Page 89 of Come Break My Heart Again

A seagull swoops down in front of us, then lands a dozen feet down the beach.

“Say something.”

“Say what?” I ask.

“Something. Anything.”

“Thanks for answering.”

Elle huffs an unamused laugh. “You think I sold out. Gave in. Just rolled over and played the part.”

“I didn’t say any of that.”

“But you’re thinking it.”

“I’m not thinking it.” I shift forward on the sand, resting my elbows on my knees instead of leaning back. “And you shouldn’t take career advice from a high school dropout.”

Elle’s silent for a minute. “You like working for Tuck?” she eventually asks.

I wonder how she found that out, but I don’t ask.

“Yeah. It’s … Don’t know what I’d do without that guy, honestly.”

“Keira said you’re restoring the old Warren house?”

Mystery solved.

“Uh-huh. Well, I’m part of the crew that is.”

“That’s a beautiful house. I’ll have to drive by the next time I’m in Fernwood.”

I’m swamped with an immediate rush of uncertainty, thinking of the exterior paint color I just picked out. Would she recognize it? Remember?

“Give it a couple of years,” I suggest. “It still needsalotof work.”

“You’ll be around that long?” Elle asks.

I rub a hole in the sand with my foot. “Not sure yet.”

I doubt I’ll stick around after my mom passes. But Elle doesn’t know my mom is dying. Doesn’t know I would be long gone if not for that sick twist of fate.

“Ryder!” I turn to see Tuck standing out on the deck, waving his arms. “We gotta go!”

“’Kay!” I call back. Then glance at Elle beside me. “Reason not to vacation with your boss, I guess.”

I catch a glimpse of her smile before it disappears.

“Say bye to Scout for me?”

Elle nods.

I clear my throat, then stand. She stays sitting. “Take care of yourself, Elle.”

“You too, Ryder.”

I turn and walk toward the house, fighting the urge to look back the whole time.

And it’s not the ocean I want one last glimpse of.

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