“What for?”
But I already know.
Emmett’s birthday.
I don’t miss the way he won’t look at me as he scrubs a hand behind his neck. He’s always been coy around Iris. Like she makes him nervous or something. I wouldn’t put it past her. My little sister is as fiery as a woman comes.
“Yeah, sure, birthday boy.” I pack up the tools and leave Em to his humiliation.
He groans and shoves his cap back onto his head. The Coast Guard standard-issue cap has been replaced by his old faithful Yankees cap. God, that thing has seen better days.
“Bringing Eve?”
“I don’t know,” I say, sighing.
“Fuck. What did you do, McCreary?”
I slide the toolbox back onto his boat and take my time squaring it away. When I turn back, Em stands with his arms crossed over his chest. “I know that damn look. Spill it, Cal.”
Words fly up my throat and slam into the stone that formed while I was ignoring the question. My mind flies back to the old Scots words from earlier. The look on Evie’s face. Like, on somelevel, she understood them. The same ones my father used to croon to my mother. The way she always softened with them. If I’m honest, I never thought I’d ever use them. Would never have thechanceto use them...
Em takes a step forward but glances back at the lighthouse. “Not everyone in this place thinks you’re a monster.” His words are soft, like they’re meant to placate an injured animal. Maybe in a way, I am. Was. It took me years to recover from what happened. Even more to look myself in the mirror without loathing every single thing I am.
“I’ll take your word for it,” I finally breathe out.
“I mean it, Cal. It wasn’t your fault. How many times do we have to tell you this? How many years is it going to take for you to let someone else in?”
If only he knew.
We—him and Iris. The rest of this small coastal town wishes she was the one to survive, not me.
For a long time, I wholeheartedly agreed with them. Not that it made them think any better of me. If it wasn’t for Iris and Em, I’d be long gone. Besides, this island is the last connection to my parents. Our family. The last thing I have of my father.
“So . . . what happened?” Em prompts.
“We—I—I kissed her.” My throat works with the act of saying it out loud.
Em tugs the cap from his head and shoves his hand through his hair, blowing out a low whistle. “I don’t know if I’m so happy you finally let someone in or annoyed at you for jeopardizing our last hope to save the lighthouse.”
My face falls, and a shit-eating grin splits his face. He thumps a fist into my shoulder.
“Not even a choice. I’m happy for you, man. About damn time,” he says with a chuckle.
“Don’t get excited, it was a mistake. It won’t be happening again.”
No matter how desperate she had me with one kiss. Touching her. Holding her close...
My gaze is stuck on the house, and all of a sudden, I only want to be there.
“What did she say about it?” Em breaks my daydream.
“What?”
“What does Evie think about this?” Em waves a hand at me, like I’m the goddamn merchandise.
“Very funny.” I scoff. “She—actually, you know what, I don’t want to talk about it, Em.” I clap him on the shoulder and disembark the boat. He follows me.
“You can’t stay held up on this island by yourself for your entire life. Iris worries about you. She doesn’t want you to end up alone.” He’s calling out to me now as I make my way back up the dock, heading for the house.
