Page 37 of The Rebound Plan

“Dunno. I learned that on TikTok.” Her eyelashes brush her cheeks. “Anyway, thanks for inviting me, Rusty.”

I lay down again. “Any time, kiddo.”

There's only a slight snore in reply.

I listen to the house settle. It might be my imagination, but I think I hear the click of another door closing at the far end of the hall.

I stay awake for far too long, listening for any other sound, with a vigilance that’s both frustrating and unsettling. And even though none come, it’s hard to fall back asleep.

CHAPTER 15

SHANNON

“That was too much wine,” Emery whispers from her towel beside me on the dock.

“Shhh.” My eyes are closed under my extra-dark sunglasses, and it’s still too bright for this conversation. Or any conversation.

Especially with Emery. Because while we did have fun last night, and I am going to intentionally include her more, I can’t help feeling inadequate compared to her. She’s so young, but she’s competed at the highest levels of sport, she got a degree, she’s starting her own business. She can hold her own in any conversation, about anything.

When I was her age, I was a glorified hooker. And other than marrying well, nothing else has changed in my life. I have failed at everything I have ever tried—including, it feels like, my marriage.

It’s a hot, still day on the lake, the kind of muggy humidity that encourages naps at the best of times, and this isn’t even the best of times.

The guys haven’t returned from golf and picking up the boat yet. I really should take advantage of the gym being empty to crank out a run, but Emery attached herself to my side as soon as she woke up, and I don’t like exercise to be a group activity.

A low drone in the distance catches my attention, a buzz along the water that gets louder as it gets closer.

“Is that them?” I ask, not lifting my head.

I’ll let the eager youngster check.

“Looks like it, yep.” She jumps up and waves.

Water slaps against wooden pillars, splashing as the engine is cut. Someone leaps from the boat to the dock.

“Let’s tie it up. I need some lunch before we go out again.” That’s Max. “Hun, we’re back.”

I wave my hand in the air as Emery picks up her towel and announces that she’s on it, lunch will be ready soon.

More footsteps. Laughter.

And then quiet again, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Just me and the sun, at last.

Me, the sun, and my thoughts about last night, a kaleidoscope of intense feelings. Frustration, reckless confidence, unexpected curiosity, and underneath it all, a persistent longing for something different, something I can’t even properly name, but something I know will cost me everything I currently have—all the safety and security I have carefully gathered the way a squirrel hoards nuts.

It’s all too much to make sense of. None of it is what I thought this weekend would be. I desperately wish I could smash a pause button and just…think.

This moment to myself is as close as I’m going to get to that.

But then there’s a creak, followed by heavy, slow footsteps approaching.

Not alone after all.

“Are you coming up to the house for lunch?”

I blink my eyes open as a shadow falls over me.

Russ is silhouetted against the sun, his broad shoulders and long legs stretching him endlessly in all directions, until he’s all I can see. Blotting out the sun.

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