Page 95 of Raven

The beach is gray under the heavy clouds, but it’s hot and humid. The air is heavy with the upcoming rain.

It’s our small gang of Outcasts and the so-often “grill & surf” get-together.

The boys went out to catch some fish. This time, they took Marlow’s fancy powerboat. Sure, we could order fish from the restaurant, but there’s a certain nostalgia about fishing and cooking it just like back then, on the Eastside.

We’ve all become friends but this gathering of mostly Outcasts plus Marlow is a tribute to the times we survived through the worst living on our own.

We are on the main Ayana beach, where the boats are docked. Yachts are anchored in the distance. I was invited to Marlow’s yacht several times, but luxury is nothing new to me. If anything, it reminds me of who I used to be. And now I have to play poor.

Several Outcasts are surfing. Marlow is playing a guitar. Surfboards and surf gear are lined up by the beach. Later, Kai and Ty will join the surfers.

I wear a bikini, but somehow, this feels different from the Eastside. In front of us are yachts on the horizon. South off the beach are piers with docked speed boats. Behind us is the luscious slope of Ayana villas and infinity pools and meticulous gardens. Everything seems perfect. And I feel like an imposter.

I wish Raven were here. The thought is brief and surprising. He doesn’t quite fit in this circle. Neither would I if I were Milena. But lately, I wish I could spend time with Raven talking and doing normal things during the day.

Somehow, our relationship only thrives by night.

It’s been a month since the attempted attack on me. One and a half months of our deal. I’m dreading the end of it, the end of two months, and having to face my past. We will have to sit down with Archer and everyone in charge and discuss who I am…

A crack of thunder splits the sky in the distance, and we all look at it as if on cue.

“It’s coming,” says Kai. He means the hurricane. “For the first time, we won’t be waking up on soaked mattresses.”

We all laugh. How easy it is to laugh about the past that often felt like a nightmare.

“Still,” Marlow says, plucking his guitar strings as he sits cross-legged on the sand, “the hurricane gets tre-men-dous-ly wet,” he mimics a famous showman.

Only a year ago, the highlight of entertainment on this island were crazy parties. Now we have gatherings that feel like family reunions. We are getting older. The same amount of booze but less getting drunk. The same bikinis and shorts but no streaking and raunchy stunts.

Marlow and Ty start bickering over a joint. “Just suck on it harder,” Marlow suggests.

“You put it out, maaaan.”

“Use your tongue. You are such a pro.”

“Shut up.”

“Ty can push his sunglasses up with his tongue,” Marlow says to no one in particular, then turns to Dani. “Can’t he, Dani?”

Ty studies Marlow with unusual bitterness. “And you?”

Marlow shrugs, plucking at the guitar strings. “I’m celibate.”

Everyone explodes into laughter.

Kai takes the joint from Marlow. “The fuck you are. Maybe before Ray-Ray got here. What’s your kink, Nick?”

“My girl.”

“See? Not celibate after all.”

Ty’s sister, Raylin, is not here, and so Marlow is boasting. He is head over heels in love and still trying to work out whatever happened between him and Ray-Ray back in college.

I see Ty’s jaw tightening—he is still bitter about Marlow hooking up with his sister.

Kai slaps his hand on Ty’s shoulder. “Lose the scowl, bro. They are grownups.”

“Look at you, grownup,” Ty murmurs, shaking off his hand and looking at others. “He’s been holding back dreaming about Callie for years, so he’s become this sex machine and a relationship guru.”

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