Page 86 of Riptide

“I was thinking…” He begins walking to stand in front of me. Taking my jeans from my hands, he pulls me into his body, wiping a lingering tear from my cheek. “I saw a sign for fried calamari. What do you say we get changed, warm up, and eat our body weight in seafood?”

That makes my stomach growl. “That sounds perfect.”

He releases my waist and nudges my chin up with a finger, eyes boring into me. Then he leans in to press his lips against my forehead, and I want to fold into his arms and stay there. “Good. Let’s go, baby.”

We walk back up the beach, side by side. I look ridiculous with a towel wrapped around my waist, shaking from the cold. I know I’ll feel this in my body for hours, but I feel lighter than I have in a long time.

I finally let myself feel it and didn’t break.

It’s still with me. But I’m still here too.

And that’s something.

Chapter thirty-six

Finn

“IfyouthinkI’mletting you watch any more of those cowboys without me tonight, you’re dead wrong,” I say as I press the phone closer to my ear. “We agreed it was a new obsession we were going toshare.”

“I know.” He laughs on the other end. “I’ve gotta get to work, but if I can lure you to me with cowboys later, I’ll do it. I have zero shame.”

“Just cowboys?”

“And snacks,” he adds.

“And you?”

There’s a pause, but I almost hear him smile. “Yeah, and me, baby.”

“Then giddy-up, partner.”

Now Idefinitelyhear him smile. “Please never say that again.”

“Do you really want to rob me of that joy?” I ask, mocking him. I walk to Hudson and Daphne’s door and dig around my pocket for my key. “Anyway, I’ve gotta go I’m just about to go get Rosie.”

“Make sure you give my favorite girl a kiss from me.”

“Yeah, yeah, we know Rosie loves you.” I roll my eyes, sliding the key in. “Oh, and Foxx?”

“Hm?”

“Thank you again for this weekend.”

He doesn’t miss a beat. “No need to thank me. You did all the hard work. I’m cooking tonight, so don’t be late.”

We hang up, and I push the door open once it’s unlocked.

“Honey, I’m hoooooome,” I call out, swinging the door open with the kind of dramatic flair that only comes from a good night’s sleep and borderline inappropriate amounts of sex-induced serotonin. I’m early. Daph and Hudson both have late starts today, and after crashing at Foxx’s place last night, I figured I’d come over and grab Rosie before they left for class. Be helpful. Responsible. Brother of the year.

The apartment is notably quieter than usual, though. Maybe they went out.

My brow furrows as I step farther inside, letting the door swing shut behind me. But then I hear something that pricks my ears up. A low sound. Amalesound.

I pause mid-step, one foot hovering in the air like I’ve walked into a haunted house. It happens again, a breath, definitely not one of exertion from, say, exercising or moving furniture. No, this one is...suggestive. Guttural.

Another sound follows, this time a sharp, breathy laugh. Maybe they’re watching something with a spicy scene…like, uhhhh,50 Shadesor some shit. Or maybe I’m fucking delusional.

“Please no,” I whisper to myself, now tiptoeing toward the kitchen, with only my keys clutched in my palm, eyes half closed in fear.

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