Deeper Read Free

the daylight. He’s opening orientation, all business, his sharp face stern and commanding, and he’s just so hot. Tall and broad shouldered, with long powerful legs built on years of swimming.
    “Oh, Knight,” Amy, says with a sigh. “Even for a gay girl he’s dreamy.” She’s my first new friend, a loud, pretty brunette with curves and a tan and winking brown eyes and a punk aesthetic. She attached herself to my side from the moment I entered, and though I disappointed her by being straight, she forgave me quickly.
    “Really?” I whisper, trying not to draw Knight’s attention.
    “Maybe I’m bi.” She shrugs and continues to watch Knight. Knight clears his throat in our direction, and I blush as the guards turn to me. So embarrassing to be chastised by your own coworker.
    Dave waves me up when Knight finishes his intro. “This is Rain,” he announces.
    Low muttering throughout the room tells me that even with another guard named Knight, they are going to have a hard time with my name. I make a note to ask Knight how he came by his.
    My parents are from Texas, and they say I was as welcome as summer rain.
    “She’s here all the way from Montana.” More murmuring, but Dave goes on. “We’re lucky to have her. She has water park experience, and since this season we’ve added slides and a play structure to our facility, she’s going to be able to give valuable guidance that we weren’t able to find in any other candidates.”
    I suppose most of the people at water parks in So-Cal probably aren’t rushing to an obscure, inner city, indoor park. A random girl from Montana who killed someone on a waterslide will have to do.
    “I’ll let her introduce herself.”
    Then he leaves me at the front. So silent you can almost hear crickets chirping. My eyes find Knight and he smiles at me complacently. He folds his arms and tilts his head. He’s waiting for me to slip up, waiting for an excuse to get me fired. I’m good enough to molest in the water but not good enough to be his equal. His eyes are a light teal in the fluorescent indoor light, and they burn like blue flames from under his dark, long lashes. I swallow.
    Dave clears his throat. Knight grins and I realize I’ve made a stellar impression by standing here like an idiot and drooling over my coworker in front of everyone. I lean against the table behind me, like Knight did, and cross my legs. The best way to feel calm is to act calm.
    “Not much more to say. I’m Rain Williams and I’m just here for the summer. One thing about me, I’m all about the rules. Might as well know that up front. I’ll be writing the emergency plans and I’ll be ensuring that we all stay as safe as we want the patrons to be.”
    The quiet muttering turns to complaining, but none of it loud enough to address. Knight’s smile broadens. He’s winning, and so far they aren’t happy with me.
    “Does anyone have any questions for me?” I ask.
    “How old are you?”
    “None of your business. Next?”
    Knight puts a hand over his mouth to hide what is probably a laugh, and his eyes crinkle in amusement. I look to Dave, but he is absentmindedly surfing on his phone and could care less how I am being received.
    “Anything about my actual qualifications as your manager?”
    “How many saves have you had?” a guy asks. He has a green fauxhauk and is standing in the back with a group of similarly styled teens.
    “Nineteen,” I say quickly. I don’t have to think about it. Each save is an adrenaline rush you never forget, from the panicked face sinking beneath the water, to the way their arms try to grab you as you try to keep your tube between you and the victim, to the noise of the whistles as other guards come to help or to clear the water. Each save is a tally burned into the side of your skull. Almost as visceral as the rescue attempts that don’t end in saves.
    “Why so many?” a gothic boy with long, dyed black hair and a nose ring asks.
    “Mostly the wave