Page 61 of Until We Break

“You saved Lucas. Honestly, it should be a lot more. I can’t put a price on what you did and what I owe you.” Her eyes began to glisten with tears. “Every time I think about it. About what could have happened…”

I shook my head. “But it didn’t happen. He’s good. He seems happy. From what I can tell that kid has made a full recovery.”

“Because of you. Because you saved him.”

I didn’t know how much more I could take her false praise and adoration. “I didn’t save him. That was all Margot. She swam out to him, kept him afloat, and called in the accident. She’s the one who deserves the credit for saving his life. All I did was drive the boat.”

Carrie huffed. “You did a lot more than drive the boat. I want you to have the money.” Her palm swept over my knuckles before landing more firmly in place. “I want you to have a lot of things, Caleb.” Her voice moved to a deeper register. Fuck.

Suddenly, Lucas started hollering another announcement. I couldn’t make out his words he was excited and animated. I wrenched my hand free just as Lucas emerged on the patio with Margot.

My stomach did this weird twist and flip. She was beautiful. Her hair was pulled up in a loose bun. The dress she wore was dotted with swirls of blue and white. She held a big bouquet of flowers. I didn’t know I was the kind of guy who could light up from the inside out, but it’s exactly what happened when I saw her standing in the doorway.

“It’s Margot. Margot’s here!” Lucas jumped up and down. I thought he was excited to see me, but it was nothing compared to his pure joy now that Margot had arrived.

Carrie tried to reach for my wrist, but I was out of reach. “Margot?” She stood from the table.

Margot extended the bouquet. “I hope it’s okay that I came. Caleb invited me. He said it was a celebration dinner.”

I raced to her side, sliding an arm around her waist. I kissed her cheek, inhaling how amazing she smelled. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Her lips twisted together in an impish grin as if I would owe her for this favor.

Carrie hesitated a little too long. “Of course. There’s plenty of food. Lots to go around. Not sure about the wine, though. Let me go inside and check.” She hurried past us into the kitchen. I knew then it wasn’t okay that Margot was here, but I also knew it was the only way to put an end to Carrie’s plan.

THIRTY-TWO

Margot

Ishifted from one foot to the other. I looked up at Caleb. “Are you sure this is okay?” I saw how Carried looked at me. Glared at me was a better description. What was worse, I saw how she was looking at Caleb when Lucas brought me to the backyard. She bristled when I walked through the glass doors. It was clear she wanted time with Caleb, and I had interrupted her evening. Not to mention how beautiful the water view was and the lighting. It was like stepping into a movie scene.

She left me holding the bouquet of flowers I had picked up at the produce stand near the ferry docks.

“It’s fine. Lucas is happy, and I’m glad you’re here.” He looked puzzled. “But why didn’t you text me to tell me you were coming? I could have picked you up.”

The guilt felt like a stone sitting in the bottom of my stomach. I didn’t want him to know how many times I had gone back and forth about the decision to drive to dinner. I wanted to be with him and be near him. Somehow, I was still scared that today I had shown him too much. He saw me when I was vulnerable. Hehad a copy of the book. I should never have let him leave the Blue Heron with a copy of the book.

“I wasn’t sure until the last second. I’m sorry.” My apology seemed weak in comparison to what I had struggled with all day.

He took my hand in his. “It’s good. Don’t worry about it. What matters is that you’re here now. And Lucas is bouncing off the walls.” He laughed.

As soon as he said it, Lucas grabbed my hand, dragging me from Caleb and into the yard. “Want to see my shell collection?”

I smiled. “I’d love to.”

He pushed open the door to a small wooden playhouse with a shingle roof and a sign painted with the wordsLucas’s Hangoutover the door. I ducked low and entered.

“Wow. I’ve never seen this many shells in my life.” I sat on the floor surrounded by his collection on all four walls.

Lucas had made shelves using two-by-fours and cinderblocks. Stacked on the shelves were shoeboxes full of shells. They were sorted into categories by type and color.

“I’ve been doing this awhile.”

“I can see that.” I admired each of the boxes, asking Lucas about the types of shells and what he called them. I didn’t know anything about them. I could identify and conch and a sand dollar, but that was it.

“And this is a scotch bonnet and this one is an olive shell. I like this shark’s eye a lot.” He held it toward me.

“I like that one too.”

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