Page 23 of Fish Out of Water

“Drop it, Jake,” Robbie said, his back still turned.

“Hey, I’m just saying, maybe there’s a reason they only had one?—”

“I saiddrop it. You can insult me all you want, but trying to stick your nose into my family’s personal business is a step too far.”

Jake fell silent. Maybe, as much as he hated to admit it, Robbie was right.

The next day, he didn’t talk to Robbie at all. Robbie didn’t even look at him when he arrived at the beach—no obnoxious smile, no calculating gaze, no snappy greeting. He just kept working, ignoring Jake so long as Jake ignored him. Silence had never been so sweet.

Before Jake left, he had to hand Robbie that sheet of paper and a pen. Robbie still refused to meet his gaze. He didn’t look particularly upset, Jake thought, just vaguely annoyed. To him, Jake was an imposition, minor but unyielding. He was probably counting down the hours until Jake wouldn’t have to come to the beach anymore.

When Thursday rolled around, Jake found himself rushing to the beach before it got too dark to work for a full hour. Isabel had kept him at home to finish painting the house exterior since there was rain in the forecast, and it’d taken long enough that he was still in his paint-stained jeans and old, ripped T-shirt when he left.

Robbie actually glanced up when Jake came into view this time. Maybe it was because he was late, or maybe it was becausehe had globs of cornflower blue paint stuck in his hair, but he made eye contact with Jake for the first time in days.

Then he looked away again, not bothering to say the first word.

“Sorry I’m late,” Jake panted.

“I don’t care,” Robbie replied nonchalantly. “It’s notmycommunity service to complete.”

“I was helping my aunt,” Jake snapped back. “I’d rather do that than try to fulfill some bullshit volunteer hours.”

“Youwouldthink that kind of thing is bullshit, wouldn’t you?”

“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know that.”

“Then why’d you say it?” Robbie glanced up again, his eyes dull. “Look, Jake, I’m going to be heading out soon. It’s getting late, and I need to get home and have some dinner. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to work alone for once.”

Jake furrowed his brow. “You come here straight from the bookstore?”

“Of course.”

“Why don’t you pick up dinner on the way?”

“I like making it at home. Besides, there aren’t many food options out here.”

Jake nodded slowly. “Right. A pretty boy like you couldn’t possibly eat the gas station fried chicken Eaton Gas sells—oh, wait.”

“Shut up, Jake.”

“Hey, I’m just saying, if it’s good enough for your parents to sell…”

“You know I don’t control what my parents sell at their businesses. Or are you really so dense that you don’t even understand how thatworks? I’m going now. Have fun alone with all the other trash. I’ll sign off on your hours tomorrow.”

Jake opened his mouth, readying himself to hurl one last slight at Robbie, when a keening whimper pierced through the salty air. He jerked his head in the direction of the sound, every muscle in his body stiffening. “What was that?”

Robbie looked in the same direction. “It sounded like a dog.”

“A dog? It’s almost eight. Who’s out walking their dog on the beach now?”

“People who work?” Robbie shrugged.

The sound split the air again, this time more of a yelp than a whimper. Robbie was right; it was definitely a dog.

“That doesn’t sound like a very happy puppy,” Jake said.

“Let’s go check it out.” Robbie started forward, and Jake trailed behind, wishing Robbie had left just a few minutes earlier, so neither of them had to deal with this.