Page 59 of From the Wreckage

Brielle

The bell over the grocery store door jingles as I step inside, my purse swinging at my hip. It’s just a quick trip for milk, bread, and coffee before Dad returns home. But in a town like Silverpoint, even a quick trip isn’t safe.

Near the produce, I hear Mrs. Keating and Mrs. Rowland, two women who’ve known me since I was ten. Their heads are bent close, their voices pitched low…but I can still hear what they’re saying.

“Grayson’s daughter has been spending an awful lot of time with that older man, Everett, this summer,” Mrs. Keating murmurs.

Mrs. Rowland tsks. “You’ve noticed, too?”

My pulse spikes. I freeze mid-step, my fingers tightening on the handle of my purse.

“Mmm hmm. Funny how she’s always smiling these days. Practically glowing. First love will do that to a girl.”

“Shame it’s with a man like him. He’s too old for her, and I’ve heard things. Dark things. He’ll ruin that girl… and her father will be crushed when he finds out.”

The words hit like stones.

My vision blurs, and nausea wells inside me.

I force myself to move, to grab apples I don’t even need, before they see me eavesdropping. My face burns, and my ears buzz.

In the checkout line, Marlene waves from behind the counter, her lipstick a shade too red for her pale complexion. “Morning, sweetheart. You look pretty today. Love does that, doesn’t it?”

I flinch, my smile brittle. “Just fresh lake air.”

“Mmm hmm.” She winks, sliding my bread across the scanner. “Well, it suits you. Don’t let the tongues wag too hard. You know how people are around here.”

I laugh weakly, clutching my purse until my knuckles ache. My heart pounds so loud, I’m afraid everyone in the store will hear it.

By the time I leave, the sun feels hotter and the air heavier. Silverpoint thrives on gossip, and now my name is threaded with Everett’s.

When I step back into his cabin, Everett is stretched across the couch, long, muscular legs crossed, flipping absently through channels. The smell of coffee lingers in the air.

His head lifts, eyes softening the second they land on me. “Hey, angel. Took you long enough. I was starting to think you ditched me.”

I paste on a smile, setting my purse on the counter. “Marlene likes to chat.”

He groans good-naturedly, reaching for me. “Come here.”

I go willingly, curling against his chest, breathing in the mix of soap and cedar and something uniquely him. The nerves in my stomach twist, but I hold them down. His arm tightens around me, his lips brushing the top of my head like he has no idea the world outside is sharpening its knives.

“Missed you,” he murmurs.

I close my eyes, clinging tighter, because the truth is I missed him too—even though I was only gone an hour. “Missed you, too.”

We spend the afternoon together. Our coffee mugs sit abandoned on the table. His thumb traces idle circles on my arm while we pretend to watch whatever’s on TV.

Later, he coaxes me onto the dock, where he spins me in lazy circles to music on his phone.

I laugh when he dips me, my heart light for a moment.

Everett grins. “You’re laughing. Haven’t seen you laugh like that all summer.”

And that’s when the whispers come back…

“Shame it’s with a man like him. He’s too old for her, and I’ve heard things. Dark things. He’ll ruin that girl… and her father will be crushed when he finds out.”

I don’t let him see it. It’ll destroy him... and us.

For now, I let myself enjoy the way he looks at me like I’m the only girl in the world.

Soon enough, someone will tell my dad.

And then everything will come crashing down.