“So, do you have an alternate plan?”

He shrugs. “Just keep do what I’m doing.”

Willa thought being a business major was the answer—she had a plan—but now doubt itches beneath her skin like an insect bite. She goes silent, wondering if she’s made a mistake.

Cam laughs quietly. “You’re thinking way too hard about this.”

“But—”

“Relax, little Willa. College is made for people like you.”

She’s not sure what he means by that, but it doesn’t sound like a compliment so she doesn’t ask. Instead she pedals fast, then faster, making him race to catch up.

Taylor is asleep when they return to the boat. As they stand in the cockpit, Campbell picks a stray leaf out of Willa’s hair, then takes a Sharpie from the back pocket of his jeans. In the dim light, she watches as he writes not ready for the s-e-x on her arm. She laughs softly, and he kisses her good night as though they’re standing outside her apartment door. “Thanks for a fun time.” She smiles. “See you in the morning.”

Taylor

TAYLOR WAKES TO FIND HER brother and all of his belongings missing. It doesn’t make sense that Campbell would leave. He was supposed to stay with them all the way to Catskill.

“What did you do?” she demands, shocking Willa out of sleep. She blinks as if Taylor is speaking gibberish.

“What are you talking about?” Willa asks.

“Cam is gone.”

“Maybe he went for coffee or something.”

“He took everything. Backpack. Wallet. Keys. Why would he just leave?”

Willa is still for a moment and her blinking picks up speed, as though she’s trying to keep from crying. But Willa never cries.

“I don’t know,” she says. “I really don’t know.”

Taylor doesn’t believe her. Especially since she slept in her dress and has bits of leaves stuck in her curls. Taylor notices a streak of black marker on the inside of Willa’s forearm. “What’s that?”

“Just a joke from last night. This woman thought . . .” Willa trails off. “Never mind. It’s nothing important.”

But as she scratches the back of her head, Taylor reads the words “not ready for the s-e-x.” It seems more important than Willa lets on and Taylor guesses it’s the reason why Cam left. Maybe he came, saw, and conquered. Or maybe—judging by the Sharpie tattoo on Willa’s arm—he didn’t.

Taylor texts Campbell. Where are you?

I forgot about some shit I had to do.

What shit?

The marina at Catskill will know what to do with the mast.

Is this about Willa?

The reply bubbles flash repeatedly, as though Campbell is typing and deleting his response. When it finally appears, it’s only one word. No.

“I don’t think he’s coming back.”