Page 31 of Summer People
It’s no use. Just as I pass him, he grabs me, his fingers circling my wrist in a way that sends heat flooding through me. I haven’t enjoyed another’s touch in a long time. Normally I flinch when I’m not expecting the contact, but for the first time in a long, long time, I don’t startle or pull away on instinct. It’s as if my body has determined that Fisher’s touch is acceptable. No, it’s more than that. It’s wanted. God, it’selectric.
Cheeks heating, I look up at him. Only he’s not even looking at me. He’s watching Sutton walk away. Only when she’s gone does he say, “We need to talk.”
I tug myself free of his hold, annoyed with the way my nerve endings light up at his touch. I’m not wanted here. This man wants nothing to do with me, yet my body hasn’t gotten the message. “Don’t worry, I won’t show up next Sunday expecting you to take me to the Knowleses’ for dinner. I get it. They’re your people.”
He frowns and his glare deepens, if that’s even possible. “Sutton is my people. You can go wherever you’re invited. And if they do invite you, you should ride with us. Don’t walk around here in the dark.”
I cough out a laugh. Is this his idea of hospitality? If it is, he sucks at it. “Okay, then.” Lifting my chin, I head for the door.
“Wait,” he says again.
Shoulders sagging, I stop, though I keep my focus fixed on my house, refusing to turn around again.
“The wire to your satellite dish was cut. You have any idea who would do that?”
Gripping my chest, I spin. “What?”
He holds out his phone. On the screen is an image of what appears to be two pieces of a wire that have clearly been torn apart. It doesn’t make sense. Why would someone cut the wire on my roof?
“Maybe it was the birds?”
Fisher gives me ayou’ve got to be fucking kidding melook. It’s the expression he wears every time I open my mouth, so honestly, it’s not a surprise. “And someone’s been blowing out your pilot light.”
I give him that scowl right back. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s gone out five times, Libby.”
Six, since I lit it without his help yesterday. Not that I’ll tell him that.
“Someone is trying to scare you off this island. Any idea who it could be?”
Scoffing, I fling my arms out wide. “Take your pick. No one wants me here. Least of all you, right?”
His facial expression doesn’t change. “You’re not staying. I don’t need to do anything to run you off.”
I roll my eyes. God, this man knows how to twist a knife.
“I need you to be honest with me,” he grits out. “What are you running from? Because whatever it is, it’s come to this island, and I can’t help you if you don’t tell me who it is.”
God, I wish I could muster even half the indifference Fisher has. More than that, I wish his words didn’t cut me so deeply. I am running from something, and the man I’m hiding from is capable of far worse than cutting a cable line or forcing me to go without hot water. That’s child’s play. A prank. Nothing I’ll lose sleep over, considering Brad has no idea where I am.
So long as these islanders keep their mouths shut, I’ll be safe.
“There’s nothing to tell. It’s no secret that none of you want me here, but you’ll have to do a hell of a lot more than force me to endure cold showers and refuse to serve me or order the groceries I request.”
Fisher steps onto the porch, his brows drawing together. “Refuse to what? What are you talking about?”
I keep moving as I wave him off. “It’s fine. I don’t need cable. Thanks for allowing me into your home. I’ll make sure to stay out of your way, and unless Sutton talks to me, I won’t bother you.”
“Libby, that wasn’t?—”
Without waiting for him to finish, I dash across the lawn and rush into my house. I shut the door without looking back and lean against it to catch my breath. I can’t hope that he’s standing at his door watching me. I can’t wish that he’d chase after me.
No one chases after me. At least not in the way I want to be chased.
Once my heart rate has settled, I jog up the stairs to my room and text my father.
Me: Hi Daddy, you haven’t told anyone where I am, right?
