I swallow against the thickening in my throat. Isaac, Josh’s dad, called on Josh’s birthday last November. He wasn’t sober though he’d tried to pretend he was. The call lasted about four minutes.
As if he’s bracing himself for battle, Zach pushes wet hair out of his face and steps over the threshold of our cabin. He walks right past me to the door of our closet, and like a sadistic nurse ripping off a bandage, he yanks the door open.
The same instant his shoulders drop, I moan like my insides have been scooped out with a melon baller.
The left side of the closet—my side—is an orderly rainbow of leggings, skirts, and tops. My shoes look like an audience of twins in their stadium seating on the floor.
Josh’s side is completely empty.
ChapterSeven
ZACH
Fuck.
No, you didn’t, you fucking bastard.
My hands ball into fists. All I want is to send one straight into his jaw.
What the fucking hell are you thinking? Who does this?!
That sonofabitch was packing up his shit while Greta and I busted our asses on the fence line. Rage sends blood roaring through my ears, tunneling my vision. So it’s only after I hear the squeaking sound behind me a second time that I hone in on it and turn.
Jesus.
I thought Greta looked bad before—when she was nearly cooked alive. But all color has left her face. Her mouth hangs open like she’s a landed fish.
Is she even breathing?
“Greta?”
I reach a hand toward her. Her wide eyes snap to mine, and she backs out of my reach.
“G-Get out.”
The words are just husks. Dry. Brittle.
“Greta, it’s o—”
“Get… Out.”If she could kill me with that look, I’d already be a ghost.
I hold up my hands. She’s not alone in this. She needs to know I’m here for her. We need to figure this out. Together.
“We need to assess the dam—”
“ZACH!”Her shriek tears the air. I don’t know whether to focus on her raised fists or the agony in her eyes. Both could knock me down. “Read the goddamn room! My life just imploded. Get the fuck out so I can fall apart withoutyouwatching.”
She saysyoulike I’m the one to blame.
Like she’d pick literally anyone else to watch her fall apart besides me.
And why am I surprised? She said she hated me just a few hours ago. Thinking Josh had drowned himself only to find out that he’s left probably hasn’t done anything to change that.
At the speed of thought, two other loud and undeniable conclusions clang in my head.
One: I am an idiot. Because I’m confused. And I’m pissed. But I want to know what I’m up against. Whatever Josh has done to fuck us over, I want to unfuck it. Deal first. Feel later.
But I’m not Greta. I’m not Josh’s girlfriend. Yeah, he’s left us both. But he’s left her more.