“No. No, I haven’t.” We stared out over the lake for a while. “What are you doing tonight?” he asked.
I held a breath. Had he already forgotten what we’d just discussed?
“Since you’re not seeing Megan?”
I let go of the breath.
“Probably going to look up paint colors for the place. I’m no fashion expert—”
“—understatement of the year.”
“Yeah, says the guy who wears the same four flannels in the same order. Red, blue, green, black. You take such risks, big brother.”
“That’s because that’s the order mom organizes them in my closet.”
“Do I need to say, ‘you could be a grown ass adult and do it yourself’ back to you?”
Asa squinted at me. “Touché.”
4
NAVY
My plan had been to go by the store and check on Roger and Delilah, but I was so wrapped up in my head that I found myself sitting at the local pizza place, picking at the lone slice I’d bought. My twin sisters, Jade and Rose, were sleeping over at a friend’s house as they often did on weekends. I probably wouldn’t even see them until Sunday night. Since I was staying at my aunt’s while she was out of town, I didn’t go to my apartment like I usually would.
I absorbed the energy of those I was in contact with, like a thirsty sponge. I wasn’t usually the girl in a booth alone, moping. Violet had really worried me and until she was back in Amber Lake, I didn’t think I would be able to rest.
My phone buzzed across the table, knocking into my soda.
Keane: Whatcha doin?
It was from Keane. I took a photo of the pizza and sent it to him without typing any actual words. His reply was quick.
Keane: Wild Friday night you’re having. Save me a slice. I’ll be there in a min.
I rubbed a hand over my face. I probably looked as haggard as I felt, but Keane had seen me worse. He’d seen me at my lowest—one of the many times my parents had broken promises—and he’d quietly mopped up my face during at least a couple regretful drunk cries after a breakup.
The chime above the door rang and though I knew only a minute had passed since his text, I didn’t actually expect it to be him.
But it was. He gave me his big, cheesy grin and then leaned over the counter to flirt with the middle-aged cashier. Really, it was more of an attempt to flirt, because she swatted him away like she always did. “Get out of here with that mouth,” she said, giving him a soda cup as he dropped a couple of bills in the tip jar.
He filled his soda and made his way to the table, still with that infectious grin that I loved so much. His hair was wet from rain, causing the ends to begin to curl. He had the prettiest little birthmark that topped the lone dimple on his face like a cherry on top of a sundae.
Out of habit, I slid out of the booth and into his arms.
“Mmm,” he said, giving me the big bear squeeze I adored so much. “Have I told you that you give the best damn hugs, Navy Jane?”
“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you.” When we separated after I’d held on just a touch too long, I knew from his expression that he sensed something was off.
“Giving Rhonda hell?” I asked in deflection.
“What’s this?” he asked, ignoring my question entirely as he picked up my soggy slice of pizza and then dropped it. “Have you been babysitting this slice for the last twelve hours or something?” Before I could open my mouth, he slid back out of the booth and approached the counter. I saw him hold up four fingers and Rhonda’s usually stony lips cracked a smile as he paid her, dropping the rest of his change into the jar. I couldn’t hear their conversation above the clatter of the people in the booth in front of me, but I knew he was sweet-talking her again, based on the paper plate she held up threateningly.
When he returned to the table two minutes later, his arms were laden with four slices, each the size of my head.
“You didn’t have to get me a slice,” I said as he plopped down opposite me.
“Oh.” He pressed a hand to his chin and gazed thoughtfully at all four slices. “Did you think one of these was for you?”
I rolled my eyes. “You have an impressive appetite, but four slices of Debbie’s NY pizza is a feat even for you.”
“I’ve worked up an appetite.” But he shoved two of the four slices toward me anyway. I didn’t think I could eat one slice, much less two, so I pushed one back to him.
“Went to the cabin?” I asked him, staring down at the slice of pizza. Keane had recently inherited half of the land his grandparents owned just on the edge of town, closer to the forest.
“Yep. Asa and I mapped out the boundaries mostly. He tried to claim fifty-five percent off the shoreline for himself, but the dude hasn’t fished since he still crapped his pants, so I had to duel him for equal share.”
I laughed despite the mood I was in. Keane was the most jovial, fun-loving person I knew, and though I hadn’t really been in the mood for company, him being here was already cheering me up.
“Where are the Adorables?” he asked after taking half of a slice in one bite.
The Adorables was a nickname he’d given my twin sisters growing up. It was mostly meant as sarcastic, because as kids they’d been tiny terrors—like a cat that looked you in the eyes as it knocked over a full glass of water. He treated them kindly and now that they were old enough, he called them the Adorables right to their face when he wanted to tease them. “They’re at their friend’s house for the night. Probably all weekend.”
“Poor you,” he said and took a long pull from his soda. “So, tell me why you’re moping all by yourself at our favorite little pizzeria?”
I knew I wouldn’t be able to hide my worries from him, but until I knew what was going on with Violet, I could at least give him a little lie. “My aunt left today.”
“Oh, right. How’d that go? Did she cry all over you at security?”
“Not too bad,” I said. “It’s just a lot, with the store and everything.”
“‘Everything’ meaning The Adorables, yes?” He took another healthy bite of his pizza, finishing his first slice. “Well, I’ve got nothing going on. You know I can help if they need it. Like a ride or something.” He shook his head, sending his overly long hair into a mess that suited him. One curl rested right over his left eye and I reached forward to move it away from his face.
“I know,” I said with a squeeze on his free hand. “I appreciate it. And I will take you up on it.” I wanted to tell him Violet was coming into town, but since I knew that would only lead to more questions I couldn’t and wouldn’t be able to answer, I rubbed my lips together.
“Is that all that’s bothering you?”
“Yep,” I said, crossing my fingers under the table. “How’s Asa doing?” His brother had come back from his last deployment with a traumatic brain injury and I knew from conversations with Keane that it was a delicate situation getting him acclimated to civilian life again, with an injury that affected him every day.