My lips parted in surprise, and I let out a dry, humorless laugh. Seriously?What an asshole.
“What the hell does that mean?” I quickly shook my head. “You know what, never mind. I need to start unpacking, unless you planned on helping me?” I stood up straight, my eyes not leaving his intense gaze.
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Smart ass,” he muttered.
“Better than just being an ass.” I faked a smile.
With an irritated sigh and shake of his head, he turned around without another word and stormed off down the gravel driveway. “Real nice,” he grumbled under his breath.
“You started it!” I yelled over my shoulder as I lugged my bright-pink suitcase up the wooden steps.
I had a bad feeling I’d just met—and pissed off—one of my neighbors. Not quite the fresh start I was hoping for.
But I had no intention of leaving. I was finally looking out for myself, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to drive me out.
This summer was for me.
2
JULIETTE
My phone buzzed,and I’d bet money on it being my family checking in on me. I sat down at the kitchen table, reaching for my phone to pull up the various notifications.
Mom
Sweetie, we heard from Grant that you’re in Wisconsin now? Here if you want to talk. We love you. Hope you had a safe drive.
Dad
We’re only a phone call away. Love you.
Grant
Can you at least let Mom and Dad know that you’re alive and made it to the cabin? They’re worried.
Mom
We’re not worried! Just wanting to check in.
I laughed softly to myself at the last message from my mom. She could deny it all she wanted, but I knew she was worried—even if she didn’t have to be.
Like I’d told Grant over the phone earlier, I was fine.
Totally and completely fine.
It was frustrating, though, how life seems so simple when you’re growing up. Or, at least, it seems like the adults in your life have it all figured out. Then you get older, and the curtain is pulled back.
No one knows anything. We’re all trying to figure this out.
And, sure, things can be simple if you go through the motions: go to college, graduate, begin your career, work in said career for the next forty years, and retire. But what about when plans veer off track? What about when thinking about working the same job for the next four decades makes you break out in hives?
Not so simple anymore.
And don’t even get me started on how while we’re all trying to figure out life, we’re also expected to get married, maintain friendships, travel, and have hobbies. How are we supposed to have it all figured out?
Maybe it was stupid, but I thought going onParadise Lovewould help with some of those challenges. I thought it would give me time to focus on dating and finding love, so that when I got back home, I just had to worry about the other stuff.
Not quite.
