Page 118 of Bend

He reaches back, threads his fingers through mine, and for once I don’t let go

Chapter Sixteen

Echo

Ireland looks fake.

That’s the first thought that crosses my mind when the shuttle bus leaves the airport and the city slowly gives way to narrow roads, rolling hills, old stone walls, and more shades of green than I knew existed.

Not Florida green either.

There are no palm trees, manicured lawns, or tropical plants forcing their way through cracked sidewalks. This is darker and wilder.

Wet fields stretch toward the horizon beneath a heavy grey sky, broken up by weathered fences and houses that look like they’ve been standing there longer than most countries.

The ocean appears between the hills every few minutes, dark and restless, white foam gathering where the waves slam against the rocks.

Each time the road opens up, the wind coming off the water hits the side of the bus hard enough to shake it.

I rest my forehead against the cool glass and watch everything blur past.

Near the front of the bus, Revel has spent the last twenty minutes trying to convince the shuttle driver to let him connect his phone to the speakers.

“I’m just saying, this whole experience would be better with a great soundtrack,” he argues, half-standing in the aisle like the word no has never once applied to him.

Andre doesn’t even look back from the front. “Sit down.”

“I am sitting.”

“You are literally in the aisle, you twat.” Thorne adds, shaking his head.

“My ass is still touching the seat.”

Reign reaches over from across the row, grabs the back of Revel’s jacket, and yanks him down properly.

Revel drops back beside Cece with an offended grunt, rubbing at his neck like Reign nearly strangled him instead of moving him a whole six inches.

“See how they treat me, mama?”

Cece pats his thigh. “Uh, like a problem child?”

“Exactly.”

“Sounds about right.”

Laughter moves through the shuttle.

I smile with everyone else, but it doesn’t quite settle.

They’re all buzzing.

Even Talon, although his version of excitement mostly looks like sitting with his arms crossed and staring out the window like he plans to personally challenge the entire island. Sayshen has been taking pictures every five minutes.

Lena and Bexley are passing a phone back and forth, already looking up places they want to see if Andre gives us any actual free time.

We only landed a little while ago, and Andre already has everything stupidly organized.

Airport pickup, luggage, gear transport, even the Airbnb he booked for all of us.