Page 82 of The Summer Plans

“I’m RJ’s emergency contact.”

“Oh.” I shift awkwardly, unsure of what to say next. Dropping my head in my hands, I let out a shuddering exhale. RJ’s face fills my mind. “He looked so hurt. I hate that we left it that way. What if he does something stupid?”

“RJ’s a smart guy.”

I let out a watery laugh. “But you always call him an idiot.”

“Because he’s an idiot. But only when it comes to you.”

Turning my head, I examine her closely. “What are you talking about?”

“I knew he liked you, back in high school. And I also knew what you two were up to that week after the party.”

My mouth falls open in shock. “You did?”

“Of course I did. I was RJ’s ride. And for about a week after that party he kept showing up late to the car after school with a dopey grin on his face and his backpack strategically placed over his crotch. Teenage boys are gross.” She shudders as she relives the memory.

“Oh my God, I’m so embarrassed.”

“At first, I was mad he kept making me late. And then it felt like he was stealing my friend. Part of me was jealous. I’d never felt that way about someone before. But I knew there was something between you two. As smart as he is, my brother’s an idiot when it comes to you. I still don’t understand why he walked away from you back then, and I got really mad at him.”

I bite my lips, and she tracks the movement.

Her eyes narrow. “What do you know?”

“You should probably talk to RJ about it.” She smiles, and while it’s small and out of character for her, it immediately fills me with warmth. “I figured his teenage hormones got the best of him. And look, I love my niece and her mom. I’m glad that they’re part of my life. But I hate how he hurt you back then. I was secretly glad he moved away, and you moved on. But then you got divorced and then he moved back, and both of you kept badgering me about each other. So, I had this plan to send you to the summer house at the same time.”

“You set this up?”

She nods.

“So you’re not planning on selling it?”

“No.”

“Do you know how many pictures I took? I was building a listing for you. Hell, I was trying to figure out if it was worth getting licensed in Florida for the commission.” My mind is racing at her admission. “And all the things we fixed. And the inspection! I was so stressed out!”

“You scheduled a fake inspection as a ruse for staying at the house for an extra week kid-free.”

I freeze, gaping at her. “Oh my God, do you have cameras in there? Were you watching us?”

“Gross, no. But I know everyone on that island and dug into the inspector after you gave me his name.”

“I know I should’ve told you sooner.”

Raven shrugs. “Probably.”

“I spent too much time with someone I thought was stable. He had a steady job, he provided for us financially, but I never felt secure because part of me was still chasing an emotional steadiness he never provided. But RJ…”

A long exhale escapes me as I clutch my stomach. “He was my emotional rock throughout my formative years. And it hurt when he didn’t pick me, but at the same time, no one has ever made me feel as seen or supported as he did when we were friends. That’s what made me fall for him so easily. And then I convinced myself that he wasn’t dependable so I could get over that hurt. He got divorced, he jumped from job to job, probably even hopped from bed to bed. I basically told myself any lie I could so I could move on or I wouldn’t have survived it. When he showed up at the beach house, it was a mindfuck because I knew I couldn’t maintain those lies anymore. And then he kept showing up for me, for my kids, in ways Todd never did. In every way I needed. Long before the kissing ever started.”

Raven lifts her hand as if to tell me not to finish that thought and I chuckle.

“At first the thought of you finding out was my biggest fear, but the more I thought about it, I knew you would understand and accept it. You love and support both of us. But then I was worried about what would happen if things ended. We’re so wound up in each other’s lives that it could get really messy.”

“That would never happen.”

“How do you know?”