It had a note of finality to it that he didn’t intend but knew was necessary. Maybe she knew it, too. They belonged on different sides of a line made long before they knew what it was for.
It was already over before they’d even met.
Maddox waited until her shadow vanished behind a building before he hiked across the beach to his territory. Sand filled his shoes, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to be home, in bed, forgetting this entire night happened.
When he reached the border, he stared at his side of the beach, the place where he’d lost his father. This was why it was better to stay away from Juno. Even if they hadn’t had anything to do with what happened here, they were allied to their own people.
The only thing that could ruin the relative peace that had come over the years was two kids breaking the rules—and that didn’t just put him at risk. It put Juno at risk as well.
But it seemed like the communities were going to stay at war with or without his and Juno’s help.
Maddox trudged back home, sand still falling from his shoes onto the pavement. Now that he was away from the breeze of the water, the air was hot, his neck sticky from sweat. He gave it an angry swipe.
Maybe if Juno had turned back and told him to wait, to stay with her a little longer, then he wouldn’t feel like something had ended—something that had only started.
He slowed his footsteps when he reached the house. He fumbled for the handle on the front door then silently cursed when it squeaked open. It probably hadn’t done that when he’d been a kid. It sounded like back then everything had been easier, simpler, smoother. Better. He could have been friends with Juno, and no one would have blinked.
Maddox shut the door and listened for any noise from his mom or Theo. When the house remained quiet, he walked up the stairs, wincing at every creak the floor made, all the way until he reached his bedroom.
He spotted the lump in Theo’s bed and heard quiet breathing before walking to his own bed and sitting on the end. He pulled off his shoes, and sand sprinkled the floor.
“Where were you?”
Maddox jumped at Theo’s voice, more sand falling to the ground. He set his feet down, trying to cover the mess he’d made. “I…I went for a walk.”
Theo sat up. “Why?”
Maddox used his sock to brush the sand under the bed, reminding himself he needed to clean it up the next morning. He turned to face his brother’s shadowy form, irritation from the last couple of days bubbling up. “Why? Because Mom told me about Dad and what happened on the beach. Because I’m sick of secrets.”
Theo swung his legs over the side of the bed. For a moment, Maddox didn’t care if his brother saw evidence of his walk in the sand. He didn’t need permission to go for a walk—especially not from someone who hid the truth half the time. Someone who was trying to act like his father and doing a terrible job of it.
“I’m just making sure you’re not getting yourself into trouble,” Theo said.
“You’re not Dad.”
Silence fell between them. If it had been anyone else, Maddox would have thought he’d hurt their feelings. But not Theo. He only cared about the bottom line—taking care of the community, no matter what.
“I’m tired,” Maddox said when Theo didn’t answer. He yanked off his socks and chucked them onto the ground. “I’m going to sleep.”
He waited for Theo to argue, to engage in a fight Maddox was only too happy to have. A fight he wanted to have with Juno because she’d walked away.
But instead, Theo said, “Sure. Night.”
Maddox flopped back on his pillow and pressed his hands over his eyes. He might be spoiling for a fight, but he certainly didn’t need Theo questioning his whereabouts—especially now, when he had no idea if he’d ever see Juno again.
Chapter Thirteen
Juno
For a week straight, Juno helped the community retie the ropes for the nets while Cam and the others patrolled the border. Everyone was tense, but nothing else happened.
It was almost as if the incidents at the border had been a bad dream. Almost as if her interaction with Maddox had never taken place.
But she couldn’t help but wonder if her meeting with him had been the problem in the first place. Her people had seen him at the border and started patrolling more, which made the other side tense, and then things had escalated from there.
Maybe them saying goodbye to each other had helped more than it had hurt. Though, Juno had a hard time believing that because she couldn’t get him out of her mind. The way he’d smiled at her. The way he’d listened to her. She didn’t have that with her family, and now that she’d gotten a glimpse of it—of feeling important to someone—she missed it.
Bad.
“Juno.”
At the sound of Stef’s voice, she looked up from the rope she was tying, her heart flying into her throat. Stef coming to the boathouse couldn’t be good. In fact, any time Stef needed to talk to her, it was bad.
Juno saw Pillar glancing over from the other side of the table, her lips pinched. Pillar was thinking the same thing.
“I need to speak with you,” Stef said.
It hit Juno, then. She knew Juno had been meeting Maddox on the beach.
She made up her mind at that moment. She wouldn’t turn Maddox in. He hadn’t done anything to hurt anyone, and if she turned him in, they’d kill him. This was the exact reason she’d walked away from him that night at the dock. Once he’d said the words, admitted that he wanted to spend time with her, she’d locked up. She wanted to spend time with him more than anything, which meant it was going to hurt even more when it ended.
Or worse, when one of them was caught.
Juno stood and followed Stef out the boathouse door, her stomach cramping with worry. Instead of welcoming her, the sun teased out a headache. She clasped her hands together tightly to keep them from shaking.
Stef stopped by the benches at the front of the building but didn’t sit. Instead, she stared toward the water and waited until Juno had found a spot on the seat.
“I’m sure you know why we’re having this discussion,” Stef said, still staring at the water.
Juno slid down on the bench. “I think so.”
“Then you understand why I can’t have you on duty in the boathouse anymore. Or fishing.”
She swallowed, confusion racing through her. Wait—Stef knew about Maddox, but she was only taking her off boathouse duty and reassigning her from fishing? It couldn’t be that easy, could it? “Um…yes?”
“Good.” Stef turned, her head angled. Juno could barely meet her eyes. Underneath the disappointment running through her, there was genuine fear. She had no idea what was going to happen to Maddox now. “You’re taking this better than I thought you would.”
“Where—I mean, if I’m not going to fish…what…?”
What was going to happen now? Would they turn her over to the other side, or would Rand and Stef actually keep this a secret and let her be?
“In the garden. Full time.” Stef turned back, her hands on her hips. “I don’t think you can mess anything up there.”
Her mouth dropped open as more confusion swept over her. The garden? That was her punishment?
Stef sighed. “Really, Juno. What did you think was going to happen? Someone came into the community to destroy the nets on your watch. Ruined our chance for fish until we can fix them.”
She stood from the bench, suddenly realizing Stef and Rand didn’t know anything about Maddox. They were just upset about losing food. And they should be, but it wasn’t her fault.
“I had no idea—” she started.
Stef held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it. We trusted you to do your job, and you failed.”
Stunned, Juno just stood there while Stef struggled to get herself under control. “We need someone we can count on, and we can’t count on you.” Stef glanced away before setting her jaw and turning back to Juno. “Also, Rand and I think it would be best
if you don’t stay with us anymore. It’s a disruption.”
Her heart stuttered to a near stop. A disruption? She didn’t even have time to respond before Stef turned and walked away as if she’d just dealt with a pesky gnat and now things could go on like normal.
Juno sat on the bench and wrapped her arms around herself. A disruption. That’s all she was. A disruption who was a failure.
Where was she supposed to live? If she was a burden on Stef and Rand, she was going to be a burden on someone else, too.
Why hadn’t she just stayed near the bridge when she had the chance?
She swallowed again and stood. The bridge—that’s where she had to go. If she wasn’t wanted here, she’d go there. It had been the original plan, anyway, just delayed. Now, she was back on track.
Juno’s lips trembled. That was it. She’d go to the bridge now. No sense in waiting anymore.
Without telling Pillar what she was doing, Juno walked down the boathouse steps and started toward the street.
She stumbled on a tree root but didn’t stop. Today…today was the day she set herself free.
She’d already walked a mile before she realized how hot it was. How she’d forgotten water. How she should have at least brought something to eat and maybe a few more supplies to get herself started.
But she wasn’t going to give Stef the satisfaction of seeing her go back. Juno could make her own life and take care of herself just fine.
The sun beat down on her, but she didn’t slow down…even when tears threatened to spill and a sob slipped out.
Juno ignored the looks people gave her as she neared the bridge. She was a slobbering mess, but it wasn’t anyone’s problem but hers. All she wanted was to get to the bridge, climb up to where she was by herself, and let it all out.
The emotion. The sadness. And the fear.
And then, then, she’d force herself to get on track. To be a big girl and take care of herself.
With another sob, Juno started to climb the side of the bridge.
Chapter Fourteen
Maddox
Maddox rubbed his hands over his face then tilted his chin when clouds eclipsed the sun, giving him a reprieve from the blinding light. It was about time. They’d had nothing but sunshine for the last three weeks, and it was starting to grate on his nerves.
Theo kept sending men down to the beach in groups to gather water to boil, day in and day out, to keep up their supply. Maddox knew he should be helping, but he was bad company lately. Scavenging seemed the best course of action.
And also a better use of his time.
He still couldn’t seem to forget about Juno. Maddox tucked his satchel under his head and reclined where he sat on the top of Victor Bridge and closed his eyes. An image of her face came to mind immediately—strong nose, full lips, eyes that he could drown in.
He exhaled. Even the thought of her relaxed him. Made him imagine a world that was so different from the one where he lived—a world where they could walk hand in hand anywhere they wanted. Where he could kiss her without worrying about the consequences.
But that’s all it was. A dream.
His eyes opened at the sound of metal clanging nearby. He frowned and lifted onto his elbows, but when he heard the gasp, he bolted to his feet.
Maddox ran to the edge of the bridge to peer down at the beam he’d just ascended, and his heart lodged in his throat. “Juno!”
Her cheeks were white as she dangled from the metal beam, her fingertips curled around the edge. “I—I slipped. Maddox, I don’t—”
“Hold on—just hold on. I’m coming…”
He was already scrambling down the side of the bridge, heart beating so hard he heard the roar of blood in his ears. He made it to her in seconds, soothing her with reassuring words until he reached the beam above her.
“I’m going to fall,” she said through clenched teeth. Her cheeks were streaked with tears.
“No, you’re not. Hold on—you hear me? You’re not going to fall.”
He stretched out on the beam above her, the metal hot on his stomach when his shirt hitched up. He extended his hand, fingers just inches from brushing hers. “Take my hand.”
“I—I can’t. I’ll fall. Maddox—”
The raw terror in her voice shook him to the core. “Look at me. Juno—right here. Look right here.”
Her head lifted, and it killed him when he saw another tear slide down her cheek.
“You need to take my hand. I promise I won’t let you fall.”
Juno’s breath caught. After another moment that felt like eternity, she nodded.
He didn’t dare watch her legs, which swung several feet above the concrete below. He kept his gaze on her hand and held his own steady to grab hers when she was ready.
“Now…reach out and take my hand.”
Her cheeks went even whiter—as white as her fingertips, which barely clung to the lip of the beam. She really wasn’t going to be able to hold on much longer.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Maddox…”
“Take my hand, Juno. Right now.”
She looked up. Her gaze connected with his. Then, with a boost of energy, she reached out, palm slapping his. He caught it, his grip tight.
“Good, Juno. Hold on. I’ve got you.” His arm already shook under the weight, but he kept his voice calm. “Swing your legs up. Get onto that beam.”
It took a few tries, but then her legs were up on the wide beam. She still kept her hand in his, though her grip was weak.
“You got it?” he asked, jaw tight.
“I’m good. I’ve got it.”
But he couldn’t let go. He couldn’t get the image of her swinging from the beam out of his head.
“Maddox,” Juno said, squeezing his hand. “I’m fine. I’ve got it.”
He slowly released her, making sure she was safe on the beam below him before he settled himself and shook out his aching arms.
“Don’t move,” he said, voice firm.
To his surprise, she chuckled. Even though he could hear her voice shaking, it helped him relax.
“I’m okay. I told you…I just slipped. I—”
“What were you doing?”
“Climbing to the top.”
“But it’s dangerous. Clearly.”
She frowned, color blooming in her cheeks. “What’s your problem?”
His mouth snapped open to argue with her, but nothing came out. He’d sounded just like Theo, and he realized it was a reaction to the fear he might lose her.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, staring at his hands as he flexed them to get the blood flowing again. She did the same, and his guilt increased. “Let’s get down.”
“No.”
“What?”
“No. I was going up to get away from the world. If you don’t want to be up there anymore, that’s fine. But I’m still going.”
The urge to argue flared again, especially at the defiant look on her face. But then he pushed out a grin, telling himself to relax. She slipped. It was okay.
And she was here. After a week thinking she wanted nothing to do with him, after convincing himself to stay far, far away from her, he was seeing Juno again.
It was what he’d been dreaming about up on the bridge, and now it was happening.
“All right,” he said. “But be careful.”
She grinned back. “You sound like Pillar.”
“Who’s Pillar?”
“My friend,” she said. “I’ll tell you about her when we get to the top.”
He waited for Juno to catch up to him and then kept an eye on her as they both climbed to the top of Victor Bridge. After Juno vanished over the edge and he knew she was safe, he heaved himself up and then rolled over to lie on his back.
Juno was in the same position, staring at the sky. Her arm settled against his, a solid connection.
He listened to her breathing as it slowed and allowed himself to close his eyes for a long moment and calm the beating
of his heart. She was okay. And she was here.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that alive,” she whispered.
Maddox opened his eyes, shifting to prop his head on his hand so he could look at her. “There might be better ways to accomplish that in the future.”
She laughed, making him laugh. Soon, all the tension in his shoulders had drained away.
“You’re right,” she said, eyes crinkled at the corners. “And don’t tell me how much you like hearing that. I know already. But still…I needed this. I…”
He waited for her to continue, but she didn’t. Her eyes were conflicted, reflecting dark clouds that were coming in heavier now. He was grateful, this once, for the sun, that it hadn’t started to rain while Juno was hanging from the beam. She would have slipped for sure.
“Why did you come here?” Maddox asked, voice soft.
Something had changed her mind. Something had brought her all the way here, seeking him out, or maybe just hunting for freedom.
“I told you, I needed this. I needed…” She ducked her chin, her voice trailing off.
“What?”
“I needed to see you.”
He reached out, fingers clasping hers. She was right about feeling more alive. Dangling from Victor Bridge wasn’t the answer, but being around her was.
“I needed this, too.” But he had to say it. “Are you sure you want to be out here with me? The other day on the beach…”
“I was scared. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“I don’t want you to get in trouble, either,” he said, understanding completely. She’d walked away from him to help him, not to hurt him. And he’d stayed away from her for the same reason.
But he didn’t want to anymore.
“It’s a risk,” she whispered, eyes tracing the features of his face as he stared down at her.
“One I’m willing to take.”
Her lips curved. “Me too.”
Maddox leaned in, releasing her hand to run his fingers down her cheek. To tilt her chin up so their mouths aligned. When her lips touched his, he heard a moan escape and couldn’t tell whether it was him or her who had done it.
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