Page 5 of Until We Break

My history with Dean wasn’t a secret to the locals, but she had no idea how much I hated him. How he had wrecked a friendship. How he had stabbed me in the fucking back every chance he had since high school. I wondered how she got tangled up with a dick like him.

The Waters were powerful and influential on Marshoak. She wouldn’t be the first person he had fooled. I had to remind myself that eventually, people saw his true colors.

A large bullfrog croaked near the cottage and Margot’s eyes widened.

“Nothing to really be afraid of out here,” I assured her.

She sighed and her breath floated across my cheek. My thumb continued to brush against her bottom lip as her mouth parted.

I wanted to kiss her. Taste her. Take my time with every stroke of my tongue.

The porch light flipped off and back on. Margot jumped back when the door opened and the springs on the screen door squeaked. I dropped my hand to my side.

“Margot?” A woman with strikingly similar features appeared confused. She glanced at me. I took a step away from Margot.

“Mom.”

“I didn’t know you were out here,” her mother explained. “Sorry.” She looked more confused than worried.

“This is Caleb. He walked me home from the party.” The introduction was stilted.

Her mother stayed on the other side of the screen. A moth batted his wings against the window.

“Thank you, Caleb.” Her eyes darted to her daughter. “I thought you were going to get a ride with one of those girls.”

Margot bit her lip. “They left. I think.”

“I appreciate you getting her home.” Her eyes moved back to me.

“No problem.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. I didn’t know if this was my cue to leave, but Margot didn’t dart inside.

“I’ll be in in a minute, Mom.”

“Helena?” A gruff voice called from inside the house.

“Oh shit,” Margot muttered under her breath. “This can’t be happening.”

“It’s just Margot and her new friend,” Margot’s mother explained.

Walt Shepherd appeared in the doorway. The night was officially over. I could say without a doubt, I’d never wanted to see Walt in his pajamas. Now I probably wouldn’t be able to unsee it.

“Caleb O’Connor?” he questioned. “What are you doing on my porch? With my niece?”

Margot winced and I could feel the awkwardness as she shifted from one foot to the other.

“Hi, Walt.” I nodded at him.

“What are you doing over here? It’s late.”

Helena turned to him. “He walked Margot home from the party.”

“Hmm,” he grunted. “Haven’t seen you in a while. Or your dad.” He glossed over the fact I had made sure Margot was home safely.

Things between Walt and my dad had been tense all summer. I didn’t know what started it, but neither one of them referred boat business to the other. For a small island with only two marinas and two boat yards, it was the equivalent of a trade war. They sort of needed each other but were too stubborn to admit it. I hoped things would thaw soon.

“Uncle Walt. Mom. Just give us a minute. Please,” Margot begged. “I’ll be in very soon,” she stressed.

Without a word, her mom pushed a reluctant Walt back into the cottage and closed the door behind her.

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