Page 1 of Summer Waves

Chapter One

Bethany

“Jacob, seriously?” I rolled my eyes despite the fact my younger brother couldn’t see my face through the phone.

“I mean, you can just give me money if you want,” Jacob sighed dramatically.

Jacob was turning twenty and thought the world owed him presents galore. I blame my parents for spoiling him since he was the only boy. They created a diva.

“Who even said I was getting you anything?” I sat back in my office chair. He was cutting into my time for going over the financial books of the eatery.

“You always buy me something, sis,” he laughed. “Like you always get me the best gifts. Seriously. Tatiana usually gives me a gift card toherfavorite store. Serena gives me moneyand thenasks to borrow the same amount the next day. And, Angelina gets me tickets to a concert thatshewants to go to.”

Okay. My parents created a few divas.

“You never know. Maybe they’ll get you something different this year,” I offered with a grin. I knew my sisters just as well as Jacob did. They were going to get him the same present as always.

“Bethany, please, I’m counting on you,” he groaned. “Give me some hope for a good birthday.”

“Your birthday is like two months away.” I chuckled. I already knew this answer, too.

“Hope, sis. I need some hope to know I’m going to get arealgift.”

“You sound so petty, Jacob Waya Nez.”

“Government name, sis? Really?” He made some sort of sound that was a mix of a huff, a groan, and a growl.

“Someone has to give you a wake-up call. Mom called me last night,” Jacob groaned at my words, “she says you refuse to help out around the house. All you do is make messes, go surfing, and sleep.”

“What else am I supposed to do?”

“I don’t know...” I sassed. “Work.”

“Work? Why? Mom and dad buy me everything I need. I don’t need a job.”

His childish answer made me roll my eyes. I was surprised they didn’t roll into the back of my head. He was never going to make something of himself with that attitude.

“I’ll make you a deal.”

“Oh, lord. Bethany, seriously? What kind of deal?” He sounded miserable like I was telling him he had to get a root canal.

“It’s simple. Get a job and I’ll get you a nice present.”

“What!” he shouted into the phone causing me to pull my phone away from my ear. “A job?”

“Yep. Can’t surf all day and expect mom and dad to take care of you all your life.” I sat up in my chair and slapped my hand against my desk. “Get a job, Jacob, and I’ll buy you that stupid board you want.”

“Really?” He asked in a much happier tone. “The custom-made board?”

“Yes. But you have to step up around mom and dad’s place and get a job. If mom and dad tell me you’re still being a beach bum, deals off.”

“Sure. Sure. Anything. I’ll send you the details and pictures when we hang up.”

“Fine,” I laughed at his sudden cheerful attitude. He went from root canal to kid in a candy shop. “But you have to get a job–”

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

My phone’s notifications started going off like crazy. I pulled my phone away from my ear and realized Jacob had already hung up on me. He was now blowing my phone up with surfboard pictures and details about the board he wanted.

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