The boat glides closer, the motor too loud in the still night. As it bumps against the dock, Creed is the first to jump out of the boat, tying off the rope.
My heart is racing with impending confrontation. I haven’t seen him since he nearly knocked me off Tech’s roof. At that thought, I swing my gaze around to find my friend—worried about what he’s going to do. Last time they met, he was chasing after his Jeep.
I spot Tech and Shawn heading toward the dock and jump up. Jamie stands too, and I see in his expression that he’s ready to fight. I’m not sure if this is about the black eye or everything he’s learned, but I really don’t want him to get hurt any worse.
“Collective or not,” I tell him, putting my hand on his chest and drawing his attention. “They will bury you just the same. There is no loyalty with them.”
He shrugs. “I mean, they can try,” he says.
I curse under my breath at his stubbornness, and then jog over to join Tech and Shawn just as they reach the dock. At the fire, the other locals hang back, ready to jump in if needed.
While Creed helps Hailey climb out of the boat, Jordan is more hesitant. She at least has the decency to look embarrassed to be here. Matteo, on the other hand, stands at the wheel of the boat. He’s scanning the area like he’s looking for someone. When his gaze stops on me, I realize that I’m the target of this excursion.
My anxiety spikes as Matteo climbs off the boat and starts in my direction. He seems determined, even a little… worried. I have no idea what this could be about.
I look sideways at Tech, anger rolling off him. “You good?” I ask, trying to gauge how this is all going to end up. He doesn’t turn to me, watching the group instead.
“Just keep Creed away from me,” he says in a low voice, “and we won’t end up in jail tonight.”
“Great,” I murmur anxiously.
As they reach the end of the dock, Matteo approaches us while the others hang back. He casts withering looks at both Shawn and Tech, before focusing on me. He notices Jamie then, and his expression hardens. He stops in front of us, shaking his head.
“Well, that didn’t take long,” Matteo says to Jamie, but it seems to bemore of a dig toward me. “Nice eye, by the way,” he adds, tapping under his own to indicate Jamie’s black eye.
Jamie smirks. “This?” he asks, pointing to it. “I can’t remember, but I think it’s from my kid sister.”
Shawn laughs, but the air is still tense, as if we all know where this is heading.
Tech takes a step forward. “Can we fucking help you?” he asks.
In response, Creed inches closer to our group. Jamie straightens his back, tall and big compared to Creed’s lanky bones, and Creed rocks on his heels, staying put for now.
Matteo glances at Tech, sneering as if this is none of his business. “I’m here to talk to Noa,” he says.
Okay, although I guessed as much, him saying it out loud sends a jolt of panic through my chest. There is nothing that Matteo should want from me, other than trying to mess with the Surf Shack. I don’t want to talk to him. I’d be happy to never see him again.
“Not a great time,” I point out, trying to wave him off.
“Noa,” he says, stepping toward me, but Jamie moves to stop him. “I need to—”
“She doesn’t want to talk to you,” Jamie tells him. Then he shakes his head. “Did you forget what you did with her board today? I mean, come on.”
Matteo tightens his jaw, seeming furious that Jamie is speaking up for me. “Don’t make me knock you out, James,” he says, his voice low. “This isn’t about you.”
Jamie laughs, ready to come back with some kind of insult, when Creed shifts on the dock—like he couldn’t wait to get involved. As he walks toward us, Jamie furrows his brow.
“What the fuck do you want, mustache?” he asks him.
And suddenly, it’s absolute chaos.
With a growl, Creed lunges for Jamie, throwing a wild punch. Jamie easily dodges him, stepping to the side while Creed stumbles to the deck. Hailey lets out a shriek of surprise, and Jordan covers her mouth, eyes wide.
I curse, and scramble to the side, grabbing on to Shawn’s arm. Tech is next to Jamie, both of them staring at Creed as he gets up from the dock. Matteo shakes his head, and I’m struck again by the strange look in his eyes, as if he didn’t come here to fight—but can’t help it anyway.
As Creed stands, he grabs a steel pipe that had been set aside to secure the dock. When he holds it up as a weapon, several of the Chasers near the fire gasp.
“Put that down!” I shout, my heart racing. Creed is seriously unhinged.
