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Fig smirks. “I know but—”
“No buts,” Mom says. “We’re not going shopping before we go on a vacation. It’s just not happening. Your dad and I will check the itinerary tonight.”
I smile. “Well, I’m leaving bright and early, too, for the lake house.”
Dad makes sure everyone has a beverage before raising a glass. “Speaking of your birthday trip, let’s make a toast to our Lemon.”
I feel heat rise to my cheeks as I look around the table at my family.
Everyone is being so kind and warm, and I appreciate that no one’s making any jabs.
“To Lemon,” Dad says. “For being so loyal, committed, and putting her family first.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Graham grins. “Yeah. And maybe this year you’ll find yourself a husband.”
I frown. “I don't need a man,” I say.
Graham looks over at Mac, my youngest brother, and grins. “Sure you don't.”
Mom gives them both a pointed look. “Boys, don't start. You're the reason she doesn't have a boyfriend in the first place.”
All the boys start laughing at that.
“It's not funny,” Fig says.
“You're only saying that,” Rye says, “because you're scared.”
“Yeah right,” Fig tosses back. “I'm not scared of anything.”
“Well, you should be,” Bartlett adds. “You should be scared because you're never going to fall in love. Not in this town. There's no man here good enough for either of you.”
Fig smirks. “Well, thankfully I'm not staying in this town. As soon as I graduate high school, I'm leaving Home forever. I'm not going to be like Lemon. She's stuck here. Me? I'm free as a bird.”
At that, my whole night falls flat.
It was supposed to be my birthday dinner with my family. But suddenly, it feels like a life sentence.
2
ANCHOR
It's been one hell of a year.
Buying this furnished lake house was a spur of the moment decision. I knew I wanted out of the city, saw this listing—and bought it sight unseen.
Seattle is fine and all, but it's a bunch of tech startups and assholes who like to sit behind a computer. Me? I've never been that kind of guy.
I was born and raised on the water. And I do best when I'm out in wide-open spaces.
When I got the payout for my kayak company, I decided to look for a place to settle down for a while.
Of course, I wasn't interested in going too far.
As much as the world tempts other people, I've never been one who was lured by the thrill of an exotic location. Fuck, I've had my fair share of the limelight. I've seen Fiji and Jamaica. I don't need to go back to Bali and I sure as fuck don't need to sit on the white sandy beaches of Maui to know that I'm alive.
All I need is some fresh air. Some sun on my face. Hell, rain will do. I prefer to work with my hands, to think with my own mind. Though that kind of thinking is what got people pissed at me five years ago on that show. I’m a lone wolf, through and through, and I never should have done that gig in the first place.
Here though, I think as I pour myself a cup of coffee and carry that enamel mug of Joe out to the front porch, I'll be okay for a while, at least until I can clear my head and make a plan. Until I can think up what I want to do next.
Never thought this would be where I’d end up at twenty-six. Alone on a lake with more money than I need.
It's not that I was expecting a wife and kids. Hell no. But the fact that I have no family to speak of, have no parents to call on a good day or bad—that's what kills me. That's what fucking slays me.
I don't need to get into all that shit, though. Not now.
It's Monday morning, I have a good cup of coffee, And the sun is actually out. It's April second, and I'm no fool, but it seems like it's gonna be a good fucking week.
The real estate agent who sold me this property out here on Stout Lake told me it was quiet, and while I drove through the town of Burly, I got a hint of that. It's a little redneck, a little bit country, maybe a little bit too much for my liking. But I told her I didn't mind.
Now, I’m set to chill the hell out until I come up with my next creative enterprise.
The water on the lake is still. At this time of day there are no motorized boats out, which means it's a perfect time for me to take out the stand-up paddleboard. I gotta take advantage of this gorgeous day. There is an eagle on a limb of a tree on the other side of the lake, fish jumping in the fresh water before me, pine trees surrounding me.
