Rival

by Cindy R. Wilson

  “You were leaving,” Pillar said matter-of-factly. She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “To go to the water?”

  Juno nodded.

  “You still think the thief is out there? Even Mom and Dad aren’t worried someone will bother us tonight. Not after what happened with Ty.”

  “No, I’m not worried,” Juno said, trying to give a casual shrug, even though she knew that wasn’t the case. They put her here in the boathouse to keep a lookout and gave her strict orders to blow the whistle if she saw anything—no matter who it was.

  “But you want to check,” Pillar said, voice softening. She smiled at Juno. “You want to make sure no one is coming back in here. I understand. I can go with you.”

  This was it—the moment she should be telling Pillar the truth. About leaving the community. Even about Maddox. About everything. She could trust Pillar.

  But it was all too much. And Rand and Stef were her parents, the people who were going to kill the next intruder in their community.

  “No, it’s okay. You should probably get back home,” Juno said, trying to keep her voice soft.

  She couldn’t do it. Not now. Not with how tense things were. She’d talk to Maddox first, make sure he was safe. Then she’d let things calm down and tell Pillar then. Tonight was probably the last time she’d be going out to the dock.

  She was about to tell Pillar that, but the words lodged in her throat. She didn’t want this to be the last time she saw Maddox. She wanted to know more about him and experience again that brief exhilaration when they’d reached the top of Victor Bridge and stared out over the city.

  And she wanted… Something fluttered in her chest. She wasn’t sure—she just knew it was a feeling she’d never had before.

  “I’ll cover for you,” Pillar said, nodding. “Make sure Mom and Dad stay at home.”

  Her throat dried. She got so upset with Rand and Stef so often, she sometimes forgot how good a friend Pillar was, and how family didn’t always come in traditional ways.

  She leaned in to hug her. “Thanks.”

  “Be careful,” Pillar said, her usual goodbye.

  “Always.”

  But the moment she turned, Juno hurried toward the beach. Maddox was probably already waiting. She could picture the quirk of his lips when he saw her, that half smile that was growing on her.

  Juno bit her lip. What was wrong with her? She had to lie to everyone just to be out here, and all she could think about was how much she wanted to see someone she wasn’t supposed to see.

  Keeping an eye out, she hurried to the last lamppost, just next to the dock on her side of the road. Maddox would be somewhere over there—or he’d leave a note if he couldn’t make it.

  At least they had that, some way of communicating if they couldn’t see each other. The beach on her end was deserted. It looked almost eerie without even the shadow of a person walking close by. Further back toward the road, she saw the light of a lantern on the other side.

  They were probably waiting for retaliation for what had happened to Ty. She had to admit, it was stupid for him to cross over—but what did they expect? They destroyed the nets. Did they think Juno’s community would just let them get away with it?

  She gritted her teeth and walked close enough to the water that it lapped over the sides of her shoes. Who cared? It was all so ridiculous. Juno knew she should worry about the other side and what had gone on in the past, but for the first time in her life, she was sick of caring about things that didn’t involve her. Tired of worrying about everything.

  She squinted but didn’t see anyone near the light pole. He wouldn’t stand her up again, would he? It seemed like he wanted to be around her as much as she wanted to be around him.

  “Juno!”

  Her head whipped toward the dock, just feet from the broken light. Her heart leaped when she made out a shadow, and then dread filled her stomach.

  She rushed to Maddox, already shaking her head. “You’re on my side of the border—”

  He held a finger to his lips and pointed. She turned to see what he was gesturing to and saw the lantern light getting closer.

  Then he took her hand and pulled her toward him. “Here,” he said quietly. “They can’t see us in the shadows under here.”

  They ducked under the closest beam of the dock, covered by darkness. She waited in silence, back pressed to the wood and shoulder pressed against Maddox’s as they both watched the lantern. Whoever it was walked closer and closer, making her mind run wild with worry.

  She might still technically be on her side of the border, but she was consorting with the enemy. She was in as much danger as him.

  When the light started to move away, she blew out a slow breath and then whipped around to face Maddox.

  “What are you doing?” she hissed.

  He blinked, eyes dark in the shadows of the dock. “What?”

  “You were supposed to meet me at the border. This is really stupid.”

  He didn’t respond, and she took a step in his direction.

  “Are you trying to get caught? Being over here is—”

  “Safer,” he said, voice growing hard. He pointed to the light post. “Everyone can see us standing there.”

  Her mouth popped open automatically to argue, but she wasn’t sure what to say.

  “Under here, I can talk to you—no one can see us,” he continued, making guilt flicker. “Unless you’d rather I go.”

  She deflated, shaking her head. “No, don’t go. I’m just…I’m sorry.”

  He’d been trying to protect her—or both of them. He was right. Standing out by the post right now would have been dangerous with people patrolling on his side.

  She could practically hear him rolling his eyes.

  “I can tell how hard that was for you to apologize,” he said gruffly, his shoulders hunched. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “No—Maddox.” She tried to find his eyes in the shadows but could only make out the general shape of his face. “I shouldn’t have gotten mad.”

  “It’s fine.”

  His voice still held a hint of hurt, so she moved another step forward. A wave swelled against the shore and almost reached their shoes. “It’s not fine. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. In fact, I should be saying thank you.”

  “Thank you?”

  “Yep. Thank you for coming.” She smiled, and it sounded in her voice when she spoke again. “Thank you for looking out for me.”

  Another wave crashed nearby, and she felt the spray of the water on her face. He kept silent long enough that her cheeks started to burn. Okay, maybe he’d been looking out for himself just as much.

  “You’re welcome.” He shifted when the water swelled near their feet, bringing him a step closer. Close enough that her breath caught.

  She gave him a playful shove, laughing when his shoes splashed in the ocean. “You scared me.”

  His smile flashed in her direction. “Thought I was the thief? Coming back to steal more fish?”

  She grumbled a response and then cast a quick look around to make sure they were still alone. “No. Now I don’t really know what to think.”

  He was quiet for a long moment, the words hanging between them as the waves crashed nearby. “Me, either. Someone was after more than just your fish.”

  “What do you think they’re after?”

  Maddox scratched his chin. “A fight? I’m not sure. My mom said…”

  His voice trailed off, and she sought out his eyes in the shadows, trying to find some indication of what he was thinking. “What did your mom say?”

  He cleared his throat and shifted from the shadows so she could see his eyes. “It looks like we’re safe now.”

  Juno glanced back toward the lantern. It was so far away she could barely see it now. And her side of the beach was still deserted, enough that it felt safe to step out from the shadows for a moment. She watched Maddox as the moon moved through feathered clouds and highlighted his features. He lo
oked upset—no, worried, like he had news he didn’t want to share.

  “What’s wrong?” Juno asked.

  She didn’t have to know much more about Maddox to realize he didn’t take life as seriously as she did. Whether he was worried often or not, he didn’t look it. While she hunted for food and answers about the Scorpion, or fretted over her fish and crab, he was making jokes and making light of her worries. So what had him concerned all of a sudden?

  Maddox waved off her question. “It’s nothing.”

  Juno folded her arms. “What? You don’t trust me now?”

  His laughter rumbled out, irritating her again. “Trust you? When did I ever trust you? You’re the enemy, in case you’ve forgotten.”

  “I changed my mind. I’m not sorry. You’re an ass. You’re lucky I didn’t turn you in that first night you were here.”

  “I am lucky. Sooo lucky, Juno. You’re right.”

  She swiveled on the wet sand, searching for something to throw at him, but he held up his hands, face serious.

  “I called you the enemy,” he acknowledged. “You’re right. You are the enemy—or you’re supposed to be. But—”

  He broke off with a curse and tucked his chin to stare at his shoes. Hers had made a half-moon mark on the sand when she swiveled.

  “But what?” she asked, her voice lacking strength, her heart aching with something she couldn’t define. “But what?”

  “But I trust you. I don’t know why. We’re supposed to hate each other, but for some reason, I don’t.”

  The dam in her chest burst, letting emotions bubble out. No, she couldn’t keep convincing herself this was just an agreement. It was more.

  “I trust you, too,” she whispered, and was surprised to find she meant it.

  Chapter Twelve

  Maddox

  In the dark, Maddox couldn’t see the flecks of gold in Juno’s eyes that he knew were there, but that didn’t stop him from picturing her as he remembered her in the sunshine.

  It was dangerous territory, but in the partial moonlight, sitting side by side under the dock, it was hard to do anything but think of Juno. He should have been thinking of how he was going to escape if one of her guards came and found them together. Or how he was going to find the missing supplies. Or how he should never see Juno again. Instead, he could only think about her.

  In some ways, she seemed so innocent. Less concerned with the feud between their communities than the basics like food and water. Enamored with the idea of building something as simple as a rat trap. Excited about little things like climbing a bridge.

  He wished he were more like her. He knew how to set aside the bigger worries of life, but they were all still there, buried underneath the content surface he created. But Juno… She seemed genuinely happy about the things he took for granted.

  “We should probably get back soon,” Juno said.

  Maddox gave an absent nod but made no effort to move. Instead, he watched as her fingers traced circles in the sand, pictured reaching out and entwining his fingers with hers. It was like a drug—spending this time with her. Wanting more but knowing how dangerous it was.

  There were a million things hanging over them, but all he could think about was her.

  “Do you know who did it?” she asked.

  He swallowed and knew immediately what she was talking about—the beating of the man from her side that James and Theo had captured. “I’m sorry,” he murmured as guilt crashed in on him. “He’s okay, right?”

  She nodded, her head only a shadow in the darkness as they sat under the dock. As safe as they’d probably get. “Just bruises.”

  “He was on our side. He admitted it—”

  “I know, but someone destroyed our nets—”

  “I know,” he echoed, feeling sick. “I know. And I hate that someone did that. I understand why your guy was across the border. But the rest of my people don’t see it the same way. They only see black and white. He broke the rules, so he had to be punished.”

  Her lips moved like she was going to say something else, maybe even argue again. But finally, her shoulders drooped. “It’s not going to stop, is it? Unless everyone stays away from each other.”

  His stomach dropped. If everyone did that, they might be okay. But that didn’t mean they would be better off. It would be an echo of what they’d already been doing—just getting by. Not using all their resources. Focusing more on a feud than on surviving.

  Besides, he didn’t think Theo would let it go that easily. Not now. Not after he’d already seen people walk onto their side of the border.

  “What about your food and supplies?” she asked, voice soft. “Do you think one of us took them?”

  He crossed his legs on the sand and stared at empty features until he could finally make out her eyes, nose, and mouth. Until he could trace the line of her hair as it dangled over her shoulders. “I don’t know what to think.”

  “Do you have any theories?”

  He lifted his eyebrows. Theories? “Probably doesn’t matter at this point.”

  She reached out and poked his leg, surprising him. “Come on. Tell me what you think. We’re supposed to be figuring this out together.”

  He didn’t miss the undercurrent of hurt in her voice or the jump of pleasure in his heart that she’d touched him. They were a team, and he appreciated that she still wanted to do this together. “You’re right.”

  She sniffed. “That’s better. Keep going.”

  It made him laugh and made him relax again. He did trust Juno—even when he shouldn’t. He also trusted his instincts, and they told him Juno was a good person.

  “Uh…” He rubbed his hands over his face as ideas occurred to him. “My supplies vanished at the same time your fish were stolen.”

  “We already know that.”

  She reached out to poke his leg again, but he caught her hand. He didn’t miss her quiet intake of breath or the way her cold fingers curled into his palm.

  “No, listen, Juno. They stole my supplies, which are hidden and locked in a storage closet close to my house. Your fish are out here in the open—not hard to find. But mine…someone had to know where to look.”

  “What are you saying?”

  He squeezed her fingers, not wanting to say it out loud.

  “You think it’s someone from your community,” she whispered.

  “Maybe.”

  “Not necessarily.”

  She moved her hand so her fingers linked with his, strengthening that connection. He was almost distracted again, on the verge of telling her to forget it. He didn’t get moments like this often, where his mind was at peace and the little pleasures were easier to embrace. Like holding a girl’s hand. Like wanting to kiss her and feel her breath touch his lips.

  “Maddox,” she said.

  “What?”

  “Someone could have followed you. If they did, they’d have found your supplies. It doesn’t mean it’s someone from your community.”

  “Who else then? Someone from this side of the border?”

  She didn’t answer right away, and even in the dimness, he could see the doubt on her face. “I don’t know.”

  He sighed. “Which is what we’re supposed to be figuring out.”

  “How?”

  “Maybe I should be watching my supply closet. I could restock it and wait outside of it to see if that person comes back.”

  “How do you know they will?”

  “I don’t.”

  “I’ll help you.”

  He angled his head. “With what?”

  “The stakeout. Watching your supply closet.”

  He drew in a slow breath, considering the offer. Although it made him appreciate this moment even more, and appreciate her, he shook his head. “You can’t.”

  “If it helps you, helps the community…”

  Her voice trailed off, but he felt another flicker inside. Juno didn’t seem to care about reuniting the communities the way he did, but she’d sti
ll do this for him. And right now, that meant a lot to him.

  “It’s dangerous.”

  “And it’s safe for you to be here?” she asked.

  “This is different,” he said.

  She pulled her hand from his, and before he could reach for it again, she stood to brush sand from her pants.

  “Juno—”

  “You think I don’t know how dangerous all this is? My parents—I mean Rand and Stef—they would kill me if they knew I was out here with you. And they wouldn’t be any kinder to you.”

  He tried to keep his voice even. “They wouldn’t kill you.”

  “Don’t be so sure.”

  The seriousness in her voice made him pause. They’d really do that to her? But that made him wonder about Theo and James. What would they do if they caught him talking with the enemy?

  They were both in more danger than either of them was letting on. They were just one mistake or one moment of bad timing away from ruining something that was amazing.

  Juno looked over, lifting her chin. “I’m not afraid.”

  “Juno…” He curled his fingers into a fist, trying to keep his hands from her. “I know you’re not. But I’m afraid. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  Which it would if he kept seeing her. And she knew it as well as he did.

  He saw her shoulders move with a deep breath, taking in the words he might have been too afraid to say to anyone else—even his own family. Words like that made him vulnerable. In his life, in his world, being vulnerable could only hurt you.

  That’s what Theo always told him. Don’t show your weak side; don’t let them see your vulnerabilities. Be strong.

  But even after all the years he’d heard that, he’d ignored it to tell Juno the truth. A girl he’d only just met. A girl he couldn’t help but be drawn to even though he knew there was no way anything between them would work.

  “I need to get back,” she said, voice so soft he could barely hear it above the water.

  “Juno…”

  A wave crashed nearby, and saltwater speckled his cheeks. Theo was right—being vulnerable was a bad idea.

  “Be careful going back over the border,” she said before she turned. “Just in case.”

  He doubted she’d hear it, but he answered her anyway. “Bye, Juno.”