Page 52 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

Seth rubs his eyes.“But that still doesn’t explain the missing kayaks.”

There are far too many numbers floating around for me to know exactly how many kayaks just mysteriously disappeared.

Mark waves us over to where the kayaks are usually stored.“They were here last night and gone this morning.We’ve never had a problem with theft.”

“Okay.You take Abi and head into town.Buy as many kayaks as you can from Walmart and something to lock them up with so they don’t get stolen again.You should have enough time if you go now.I’ll grab Levi and get him to repair the ones we’ve got here.”

Seth hands him a credit card.“And, Mark, next time there’s a problem like this, I need more than four hours heads up.If I’d known about the leaky kayaks, this wouldn’t be as big of a problem.”

Mark nods but doesn’t say anything and takes off up the path.Seth and I head up the other path toward the cabins to find Levi.Seth is quiet, his lips pinched together and his jaw tight.

“You okay?”I ask.

He glances back at me.“Yeah.I’m just worried.I know I can run this place and make it profitable, but I’m not sure any of my brothers could.They’re all good at what they do, but none of them are natural managers.”

“So.Stay here then.I don’t see the problem.”

“Mae, I don’t want to stay here.”He rolls his eyes.

I’m sure he’s frustrated I keep bringing it up, but he’s never explained why.At least not to my satisfaction.I don’t get why he feels trapped.“Why not?”

“To me, this place represents poverty and scarcity.I spent so much time trying to build something stable for myself.I can’t go back.I know that must seem shallow to you, but I like my life, and I don’t want to give it up.”

I’m at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond.He does sound shallow, but I can also understand it.As the oldest child, he likely had to bear the brunt of his family’s financial struggles.I’ve seen pictures of his makeshift outfit for high school graduation, wearing his father’s ill-fitting suit.Abi got a brand-new dress for graduation.She had a completely different upbringing than he did.

“But you don’t have to change who you are just because you’re back home,” I protest.

He sighs and mutters under his breath about losing his money by constantly buying kayaks.

I laugh, trying to lighten the mood, but deep down I worry that I’m not the right kind of girl for him.He’s used to fancy resorts and expensive toys while I’m content with simple pleasures.I may not fit into his glamorous lifestyle forever.

And that thought scares me more than I care to admit.

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SIXTEEN

Mae

It has been ages since I’ve been to the Liars table.I used to go with my dad all the time when I was a kid.It’s in another small-town restaurant about forty-five minutes from our house.Every Monday morning, a group of old men gathers there before it even opens.They make their own coffee and sit around and tell tall tales.They also talk about politics, Jesus, and who is sleeping with who.Honestly, they are worse than a group of gossipy women.

Abi and I started tagging along with our dads when we were in middle school.Mostly because it got us out of school sometimes when breakfast ran late.We loved the stories, and after a few months, we even started joining in on the conversation.It’s another reason I love it here so much.Everyone is family.Even if they live an hour away.

Dad is quiet on the ride over, but I shouldn’t have expected anything less.The silence still bothers me.Once upon a time, I’d chatter all the way there.I used to tell my dad everything, but lately, it seems like I can’t share anything with him.I would say it has to do with Seth, but it started before that.

When I came home between my sophomore and junior years of college, I’d talked to him about fixing up another one of the houses and making it my own for when I was done with college, and he shut that idea down so fast.He told me that over his dead body would I move back here.It was then that I realized he would never support my dreams.

Most of the men are already in the restaurant.Abi’s sitting next to her dad and has her head down on the table.I chuckle and pour three cups of coffee.I set one in front of my dad, one in front of Abi, and one for myself.

It’s hot and dark, just how I like it.I nudge Abi, but she just groans and covers her face.

“Look at the girls, home from college,” Bill practically shouts from the other side of the table.He raises his coffee cup in a mocking salute and takes a sip.We all copy him.“Tell us the stories of your adventures.”

“And don’t leave out the naked bits,” Ferdie replies.

“Hey, that’s my daughter,” Todd and Keith both say at the same time.

“I’m not talking about their naked bits, just any they witnessed.”

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