Page 115 of Fish Out of Water

Even as they lay practically motionless, the too-small bed cramped them in closer than Jake would have liked. He wondered if maybe they could manage to fit Robbie’s mattress in through the door. That would be nice. But he doubted it was possible, and they would inevitably have to settle for something in between the two sizes.

The silence felt so natural in the sleepy darkness of the room. Jake could have lain there forever as he listened to Robbie breathe, the smell of sex still heavy in the air. He considered getting up and opening the window, but it was too cold out for that. Or maybe he was too tired, and the very thought of getting up made him sink deeper under the covers. Or maybe he simply didn’t want to leave Robbie’s side when it was unnecessary.

A bell sounded on the beach, breaking the silence. It was midnight. A new year. Robbie turned to Jake, smiling softly as cheers erupted far away.

“You’re happy with this, aren’t you?” he asked.

“Oh, Robbie,” Jake murmured, “I’ve never been happier in my life.”

Alex arrivedat the train station early the next morning, lamenting to Jake the entire drive back about how she wished she didn’t have to miss the big dance.

“I bet it was fun,” she said.

“Dramatic, more like,” Jake told her.

Sitting next to him in the front passenger seat, Robbie shook his head. “Don’t rehash it,” he said. “Your poor sister doesn’t want to be part of all that.”

“Of course I do,” Alex said, and Jake could hear her grin all the way in the backseat. “So, Jake, what’s the plan for when you’re heading up?”

“I’m not,” Jake said.

“You didn’t tell Alex?” Robbie muttered.

“I didn’t exactly have time, did I?” Jake muttered back.

“You’re staying?” Alex sounded like she could hardly believe it, and Jake didn’t blame her.

“Yeah,” he sighed, “I’m staying.”

“With Robbie.”

“Yes, with Robbie.”

“I guess he finally started listening to reason, huh?” Alex said to Robbie, who stifled a laugh.

“You could say that,” he replied. “One of us listened to reason, anyway.”

“What?”

“I’ll explain later,” Jake said. “None of that matters now. You’ll be driving Isabel’s car back up to your place, and a moving van is taking the furniture that she wants tomorrow. You have room for it, right?”

“I already told you last week, I’ve got plenty of space. She’s literally taking her bed, a chair, and some trinkets, Jake. She’s the definition of packing light, and I guess now without your stuff, I’m still going to have room.” Alex leaned forward. “What about you, Robbie? Are you bringing any cool furniture over from your place?”

“Not really,” Robbie said. “Most of the things in the old house belong to my parents, and, well, it’s a long story, but they’re keeping everything they own. I’m basically starting over.”

“That’s adorable.”

“Shut up, Alex.”

“Jake, please, not in front of your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my—never mind.”

Jake pulled onto the back road that led to Eventide from Grayland. It felt good to be back to teasing and being teased by his sister. Whatever happened, he would always have her to lean on, and now Robbie would have her, too. Isabel was right: they both had a new family. They would be all right.

“You need to call Mom and Dad,” Alex said. “Tell them the good news. They’re going to be thrilled.”

“Yeah,” Jake said after a moment, “I bet they will be.”