Chapter 1
JULIETTE
I woke up to laughter, it floated up from downstairs, light and casual, like someone had already decided my morning wasn’t going to be quiet. Probably my parents, i rolled over, checked the time, and sat up. Nothing dramatic—just one of those mornings where the house feels slightly more alive than usual.
I got out of bed, did my usual routine in the bathroom—brushed my teeth, washed my face, pulled my hair back so it looked neat without trying too hard.
I went down the stairs slowly, one hand on the railing like I always do when I’m half awake, the smell of breakfast hit me first. Eggs, toast and coffee. When I reached the bottom, I saw them.
My parents at the dining table and across from them Ethan, my boyfriend. He was already sitting there like he’d been invited a hundred times before, my mom was setting a plate in front of him and my dad was mid-conversation with him, nodding along.
Ethan laughed at something my dad said then he noticed me.
“Hey,” he said, smiling.
My mom looked up next “Good morning, Juliette.”
I walked the last few steps into the kitchen, still half-awake.
“Hey,” I said back to Ethan, my mom slid another plate onto the table and nodded toward me. “I made yours already.”
“Thanks,” I said, opening the fridge for juice. My dad was already back into his conversation with Ethan.
“So you’re thinking about colleges already?” my dad asked.
Ethan nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been looking at a few on the East Coast.”
“Good,” my dad said. “Planning ahead matters.”
Ethan glanced at him, then at me and then he smiled.
“I was thinking,” he said, “since we just graduated… maybe Juliette and I could do a summer trip.”
I paused mid-sip. My mom immediately looked interested. “A trip?”
“Yeah,” Ethan said, more confident now. “Just something simple. Get away for a bit before college starts.”
My dad nodded slowly like he was considering it seriously.
“And you’d go together?” he asked.
“Of course,” Ethan said, like it was obvious.“I thought it would be good for us. Just the two of us, before everything changes.”
It wasn’t a bad idea not really. It actually sounded like something people our age were supposed to do—celebrate, travel and make memories before life got serious.
My mom smiled at me. “That sounds nice, Juliette.”
All eyes turned to me.
“Where would we even go?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I was thinking Bainbridge Island.”
My dad nodded again. “That’s a good idea. You’ve both been working hard.”
Ethan smiled a little more, like he was already imagining it.
Breakfast didn’t last much longer after that. The conversation drifted back to normal things—college, plans, random small talk my mom always liked to fill silence with.
Eventually, he stood up. “I should get going,” he said grabbing his jacket.
My mom immediately smiled. “It was nice having you over.”
My dad gave him one of those approving nods he always does and i got up too, mostly out of habit.
Ethan walked with me toward the front door. Outside, the air was still cool. His car was parked right in front like always.
I stopped beside it.
“So,” he said, leaning slightly against the door, “what do you think about the trip?”
“I said yes,” I replied. “It’s fine.”
A small smile pulled at his face. “Good.”
I hesitated for a second, then added, “But my mom had another idea.”
That got his attention. “What kind of idea?”
“She thinks Chloe should come with us.”
That made him pause. “For the whole trip?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “She said it might be better. You know… so it’s not just us alone the whole time.”
Ethan exhaled through his nose, like he was thinking.
Then he nodded. “Okay.”
I blinked. “Okay?”
He shrugged. “It’s fine. I mean… I’ve always been stuck with Chloe anyway because of you two.”
There was a slight edge of humor in his voice now.
“She talks enough for both of us,” he added.
I almost smiled at that. Ethan had that kind of look that always made people trust him quickly—clean haircut, sharp jawline that still looked relaxed, like he didn’t try too hard but somehow still got everything right.
Then he reached out and pulled me closer, kissing me goodbye like he always did—quick, familiar, automatic in a way that didn’t really need thinking.
When he pulled back, he rested his arm on the window frame.
“Start getting ready,” he said. “We leave tomorrow night.”
He noticed my face and gave a small grin. “Relax. It’s just a trip. You’ll love it.”
He got in the car, and I stepped back as the door closed. He tapped the steering wheel once. “Text Chloe. Make sure she’s in.”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah… I will.”
The car window went up, and he waved once before pulling out of the driveway. I went back inside after Ethan left.
The house was quieter now. My dad had disappeared into his office already, and my mom was cleaning up the kitchen while humming softly to herself.
I sat back down, finally taking a proper bite of toast before footsteps echoed from upstairs. A few seconds later, Leo appeared at the kitchen entrance looking half-dead and fully exhausted, his hair sticking up in every direction possible.
I laughed immediately. “Wow. You look terrible.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re so supportive.”
“You’re sixteen. Why do you look like you pay taxes?”
“I stayed up late.”
“Doing what?”
“Important things.”
“Video games aren’t important things.”
“They are to me.”
My mom slid a plate toward him before he could argue more. Leo immediately started eating like he hadn’t seen food in days. Leo looked more like my mom than me—same dark hair, same brown eyes—but somehow everything about him felt louder, messier and more alive.
I took a sip of juice. “Me, Ethan and Chloe are leaving tomorrow night for a summer trip”
Leo froze then his eyes widened. “Wait—what?”
My mom already sighed like she knew what was coming.
“You’re going away for the whole summer?” he asked me.
“Not the whole summer. Just a few weeks.”
“I’m coming.”
“No, you’re not,” my mom said immediately.
Leo ignored her completely and looked at me instead. “Julie, please.”
I almost laughed at the nickname. He only used it when he wanted something.
“You have summer classes,” my mom reminded him.
“I can study there, who goes to study classes anyway?”
“You’re not going.”
“Why not?”
“Because they can’t spend the whole trip taking care of you,” she replied calmly.
“I don’t need taking care of.”
“You got lost in a parking garage once and we spent the whole day looking for you.”
“That happened one time.”
“You cried.”
“I was eight!” Leo turned back to me dramatically. “Julie, come on. Please let me go.”
“You’d be bored in two days.”
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“Yes, you would.”
“I swear I won’t.”
Then suddenly he leaned forward. “I’ll wash your car for free for a month.”
I blinked. “What?”
“A whole month,” he repeated seriously. “No complaining, I’ll even vacuum it.”
I stared at him. “That’s your offer?”
“It’s a really good offer.”
I laughed again, shaking my head. Leo pushed on immediately, using the full little-brother charm he knew worked better than logic ever could.
“Please? I’ll stay out of your way. I won’t annoy you and Ethan. I’ll be helpful. Mom, tell her I can be helpful.”
My mom looked completely unconvinced.
“Leo—”
“I can carry bags,” he continued desperately. “And if someone tries to kidnap Juliette, I’ll help…uhh…i mean i’ll stop them”
I nearly choked on my drink. “Oh, perfect,” I said. “Now I feel safer.”
Leo pointed at me proudly like he was winning the argument already. “See? She needs me.”
Later that day, my bedroom looked like a clothing store had exploded inside it.
Half my closet was on the floor, my suitcase was still mostly empty, and Chloe somehow kept finding more things to add every five minutes.
“I’m just saying,” she said while tossing another top onto my bed, “if there’s even one beach party and I’m underdressed, I’ll actually cry.”
I sat cross-legged beside my suitcase, folding shirts while watching her unpack what looked like her entire bedroom. Chloe was excited enough for both of us anyway. She’d spent the last hour talking nonstop about beaches, parties, sunsets, matching outfits and playlists for the drive.
Leo walked in “Julie,” he said seriously, holding up two pairs of shorts, “blue or black?”
Chloe gasped loudly from behind me. “Wait, WAIT. Ethan is going to lose his mind!”
Leo grinned.
“Perks of being the favorite child.”
ADRIAN
The first thing you learn about island roads is that they look safer than they actually are. Especially when two idiots decide racing motorcycles down them sounds like a good idea.
The wind hit hard against my face as I pushed faster down the narrow coastal road, the engine roaring beneath me loud enough to drown out everything else. The ocean flashed between trees every few seconds, dark and endless under the moonlight.
I leaned into the next turn sharply, my bike cutting close enough to the edge for my heart to kick once against my ribs. Gravel scattered under the tires.
Behind me, Ryan yelled, “You’re actually insane!”
“Then stop following me!” I shouted back.
That only made him speed up, typical. He looked over briefly, shaking his head while laughing like we weren’t both risking our lives.
“Last stretch!” he yelled.
“Oh, you’re losing already?” I shouted.
He lifted one hand off the handlebars just to flip me off.
I laughed and accelerated. The final road opened ahead of us near the marina, smooth and straight with yellow streetlights reflecting against the water.
This was it.
I lowered closer to the bike and pushed the throttle harder, the engine screamed. So did Ryan from somewhere behind me, three seconds later, I crossed the finish first.
Ryan pulled off his helmet immediately. “One day,” he said between breaths, “you’re gonna fly straight off a cliff.”
I smirked, pulling my helmet off, cold air hit my face instantly along with the smell of saltwater and gasoline. The island at night always smelled like that.
He looked at me and shook his head. “You know you get way too happy doing this.”
“Maybe because I’m good at it.”
“No,” Ryan replied immediately. “You’re just mentally unstable.”
I laughed, leaning back against my bike while the marina lights reflected across the water behind us.
A phone started ringing somewhere between the bikes, nobody moved at first.
Then Ryan pointed at me. “That’s yours.”
I checked my pocket and pulled my phone out, already knowing who it was before I answered.
“Hello?”
“Adrian,” Jasper’s voice came through immediately, dramatic as always, “your grandmother is currently hunting for you.”
I leaned against my bike. “That sounds serious.”
“It is serious,” he said. “She made pie and since you and Ryan disappeared like criminals, I’m currently eating your slices.”
“Honestly,” he continued calmly, “this is probably the best blueberry pie she’s ever made. I almost feel bad for you.”
“You’re unbelievable,” Ryan shouted from beside me.
“Tell Ryan his slice is gone already,” Jasper said.
“JASPER.”
Behind him, my grandmother’s voice suddenly echoed through the phone.
“Are you talking to Adrian?”
Jasper lowered his voice dramatically. “She sounds disappointed, man. I think you broke her heart.”
I rubbed a hand over my face, still laughing. “We’re coming back.”
“You should hurry,” Jasper warned. “At the rate I’m going, there won’t even be crumbs left.”
Ryan grabbed my shoulder immediately. “Drive faster.”
“You were literally scared five minutes ago.”
“That was before pie became involved.”
I shoved my helmet back on, Ryan got on his bike immediately. “If my slice is gone, I’m fighting him.”
I laughed while starting my engine. “No, you won’t.”
“You’re right,” he admitted. “Mrs. Carter would yell at me.”
Ryan and I pulled into the driveway a few minutes later.
The second my motorcycle came to a stop, the front door burst open. A black-and-white blur came flying across the yard at full speed.
“Hey, buddy—”
I barely had time to get off the bike before Max launched himself at me. I laughed as his paws landed against my chest.
“Okay, okay, I missed you too.”
I crouched down and scratched behind his ears while he tried to lick my entire face.
“Have some dignity,” I told him.
Then the front screen door slammed.
Uh-oh.
Ryan heard it too. “Adrian,” he said carefully, “don’t look now.”
I looked anyway. My grandmother was marching across the yard with the determination of someone who had already decided a crime had been committed.
And apparently Ryan was the criminal, before he could even react, she grabbed him gently—but firmly—by the ear.
“Mrs. Carter!” Ryan yelped.
“Don’t you ‘Mrs. Carter’ me.”
“I didn’t do anything!”
“You took my grandson away for three hours.”
“Three hours?”
“Three hours and seventeen minutes.”
Ryan looked at me helplessly. “She’s timing us now?”
“Apparently,” I said.
My grandmother tugged his ear again. “I make pie and you disappear.”
“Adrian wanted to race!”
The betrayal in his voice nearly made me laugh.
“Oh, now you’re blaming Adrian?”
“Yes!”
“You were the one encouraging him!”
Ryan looked genuinely offended.
“Because he’s good at it!”
I doubled over laughing. “Thanks for the support, Ryan.”
“You stay out of this,” he replied immediately.
“Don’t tell my grandson what to do,” Grandma shot back.
Ryan looked completely trapped and Max sat beside me watching the entire thing like it was live entertainment.
Finally my grandmother released Ryan’s ear. “Go inside.”
Ryan rubbed his ear dramatically. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Faster.”
He practically jogged toward the house and my grandmother turned toward mem her expression softened immediately.
“There he is.”
I walked over and wrapped my arms around her.
She hugged me tightly. “Hi, Grandma.”
“Hi, sweetheart.”
Then she pulled back and looked at me.
“You’re laughing now,” she said.
“Because Ryan looked terrified.”
“He should be.”
I laughed again and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Sorry I was late.”
She pretended to think about it. “Apology accepted.”
“Because you love me?”
“No.”
“Because of the pie?”
A smile finally broke across her face. “Maybe.”
Behind us, Ryan opened the front door.
“Hurry up!” he yelled. “Jasper is still eating it!”
Grandma gasped, then she started marching toward the house again.
“JASPER REED ENOUGH!”
After dinner—or what was left of dinner after Jasper’s attack on the pie—Ryan finally got his revenge.
“Why am I washing dishes?” Jasper complained, standing at the sink.
Ryan looked offended. “Because you ate half the pie.”
“I ate our pie.”
“You ate your pie, Adrian’s pie, my pie, and probably Mrs. Carter’s pie.”
“I left some.”
Ryan stared at the tiny remaining slice on the counter. “That is evidence, not pie.”
I laughed and stood up from the table, Jasper pointed a dish sponge at me.
“Tell him he’s being dramatic.”
“You’re on your own.”
“Traitor.”
Ryan shoved another plate into his hands. “Wash.”
“I’m being oppressed.”
“Wash.”
I left them arguing and headed upstairs before Ryan found a way to recruit me too. Max followed me halfway before deciding the kitchen drama was more interesting.
Fair.
I grabbed a towel and headed into the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, I came back out freshly showered and pulled on a clean gray T-shirt and jeans.
I had promised someone I’d be there tonight. Downstairs, I found Grandma sitting in her favorite chair reading.
She looked up over her glasses. “Going somewhere?”
“Yep.”
“I know where.”
Of course she did, i grabbed my keys.
“Tell him I said hello,” Grandma said.
“I absolutely will not.”
She laughed. “Yes, you will.”
