Rumors (A Lingering Echoes Prequel)

Standing on the weathered dock, I stared into the shadowy lake. The water seemed darker today, sloshing against the pontoons beneath the platform. With each rise and fall, anxiety tore at the lining of my stomach like acid. I pulled my eyes away from the water, wondering if it would ever cease to be my enemy.

  “There you are, Allie!”

  I turned around to see Brooke Cannon adjusting the straps of her bikini as she approached. Though I’d only met her two days ago, I was not surprised to see her sky-blue eyes decked out in makeup, each careful stroke of mascara sweeping through her long, doll-like lashes.

  “Today is going to be so chill,” she said, joining me on the dock. “I haven’t been on a boat in years. That was nice of your family to invite me.”

  “It’s no big deal,” I said with a shrug. I wished Dad had given me the luxury of an “invite” because I would have said no. But when you’re seventeen and visiting your dad, some choices just aren’t up to you.

  “I can’t figure out why you gave Mr. Collins such a hard time about coming,” Brooke continued. “Who wouldn’t want to begin the summer cruising on a boat?” Her cheeks flushed with enthusiasm, a natural blush to accompany her fair skin.

  I didn’t elaborate on why the situation was more complicated than not wanting to wakeboard. Glowering, I watched Dad maneuver the rental boat into position with help from his wife, Clara. I let out a deep sigh. “It’s overrated in my opinion.”

  Aaron’s voice interrupted my gloom.

  “Hey, how’s it going?”

  Brooke’s attention gravitated to Aaron’s approaching form. Whispering, she said, “You are so lucky. I can’t believe you sleep under the same roof as he does! I guess I’ll have to settle for staying three cabins down from you.”

  Luck had nothing to do with it. He was the best friend of my stepbrother, Nick, who invited Aaron to tag along for the summer. I tried not to roll my eyes at Brooke’s infatuation with Aaron. She’d been ogling him since we ran into him playing basketball the other day, gushing about how she and six-foot-one blonds were meant to be together. Personally, from the way she scoped out every boy that crossed her path, I was pretty sure Brooke had an obsession with all boys. But maybe college freshmen were at the top of her list.

  “And just what are you ladies gossiping about?” Aaron asked, throwing an arm around Brooke’s shoulders. She gave him a look of playful disgust, craning her neck to match her eyes with his.

  “Just because we’re girls, we have to be ‘gossiping?’ That’s a stereotype if I ever heard one.”

  “Hey, stereotypes have to come from somewhere. I grew up with four younger sisters. Trust me. I know what juicy gossip looks like when I see it.” He flashed a charming smile, while Brooke failed to hide her giddiness.

  “Ok, the boat’s ready! Let’s go!” Dad called from the dock.

  I sighed. Let the battle begin.

  We walked over to the open-bowed ski boat, Brooke and Aaron chatting at my side. I stared at the swaying boat, resistance anchoring me in place.

  “Come on, Allie,” Dad said.

  I gritted my teeth. My voice was low. “You know exactly why I don’t want to go.”

  Dad was relentless, proof that stubbornness is, in part, genetic. “You don’t have to get in the water. Just come spend the afternoon with us on the boat.”

  “What’s the hold up?” Nick hollered from the backseat. Stretched out with his arms folded across his chest, he didn’t hide his annoyance.

  Shuffling my feet, I glanced behind me, desperate for an excuse.

  Without warning, two strong arms wrapped around my waist and hauled me over his shoulder.

  “What are you—Aaron Jackson! Put me down!” I kicked my legs in fury as he pulled me with him into the boat.

  He chuckled as he seated me between Nick and Brooke on the back bench. Surrounded by laughter, I glared up at Aaron’s lean form. The top of his unzipped wet suit hung from his waist, his bare, golden torso gleaming at me.

  “If you ever pick me up like that again—”

  “Whoa! Calm down fireball! I was just trying to help speed up the inevitable.” Aaron zipped up his suit over his defined abs and then threw a life jacket my way. Catching it before it hit my face, I frowned at him. He winked back and then broke into a wide smile.

  “You better listen to her, Aaron,” Nick chimed in. “I wouldn’t try that stunt again if I were you. She might throw your back out next time.” He laughed at his own joke.

  “Nick, be nice,” Clara said to her son. She smiled at me apologetically.

  Indignant, I removed my own shirt and fastened the life vest over my swimsuit. I thrust the shirt into the bag at Brooke’s feet.

  “Ah, quit your sulking. You’re ruining the day.”

  I didn’t have to turn my head to know the rude comment belonged to Nick, but I faced him anyway.

  “Sulking? That’s what you think this is about? You don’t know anything about me, Nick!” The high volume of my voice attracted every head in the boat.

  Dad intervened, pushing his sunglasses on top of his head so I could catch his brown eyes reprimanding me. “It’s going to be a long two months if you keep this up,” he warned. He put a hand around Clara’s shoulders. “All we’re asking is that you at least try to get along. Allie, I know it will be difficult for you to be up here after...after what happened. But it’s for the best.”

  What do you know? I wanted to say, but instead, I held my tongue.

  Breaking up the awkward silence, Aaron snickered, “Nick, why haven’t you invited me on more trips with your family?”

  “She’s not part of my—”

  “Nicholas!” Clara cut in, cautioning her son with a stern expression. But we all knew what he was going to say, and I couldn’t agree more. I was not part of his family, and he wasn’t part of mine. It was going to take a lot more than our parents’ legal union to bond the two of us.

  “Well, guess we’re all ready now, right?” Dad called from behind the wheel. He made brief eye contact with me, looking away when he saw the resentment in my hazel eyes.