Sadie snorts, and deep, belly-rolling laughter escapes her while I sit, mesmerized.
"You didn’t," she manages in between breaths.
The boat leans, and the wind picks up in the sails and propels us forward as ocean spray mists us lightly.
"I wouldn’t say I had any revelations from the discussion. She’s very cryptic." I run a hand through my hair—the wind is whipping it wildly. "She performed some magic tricks for me, though."
"There’s literally no way that’s true. I’ve known her my whole life, and never once did she give me any sign that she was a witch."
"Neither did Beth, but here we are."
Sadie crosses her arms over the white tank top she’s wearing. "Well, then… what did she do?"
Reaching out, I pull her into my lap and put her hand on top of mine to help me steer. Her peach scent surrounds me, and I nuzzle her neck briefly. "She stole my coffee and somehow made creamer appear in it with a single swoosh of her hand—"
"Did you drink it?"
"No." That makes me chuckle. I’m a risk-taker, but I’m not insane. "She did, though. And then she poured salt on a plate and told me to add pepper so the things I needed to know would be revealed."
Sadie hums, clearly intrigued. "And what was the big surprise?"
My heart sinks. When Sam dropped me at home to change and prepare for this date, the only conclusion I could make is that the Flames logo means Sadie is leaving soon. I knew it was coming, but I think it’ll be quicker than we expected. While we’ve both been aware that she has a little less than two weeks left on her leave, something in my soul knows it’s probably more like days.
"The logo for the Flames, and subsequently, a hot ass cup of coffee spilled on my lap." I tickle her side, choosing not to share my suspicion and ruin the day. "I guess she just felt like taunting me with the one dream I’ll never achieve."
"I’m sorry, Max."
Sadie has nothing to apologize for. She didn’t ask for any of this, and I tell her as much. We continue sailing, basking in the warm breeze as it coasts across us. The saltwater splashes the side of the boat in a rhythmic beat. I’ve never felt as at peace as when I’m out here—away from any sign of worry or disappointment.
Approaching the area where boats park for the fireworks show, the water becomes crowded. There’s everything from yachts to small schooners and speedboats, all angling for the best view. I steer us toward the far left side, toward an uninhabited island that sits back just enough to still enjoy the view but not get stuck in traffic when the show is finished.
Sadie has moved from my lap and is now sitting opposite me.
"Okay, so we are going to be running soon, with the wind at our backs. When that happens, this thing"—I tap the boom that sits under the mainsail—"is going to swing toward you. I will tell you when it’s coming, but you should either duck or come over to my side before it happens."
Sadie nods, eyeing the large pole that runs parallel to the boat. "I’ll duck."
I adjust the sails, and when I’m ready, I grab the wheel to turn the boat. "Okay, it’s happening. Make sure you duck."
"I changed my mind—"
Sadie stands at the exact moment the boom swings hard in her direction. The metal pole slams into her chest, and the last thing I hear is the sound of her scream before her body plummets into the ocean.
twenty-nine
Sadie
The Last Breath I Take
Cold—my body feels so cold.
Dark—why is everything so dark?
Dead—am I dead?
My body sinks, the weight of something heavy sitting on my chest, but all I can think about is the people I love. My mom, my sister, the girls, Beth… what are they going to think when they find out I died? Will they be mad, or will one of them stand up at my wake and talk about the fact that at least I went out doing something fun? That my last moments were spent with the warm breeze of the Atlantic Ocean whipping through my hair—that they happened with Max?
Max.
