—NOA
The sun is hot asI stand at the counter of the Surf Shack. My father is already gone for the day to test runThe Tarponafter its repairs. Shawn is meeting up with Nina at the resort and Tech is on his way in to work. We were up late, and I’m exhausted.
There is still no news on who was found on Rum Runner or that the Starline itself has been rediscovered. No nothing. I even tried to get in touch with my uncle this morning, but he had his office tell me he’d call me back. He hasn’t yet.
I think about last night at Bonfire Beach, the entirety of the night coming back to me in snippets. Jamie and I had a moment, several actually, where I could remember what it was like to be lost in him. To trust him. At the same time, it’s clear that our lives have moved on. We’re not the same people we were back then.
And, of course, there was the fight with Matteo. Thing is, I’ve known Matteo for years, and although he appears to be living his villain origin story right now, he’s not typically an outright maniac. What did he want to say to me last night? What could he possibly have to say to me anymore?
Clicking back, there was the Starline Hotel itself and its mystery. A dead body left behind in the marsh. And then the news that my brothercould be in town, somewhere in Cape Hope, but avoiding us. Everything has to be connected somehow. There is too much happening at once for it not to be.
My phone dings with a message, and I see it’s an image sent from Shawn with the caption:What is this about?
I open it and scan the picture.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I murmur. My stomach knots up.
I hear the sound of a car door slam and look up in time to see Tech rounding the corner to clock in for work. I flip my phone face down on the counter. Tech glances past me toward the dock.
“Your dad withThe Tarpon?” he asks, stuffing his backpack under the counter.
“Yeah,” I say quietly.
“What’s your deal?” he asks immediately. “Something happen? You hear from the sheriff?”
I shake my head no, but just as I open my mouth to tell him about the text, I notice the figure heading our way from the resort. I stiffen, straightening my back. I can’t help but feel a little betrayed.
Jamie smiles widely when he sees me, his arm still bandaged cartoonishly.
“That handsome fucker is up early today,” Tech says, sounding bored. He turns to me. “You mad at him or something?” he asks.
“Or something,” I respond. Tech watches me as if trying to figure out my mood.
“I’m glad you’re both here,” Jamie announces as he approaches, slightly out of breath. “Where’s Shawn?”
“At the resort,” I say, nodding to him knowingly. He furrows his brow, seemingly confused by my tone, but then he comes to lean against the counter, facing us.
“Okay, listen,” he says to both me and Tech. “I’ve figured a fewthings out. You see, I like puzzles and…” His voice trails off when he notices me staring at him.
“What?” he asks.
I tilt my head. “How’s Jordan Miles?” I ask.
“Not great… actually?” he responds as if the question is completely out of the blue.
“What’s going on with Jordan?” Tech asks, looking between us.
I hum out an annoyed sound and click open my phone. On it is a picture of Jamie sharing a sunbed with Jordan, his arms wrapped tightly around her while her head rests on his shoulder. It’s intimate; it’s more than friends. Maybe I don’t have the right to care, but he claimed to miss me last night.
“You two look cute,” I tell him. “Still just friends?”
Jamie is about to defend himself, but does a double take at the picture. “Okay,” he admits, holding up his hand. “That does look bad, but it’s not what you think. Also, that was literally five minutes ago. How did you even get that?”
“Like I said, Shawn’s at the resort.”
“No,” Jamie shakes his head, and appeals to Tech who has already crossed his arms.“No,”he repeats louder, to both of us. “I have no relationship with Jordan Miles beyond mutual wealth. However, I did ask to speak with her. I learned some shit.” He swallows hard. “And none of it’s good.”
There is a sinking feeling in my chest, and Tech and I exchange a concerned look. When I turn back to Jamie, I motion for him to continue. Ultimately, I believe him about Jordan, but the image of them fitting so perfectly together will bother me for a while.
