Shawn was at my heels. He grabbed my shoulder and spun me before I made it out of the kitchen.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“I’m losing my mind,” I said throwing my hands into the air. “I just invited strangers to stay with us. Strangers. We don’t know anything about them.”
Shawn ran his fingers through his hair. “We have a choice here. We can be the people that turn others away or we can be the people that help others. There is a reason you invited them to stay. You invited me to stay, Kieran, Lucy… everyone. That’s what I really like about you.”
Gage coughed and my heart jumped into my throat. I pulled at my lip as I looked into Gage’s eyes.
“I’m sorry I invited them,” I said. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s fine. We should. It’s the right thing to do,” Gage said shaking his head.
“Oh, I thought you were going to be mad.”
Gage’s lips curled at the ends. “Why would I be mad? I was just coming to ask if you wanted to join me.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“I wanted to check out that house down the road,” Gage said. His eyes locked with mine. “I was hoping you’d come with me.”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, sure, of course. When?”
Gage raised a brow. “Now.”
7
Joss
Liam held the notebook against his chest. His eyes darted from one of us to next as if he was waiting for an explanation.
“Is she okay?” he finally asked.
Caleb and Robby were doing their best to keep Jenna on her feet as her teeth clenched together. The tendons in her neck protruded as she moaned again.
“I don’t know,” I said.
“Does this happen a lot?” Liam asked.
I couldn’t tell him Jenna was pregnant. It wasn’t my place.
“No, not a lot,” I answered.
“So, it’s happened before?” he asked.
I nodded. “Once before.”
“Then we really need to get her back to the town,” Liam said.
“Why?” I asked my head cocking sharply.
“Because there is a doctor there,” Liam said. “If we can get her back to him, maybe he can help.”
Robby straightened slightly. “You better not be lying about this place or the fact that there is a doctor there.”
“I’m not,” Liam said checking his notebook again. “I just got turned around somehow. You’ll see when we get there, I promise.”
“Let me see the map,” Robby said.
Liam handed him the notebook. Robby narrowed his eyes.
“Where are we?” Robby asked.
“Here,” Liam said pointing to a squiggle.
“Thought you said you were good at drawing?” Robby asked.
Liam shrugged. “I guess maybe not great at maps but look at the pages in the back.”
Robby flipped the pages. His eyes popped open when he spotted the first drawing.
“I know a little risqué but not bad, right?” Liam asked.
“Um, yeah, not bad. Also, not at all what I was expecting,” Robby said.
“I guess my drawing skills don’t translate to map-making.” Liam shrugged.
Robby shook his head. “They don’t. You sure you can find your way back?”
“I always do,” Liam said confidently.
“It’s getting dark,” I said tossing a look at Jenna. It seemed as though she was starting to come around. “She needs rest.”
Robby’s head bobbed as he smashed the book against Liam’s chest. “We’ll stop for the night and get a fresh start in the morning.” He chuckled as he smacked Liam on the shoulder. “I’d ask you if you knew of a place we could stop but something tells me that even if you did, we wouldn’t find it in time.”
Liam smiled but he didn’t laugh. “There was a place not that far back. I stopped before I spotted you. I can get us there.”
“Okay,” Robby said staring into his eyes. “Okay. Show us the way.”
It didn’t take long to find the small house. The building hadn’t been constructed for five people but we were going to find a way to make it work.
“This is one of those tiny houses,” Caleb said with his hands on his hips. “Neat. But small.”
“The bed is up there,” Robby said gesturing to a small space above the kitchen. He kept his eyes fixed on Jenna. “Can I help you up?”
Jenna offered him a thin smile. “Thanks, I can manage.”
“You sure?” Caleb asked.
“Yes,” Jenna said. “I’m fine now.”
The door squeaked as Liam pushed it open. Robby shot him a look.
“Where are you going?” Robby snapped.
“Start the generator,” Liam said.
“Oh,” Robby said softly. He cleared his throat. “Need help?”
Liam shrugged. “If you want but it’s not hard.”
I stood in the doorway, watching as they walked to the side of the tiny house. Their voices were barely loud enough to hear over the rain tapping against the roof.
“I think we have ten miles or so to go,” Liam said. “Do you think she’ll make it that far?”
Robby rubbed his hand against the back of his neck. “Yeah, probably. She’s tough. Determined.”
“The doctor will be able to help. He doesn’t have a lot of equipment but hopefully enough that he’ll be able to figure it out,” Liam said. “I can tell you’re all worried about her.”
“Yeah,” Robby said.
“She’s pregnant, huh?” Liam guessed.
Robby exhaled. “How did you know?”
“My girlfriend before all this way pregnant,” Liam said. “That didn’t happen to her but she had the same roundness. It was going to be a boy.”
“I’m sorry,” Robby said.
“Yeah, me too,” Liam said.
He bent down and jerked on the recoil rope. The generator started on the first try.
“There we go,” Liam said brushing his hands together. He laughed and they turned, heading back toward the house. “The first time that took me at least fifteen minutes.”
“I would have thought it was out of gas,” Robby said.
“I did too, which is why I topped it off. There’s a big jug on the other side of the house,” Liam said pointing into the darkness. “Then, when I was about to give up, it started.”
Back inside the house, Liam sat at the small table. He kept his head down as he sketched in the notebook. I knew he wasn’t working on the maps by how focused he was.
Robby paced back and forth in the small kitchen. Jenna and Caleb were above, tucked away in the bed. Their whispers were soft but I could still hear Caleb’s concern.
I stood at the window, staring off into the distance. I couldn’t see beyond the ten feet or so that glowed from the lights inside the tiny house.
“You should get some sleep,” Robby said.
“I’m not tired,” I replied without turning.
It was a lie, though. My reply had been automatic, I hadn’t meant to lie to Robby. I was trying to deceive myself, not him.
“We’re all tired,” Robby said.
“Why don’t you sleep?” I asked.
Robby widened his eyes and set them on Liam. He wanted to make sure one of us kept our eyes on him at all times. Of course, I could do that even if I didn’t exactly want to.
“You can both sleep,” Liam said.
I swallowed hard. Robby’s shoulders rose upward slowly and deflated back down slowly.
“Oh,” Liam said flicking his eyes upward. “I get it.”
“Get what?” Robby asked.
“That you need to make sure I won’t like kill you all or something,” Liam said.
Robby raised a brow. “Why would you say that?”
“Because that’s what you’re worried about and I don’t blame you,” Liam said. He laughed as his head moved side to side. “But if you knew anything about me at all, you’d re
alize how funny that idea is. I was vegan. I never killed a fly. If I saw blood, I’d pass out. I have no interest in killing anybody or anything.”
Liam looked down at his work. He didn’t have any interest in convincing us otherwise.
“If it makes you feel more comfortable, stay up,” Liam said tucking the pencil into the metal spiral of the notebook. “But I need to get some sleep. Mind if I take the sofa?”
The little couch wasn’t more than a large chair. Liam laid down, letting his legs hang over the side.
“Night,” Liam said.
“Night,” Robby replied.
It wasn’t more than ten minutes before Liam started snoring. His backpack was next to him but he held his notebook against his chest like it was his favorite stuffed animal.
Robby stepped up next to me and wrapped his arms around me. He kissed the side of my neck.
“What do you really think about all this?” Robby whispered into my ear.
I hesitated. “It’s nice to be out of the rain.”
“But what about this town?” Robby asked.
There was a flash of lightning in the distance. The rumble was quiet but it seemed to last forever.
I placed my hands over his. “I don’t know. But I also don’t think we have any other choice.”
8
Adam
Eva closed the door. She sauntered across the living room floor like she owned the place. Eve stopped at my dad’s side, keeping her eyes on me as she looped her arms around his.
It was… strange.
It was… intimate.
It was… sickening.
I wanted to grab the shimmery glass vase sparkling in the candlelight and throw it against the wall. The sound of it breaking into a million pieces would only satisfy me for a few seconds.
Not only was my heart pounding, but my stomach was swirling too. I was disgusted. Appalled. Furious.
It was like my dad had completely forgotten all about my mom. PTSD, my ass.
“I told your dad that we got separated,” Eva said. “I also told him you were in really rough shape. I’m kind of like really surprised you even found your way here.”
“I bet you are,” I said through my teeth.
My anger fueled her. She rested her head on my dad’s shoulder, blinking her eyes innocently.
“I don’t remember your size or I’d offer to find you something else to wear,” Eva said wrinkling up her nose. “You smell dreadful.” She looked up at my dad. “Martin, we’re going to have to get someone to clean this place after he leaves.”
“Whatever you want,” my dad said.
I swallowed down the lump at the back of my throat. It felt like a pin cushion as it made its way down to my stomach.
“Where’s Jack?” I asked.
“Jack wasn’t doing well after we split up,” Eva said. “He almost made it. We were seriously like five miles from finding this place when he passed.”
My dad patted her hand sympathetically. “It’s never easy to lose someone.”
I snorted. “Really? This is ridiculous. Jack passed?” I said mockingly. “What exactly happened to him?”
“I’m no doctor but I think it was a heart attack,” Eva said with a frown.
“A heart attack? Those don’t typically just strike people our age,” I said.
Eva placed her hand on her chest. “I know, that’s why it’s really sad. It was too bad. He was a nice guy. If he would have made it just a little further, he’d probably be okay. There’s a doctor here, right, Martin?”
“This is ridiculous,” I muttered.
“I tried to revive him,” Eva said chewing her lip for a long moment before sniffing in a dry breath. “But I didn’t know what I was doing. I don’t really know CPR.”
“No kidding,” I said. “Dad, what’s going on here?”
The bathroom door opened and Leah walked out. She stopped and stared at us.
Eva looked her up and down, clearly not knowing there had been anyone else in the place. “Who’s this?”
“You’re asking me?”
“Who else should I ask?” Eva asked.
“You stand there, acting all prim and proper… calling my dad by his first name and you’re asking me?” My voice raised with each word.
My dad held up his hand. “Now, Adam. I understand this might be a little strange.”
“A little strange?” I said throwing my hands into the air. “Did you forget about mom?”
My dad’s eye widened. Eva placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Jesus, Adam! What’s wrong with you?” Eva asked.
“Everything okay?” Leah asked from my side. I hadn’t even heard her approach.
“Not really,” I said much too sharply.
Eva stepped toward Leah. I glared at her but she stuck out her hand and smiled.
“I’m Eva,” she said. The sugary sweetness to her voice was absolutely fake. Eva had always used it when meeting someone new because she didn’t know if it would be someone she’d need on her side or not. “You are?”
“Leah.” She took Eva’s hand and gave her a firm shake.
“You brought Adam here?” Eva asked.
Leah tilted her head slightly. “He brought me.”
“Surprising,” Eva said. “I’m sure you’re just being overly kind to him. Need to be gentle with his ego. We have to be strong for our men.”
“This is crazy,” I said.
“Adam!” my dad said in a voice that rumbled the furniture. “That’s enough.”
“Are you kidding me?” I said.
I should have blurted out everything Eva had done to me but I worried that he wouldn’t believe me. He was blinded by whatever was going on.
“That darn temper of yours,” Eva said clicking her tongue.
I sucked in a breath. There was no doubt in my mind she was trying to aggravate me. She wanted my dad to question the person I’d become.
Why? I wasn’t entirely sure but Eva had something up her sleeve. She always did.
“Adam,” My dad said forcing calmness. “Let’s get you to a room. We have plenty of time to catch up. I’m sure you're tired and weary from your travels.”
“Yeah, damn straight,” I said hiding my clenched fists. “I’m incredibly weary.”
“Oh, Adam,” Eva said. “You’re always weary.”
My dad squeezed Eva’s shoulders. “Oh, come on now. I know how you two like your bickering but now is not the time.”
“You’re right, Martin,” Eva said.
A short breath escaped from between my lips. It was like I suddenly forgot how to breathe.
“Follow me,” my dad said gesturing toward the door. “Donovan will set you up with one of the best suites in the place. You remember Donovan Tate, don’t you, son?”
I shook my head. “Not really.”
“Well, pretend you do. Be respectful. He saved this room for you,” my dad said.
“Okay,” I said. I rubbed my forehead with my fingertips. My brain was a jumbled mess. I needed to get somewhere quiet.
I still was sure what the hell was going on inside the resort. And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know.
My dad led us to the door across the hall and knocked. It wasn’t more than a few seconds before the door opened.
A man with thick-framed glasses and even thicker eyebrows looked at me. The smile on his face displayed his perfect set of white teeth.
“Adam,” he said sticking out his hand. “So good to see you again.”
“You too,” I said automatically as I shook his hand.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard you arrived,” Mr. Tate said. “Your dad must be over the moon.”
My dad grinned. “Beyond. Say, Donovan, do you have the key for their cottage?”
“Yes, sir,” Mr. Tate said holding it out in front of him. “Would you like someone to escort you over there?”
“That isn’t necessary,” I replied.
Mr. Tate turned to Leah. “Wha
t’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Leah,” she replied.
“What size are you?” Mr. Tate asked.
“Excuse me?” Leah said her eyes bulged.
Mr. Tate laughed. “We need your sizes to get you some new clothes. Let me grab my notepad.”
He disappeared into the room, leaving the door open. I turned to my dad.
“What’s going on with you and Eva?” I asked only daring a quick glance as we waited for Mr. Tate.
My dad shook his head. “Adam, she’s taking good care of me, okay?”
“You do know she was my girlfriend, right?”
“She said that was over a long time ago,” my dad replied shifting his weight. “Can we talk about this another time?”
“What about mom?” I asked.
My dad’s eyebrows squeezed together. “What about her? She’s gone. She’s not going to be coming back. She wouldn’t have wanted me to grieve forever.”
“Have you grieved at all?” I asked.
My dad frowned as he took a step back. “I need to go back. Mr. Donovan will take good care of you. See you later, son.”
“Dad,” I said but he just held up his hand and kept walking.
Mr. Tate returned seconds after my dad closed his door. He held out the notebook.
“Jot down your sizes and anything you might need to be stocked in your room,” Mr. Tate said.
When I didn’t take the notebook, Leah grabbed it with a smile. She clicked the back of the pen several times before meeting Mr. Tate’s eyes.
“What can we ask for?” she asked.
“Food, beverages, books,” Mr. Tate said with a shrug. “We have a pretty big supply area. Hell, sweetheart, if we don’t have it, I’m sure someone can get it for you. This isn’t your only request. You can ask for more anytime you like.”
Leah nodded. “Um, okay.”
She quickly scribbled down several things and handed him the notebook. Mr. Tate didn’t even look at what she’d written.
“You sure you don’t need someone to show you to your cottage?” Mr. Tate asked.
“Just tell us which way to go,” I said. “No reason for anyone else to go out there and get wet.”
The Reset Series | Book 4 | Swamp Page 4