I can hear Max laughing beside me, but I see Nora’s expression falter slightly when she watches him walk over to the girl. My stomach knots for her—she deserves so-much better.
"This is just a game, but that isn’t," Max says to his sister. "I’m going to take you out, but you need to go ditch his ass." Nora nods, a smile filled with relief blossoming on her face as the water balloon he threw hits her on the arm.
She marches toward Thad, purpose in every step as she gets closer. My heart hammers for her, and I hope she dumps him and never looks back.
"Alright, everyone, we are down to the final two. This is it, Max and Sadie. Please grab a single water balloon and face each other. On the count of three, you will release them, and whoever hits first is the winner."
I shuffle across from Max, a bright blue balloon in my hand compared to his green one. "Don’t you dare consider letting me win to be nice, Casanova," I warn him.
"Wouldn’t dream of it, Sade."
The crowd begins the countdown… three…
"Will you go on my boat with me tomorrow?" he rushes out.
Max has a boat?Two…When did he get a boat?
One…
A balloon smacks me in the chest, and water splashes down my arms, running across my hand as it still holds the balloon.
"You distracted me!" I shout as Max wraps his arms around my waist and spins me in the middle of Mage Square. I reach above his head and pop the balloon over his hair.
"All’s fair in love and war, Sade." He laughs as water trickles down his face, and I kiss him as we continue to spin.
twenty-eight
Max
We’re Boat People
"I can’t believe Mom let you win." My brother sips his coffee across from me, raising his eyebrow.
"It was weird… she just gave up." I fiddle with the menu, opening and closing it. "Do you think she knew Thad was going to be a douche and flirt with that girl? Was she setting me up to help Nora?"
Sam chuckles, shrugging. "I don’t fuckin know, but someone needs to. First it was Charlie, then Brad, Chad, and Thad…"
"Our sister has a problem with men whose names end in ad." Taking a small sip of my coffee, I try not to laugh at her terrible choices.
Sam runs a hand down his face. "No, she has a problem with trying to replace her ‘Patrick’."
"Is that like Olive is your Mabel? You really think that guy was her forever?" I ask.
"Yeah… unfortunately, I do."
Sam’s shoulders slump, and his face twists with sympathy for our sister as Jo, one of the owners at 1793, steps up to our table to take our order.
"What can I get for you today?"
Sam orders, handing her the menu without making eye contact. I think he’s uncomfortable coming here after everything we’ve learned—can’t say I blame him, but their breakfast remains the best in town.
"I’ll have pancakes, bacon, sausage, two eggs, and a side of hash browns." Closing my menu, I extend it to her as she scribbles on a notepad. "Oh, and can I ask you a question?"
"I suppose." Jo’s eyes flick between Sam and me—almost as if she knows we’re involved in her sister’s antics but doesn’t think we’re brave enough to confront the situation.
"Where’s Beth?"
"Vacation." Her response is sure, steady. But I don’t buy it.
