It was Ryder.Silently, he stalked forward and made a beeline for the thermos. He grabbed it with one hand and stalked out the way he came.
I called out after him. "So thatwasyours?"
His only reply was a raised finger, this time the usual one.
Under my breath, I muttered, "Yeah? Well, same to you."
77
Whose Fault Is It Anyway?
Maisie
I couldn't stop staring at the empty foundation. True, the boathouse had been beyond awful. But somehow, thelackof one felt even worse.
More to myself than to Tessa, I murmured, "Is this all my fault?"
She sighed. "Oh, stop it. You know it's not."
"Then whose is it?"
Under her breath, she muttered, "If it were up to me, I'd blame Ryder."
I turned to face her. "Why do you saythat?"
Her mouth tightened. "It just seems like something he'd do."
She had arrived just a couple of minutes ago, looking not just surprised, but irritated, when she saw the empty site.
Reluctantly, I asked, "Are you annoyed I dragged you out here?"
"Me? I'm not annoyed." She paused. "Well, not at you, anyway."
I tried to think. "So…you're still mad about the construction guys?"
It was a valid question.On the way over here, she'd crossed paths with the same two workers. Apparently, the guy with the clipboard had flagged her down to ask if she'd seen his thermos. The way Tessa had talked, this had caused the other guy to, as Tessa put it, totally flip out.
One thing had led to another, and the two guys had ended up rolling around in the dirt. A few punches and a head-locklater, the matter was settled to nobody's satisfaction, including Tessa's, who'd nearly gotten dragged into it herself.
Tessa replied, "Yeah, well…we can blame Ryder forthat, too."
I didn't get it. "Why him?"
With a scoff, she said, "Why not?" But then, her expression softened. "But forget all that. Iwantedto come."
"Why?" I tried to laugh. "So you could make sure I'm not crazy?"
She rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't gothatfar."
Was that supposed to be comforting?"What do you mean?"
"Listen…" She blew out a quiet breath. "Don't take this the wrong way, okay?"
I held up a hand. "Don't even say it. I already know."
"Know what?"
"That it's mostly my fault." But then, at something in her eyes, I added, "Okay, fine. It'sallmy fault."
