Page 6 of Tide Over

I reach out to take it and can’t help but observe him as well. From his conversation earlier, I know he’s a fisherman… and he certainly looks the part. He’s dressed in a dirty black hoodie with holes all over it, and his short, light brown hair is windswept and messy, like he just stepped off the boat. I’m not sure what he’s doing working in a general store as well, since he apparently also installs floors and fixes barn doors.

“You from here?” I ask him as I shove my wallet back in my pocket. I don’t know why I’m even asking him this, or why I’m apparently lingering. I’m not usually one to strike up a conversation with strangers, or anyone, really. But he doesn’t seem to mind.

He nods and sits on the stool behind the counter. “Yeah.” Then he chuckles. “Not sure why anyone would choose to live here if they weren’t.”

I smirk as I look out the window at the boats on the water. The view is beautiful, and even just the vibe in this store is cozy and inviting. Everyone I’ve encountered so far in the five minutes I’ve been here seem nice and welcoming, and a brief wave of longing washes over me as it all reminds me of Inverness. Being right on the water, and in a small town where everyone knows everyone… it’s just like home in some ways. But completely different in others.

My eyes land on a bulletin board on the wall, and I scan the various flyers and ads pinned to it. Most are just what I expected, selling items like furniture and fishing equipment, and offering services like lawn care. But disappointment settles when I don’t see what I’m apparently looking for.

“I don’t know…” I say slowly, still scanning the board. “Seems like a nice place.”

“It is,” he says. “There’s just nothing here for anyone unless they’re coming for seasonal work.”

I glance at him, and he tilts his head towards the cove. “Lobster fishing,” he says.

I nod in understanding and bring my attention back to the bulletin board. “Any rentals around here?”

There’s a beat of silence before he answers me. “There’s a couple around, but this time of year they’re already full from regular seasonal fishermen. So, in a few months, once fishingseason is over in June, there will be.” He eyes me for a moment. “You looking for work?”

“No,” I shake my head. “I’m starting a new job in a couple weeks, on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Three weeks on, three weeks off, so…” I trail off, bringing my attention back to the boats in the cove. “Just looking for a quiet place to live while I’m not working.”

When I look at him again, he nods thoughtfully. “Intense job.”

I huff out a breath and nod in agreement. “Yeah.” I take one final look around the store and try to ignore the disappointed feeling in the pit of my stomach. “Anyway, thanks. I’ll keep looking around. Have a good one.”

But as I turn to head for the door, the disappointment only grows. There’s something telling me I want to be here, which I don’t understand. But maybe the next town will be like this one, and will be somewhere I can call home for a bit.

“Well, actually…”

I stop, turning to face him as he stands from his stool.

He hesitates for a moment before he shrugs one shoulder. “I… I don’t know if this would be a good option for you but… I have a room available in my house. I just bought it last year and have slowly been fixing it up, so it’s kind of rough. But it’s bigger than anything I need. I could rent you a room if you wanted to stay here, and if you don’t mind living in a bit of a construction zone.” He shrugs again. “And it’s on the water, so it’s nice and quiet.”

The look on his face is almost hopeful, which surprisingly mirrors how I’m feeling. I let the hope and excitement bubble up for a moment, providing me with a sense of relief from the darkness, shame, and guilt I carry every day. And even though I know I don’t deserve to feel that relief, I’m not sure I can ignoreit right now. Because the hope I see in him is somehow making it easier for me to feel it too.

I glance around the store again, letting that feeling take over for a moment. I need to stop running at some point. And while I’m not ready to go home just yet, this could be the next best thing.

His soft brown eyes meet mine as I bring my gaze back to him, and I can’t help but let out a small smile. I don’t even know him, but something about this place, and talking to him… it just feels like what I’m supposed to do.

With a nod, I step towards the counter. “Works for me.” I hold my hand out to him. “I’m Liam, by the way.”

He grabs my hand in a firm handshake. “Theo.” He smiles softly. “Welcome to Torrin Cove.”

FOUR

I tossthe last of my tools into the back of my truck, finished for the day and ready to head home. And just in time too. I’m meeting Liam at my place in about five minutes, and I wasn’t sure if I’d actually get the last of these cabinets installed before then.

As I head out of the Campbells’ driveway and onto the road, I let my thoughts wander back to this morning when I met Liam in the store. I’m not quite sure what the fuck I was thinking, inviting him to live in my house after talking to him for two minutes, but he seems normal enough. And he has a job on an oil rig, so he can’t be a criminal or anything. Unless he’s on the run and looking for a place to hide, which is why he’s in Torrin Cove of all places.

But hey, maybe that’s the excitement I’ve been looking for. So… fuck it.

A few minutes down the road, I turn off and follow the long, winding driveway lined with tall trees. As I round the final bend, the view opens up to reveal my house tucked among the trees, facing the ocean.

Andthisis why I bought this house. It may be too big for just me, and needed a shit ton of work just to make it somewhathabitable, but this view gets me every night when I come home. It’s completely private, away from the rest of the town, and has everything I need. So far, it’s been a good project to fill my free time and keep me busy when my mind wants to wander.

I park next to Liam’s truck and make my way down to the dock, where he’s looking out over the water.

“Hey,” I say as I step onto the dock, and he turns to face me with a nod in greeting.

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