called out, already ankle-deep in the water. “Or in this case, get an ocean. The romance is killing me.”
“We’re being romantic?” Meg asked innocently.
“So romantic I might barf,” Stella confirmed cheerfully. “Tyler, are you getting photos of this tragic display?”
“I’m documenting everything,” Tyler said, raising his camera. “For posterity.”
“For blackmail,” Meg corrected.
“That too.”
They paddled out, Stella immediately heading forthe outside while Luke stayed in the smaller inside section with Meg. Tyler positioned himself perfectly with his waterproof housing, able to shoot both breaks.
Through his lens, he watched his daughter read the waves with the patience of someone who’d grown up in seriously crowded lineups. She let two pass, analyzing, then smoothly caught the third with fluid precision.
He switched to burst mode as she worked the face. She wasn’t showing off, just feeling out the new break, but her style was undeniable. Same stance he had, same way of reading the water.
“Looking good, Meg!” Luke called out as Meg managed to catch a small wave, riding it for about three seconds before executing what could generously be called a dismount.
“I meant to do that!” she called back, sputtering.
“Of course you did.” Luke paddled over to help her back on her board. “Just like before.”
“In high school you didn’t tease me this much.”
“I was trying to be professional.” He steadied her board as she climbed back on. “Now I can tell you that your wipeouts are adorable.”
“Adorable. Great. That’s what every woman wants to hear.”
“Also,” Luke said, moving closer on his board, “I can finally do this.”
He leaned over and kissed her gently, both of them balanced precariously on their boards.
“Gross!” Stella yelled from the lineup. “Disgusting display of affection! There are children present!”
“You’re sixteen,” Tyler called back.
