Page 110 of Summer People
She throws her hand over her eyes and laughs. “Sutton wanted to come help you rather than go to the beach with us. Is that okay?”
I prop a hand on my hip and eye my sweet girl. “You’d rather work than have fun? Who are you?”
She lowers her head and toes the dirt, obviously not interested in explaining herself. She doesn’t need to. It’s been hard on her, knowing I’m leaving soon. It’s been equally hard on me. I will physically ache when I pull away from the dock.
I wave off Kennedy and Lindsey. “Go have fun at the beach. I got my pretty girl.”
Sutton’s lips lift, joy once again radiating from her as the girls say their goodbyes, Kennedy still shielding her eyes.
When it’s just the two of us, I wave, signaling Sutton to join me on the edge of the stage. I sit, letting my legs dangle, and when she drops to her butt beside me, I rest my head against hers, watching as she kicks her smaller legs beside mine against the stage. Back and forth, smack, back and forth, smack.
“You want to talk about it?” I ask.
Focus still fixed on our feet, she says, “Not really.”
“I’m going to miss you too,” I tell her.
She lets out the loudest sigh. “I don’t understand why you have to leave so early.”
“I haven’t sung in a long time, pretty girl. I have to train my voice for the role.” I only got the part because my name on the marquee will guarantee a crowd, but I’m determined to prove that I’m more than just my name. I’ll do my part, and I’ll do it well. “But I’m not leaving for good. This will be my home eventually. I just need to work for a bit.” It’s important to me that she and Fisher understand this. I’m not running anymore. This island is my solace because they’re here. Wherever they are will be my home. I nudge her with my elbow. “You know you can come visit me whenever you want. If you talk to Fisher?—”
A thunk near the doors catches my attention. When I look up, though, we’re alone. “Did you hear that?” I say, jumping off the stage.
“Yeah.” Frowning, she scans the theater.
“Hello?” I call out, taking another step forward.
When no one responds, I shrug and turn back. “Must have been the wind.”
“Or a squirrel.” Sutton giggles.
I roll my eyes. “Only if Flora’s around.”
She screws up her face, making me laugh.
“So like I was saying.” I shuffle back toward her. “You should talk to Fisher. Tell him how you feel about living on the island.”
Sutton eyes me, her lips pressed into a firm line. “Will you do it with me?”
Affection blossoms in my chest. “Of course, pretty girl. I’ll do anything you want.”
For the first time today, she gives me a truly joyful smile. “Okay, so what do we need to do?”
I glance around the set, seriously impressed with all we’ve already completed. “The car just needs one more coat of paint.” I turn the music on again, and we get to work, jamming out to Taylor and Gracie Abrams, Lake Paige and Melina Rodriguez, dancing every time we hit a really good chorus, laughter and smiles our companions as we work.
“Gosh, it’s getting hot in here.” I yank off my sweatshirt.
Sutton swipes at her sweaty forehead. “Yeah, maybe I’ll go open a window.”
“I got it.” I drop my paintbrush into the tray and head down the aisle, but with each step I take away from the paint, the scent of it dissipates and another fills my nostrils. “Is that…” I inhale again. “Sutton, do you smell smoke?”
The second the words are out, I catch a flash of orange in the corner. Blinking, I take a step toward it. The orange light at the side door dances, casting shadows on the floor in front of it.
I almost shake my head to clear my vision, but when I look back, the orange blazes forward, and I realize there’s a fire coming from the side door. Fuck. We need to get out of here.
CHAPTER FORTY
fisher
