Page 83 of Fish Out of Water

She looked up incredulously. “Really?”

“Look, I was surprised at first too, but it’s no big deal, honestly. Have you been there before? That place is huge.”

“Yes, back when it was the first Robert’s house still. They held a party there around when Marcus and I first moved here, and we attended. Strange couple, I must say, but not quite asstrange as their son and his wife. Robbie avoided that curse, I can tell you that much.”

“No, Robbie’s nothing like his parents. I can only imagine how bad his grandparents were.” Jake laughed, but it wasn’t funny. Robbie had to live with these people and go along with their little delusions.

“So, will this be a regular thing for you two?” Isabel asked.

Jake shook his head. “Absolutely not. Robbie and I aren’t dating. We’re just making the most of the last couple of months I’m here.”

“Well, I for one would be very pleased if you two got together properly,” she said, “and I’m not going to hide that. You would make a handsome couple.”

Jake, halfway across the living room now, stopped in his tracks. “Do you really think so?” he asked. “I mean, seriously?”

“I wouldn’t be telling you that if I didn’t. You’re perfect for each other, even if neither of you is willing to see that. I also think you’re the only person who might actually be able to tear Robbie away from this place, though that could prove difficult even if you tried.”

“Impossible, more like.” Jake continued on his path through the hallway. “I’m gonna take a quick shower, and then I’ll finish cleaning out the garage. Sorry I didn’t do it this morning like you asked.”

“Please don’t apologize,” Isabel said. “I know you’ll make time when you have it. Don’t push Robbie aside just for me.”

Jake closed the bathroom door softly behind him before turning around to rest his forehead on it. He closed his eyes, hands pressing against the solid wood.

The day that Robbie took precedence over his own aunt was the day he knew he was fucked. His only reason for being here, the one person who could keep him here indefinitely, was Isabel,and that was how it had to stay if he ever wanted to return to his old life and his old rules.

He moved over to the bath and turned the shower on. It was time to make a new rule, and one that he could not, under any circumstances, break: no falling in love with Robbie Eaton.

22

WHEN IT RAINS

Arolling wave broke on the shore as Jake approached the beach that evening. The sand was wet and clumpy, and the sky was a dark, ominous gray. He walked toward the figure standing by the chunk of driftwood where he kept his garbage bag, gloves, and poker. Robbie’s hair blew in the wind, the hem of his shirt picking it up a moment later.

“You made it,” he called over the wind, glancing back. “I’m sure how much we’ll be able to get done today. It looks like there’s a storm brewing.”

“Not a bad one, I hope,” Jake said.

Robbie shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He looked different from that morning. He’d showered and dressed, obviously, but the lines in the outer corners of his eyes were deeper, and his eyelids heavier. His shoulders slumped with an invisible weight, and he kept his hands stuffed in his pockets.

“I was thinking about what you said this morning.” Jake stopped beside Robbie, tucking his hands into his pockets before the wind tore into what little warmth he was hanging onto. “And last night.”

“What was that?” Brief concern flashed across Robbie’s face.

Jake paused. Had he not meant it after all? “About another night at your place. I know that you like cooking, so I was thinking dinner might be nice—only if you want to, of course.”

“Oh.” Robbie’s chest heaved with a deep breath. “Yeah, maybe. That would be nice.”

“Just nice?” Jake put his hand on Robbie’s shoulder. “Are you okay, Robbie?”

“I’m fine.” Robbie forced himself to relax, if only to assuage Jake, and the moment Jake took his hand off his shoulder, he could tell Robbie had tensed up again. “Let’s get to work while the weather’s still decent, shall we?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Their work didn’t last long at all. As Jake jumped up onto the rocks to grab a crushed soda can, a wave crashed over them, nearly catching him in its pull. He scrambled down and hobbled through the sinking, slippery sand back to safety.

“Jesus Christ, that’s bad,” he panted.

“We should go,” Robbie said. “It’s getting unsafe to be out here.”