Page 58 of Acadia Falls

“Shit, you must be desperate.”

He shrugged. “More like lonely.”

My brother rarely, if ever, talked about his feelings. His words hung between us for a moment. I sighed. “Like I told you, M.B. would be lucky to have you. So would any other girl.”

He grunted. “Why don’t you just drink your coffee with oat milk and stay single for the rest of your life, huh? Or do you want to go find Trey and Cuddy and get into a fight?”

I perked up immediately. “That sounds good.”

Tommy’s eyes glittered. “Right? Enough talking about women. Enough talking about these empty lots. I’d much rather smash my fist in Cuddy’s ugly, fat face.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice.” We hopped into the truck, and for the first time that morning, I smiled.

“There they are. Fuckers.” Tommy spit off the boat.

We watched as they inspected the trap they’d pulled on board. It appeared empty, not a lobster in sight. “I hope his uncle left him some money because Trey sure sucks at fishing,” I said.

“Yeah, he does. How do you want to handle this?”

“It’s almost quitting time—they go back early.” I checked my watch. “I’m thinking we turn around and wait for them at the dock. They won’t be expecting that.”

“We’re going to fight them right there? In public?”

I shrugged. “Might as well. Fuckers cut our lines. It’s probably about time we let everybody know that we aren’t going to stand for any shit.”

Tommy whistled and steered the boat back toward the harbor. “You are in a bad mood, huh?”

I gave him a death look. Lucky for him, he knew better than to say another word.

We drove by the Vejas’s boathouse and private dock. Little Alex Vejas was climbing out of Tori Blaisdell’s boat. She was carrying about nine thousand shopping bags. She saw us, gave us a big smile, and waved.

“Apparently, Alex doesn’t know you broke up with her best friend,” Tommy said. “I don’t think she’ll be smiling at us like that the next time we see her.”

“I’m sure Maran’s already over it.” My stomach twisted at the thought. “You know those city girls—they love their flings with the locals.”

“No, I don’t know.” Tommy steered the boat to the co-op’s dock. “Alex still seems like she’s partying and living off her trust fund, but Maran’s not like that. She seems more, I don’t know… More genuine.”

I snorted. “Look at you, getting all philosophical. They’re going to love you on Tinder.”

“Shut up, Jack.”

“No problem.” I tipped my hat at him and shut my mouth. But I couldn’t stop thinking about Maran. She was at Alex’s, studying for the bar, while her friend was out shopping. She was probably having a pretty shitty day, courtesy of one Jack Brennan.

I was having a shitty day, too. Which was why I was so excited to bash Trey in the face.

We reached the co-op’s dock. It was busy at this hour, with fishermen coming in, locals taking their boats out, and tourists arriving on the mailboat. A couple of families with young kids waited on the adjoining dock, watching the comings and goings of LSI life.

Tommy and I tied up, climbed off the boat, and waited. Old Ralph from the co-op came out, wearing his faded flannel shirt, watching us from beneath his ever-present knitted cap. “You two skip fishing today?”

“Yep.” Tommy’s tone indicated he didn’t feel like talking about it, but that didn’t stop the old man.

“What the heck’s the matter with you, huh? This about that manganese business again?”

“No, Ralph.” I could tell Tommy was using what was left of his patience. “We had some work to do on our lot.”

“You building a house?” Ralph perked up. “Are you and M.B. finally getting your act together? It’s about time!”

My brother looked like steam was about to pour out of his ears. “No, we were just cutting down some trees. Taking care of things.”