I let out a hard exhale, a feeling of anxiousness taking over as I admit this to her.It’s hard to process how it makes me feel because it’s a mix of emotions, and in my head, I cycle through multiple worst-case scenarios.
But I always go back to the same thing.
I’m overreacting.
“What makes you angrier?”Sloane prompts.“That Isaac did that or that Miles kept it from you?”
“Fuck, Sloane, it’s too early for a question that deep,” I reply, and while she smiles at me, her question is exactly what I need.
“Hey,”I say as I wander over to where Owen stands, a couple of boards propped against the side of the hut that we always run the lessons from at Orchid Bay.
“Hey, how’s the demolition going?”he asks as we clap hands together in greeting.
“Good,” I reply, laughing.“I kinda think Daze likes swinging the sledgehammer around, destroying the place.”
Owen laughs, shoving a hand through his hair.“I’ll bet she—” He doesn’t finish his sentence, though, his grin widens as he says, “Well, holy fuck, look what the cat dragged in.”
I glance over my shoulder to see his cousin Eli walking toward us, an equally huge grin on his face.It’s been ages since I last saw him, between me leaving for the mainland and Eli heading over to Oahu.
“Hey, dude,” he says, pulling Owen into a hug.“Long time no see.”The two of them embrace, slapping each other on the back, before Eli turns to me and says, “Hey, Miles, how’s it hanging?”
I laugh, holding out my hand as we pull each other in for a half hug.“It’s hanging good, you?”
“Can’t complain,” Eli says.
“When did you get back?”Owen asks.
“Just flew in this morning,” he replies.
“Shit, you back for good or just visiting?”
“Back for good.Got a job with Maui Fire Department.Although, I did swing by home earlier, only to find I’ve been locked out of my own house,” he adds, hitting Owen with a teasing look.
“Ah shit,” he replies, shaking his head.“Sorry, man, we had some issues with a break-in, so I had the locks changed.You’re back permanently?”
Eli laughs, hooking an arm around Owen’s shoulders.“Yeah, I am, and it’s all good.Just giving you shit.Figure I’m gonna need to find somewhere else to live anyway.”
“Nah, of course, you still live there.I just gotta talk to Sloane and get?—”
“It’s good, Owen, seriously.I’ll let you and your girl enjoy playing house.I can find somewhere else to live.”
“You should move in with Kai,” I suggest.
“Really?”Eli asks.
“Yeah,” I tell him, pulling my phone from my pocket and firing off a text to my brother.“Daisy and I got a place, so he’s living by himself.Bet he’d love some company, although fair warning, he’s still a total manwhore.”
Eli laughs, running a hand along his jaw.“Sounds like the perfect roommate.”
“Rich coming from you, Eli.How many hearts did you break on Oahu?”Owen now asks, elbowing his cousin in the ribs.“Because from what I remember, you are also a bit of a player.”
Eli shakes his head, chuckling.“Dude, just because you’re a one-woman kinda guy doesn’t mean the same applies to me.I’m too young to settle down.”
“Too young,” Owen mutters, grinning at his cousin.“You’re like twenty-six.”
“Exactly,” Eli confirms.
My phone chimes with an incoming text, and when I glance at the screen, I smile at the message my brother has sent through.“Kai says you can move in today,” I say, holding up my phone screen to Eli.“And that he’s looking forward to having someone to chase tail with.”
