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“Coffee’s over in the corner,” Briar says, and I enjoy the tiny bit of blush that colors Ruby’s cheeks at the fact she’s been acknowledged by one of my siblings.
“Good morning,” she says to my sister, giving her a small smile before hustling over to pour herself a mug of the brown stuff.
“Morning.” Briar’s response isn’t overly welcoming, but it isn’t as bitchy as I was expecting after she stormed off yesterday.
Briar is not one to let go of her irritation quickly and has been known to go for weeks without resolving family drama. Today she seems neutral, level, though there is definitely a consistent bit of bristle that seems to pop up in her shoulders any time I—or anyone else—talks to her.
“I’m thinking about spending a few hours out on the boat,” I say to the room. “If anyone wants to join me.”
When I glance behind me, I see my sister thinking it over. Ruby, on the other hand, has a big smile on her face and her hand in the air.
“Pick me, pick me!” she says, giggling. “I want to go, for sure.”
I nod. “Alright then. Let’s plan to head out in an hour? We can eat breakfast then I’ll drop you at home so you can get your stuff ready?”
Ruby nods, still smiling, and takes a sip of her coffee.
“You should tell the others,” Briar interjects. “Especially if you’re going to North Bay. You know the twins will be so in.”
I figured as much, but there was a part of me that hoped I’d be able to finagle my way out of taking my siblings. Briar would have eventually declined, but if I bring it up to the twins, they’ll jump into the boat without having any supplies. Busy will probably be down as well.
“What’s North Bay?” Ruby asks.
“It’s a corner of the lake that’s closed to non-residents. It’s not policed or anything, but you have to have a pass if lake security comes by.”
Briar’s answer has Ruby wiggling excitedly in her seat. It’s one of the things I’ve noticed about her. She loves to be in the know, an insider, so taking her to The Mitch, Forks, North Bay…any kind of local hotspot is going to make her wiggle around like that.
I love it.
“Hurry up and finish breakfast,” Ruby tells me, stars in her eyes. “We’ve got super-secret Cedar Point things to do.”
chapter seventeen
Ruby
It’s after dinner time when we finally pull the boat back into the dock at the Mitchell house, and I’m exhausted once we’ve finished unloading and wiping everything down.
Boyd’s dad calls us all up to feast on ribs he’s making on the outdoor grill, and then I sit down with the whole Mitchell family for a delicious dinner overlooking the water, feeling thankful that they seem to have adopted me into their group for a little while.
“Today was amazing,” I tell Boyd as he’s driving me home once dinner is done and I’ve turned down Bellamy’s invitation to watch a movie. “It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten quite that much sun, though. I’ll need to wear more sunscreen on this trip. My skin can’t handle it.”
Boyd reaches over and presses a finger into the skin on my shoulder, the faint pink color disappearing and leaving behind a solid outline of his finger.
“Yeah, you got a little color today, huh.”
I nod, dropping the mirror on the back of the visor, wincing when I see my face looking back at me.
I’ve never been particularly vain, but I do fall into that category of women who assumes they look better than they actually do when they’ve finished a long day in the sun or exercising. I always imagine myself with a glowing sheen and pink cheeks, bright eyes and damp hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.
What I actually look like is much different.
My eyes are tired and my nose has a deep red tint to it, a lighter version of the color covering the rest of my face. I’m shiny and greasy-looking, and the fuzzy baby hairs I’ve never managed to get rid of around my temples are giving me a serious halo as they stand at attention.
I look wiped out. The only good thing is I know most of the pink and red will fade overnight. It’ll hurt like a bitch in the shower, though. That I am not looking forward to.
Boyd pulls to a stop in front of the Bellows’ house, puts it in park, and opens his door. Then he rounds to my side, stopping me as I slide down to the gravel beneath my feet.
His hands are on my waist and his frame towers over me as I lean against the interior of the passenger side, and just that small little thing—his fingers against the skin at my hips—has a shiver racing through me.
