Page 64 of As the Rain Falls
Don’t choke.
A thought comes to mind, one that I always try to push away. I don’t want to think about how staying here makes me feel so depressed. There’s not a single thing tying me to Le Port, not anymore. And yet, something tells me not to leave.
This isn’t the life I planned.
Lucia shouldn’t be gone.
“Look at you, falling like a piece of shit! You’re so out of shape, Ethan!”
Antony laughs, his dark skin glows under the sunlight. Using my second name is a rare thing, which he only does when he’s trying to mock me.I’m named after my uncle. I don’t know why Tony finds it so funny, but I guess it’s just about how archaic my name rings.
Beckett Ethan Evans.
I let my head fall back to stare at the wide open sky. The clouds are so close to the earth, I could even reach out anytime and grab a piece of them. No place in the world looks like this. I hate it so bad that I can’t help but love it, too. My hometown is the dearest thing to me.
“Screw you, Tony!”
“You’re the one who just fell like a piece of shit going down the toilet,” he deadpans, motioning with his hands. “Ploof!”
“Oh, yeah? And you’re one to talk, dipshit. I haven’t seen you go for a single wave today.” I jab a wet finger at him, using the same tone as he just did. “By the way, shouldn’t you begetting ready for dinner? Putting on some fancy clothes?”
Antony’s mom makes a big deal out of eating out at least once a week with her family. She calls it Mom special time, whichI find utterly, utterly adorable. The Silvas are the most united front I’ve ever seen. Even Tony’s cousins, who I only met once or twice, have a wholesome vibe about them.
“Dinner’s highly overrated,” Antony answers while waving me off. “I just can’t stand the routine anymore. All I do is drive to Sainte Madeleine, go home. Drive to Sainte Madeleine, go home. Drive to…”
“Alright, alright. I get it.” I climb back on my board, tugging at the necklace around my neck. I should’ve taken it off before hitting in the water, but it seems like I forgot. “So, you’re still grounded?”
“Nah.” His nose twitches. “Mom decided she doesn’t care about what I’m doing with my life anymore. She told Dad I’m a worthless good-for-nothing and she’s tired of my bullshit. It’s all about the twins now.”
“And you’re cool with that?”
“As cool as a cucumber,” Antony brushes it off, adding casually. “I’d rather have her forget all about me than to have her up in my business like she did last year.”
I nod quickly, understanding what he means. Last year was hell. School is the main reason why Antony and Lucia had to break up for good after so many years of dating on-and-off. Dealing with the aftermath of that was shitty.
“Angelina is back, by the way.”
The sudden change of topic hits me like a slap, and for a second, I feel the air get knocked out of me.
“So I’ve heard,” I answer carefully, keeping my voice even. “You’ve talked to her?”
He nods. “In passing.”
“I haven’t.” I feel my chest tightens. “But… I was thinking of giving her a call soon.”
“To apologize?”
I give him a long look. “What else would I be calling her for?”
“Well, when you put it like that.” He tilts his head. “Angie totally deserves an apology or two.”
“I know, I know,” I agree, regretting my past decisions. “I want to apologize.”
Antony winces. “You definitely shouldn’t have said it was her fault.”
I swallow hard. “Yeah, I shouldn’t have.”
But it was hard not to.Back then, everything felt true to me.
