Page 80 of Never Give Up

The sun beats down as I make breakfast for everyone. When the others decide to head home to shower and get new clothes and supplies, I have a few shining, unfilled hours ahead to do anything I want.

“So, I think I’ll stop by the house and get some of my stuff, some books, too, before I go get some snacks at the store for tonight. Is that okay?” I wait for Brandi to blink and put her sunglasses on before she looks at me with an answer.

“Of course it is!” She flinches against the volume in her own words. “But you better make it up to me by buying me extra snacks. I’m getting pretty upset that I lost my roommate. And even more upset that I have to work with a hangover tomorrow on shift.” Brandi grins. “But you’ll hook me up with a hot cop of my own, or maybe…”

“Stop right there and you have a deal.”

She waves me off as she leaves, massive sunglasses on her head and a hand held in front of the sun.

Alone, I can admit that I miss Brian, and I can’t wait for him to come home. I pull my phone out of my pocket to send him a message and think better of it. They’re only on their second day, and I don’t want him to think I’m being clingy or anything.

Even if he did tell me that he loved me.

I’m replaying our last conversation while I make a list of what I should pick up at the store. We’ve only got one bottle of wine left, and that seems like it’s not nearly enough.

Apparently leaving me alone with the girls without a fully stocked bar was a bad idea.

My skin prickles even though the air all around me is warm.

Is that someone breathing?

I whirl around but no one is there.

“Hello?” I call out, glancing over at the alarm panel that Brian had installed the day I moved in. The one I reset after all the girls left.

Everything looks fine.

“Come on, Maya,” I berate myself with a short laugh. “No one’s there.”

Just my overactive imagination, and probably a side effect of the alcohol and movies that we watched last night.

The sound of glass shattering behind me is drowned out by the scream that leaves my lungs.

29

BRIAN

“It’s notyour fault there’s a ton of rain. It was supposed to be clear skies all this week. The boys will understand,” Jake says, helping me take apart the tents and load them into the back of the truck in the downpour.

Both boys are in the cab, watching us work.

“I know. I just feel bad that our trip will have to be rescheduled now.” I can’t believe the amount of rain that has started to fall all around us.

We aren’t even two days into our trip. The boys haven’t even caught any fish, and we haven’t even fully unpacked all the gear. But now, we’ve got to head back.

“It’s fine. Let’s just hurry and get the hell out of here.” Jake finishes loading the truck, soaked to the bone just like I am.

Neither of us had thought to pack raincoats, so it seems like everything conspired to get us all back home again. Still… a part of me is selfishly glad. It means seeing Maya. It means being able to kiss her and pull her into my arms.

Maybe I can convince her to help me warm up in the shower.

I don’t question that, simply let it sit, and as we pull out of the campground, I think of texting her, but decide to surprise her instead.

“Dad, can I tell you something?” Jonathan sticks his head through the gap between the front seats as I drive.

“Sit back and put your seat belt on, then yes, you can.” After Jonathan sits back and I hear the belt buckle click into place, I say, “I’m waiting, bub. What’s up?”

“I miss Maya,” he admits like a child who stole candy from the cookie jar. “I think maybe next time we should invite her.”

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