Page 55 of Deep Waters
My dad left me alone for the first few hours of my workday. A customer brought in a particular tricky engine, and it took all my focus. After a quick lunch at my desk, he pounced.
“What are the chances that you and Simon Reynolds get back together?” He scratched his balding head.
“None.”
He frowned. “I hope you realize what you’ve done to this family. San Juan Marine Repair might not exist after this year.”
The words shouldn’t have stung. Not after all this time. But the way he treated me grated. Like my only value was as Simon’s girlfriend. Chattel who could get him a cheap, long-term lease. Letting him run his mouth was the smart thing. The respectful thing. But I couldn’t quite bring myself to do it.
“What if we make an offer for the land? Buy it from Simon’s dad?”
“You think I’m made of money?” he scoffed, spitting into his cup. I thought about bringing up every time I’d argued against spending on new trucks with shiny San Juan Marine Repair logos for my brothersand saving that money instead, but it was futile. As much as I wanted him to change, that wasn’t who he was. Who he wanted to be.
My brothers sauntered in. It was after two, but they’d been schmoozing with an off-islander, shopping to update his yacht in Roche Harbor.
“Hey, Rabies,” Finn called, leaning against the shop wall. He split a pistachio, tossing the nut into his mouth. “What’s up with you and Simon breaking up?”
“Yeah. Didn’t you think we deserved to hear it from you?” Bailey asked, frowning down at me.
His brotherly concern would have struck me as more sincere if I didn’t have pretty compelling evidence that he was having an extra-marital affair with May at the Roche Harbor Inn. When it came to keeping secrets, I didn’t think he had much room to talk.
“My relationship with Simon ran its course,” I said mildly, refusing to be baited.
“Straight to ground,” Finn muttered. Bailey held up his hand, high-fiving him.
If I’d actually been heartbroken over ending things with Simon, this kind of crap would devastate me. As it was, it only affirmed that I didn’t owe them squat.
My dad spent the next ten minutes moaning about how we’d survive if Simon’s dad sold the shop land out from under us. Never once did one of my brothers consider selling their trucks, or anything practical to fund a down payment and make a bid for the land themselves.
I’d been growing my bank account for years. Forgoing little luxuries.
I kept quiet. Every time I opened my mouth, I just gave them another opportunity to belittle me. One bidder would make Matt’s choice simple, but listening to them blame me for losing our businesslease after I’d sacrificed my own happiness to buy us time left a bitter taste in my mouth.
A decade of working together, and I was still an outsider in my own family. If it wouldn’t mean leaving the islands and my friends, I’d go to work for a competing shop. But that would require moving to the mainland, to Anacortes or Bellingham. And I didn’t want to put a ferry between me and everything I’d known.
Quietly, I finished my lunch, listening as Finn and Bailey talked with my dad about sales leads. Mostly letting the conversation wash over me. The crass comments about Finn hooking up with Marty Johnson’s ex-wife didn’t matter. Their detailed debate over Lola Johnson’s cup size was just another day at the office.
As if they could feel my negative thoughts, Finn and Bailey swung toward me.
“Rabies, maybe if you got a boob job, you could win Simon back.”
All the fuckingno. For so many reasons.
My dad’s gruff “fat chance” hurt. More than I could let show. Even if he had a better idea of why Simon and I had broken up than my clueless brothers. “Quit talking about your sister and get back to work—all of you.”
It wasn’t exactly a defense, but it was as close as I’d get.
The conversation with my dad and brothers made me want to cast off inSailor Swift, returning never. But only if I could take Zach with me. Leaving my friends and Zach wouldn’t be a win. I wouldn’t let my family drive me away from the only home I’d known.
*** Zach ***
Harbor Brews did a brisk business all morning. By the time things eased up around ten-thirty, I was eager for the break. My feet ached from standing, and I’d burned myself steaming milk. Foolish. Notsomething I’d normally do, but I’d gotten caught up in reliving last night with Rae.
Drew sauntered in just as I poured myself a cup of black coffee. “Make it two?”
I nodded, meeting him at the table he claimed for us. The deep blue velvet chairs in this corner were my favorite. Somehow elegant and soothing.
My brother arched one dark brow. “I hear you called in the cavalry last night.”
