Page 91 of Until We Break

Iheard the shower water rushing through the pipes in the walls. The intimacy and lack of privacy in the cottage were also part of its unique charm. It was impossible to take a step without the floorboards creaking. I doubted it ever bothered Margot’s uncle. He lived the bachelor life in this place. Never heard about him dating. The pipes began to rattle as the water heated up. I laughed.

I worried more about the sounds in the mornings I would awaken Margot. While the shower water ran, I re-packaged the fillets and stored them in the fridge for tomorrow night. I hoped to talk to her about dinner with my parents, but the timing was off.

I wondered if Ethan had left the island yet. I wanted to drive over to the Island Oasis Motel, shove him in his rental car, and tell him the ferry captain was under strict orders to never let him back on Marshoak. I shook my head. He deserved far worse. I couldn’t believe that asshole. The more I thought about him and what he put Margot through, the madder I got.

The water continued to run. I jogged up the stairs and knocked on the door.

“Hey, I’m going to grab some food for us at the market. I’ll be back in a few. You okay while I’m out?”

Margot called from the shower. “Yes, fries? You’re definitely getting fries, right?”

“Yes, I’ll get plenty of fries,” I answered. I was glad she wanted to eat. “Enjoy the shower.”

I headed out to my truck. The tires spun gravel as I sped out of the marina and toward the main road.

The Island Oasis was less than five minutes away. I spotted the car with the rental tags parked in front of the pink and turquoise doors. Kanas. Huh. I didn’t waste any time. I strolled up and pounded on the door with a seahorse painted beneath the room number.

“Hold on!”

The door whipped open. I was face-to-face with Ethan. The TV blared in the background.

“What are you doing here?” He was surprised to see me. Maybe as surprised as I was that I couldn’t let it go. I wanted to make sure he didn’t bother Margot again.

“I came to see if you needed any help packing. Directions? Ferry times?”

He huffed. “Trying to scare me off?” He peeked around my shoulder. “Bring backup? Local police or something scary. Think you’re going to spook me?”

“The police? What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I’ve seen small-town movies. Your buddies beat the shit out of me and then the whole town covers it up. I guess you could just toss me in the ocean.”

“Wow. I think you’ve seen too many movies if you ask me. I didn’t come here to beat the shit out of you, as nice as that sounds.”

“Then what?” He didn’t back away from the door.

“You need to leave Margot alone.”

He chuckled. “I’m confused. Are you threatening me?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m not threatening you. I’m telling you she can’t take any more of this emotional bullshit you threw at her today. It’s fucked up what you did to her. You need to leave her alone.”

“What do you mean? Did she even tell you why I came here? There’s a reason I drove to this hick island.” The expression on his face had changed. He was less combative, even if his words were equally as harsh as they had been.

“I know why you’re here, man. I was sorry to hear about your dad.”

“Thanks.”

“But she’s not ready. She’s not over her dad. Or mom for that matter. You can’t show up and do this to her.”

“What did I do? I need her to help me. I didn’t do anything to her.”

This guy was clueless. Damn, I wanted to slug him. It wouldn’t do any good. He didn’t get it. He had no idea how hurt and devastated Margot was because of today.

“Leave the island.” I gritted my teeth together. My jaw was tight. I breathed hard through my nose. “Don’t contact Margot. That’s all you need to know, man.”

“Shouldn’t she decide that? I don’t know that she’d like you treating her like a helpless little filly.”

I shook my head. “There’s nothing helpless about her. She’s strong, but that doesn’t mean you can use her like this and bring up all this pain. There’s a ferry at six in the morning. I’d take that one. It runs before the water’s choppy.”

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