Page 148 of The Otherworld

“Well… yeah. But we won’t get caught this time. Owner’s out of town.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I spent the morning shining it up,” I explain, leading her up the narrow stairs. “Just for you.”

When we reach the upper deck, I twirl her into my arms. “I wanted to take you dancing, but I ran out of money.”

Orca breathes a nervous little laugh. “I’ve never been dancing before. I’m not sure I know how.”

“It’s simple. Here, put your hand on my shoulder. Wait—first, let’s get some music going. What did you put in here? Back in Black?”

Orca laughs and shakes her head. “Bryan Adams.”

“Better choice for slow-dancing, I guess.” I hit the play button and crank up the volume, setting the player on the edge of the deck. “Okay, so here’s how it works. I put my hand on your waist, and you put your hand on my shoulder, and it’s just one, two, three…”

I lead her in slow circles around the deck, careful not to come too close to the edge. She’s shy and hesitant at first, but after a few minutes, she falls into step with my rhythm, surprisingly smooth for this being the first time she’s ever danced with a guy.

I like being her first. Her only.

Yet, even here, slow-dancing to “Everything I Do” with the hottest girl on top of the fanciest yacht in the harbor, I can’t stop hearing Adam’s voice in my mind.

What about letting her decide for herself what she really wants? You don’t want me to compare you to Orca’s father, but you’re starting to sound just like him.

Remembering our argument in the driveway is enough to stoke the fire of jealousy still smoldering inside me, every single paper cut of doubt stinging me all over again.

How she snuck off this morning with him.

How she picked out his favorite music in the store.

How she said, Adam says he probably did it to protect me. Adam says he’ll take me to see my mom if I want to. Adam says, Adam says, Adam says…

I want to stop dancing right now and make her look me in the face and tell me which of us she would choose—him or me. I want to hear her say the words.

I would choose you, Jack.

Only you.

Always you.

But what if she doesn’t? I can’t ask her. I don’t want to know the answer. I’d rather stay in the dark because ignorance is bliss. Orca is bliss, with her hand on my shoulder, her laughter like music, and her eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

46

A Shiny, Perfect Life

ORCA

That night, I lie awake in the dark for hours, thinking about Mama and staring at her address on my nightstand.

I remember her face in the wedding photograph. Her smile, bright as the sun. She was happy that day. She loved Papa that day.

When did she stop?

When did she decide he wasn’t enough for her?

Aunt Sara said Mama had a rebellious streak—that she loved the idea of breaking with her family, marrying an older man, and running off to a romantic, remote island to live in a lighthouse.

Was their love not enough to keep them together?

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