Instead, I pulled Shay into my arms and held her as tightly as I could against me. The feel of her breaths against my torso was soothing and calmed the things raging inside. “I’ll fight back.”

30

Shay

I watched as Brody guided the boat towards Anchor Island’s dock. I could already see the assorted emergency vehicles and the crowd gathered near The General Store. But my gaze kept drifting back to Brody. As if I might be able to catch him before he spiraled into another cycle of self-loathing and blame.

I wanted to throttle whoever was doing this. For the loss of life, yes. But also because of what they were putting Brody through. They were eating away at the thing he loved most in this world. And I wasn’t sure how long he could hold on.

We tied off the boat, neither of us saying anything, just moving in that quiet, tandem rhythm we’d developed over the past few months. We could predict each other’s moves and speeds and knew just how to fill in where the other left an empty space.

Brody offered me a hand as I climbed over the side of the boat. As soon as our fingers linked, I didn’t let go. I willed all the strength and reassurance I could muster through that single point of contact, pushing myself as close to his side as I could. We made our way towards the growing crowd. With each step that brought us closer, I felt more tension radiate from Brody’s body.

Bell caught sight of us approaching and waved us over to where she, Griffin, and Caelyn were gathered, just outside what appeared to be a makeshift command station. Brody and I ducked under the crime scene tape and headed towards the group.

“I really thought this was over,” she muttered as we approached.

I took in Caelyn, who was wrapped protectively in Griffin’s hold, her face pale and eyes rimmed in red. “I’m so sorry, Caelyn.” The sentiment was completely lacking, but it was all I could think to say.

She tried her best to muster a smile. “I’m okay, really. It was just a shock. I’ll be fine.”

Griffin grunted something undecipherable, and I turned to Bell. “Where’s everyone else?”

“Kenna, Crosby, and Ford went to hang out with Will, Ava, and Mia. Caelyn didn’t want them to be alone.”

Understandable, given what was happening on this thirty-mile island. I wouldn’t want anyone I cared about alone either. Caelyn’s gaze drifted to Brody. “Are you doing okay?”

I wanted to throw my arms around my petite friend at the concern and kindness I heard in her tone. A little of the tension left Brody’s grip at her words. “I’m okay. I’m just so damn sorry you had to see that.”