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With only a backpack filled with my belongings, I strode out of my room. My aunt and uncle weren’t there. I heard them muttering in the kitchen as I reached the bottom of the stairs. I glanced around the small place, feeling nothing but relief and resentment in equal measure.

“Good fucking riddance,” I said loud enough for them to hear before I slammed the door behind me.

The island air ruffled through my hair, calming me enough that the relief took precedence as I strolled down the rough country road toward town. I was done with Isa and Roddy McIntyre. For good.

Instead, I made my way to Quinn’s. He’d turned eighteen a month ago and had a place above the fish and chips shop.

My best mate opened the door, half-dressed, flushed and sweaty. I rolled my eyes. “Taran’s here?”

Quinn shifted restlessly. “She told her mum she was staying with a friend. What happened to your face?”

“You’re going to get caught.” I avoided his question. Quinn might be eighteen, but Taran was still seventeen and everyone knew her mum had banned her from staying in Quinn’s flat overnight. Not that that stopped them from fucking like rabbits.

Quinn opened his mouth to retort, but then his attention landed on my bag. “What’s happening?”

“Can’t take living with them anymore.”

My best pal’s eyes narrowed. “Did Roddy hit you?”

“Nah, this was some drunk bloke at Kiera’s,” I lied. “Can I crash on your couch until I find somewhere?”

“Aye, of course.” He stepped back to let me in. “What bloke?”

“Doesn’t matter. It was nothing. I’ll just dump my bag and come back later.”

“You don’t have to go.”

My gaze flicked to Quinn’s half-open bedroom door, and I caught a glimpse of Taran’s bare leg. I looked away quickly. “Nah, it’s fine. I’ll go grab breakfast. Thanks, eh.”

“Anytime.” His brows pinched together. “You all right?”

“Fine.” I clapped him on the shoulder as I passed him. “Have fun but not too much fun.”

He grinned. “See you later.”

“Bye, Forde!” Taran yelled from the bedroom.

Chuckling, I called out a goodbye and closed the flat door behind me.

As soon as I stepped onto Main Street, though, worry trickled through me. I couldn’t crash on Quinn’s couch indefinitely, so I’d need to find something affordable, and soon.

Pissed off at the world, I strode to the harbor and sat down, my feet dangling over the harbor wall. There was already a lot of activity with crews gearing up to head out and others returning with their hauls. Fishing was the biggest industry on Glenvulin, but I only liked to do it recreationally. I couldn’t imagine smelling of bloody fish for the rest of my life.

“You’re up early.”

I startled at the sound of Cameron’s voice and glanced over my shoulder to find her looking down at me, shielding her eyes from the low sun. At fifteen she was already taller than most of the girls at the high school. I was fond of Quinn’s wee sister. We’d spent a lot of my free time together this summer because Quinn was obsessed with Taran. Cameron was always up for anything, so we’d done a fair bit of quad biking, cycling around the island, swimming, and hiking. I’d go as far as to say she was in my top two favorite people on the island, but I wasn’t in the mood for her nosy chatter this morning.

I looked back out toward the water without responding and hoped she’d read the room and go away.

Instead, she sat down next to me, her long bare legs dangling next to mine.

“It’s going to be a braw day,” she offered, nudging me with her shoulder. “Is that why you’re up so early?”

“Why are you up so early?”

She ignored my sharp tone. “Just am.”

Cameron wasn’t the type of teenager to lie about in her bed. I grunted in response.