It is 12:04 a.m., and I’m walking the long, lonely road that leads from the lobby to the main road. There, I will catch a bus that will take me to a stop where I have to change buses so I can make my way home. I’ll be home sometime after one in the morning, instead of twenty minutes from now, as I would be if I went with Brianna. As sore as my feet are, I couldn’t bring myself to get in the car with her, not after hearing what she really thinks of me. I need to distance myself from her for until I can leave this godforsaken island.
Luckily, she ran to the loo at the end of our shift, so I took the opportunity to leave a note indicating that I didn’t need a ride home tonight. So much better than telling her to her face and having to deal with all the whys and what did I dos?
A gust of wind pushes against me as I hurry along, keeping to the unlit side of the lane in hopes she won’t see me when she drives by. I know it sounds dramatic, but for the first time in my life, I thought I had met someone who—and I know this is unforgivably cliché—understood me. But hearing her talk about her useless sister put her true feelings right in my face. She can’t respect anyone who lacks the same bottomless ambition she has, which obviously includes yours truly. She also clearly despises anyone who has been coddled or blanketed in the lowest expectations their entire life. All this says is that even though she’s clearly attracted to me in a physical sense, she obviously sees me as little more than a bellboy toy.
The unmistakable rattle of her car pulling up next to me causes me to stiffen. Brianna slows to match my gait, and out of the corner of my eye, I see her unroll the window.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
“Did you not get my note?” I ask, giving her only the briefest glance before turning my gaze down the dark lane once more.
“I got it. Have I done something to offend you?” she says in a tone that is somehow both filled with concern and slightly scornful at the same time.
Shaking my head a little, I say, “I just thought you could use a little bit of time to yourself.”
“Well, I don’t, so why don’t you just get in the car?”
“No, thanks. I’ll take the bus. I definitely require practice being more independent.” Ahead of me, I can see the back of the enormous stone sign for the resort, which means I’m almost at the main road.
“So youaremad at me,” Brianna says.
I stop and let out a big sigh before turning to her. “Let’s just say I caught a glimpse of what you really think of people like me.”
We glare at each other for a moment before I turn and step up my pace to get away from her.
Her voice follows me. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Without stopping, I call over my shoulder, “Exactly what it sounds like.”
A wave of relief comes over me as I reach the end of the lane and hurry along to the bus stop to my left. She won’t be able to follow me here because she’d have to drive into the oncoming traffic. A smattering of Paradise Bay employees wait there—two middle-aged women in resort uniforms sit on the bench chatting. I don’t know their names but recognize them as evening shift cleaners. Behind the bench are the twin dishwashers that work in the Brazilian restaurant and create all sorts of problems for poor Emma. At the moment, they seem to be getting along. One of them has two cigarettes in his mouth, and the other one is lighting them, using his hand to block the flame of his lighter from the wind. They turn to me once their cigarettes are lit, and I give them a little nod that says I’m not in the mood for small talk. The one with the cigarettes in his mouth takes one out and gives it to his brother. I try to imagine Pierce or Greyson taking anything I’d just had in my mouth. Nope. Would not happen, which isn’t exactly a bad thing.
I pick a spot slightly upwind of the two of them and scan the road for the bus, even though I know from looking at the schedule that it will be another ten minutes before it arrives.
“So this is it, then? You’re just never going to talk to me for absolutely no reason whatsoever?” Brianna’s voice, which is coming from behind me, catches the attention of my four companions. They all stop what they’re doing and turn to stare. Well, isn’t this just great?
I spin around to see her on foot, meaning she’s ditched her car on the road so we can have it out.
“Seriously, we don’t need to make a big deal about this,” I say quietly. “I just thought you could use a little bit of time to yourself after what happened earlier.”
“No, you didn’t.” She shakes her head at me. “You’re mad at me. You just finished saying you saw who I really am, so don’t pretend you’re doing me a favour by sneaking off when your shift is over.”
“Fine then, Brianna.I’mthe one that needs a bit of time alone, okay? Can you just let me have that?”
“I want to know exactly what I did that has you so angry. I haven’t so much as said one unkind thing to you.” Her voice catches. “You don’t think I could have used a friend this evening?”
“Not really. You seem perfectly happy doing everything yourself.”
“Don’t give me that crap, Leo.”
The dishwashing brothers makeooohhhsounds that I ignore.
“Can wenothave this discussion here?” I ask quietly.
“Why not? I’ve already had one fight in front of the crowd today, might as well make it two!”
“I have no intention of fighting with you.” My tone is that of the Jedi Knight.These are not the drones you’re looking for. “Neither of us has done anything directly offensive to the other, therefore discussion at this point is unnecessary.”
“What is that supposed to mean—directly offensive?”
