Page 17 of Hearts on the Line

Maybe that’s why we get along.

We loved raising hell together back in high school, and losing my hockey scholarship was just the start for me. But for Brooks? He went down a darker path for a while, and when it was time for him to sober up and find work, I was waiting. I knew what it felt like to have everyone turn their backs on you.

Plus, the fucker is tough. He’s six-four, tattooed from head to toe, and can haul traps for hours without a single complaint. He’s never late, never not here, and I know I can count on him.

I don’t push the restaurant. I’ll figure it out.

“All right then.” I glance up at the sky as the boat rocks over the waves. It’s that brilliant blue that promises a hot afternoon. Sometimes, I think I might lose it if I don’t head out here, floating off the coast. There’s something about an open horizon, but knowing land is a few miles behind me.

A couple of hours later, we’re back in the harbor and cleaning out the tanks when Annie marches down the dock toward us.

“What the hell, Ethan?”

I stretch and roll my neck, preparing for battle. I get along with Annie like oil and water most days, but I’d lay anyone out without a second thought if they ever hurt her.

“Annie.” I continue to scrub the boat.

“We’ve really got to work on your interpersonal skills.”

Brooks chuckles beside me. I glare at him as he coyly spins away and leans into the tank. I’m tempted to push him in and shut it, but that’s not going to solve the problem of my little sister, and I need the extra help on the boat.

“What?” I snap. I adjust my hat and turn off the hose.

“You didn’t ask her to stay?”

Everything within me tenses, but I shrug. “Who?”

Annie groans, then rushes forward, pointing her finger at me.

“I’m leaving this weekend, and you’re short two servers as it is⁠—”

“We’ll find someone⁠—”

“Who? Are you going to hire someone? With all your free time? You’re going to train them too?”

I toss down the hose, then jump up onto the dock, towering over her. Annoying, yes, but Annie Murphy doesn’t back down to anyone. I like to think it’s because she has three brothers who don’t take any shit. Or maybe it’s because she’s nine years younger than I am. She likes to complain that it’s because of us she had to learn to speak up for herself. She’s probably not wrong.

“Sloane is only here because her car broke down.”

“The car that’s over at O’Brien’s?” Annie asks. “The one you left early to work on last night?”

Anger bubbles up from my toes now, and my voice drops. “You told me you wouldn’t mention it.”

“She’s already looking for a hotel room. You stuck her on the couch!” Annie crosses her arms, a smug expression on that small heart-shaped face of hers. “You could ask her to help, you stubborn ass. She might surprise you.”

Lightning quick, Annie reaches down and grabs the nearly empty iced coffee from the dock and chucks it at Brooks’s head. It hits with a loud crash and then bursts open, scattering ice over the deck of the boat.

Brooks wipes the remnants of cream and coffee dripping down his face, his eyes full of fire. “What the fuck, kid?”

Annie folds her arms, glaring. “I told you to stop smoking! And don’t call me kid. I’m not one of your fucking friends.”

“Are you done terrorizing us now?” I’m desperate to change the subject. I don’t want to talk about Sloane and her possibly staying. I’m trying my fucking hardest to ignore the fact she could be sitting upstairs in my apartment right now. “It’s lunch, and they’ll need you back in the kitchen.”

Brooks mumbles behind me, scratching the back of his neck as he takes the cigarette out of his mouth and drops it to the deck, stamping it out.

“Happy, Annie?”

She shrugs. “With you two dipshits? Hardly ever.” She starts storming away before she stops and spins around. “Ask her, or I will, Ethan.”