Page 87 of The Pilot

“No, what’d you say?” Kash insisted.

“Fine. I said that you might be used to being homeless, but I’m not!”

Kash saw red—and he forced himself to breathe through his anger. He wasn’t surprised Ginger knew that he’d once lived in his mom’s car, but the fact that she was throwing it in his face right now was stupid. And ridiculous. And it hurt.

“From where I’m standing,” he said, in a controlled and even voice, “my life experiences have prepared me for this moment. And it wasn’t my ex who kidnapped me and brought me to an uninhabited island to suffer. It was yours. If it wasn’t for you being so mean to me all the time, I wouldn’t even be here, and you’d be by yourself. If Donny hadn’t thought it was so funny to strand you with the ‘biggest nerd in school,’ you’d be alone right now.

“I’m the one who got us into this house. I’m the one who found the blankets and the food, what little there is. And I’m the one who held you all night to keep you from freezing to death, and who comforted you when you cried.

“I’m sorry if my being homeless at one point offends you, Ginger, but my mom did the best she could. She always made sure I had food before she did, and I know without a doubt if push came to shove, she would’ve confronted one of the violent and desperate druggies who were always prowling around looking for money so they could get their next fix.

“You’ve never experienced any kind of hardship—and I’m happy for you. But you shouldn’t look down on those who are less fortunate, because as you found out yesterday, circumstances in life can change on a dime. One minute you’re minding your own business, happy in your popular clique at school, and the next you’re freezing, abandoned with the nerd you picked on all the time, and you have no idea when anyone will realize you’re missing and come find you.”

Kash was breathing hard by the time he finished speaking.

And he figured he’d better put some space between himself and Ginger, or he might say something he’d really regret.

“I’m gonna go check out the other houses. Stay here. Or don’t. I don’t care at the moment. I’ll be back—it’s not as if there’s anywhere else to go. I’ll bring back anything useful I might find for us to share . . . because as annoyed as I am with you right now, there’s no way I’d leave you to fend for yourself.”

He didn’t add that she might actually starve to death if he did that, but he so wanted to.

Instead, he stomped back toward the door and wrenched it open.

Ginger didn’t say a word behind him, and Kash wasn’t sure if he was happy or sad about that. All he knew was that, right now, outside was much preferable to being inside with someone who judged him for things that weren’t his fault. For surviving.

He’d like to see her live in a car in New York City. She wouldn’t last a day. She thought peeing in the woods was bad? Try peeing in a bottle because it was too dangerous to leave the safety of the car at night because of the people wandering around outside.

He shut the door behind him and headed in the direction of the closest cabin he hadn’t already checked out. Maybe he’d get lucky and find a fully stocked pantry and a generator with gas. He wasn’t holding out much hope for that, but never say never.

Linc hummed while he puttered around the kitchen on Sunday morning. Last night had been . . . he had no words. He and Harper had connected on a level they hadn’t before now. And it wasn’t just about sex, although that was amazing.

In between bouts of making love—on the couch, the kitchen table, the counter, in his bedroom, hers, the shower, and even on top of the washing machine while it was on the spin cycle, because she said she’d always wanted to try it—they’d talked.

He’d told her more stories about growing up on Lobster Cove, and she’d opened up about losing her mom and how it seemed to change her dad. They’d even talked about high school and the bullying. It had been more painful for Linc to see how remorseful Harper was for the way she’d treated him than it had been remembering how he’d felt back then.

He’d told her funny stories about being in the military, as well as some somber ones about losing a couple of friends. About how scared he’d been on certain missions, and how exhilarating it was to fly at the speed of sound high above the earth.

She shared more about her time in New York. Not all of it was bad. She’d met some amazing women, and had done things she’d never thought she would, like posing for Wilhelmina Models. But there were also the hard times she’d endured that made his heart hurt. Giving birth to Kash alone, scared to death about what was to come. Being so hungry, she’d stolen food out of a dumpster behind a restaurant at three in the morning when no one was around. How hard living in her minivan had been, and how she’d felt as if she’d failed as a mother.

He felt closer to her as a result and cherished every minute they spent together.

He’d left Harper sleeping in his bed—he’d kept her up extremely late, because he hadn’t been able to get enough of her. He’d lost count of how many times she’d orgasmed. Linc couldn’t wait to get his vasectomy, because then he wouldn’t have to worry about condoms and they could relax and not have to stress about an unwanted pregnancy.

As much as he loved spending one-on-one time with Harper, Linc was also very much looking forward to Kash getting home. He missed the little bugger. Missed his babbling about the solar system and black holes and nebulas. Missed teaching him things, the stuff his own father had taught him, like how to paint walls without leaving streaks, how to fix the vacuum cleaner’s motor. Missed the time he spent with him in this very kitchen.

Kash was a sponge, and it felt awesome to see him soaking in the positive reinforcement Linc tried so hard to give him. The kid was going to be a force when he grew up. It was going to take a very patient partner to keep up with him. To stimulate his mind and to nurture him.

But on the flip side, Kash would make an amazing partner in return. He was very in tune to the feelings of others and had a protective streak that rivaled that of Linc and his brothers. He’d seen it in the way he spoke to and about Harper, and even when he interacted with Britt, Marit, Evelyn, and, to some extent, his grandfather.

Since he was thinking about Kash, he picked up his phone from where he’d left it on the counter when he’d started breakfast, shooting off a quick text. It was early, he didn’t know the exact schedule of the competition, but he took a chance that Kash would already be awake. Excited about the day and the awards ceremony.

Linc: Hey, Bud, just checking in. How’s everything going? You good?

It took ten minutes, but when Linc heard his phone vibrate, he smiled. He rinsed his hands after cutting veggies for the tater-tot-and-egg casserole he was making, along with a huge pan of cinnamon rolls, since they were Kash’s favorite and he wanted them waiting for him when he got home later that afternoon. He reached for his phone.

Kash: I’m good.

Linc: Any idea what time you might be home today? I’m making your favorite . . . cinnamon rolls.