Page 28 of Barefoot Lake

“You both know I’m going to find out eventually, right?”

“No clue what you’re talking about, Jake. I’m just going to go back to bed.” Grateful Bob gives us a quick salute before heading back inside.

I nudge Scott ahead of me, down the side of Grateful Bob’s house and to the back. Sure enough, our boat is hanging out at the dock like a dog that came to visit the neighbors. Grateful Bob must have tied it down when he found it because it’s secured. I inspect as much of it as I can and am relieved to see what Grateful Bob had already said — it seems just fine. We’re lucky.

Scott steps on board first and puts the key in the ignition. I climb in after him and take a seat.

“If you did this, you can drive us back. Let’s make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.”

Scott dramatically rolls his eyes but doesn’t protest. I lean back and prop my hands behind my head. He starts the engine and collects the rope into the boat, tucking it neatly to the side. A few lights flick on, and I sit back up, looking around.

Everything is where it should be, but something is different. My eyes trail along the floor of the boat, bow to stern. It was significantly dirtier the last time I saw it. I whip around and jab a finger at my brother.

“Scott, what happened to my boat?”

“It got loose and went to Grateful Bob’s house for a visit.” Scott’s voice is monotone like he thinks I wanted him to recite his mistakes like some kind of lesson.

We pull away from the dock and start heading home slowly so we make as little noise as possible.

“No, that’s not what I mean. It’s clean. Like, really clean.”

“I don’t know about that. Maybe?” Scott stares straight ahead over the front of the boat and away from me like he’s trying to act casual, but he’s being the least casual person I’ve ever seen.

“Scott, it’s literally spotless. Did you do this?”

He hesitates like he’s having some kind of internal dilemma.

“No. Don’t be mad. It was Alice and probably Piper, too. Alice wanted to thank you for helping her and her mom, and she asked for ways to do something nice without bothering you. This is what Grateful Bob and I came up with. She was so excited, and I’m sure she didn’t mean to let the boat loose. It had to have been an accident. And they did a really good job on the boat. Even you said so.” I’m not sure he breathes once while getting that out.

I groan for what feels like the thousandth time in the past few days and press the heels of my palms into my eyes. Alice is going to be the literal death of me.

“It’s fine, but I’m teaching her how to tie up a boat today.”

Scott sighs with relief, and I immediately feel guilty. I don’t want Scott, or anyone really, to ever worry about how I’m going to react, especially when he’s just trying to help a friend and Alice is just trying to do something nice.

We’re quiet the rest of the short ride home.

Scott skillfully parks the boat at our dock, getting close on the first try. I watch like a hawk, but he perfectly ties the boat. He steps back on board and turns off the lights. I finally get up and move toward the back of the boat to get off.

“It’s fine, Scott. Really.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

I stand with one foot on the dock and the other on the boat, waiting for him to collect the keys and get off. As he’s coming back toward me, his foot catches on his baggy pants, and he pitches forward. Instinctually, I lunge for him, going to grab the back of his hoodie, but he catches himself and stands up quickly, knocking into me.

Next thing I know, there’s nothing between me and some very cold lake water.

CHAPTER 14

Alice

Ijolt awake abruptly, feeling alert and anxious. I stay still and silent for a moment, trying to figure out what pulled me out of sleep. The house is quiet, but it must have been something. I sit up when a loud banging echoes around the room. I’m on my feet, and I find the clock on my dresser. It isn’t even five yet, but there’s a very angry somebody at my door. I snatch up my phone, about to call the police, when a voice follows the pounding.

“ACE!!”

Oh shit!