Page 44 of Make Out With A Merman

He opens his mouth like he’s going to argue again.

But nothing comes out.

Because there’s nothing left to say that hasn’t already been shouted.

We just stand there.

Breathing.

Buzzing.

Breaking and wanting all at once.

He turns and walks away.

I walk backto my cabin with my arms crossed tight, not because I’m cold, but because if I don’t hold myself together, I might splinter all over the pine needles.

The path is empty.

The frogs are loud.

And every step feels heavier than the last.

By the time I reach my bunk, I don’t bother with the lights. I just flop down on the mattress and stare at the wooden ceiling like it owes me answers.

WhatamI doing here?

This was supposed to be a fun detour. A reset. Campfire songs and floating glitter rings and a few cute crushes.

Instead, I’m knee-deep in monsters, heartbreak, and some ancient water magic that might eat us all.

And worse?

I let myself feel something real.

And I let himmatter.

I close my eyes and press the heel of my hand to my chest.

It’s still tight there.

Still hurting.

And I don’t know how to make it stop.

CHAPTER 16

RYDER

The lake doesn’t sleep.

Not really.

It waits. Breathes. Watches.

And this morning, it feels like it’s watchingme.

The sky’s overcast, water flat and gray like dull glass. There’s no wind, but the trees are restless. Everything’s too still in that way that makes your skin crawl like nature’s holding its breath.

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