“Music? How?” Callie stares, surprised.
I chuckle. “We are not all back to basics. There are solar panels everywhere. That’s how we get electricity. It used to be a high-tech new-age resort. We charge our phones and speakers and lamps. There are generators. Phones can be used for Bluetooth messaging and stuff.”
There is a splash on the shore. We turn to see the boat pull in. The boys jump out and unload the coolers, which look heavy, and we all cheer.
“That means they had a good catch,” I explain to Callie. “We eat a lot of fish. Plenty is out there. And it’s free. Corn flour is dirt cheap, too.”
But Callie doesn’t hear me as she stares at the boys, who are goofing around on the beach. The sun is still too low, and they are shirtless and barefoot.
It’s Kai, Owen, and Ty. They are always together, and they are the best at it. I smile as Owen pushes Kai, who stumbles and rolls onto the ground, then jumps up and tackles Owen, both rolling on the ground, shouting and laughing.
As I turn back to Callie, I notice her gaze—it’s the same intensity as the night before. Her eyes are narrowed but unblinking at the boys in the distance. One in particular.
I saw it last night. And it’s much too obvious—she and Kai know each other.
8
KAI
As we carrythe coolers toward the dining area and kitchen, I give Ty another warning glare.
“Keep your mouth shut,” I say. “This will only work against her if you say something to others. I’ll handle it with Bo. He should know.”
Ty was all never-ending comments during the fishing trip.
It’s a shock to him, too.
He was part of our crew back at Deene. And when I was finally out of the hospital, I transferred to online courses but kept in touch with several. Including Ty. He still hung out with Crone and the gang, but since the shit went down on the Westside after the Change, he has been one of the Outcasts. That’s what we call ourselves, jokingly or not.
He knows Callie, who disappeared off the face of the earth after that Block Party.
“What are the odds?” he murmurs again as we bring the coolers into the kitchen.
“Shut it,” I snap.
I am tired of hearing this phrase, but it’s a fact.
I am wearing only my board shorts and am too aware of myself, of my inked body.
And of every voice around.
I want to hear hers.
It brings back memories.
But I don’t want to look around openly.
So I take my time in the kitchen that is open into the dining room so I can see everything.
“I’ll sort out the coolers,” I tell Ty and Owen, and they don’t argue, because they are starving, and breakfast is already being served.
Ethan whistles as he surveys the catch. “You are on the roll,” he says.
He is our cook and in charge of the pantry and produce. Tall, skinny, long hair, and a goatee. He and Maddy are also in charge of the inventory.
I start sorting and unloading the fish into a sink. Now and then my eyes scan the two long dining tables, searching for Callie.
And then I see her.