“Come on, Percy, you can make it.” I patted the raised and bumpy dashboard of my car as I crawled along the pristine streets just off the beach. Percy had been with me through thick and thin, and we weren’t going to be parted by anything as silly as a busted transmission, barely there brake pads, and tires hanging on to the last of their treads. Offering to drive two towns over for the best crab cakes in fifty miles probably hadn’t been the best idea when I was eighty percent sure the floor was going to fall out of my car, but I’d wanted to contribute any way I could.

With my windows rolled down, the cool shore air breezed through the car. Seagulls called and swooped down behind the houses and shops lining the main street. Those flying rats were probably stealing some unfortunate kid’s funnel cake or French fries.

The forecast had called for a storm to hit and I’d nearly kept driving as far away from the shore as I could when I’d heard that, but Syd’s threat of violence had kept me on my crab cake run. So far it was a clear horizon. I’d most likely have a heart attack if a storm did break out.

A crawling shiver of dread slammed into my gut. The last time I’d been caught in a storm, I’d sought refuge in the bakery and made about ten dozen cookies, keeping the mixers going on high to drown out the sounds. It hadn’t been enough to block out the rumble under my feet that had me gripping the stainless steel counters and locking my knees.

Another thing I had to thank my dad for—he’d once locked Alyson and me in the car while he went to get some groceries…in a casino, when I was ten. The storm had rolled in hard and fast. Alyson had been asleep in the seat beside me.

I’d clamped my hands onto my head when the thunder and lightning had gotten too loud. It had woken Alyson, who started crying. I’d undone her seatbelt and held her on my lap as the car rocked and shook. When the lightning had hit a telephone pole beside us, I’d squeezed my lips tight together so I didn’t scream and scare her even more than the noise already had. The sparks from the falling power lines had sprayed around us and the pole had cracked in half, slamming onto the pavement in front of the car, shaking it.

The rain had been pouring so hard it was like thousands of nails pelting the car every second. We’d squeezed each other tight, afraid to get out of the hatchback, and tried to block out the sounds by singing our favorite songs.

Dad finally showed up an hour later, soaking wet and bleary-eyed. He apologized and took us out to eat fast food, which we almost never did because every dollar was stretched so thin. Alyson seemed to have forgotten about the whole experience. She only remembered the burgers, but ever since that day, thunderstorms put me on edge.

Triple checking the house number, I threw my car into park in one of the open spots in the garage, nearly resting my chin on the steering wheel as I looked up at the gorgeous three-story house. I took a deep breath.

The previous day had certainly been a shit show with my first time hanging out with the guys for anything more than a passing meal and our unexpected visitor. We’d all been so tight back in high school. I’d even started to think of them as my friends too, but with everything that had gone down with Emmett, I hadn’t said more than a word or two to any of them until Mak started dating Declan, which was still weird to think about. They’d hated each other back in high school.

I turned in my seat and grabbed my bag out of the back. Pulling on the handle, I threw my shoulder into the door and it popped open. The salty sea air filled my lungs and I closed my eyes, letting it soak in. Glancing at the other beautiful houses with brand-new cars in the driveways, I grabbed the garage door and dragged it down, hiding away my heap like I had the day before.

Taking the steps to the door, I raised my hand to knock when it swung open. Pitching forward, I let out a yelp. Strong hands shot out to catch me.

“Avery, you made it. Mak swore we’d have to call AAA to tow you. You could have taken one of our cars.” Declan smiled wide at me with his eyes twinkling. Before I could say anything, the full force of Mak came slamming into me. Her arms wrapped around me and I steadied myself on the railing.

“You made it! I told Declan if you weren’t here by three, I was going to drive around looking for you. Ohhh the crab cakes smell so good!” She rocked me back and forth with her arms tight on my waist.

“How many has she had?”

Mak’s head popped up and she glared at me.

“One.” Declan stifled a laugh. The rest of the guys and Olivia appeared in the doorway behind him.

“One beer, Mak? Always a lightweight.” I laughed and stared up at everyone else crowding around the doorway, their broad smiles setting me at ease.

She whipped around and stuck out her tongue. “Traitor.”

“I bought thirty. I hope that’s enough.”

“Oh, hell yeah, but we can have those for dinner. We need to go out for lunch. If you hadn’t shot out of here like the house was on fire, you’d have heard us say we were going to drive over there tomorrow for lunch, but bringing them back is even better.”

My cheeks heated. It didn’t help that I was under the dissecting gaze of Emmett, whose arms were crossed over his chest.

I thought about hanging back and not going with them, but the rumble in my stomach announced to everyone that I was indeed hungry and they should probably watch their limbs because I might devour them at any moment.

“You’re coming.” Mak looped her arm through mine, so I just nodded.

Emmett nursed a beer and refused to look at me.

“Great, we’re headed down to the Surf Shack. It’s Preston’s parents’ place.” Declan slung his arm around Mak’s shoulder.

I tried to get out of the way and did that weird robot move dance where you’re not sure which direction you should be going in. Thankfully, someone put me out of my misery.

“I’ll get that.” Ford plucked the bag of food from my arms.

“I’ll put these in the fridge.” Liv took the bag from his hands, letting hers fully cover his. Ford slipped out of her hold and tucked his hands into his pockets.

“Thanks,” I called after her, thinking I was glad Mak had filled me in on everything that had happened with the former captain of the UPhil hockey team.

As we walked to the beginning of the boardwalk, people passed by on retro pastel bikes. I’d always wanted one just like them growing up. The salty sea air whipped my hair around my face, and goosebumps rose on my arms as I looked out at the horizon. The dark clouds of the threatening storm gathered, but seemed stalled out where they were. The worry about the storm was pushed aside by those I had about the man trailing behind me. My stomach knotted with each step and I fought every instinct I had to turn around and look at him.

“Don’t worry—they said it’s going to stay off the coast.” Mak swung our arms back and forth like we were five and running around the playground. She knew I didn’t like thunderstorms, but not many other people knew the depths of my fear—well, no one other than Alyson and Emmett. I caught a glimpse of the deep-set frown on his face out of the corner of my eye.

We stepped onto the bustling wooden-planked boardwalk, officially beginning the summer of fun. Music filtered out of the shops selling t-shirts and other random things like hermit crabs and oversized foam hats. Kids walked by eating saltwater taffy, cotton candy, caramel apples, and funnel cake. My stomach growled again. I was definitely wolfing down a few of those crispy powdered sugar clouds of goodness before I left the shore.

More than a few heads turned as we made our way farther onto the boardwalk. None of the guys were exactly inconspicuous, and a few girls angled themselves just right to get some surreptitious selfies. Everyone ducked into a restaurant right by the pier jutting out into the water. Surf Shack was written on two overlapping surfboards hanging over the front door.

“Guys, you don’t have to keep checking in.” An average-height woman who looked our age stood in front of our group wearing a half-apron around her waist and a bright yellow Surf Shack t-shirt.

“Hey, Imo.” Declan and Heath wrapped her up in a big bear hug.

“We’re only here because you guys have the best fries at the shore.” Heath grinned.

“Only at the shore?” She cracked a small smile. “You’re lucky you’re here early. You can grab a couple tables and push them together. The rush won’t be until later. Here are your menus.”

She handed us a bunch of well-worn menus and we found a couple of empty tables, which Ford and Colm pushed together.

“That was Imogen, who I told you about. She was Preston’s girlfriend.” The sad look in Mak’s eyes sent a pang straight to my heart. To lose someone that young, had to be rough.

“Glad to see you made it back safely, Avery.” Colm looked over his menu.

“Me too. I was so tempted to eat all of them on the way back.”

“Glad you didn’t.”

“Normally, I’d be smacking Alyson’s hands as she tried to sneak a piece of whatever we picked up.” She hadn’t called me yet, and worry bunched in my stomach. “I don’t know what I’ll do with myself now that I’m not constantly fighting to get her up for school.”

“Tell me about it.” He smiled. His straight white teeth nearly blinded me from across the table. Colm had that GQ look down no matter where he was. He never looked like a real hockey player, more like a magazine version of what one was supposed to look like. It wasn’t like he wasn’t amazing on the ice like the rest of the guys, but even when he whipped off his helmet, his hair was perfect. Sitting at a table in a restaurant by the beach, I expected to hear the click of a camera shutter behind me at any second, as if I’d accidentally walked into the middle of a photo shoot.

Olivia shoved at his arm. “Are you kidding me? I’ve been at boarding school since I was thirteen. When have you ever had to wake me up?”

“I’ve had to wake you up plenty of times.” He set his menu down and gave her the older brother stare.

“Oh, you mean the times you’ve woken me up coming back late after partying with the guys and leaving me stuck at home? There’s a distinct difference between being woken up for breakfast and being disturbed by a pain-in-the-ass brother trying to play sober.” Olivia rolled her eyes and went back to skimming the menu. While Colm and Olivia didn’t look very much alike, not to mention the height difference, there was no doubt they were siblings. Only siblings could snip at each other so much.

“Mak said you’re starting college in the fall.”

Almost involuntarily, my foot shot out and whacked her under the table—or attempted to.

“Ow, dammit,” Heath barked before leaning down to rub his shin.

Let the Earth’s crust crack open and a lava plume suck me into its fiery pits. My cheeks were so hot I swore I was under a heating lamp.

“Whoops. My foot slipped. Sorry, Heath.” All eyes were on me. Now would be an excellent time for the boardwalk to break apart and swallow me whole. I cleared my throat and kept myself from looking at Emmett. Just what I needed—another example of why we never would have worked. No, I hadn’t gone to college, and I didn’t have the excuse of dropping out to join the NHL like Colm, Ford, and Emmett did.

“That’s the plan. We’ll see.” I shrugged. It was a goal I’d had for a while now, but I couldn’t imagine leaving the bakery. My associate’s classes in business had helped me pick up other things Syd needed help with and we’d become kind of a team—when she wasn’t shoving me out the back door and telling me not to come back for a few weeks.

“It’s awesome! You’re going to kick ass.” Mak beamed.

We ordered our drinks and food. Everyone was talking, laughing, and planning the rest of the summer. I kept my head down when they talked about renting a boat and taking it out for a day-long trip. The food arrived and everyone dug in.

“…and then he asked me to throw him my empty cup.” Declan wiped tears from his eyes.

“You try drinking a freaking mega-sized Slurpee and getting stuck on that thing. Damn Ferris wheel of death,” Heath grumbled, but a laugh peeked through.

“Everyone parted like the Red Sea when he finally got off the ride and made a beeline straight for the trash can.” The silverware jumped and clattered as Declan gasped for breath, trying to finish the story.

“You think it was bad for everyone else—I had to hold the cup so he could zip back up.” Kara throwing in that tidbit had even Ford chuckling. “So warm.” She shuddered and wiped her hand down her leg.

“You’re supposed to stick up for me, not give them more ammo.” Heath gave her his best affronted look.

“I tells it like it is.” She pecked him on the cheek.

The ease and familiarity of being around everyone was something I hadn’t even realized I’d missed. It was like we’d been transported back in time to a trip down there during high school when things were so much simpler—for most people anyway. The weight of responsibility had always hung heavy around my neck. Finally the hunger in my stomach was sated, and the servers cleared our table.

Heads turned as dishes and glasses clattered to the floor with a loud clash right past our table. Imogen guided an older man with gray hair back into the kitchen before crouching down to pick up broken pieces off the floor.

“Arthur, it’s okay. I’ve got it.” Imogen had her hands on his shoulders.

All the guys at our table hopped up. “Mr. Elliott, we’ve got it.” They helped clear everything off the floor along with other servers in the restaurant.

“Sorry, guys. You didn’t have to do that.” She shoved her towel back into her apron pocket with worry set deep in her eyes. I knew all about being that tired. She looked like she was on her last leg.

“Imo, let us help.” Declan put his hand on her arm.

“I’m fine. Everything is okay. I told Arthur to rest and not come down for the dinner service, but sometimes he gets a little headstrong. He’s still a bit out of it.”

“That’s Preston’s dad, who owns the place.” Olivia leaned over the table. “We met him when we came into the restaurant the last time.”

I nodded, having no idea what he must be going through. Sometimes it was hard for me to remember my mom, hard to endure the gripping pain that made you forget how to function. I’d only been eight when she died, and Alyson just had the faintest glimmers of memory. Losing a child was different than losing a parent, though.

Someone came by to drop off the check. I tried to get a look at the total, but Ford covered the entire thing with his hand.

“I’ve got it.” He threw down a card.

“No, really, Ford. I’m good with paying for my own. You don’t have to.”

“I know.” He gave me a half-smile under his scruff and then it was gone. Well, I guess that settles that.

I’d have to do some intense baking while I was there to make up for any meals people were paying for. I wasn’t there to coast on anyone’s generosity.

“Imo, you know the invitation is always open. The house isn’t too far away.” Mak pulled her into a big hug then let her go.

Imogen brushed some hair back from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Maybe. I’ll try, but it’s the height of the busy season and things get a little crazy.” She picked up a stack of menus for the big group coming in the front door.

“You need a break sometime. Don’t make me drag you out of here.” Mak was totally serious when she said it, and I believed her.

As we all walked back to the house, I breathed in the fresh ocean air. I couldn’t wait to get to the beach the next day. I patted my full stomach, thinking I probably should have chilled out some on the chili cheese fries. Maybe I’d be able to convince Mak to build a sandcastle, just be silly and ridiculous.

My phone buzzed in my pocket when my feet hit the top of the steps.

Max: Hey, wanted to give you a heads-up—there were some suits around here today. I think there’s something going on with the shop.

Excusing myself, I hung a left and ducked into the other open bay of the garage. Without sending a reply, I called her back.

“What do you mean something’s going on with the shop?” I said the words before Max could even say hello.

“I don’t know. Syd was grumpier than usual. She said something about the property taxes.”

I wracked my brain trying to think of the last financial documents I’d seen. “I haven’t seen anything about property taxes when I’ve gone over the books.”

“No idea, but I figured since you help out with that stuff, you’d want to know.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow.” I still had half a tank of gas, which would get me pretty far before I needed to refill.

“Avery, don’t be silly. I only told you so you would have a heads-up if Syd needed your help. They said they won’t be back for a few weeks. Enjoy your vacation and do not call Syd. She threatened to drown me in a vat of custard if I told you.”

“Thanks for letting me know.” Squeezing the back of my neck, I stared out at the inky sky over the water. Nothing was ever simple. I let out the kind of deep sigh that only came when the worries you carried weren’t ones you could shrug off and leave behind. I hadn’t even been gone a day and things were already going wrong.

“Avery, get your ass in here,” Mak called out to me from the front door.

I was determined to enjoy myself, at least for a few days, even if it killed me.

Music from our senior year poured out of the speakers in the living room. I went back inside and couldn’t keep the smile off my lips. There were a few rounds of beer pong, Cards Against Humanity, and impromptu karaoke, and pretty much anything that got a laugh out of the group ruled the evening.

“Let’s make some more shots,” Mak announced before dragging me and Kara into the kitchen. The slatted accordion divider across the breakfast bar shielded us from the view of those in the living room. Emmett was on the other side, probably trying to incinerate me with heat vision.

“Mak, maybe you should let the rest of us pour.” Kara plucked the bottles of milk and vodka from her hands.

“Isn’t that how you make a white Russian?” Mak looked genuinely perplexed.

“Not in separate shot glasses.” I checked out the selection of bottles lining the kitchen counter. They had certainly gone all out.

“How about something sweet like last night?” Olivia rummaged through the bottles and slid a few to the front. “This will taste just like apple juice: whiskey, apple schnapps, and cranberry juice.”

We all stared at Olivia as she expertly mixed everything together using a shaker. She glanced over her shoulder. “What? Just because Colm thinks I’m still a child doesn’t mean I don’t know my way around a mixed drink.” She winked and went back to her expert preparations. Pouring out the red concoction, she filled a glass on the tray.

“Here, try it.” She thrust the shot toward me.

I smelled it and my mouth watered. “Wow, that smells so good.” I took a sip and the fruity, sweet, tangy taste exploded in my mouth.

“Right?”

“Here, everyone try it.” Kara and Mak each took a small sip.

“If Colm asks, I didn’t make these.” The red concoction flowed out of the shaker and into the eight shot glasses.

“You know he’s never going to let you have one.”

“I know.” She winked and downed hers. “Let’s get a picture.” She had us crowd around her and snapped two shots with her instant camera. I hadn’t seen one in years, but it had been glued to her hand so far. Slamming the shot glass back onto the counter, she picked up the tray one-handed and shoved it toward me. “Let’s get out there and knock their socks off.”

My stomach knotted like it always did when Emmett was nearby. Before it had been with an infatuation and a word I wasn’t touching with a ten-foot pole. I hadn’t wanted it to end. Now it was nerves wrapped in anger topped with fear of everything I wanted to tell him but never could.