I rubbed my forehead, squinting into the sunlight. “I don’t know what I am anymore.”
“You’ll figure it out. You always do. And if you two are meant to be, you’ll find your way back to each other. I never thought I’d see Gigi again, but fate brought us back together.”
“When did you turn so damn sappy?” I asked.
“It’s the Gallos. They rub off on you after a while.”
From his lips to God’s ears. The family had a way of changing a person. They could take the most hardened and jaded human and turn them into a pile of love and sunshine. They did it to Pike, and after a while, they sucked me in too.
“I better go. I have some shit to do before Gigi wakes up,” he said. “I need to get my head right so I don’t ruin our day.”
“Pike?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you, brother. Whatever happened in the past is in the past. Leave it there. Don’t let Dad’s hate and Mom’s mistakes ruin your future too.”
“Never, Austin, never. Love you too. See you this weekend.”
“See you then,” I said before disconnecting the call.
I watched the clouds pass overhead, shifting and merging in the morning sun. I’d been so busy with Makenna, I’d almost forgot the anniversary of my mother’s death, something I never thought would happen. I still had nightmares about finding her. They came less often now than they did when I was younger, but that night still haunted me.
“Hey, stranger,” a sweet voice said from a short distance away. “What are you doing out here? A little early to sunbathe.”
I rolled onto my side, taking in Mak’s long, tanned legs. “I could ask you the same thing.”
Her skin glistened in the light, covered in the finest layer of sweat. “I just finished a run.”
“On the beach?” I raised an eyebrow, knowing how much she hated sand.
Mak lifted a shoulder with a small smile. “It’s a better workout than cement.” Her smile fell as she studied my face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I lied, not wanting to burden her. “Just tired.”
“You’re a shit liar, Austin.” She dropped down onto the sand, crossing her legs. “Lucky for you, I have time this morning.”
I sat up, brushing the sand from my hands. “Lucky for me, how?”
“I have time to listen while you talk. I don’t have to be at the ship for a few hours.”
“Darlin’, while the offer is sweet, I don’t have that much to say.”
She tipped her head back and laughed. “Your mouth is always moving.”
“Who taught you to ride a bike?” I asked her.
She furrowed her brows, blinking. “What?”
“Who taught you to ride a bike?” I repeated.
“My dad, of course.”
“Not me.” I shook my head. “My dad was never around.”
“So, who taught you?”
“The maid,” I told her, embarrassed and sad by the reality that was my childhood.
