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Ijumped at shadows all week, sure a threat was lurking around every corner. That I’d turn and he’d be there. The text message, as innocent as it appeared on the surface, brought my past rushing back. I hadn’t been Anne-Marie in years. The only people who knew that name were associated with my old life. The one I wanted to forget.

By the time I got home Thursday, I was exhausted. If my family had truly found me, what did that mean? Did I go? Stay? I’d vowed never to get wrapped up with them again, but I didn’t want to abandon my new life.

It was possible they were just testing the waters. Fishing. If I didn’t respond, maybe I could continue my life as Anya Rose.

Vi arrived home not long after I did, and we fell into familiar patterns, chatting and making dinner together. It helped me pretend like things were normal.

Drew walked in just as we finished dinner. He smelled like a mix of popcorn and the sea, his hair covered with a ballcap that shadowed his eyes.

“Your timing is impeccable, Freeloader.”

Drew grunted. “Not for much longer, Vi. I’ve got a line on a place. With any luck, I move off your couch tomorrow.”

I felt a pang near my heart at his words. It was silly, really, but his presence last night had made me feel safe. I’d tossed and turned for hours after the anonymous text message, only falling asleep when I remembered no one was getting through Drew.

He turned to me, his dark eyes sincere. “I’ll miss you, but I’m not going far. Deb at the Anchor has an apartment for a live-in caretaker on her property. It sounds like I’ll be able to swap chores for a place to stay. She mostly wants someone she trusts there to keep guests from having large parties.”

Vi toasted him with her water glass. “No one does killjoy like you, Drew.”

I frowned. She wasn’t being fair. The way she and Zach teased Drew about being the oldest was starting to bother me.

“He’s just trustworthy,” I protested, realizing as I said the words that I meant them.

Violet smirked, arching her brows. “Huh. Looks like you have a fan, Drew. Maybe all this time, all you really needed was a party fortwo.” She waggled her brows, immune to my scowl. “Relax, Anya. You didn’t grow up with Mr. Starchy-pants here, scaring off your boyfriends. It’s a wonder I’m not still a virgin.”

Drew winced. “As far as I’m concerned, you are. I don’t need details about your sex life.”

“Thanks to you, Cole, and Zach, I barelyhavea sex life. Every man on this island is afraid of you. Tourist hookups are about all you’ve left me with.”

Drew clapped his hands over his ears. “Not listening.”

Violet scowled. I’d heard her complaints about her brothers’ overbearing behavior before, but I’d never seen it in person. The more I got to know Drew and Zach, the less likely it seemed. Zach was a giant goof ball, and Drew seemed too responsible.True, they cared about their sister, but I couldn’t imagine men in town being truly afraid of either of them.

Maybe she saw the doubt in my expression. Violet reached out, gripping her brother’s nose between her knuckles, her expression fierce. “Admit what you did to Adam Knowles.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Drew’s denial came out nasally, and I held back a grin. Violet twisted her fingers. “Ow.”

“Tell her.”

I watched, eyes wide. This was a side of my friend I’d never seen before. Drew avoided my gaze.

“We filled his truck with manure.”

I tilted my head, confused.

“Thecabof his truck with manure,” Vi clarified.

“You were sixteen, and he was twenty-five!”

Vi released her brother, brushing her shoulders as he rubbed his tender red nose.

“I didn’t get asked out again for twoyearsthanks to you, Cole, and Zach. Not byanybody. I skipped prom junior and senior years.”

I cleared my throat, not sure what to do to relieve the tension. Vi held a mean grudge. While I didn’t exactly agree with Drew’s methods, the age gap made me think his instinct to protect his sister was solid. But there was no way I was taking sides.

“Who’s hungry?” I finally asked.

Vi’s anger seemed to fade as swiftly as it arose, and I breathed a sigh of relief. We dished up, devouring the meal. After dinner, Vi excused herself to read, leaving me alone with Drew.