Rumors (A Lingering Echoes Prequel)

  ***

  Strapped into the wakeboard, Aaron ripped across the water as he jumped from wake to wake. Flying through the air and pulling tricks, he even landed his 360 without fail. We watched him in awe as he maneuvered a tantrum, catching the wake and flipping in the air.

  “He’s amazing,” Brooke admired, not taking her eyes off him. Nick murmured something about Aaron being a showoff and turned his back. Nick was, no doubt, still upset about the face-plant that occurred during his earlier attempt.

  “You and Aaron just completed a year in college, right?” Brooke asked him.

  Nick sighed, not hiding his blatant disinterest. “Yep. UC Davis.”

  Brooke rested her cheek on one hand and looked up at the sky. “College sounds so cool. I can’t wait until I can go next year.”

  Whipping his head around, Nick raised an eyebrow. “Oh you’re planning on going? Huh. Wouldn’t have thought you were the college type.”

  I caught sight of his mocking grin just before he turned away again. Brooke’s mouth fell open, though no words formed.

  “Just what is that supposed to mean?” I ignored Brooke’s hand on my shoulder.

  “Allie, forget it,” she murmured.

  A wave of superiority washed over Nick’s face. “All I’m saying is that college isn’t for everyone. It takes more than just a pretty face to get in. And, well, some people got it—” He flicked his eyes back at Brooke. “—and some people don’t.”

  Glancing with caution at Dad’s back, I lowered my seething voice. “You’re a real jerk, you know that? What’s your problem anyway?”

  “I don’t have a problem. Truth of the matter is, I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at, to pay my own way.” Leaning towards me, he pointed his index finger. He lowered his voice in return, though both Dad and Clara seemed oblivious to the building feud behind their backs. “Unlike some people, I didn’t sit around and let Daddy pay for everything. I know what hard work is like. And let’s face it—neither of you spoiled princesses knows anything about the real work it takes to get to college, or to do anything worthwhile for that matter.”

  “Oh, really? Well, it sure hasn’t stopped you from milking my dad’s money this past year, and I don’t care how hard you’ve had to work. Just because your dad left you and your mom when you were little, it doesn’t give you the excuse to grow up into a despicable, self-absorbed pig!”

  Looking at the floor, Nick gave a cool shake of his head. His eyes flashed back into mine. His words were quick and hateful. “Are you anything like your mother? If so, I completely understand why your dad walked out on her. Kudos to him.”

  My hand lashed out and slapped him across his face.

  Brooke gasped. Her fingers flew to her gaping mouth.

  My eyes cast downward, while heat seeped from my cheeks. From my peripheral, I could see Nick watching me, not moving to touch the sting on his left cheek.

  I expelled warm air from my lungs with an agitated sigh. Unbuckling my life vest, I wrestled out of it. Standing up, I reached across Brooke for the bag beside her. “I think my shoulders are burning. Can you hand me my T-shirt?”

  Bending over without hesitation, she rifled through the bag as though relieved for the disruption.

  “Let’s see how Aaron handles a double-up,” Dad called over his shoulder, unaware of my movement behind him. He turned the boat without warning, looping back across our previous path. I stumbled against the back of the boat, falling against Nick as the boat maneuvered across the bumpy wake.

  “Hey, get off!” He shoved me backwards with unnecessary force.

  My momentum threw me off the rear of the boat. I yelped, somersaulting into the bubbly lake. The shock of the cold water jolted my body, swallowing me whole. As I surfaced the choppy waves, I cried out, inhaling water.

  I thrashed my limbs, spluttering and disoriented. Hacking against the fluid in my airway, panic tightened my chest with an invisible weight, sheathing me in fear.

  “Allie! Allie, you ok?” Aaron threw a long arm across my ribs. “Hey! Relax. You need to calm down!”

  I struggled against him. The water was still the enemy and Aaron was trying to drag me down with him.

  “Stop, Allie. I’ve got you!” Aaron leaned back, hugging my back against his chest, while he towed me with his free arm. Catching some air, I finally quit thrashing and allowed Aaron’s solid strokes to haul me towards the boat.

  “Are you all right?” Dad reached down and offered his hand to help me up the ladder.

  I ignored it. Refusing to look at him, I stepped inside and pushed past him to the front of the boat. Drenched and dripping, I sat down, hugging myself with the towel Brooke offered me. Smoothing back the dark brown waves of my hair, I cleared my burning throat.

  “What happened?” Clara asked, throwing a second towel around my shoulders. “I didn’t even see you fall.”

  “I think it was my fault,” Dad admitted. “I was trying to give Aaron a challenging run and I turned too fast.” He spoke to Aaron. “You’ve sure got some talent out there.”

  Aaron brushed off the compliment, looking back and forth between Nick and me with an uncertain expression. His eyes stopping on Nick, he said, “It looked like she had some help falling overboard. What’s going on, man?”

  All eyes followed Aaron’s, resting on Nick’s unconcerned expression. Leaning back into his seat, he put his hands up.

  “Hey—I didn’t do anything. It’s not my fault if the girl’s a little clumsy.” He covered a sly smile behind one hand.

  I turned away, loathing his very being. The twinge of guilt I felt for losing my temper was mingled with the satisfaction of seeing the red stain on his cheek.

  And yet, I didn’t want to deal with it anymore. Already, I was tired. I hated conflict and the draining emotions it evoked. I could sense it would get worse, festering like an infection the longer I remained at our summer cabin.

  I turned to Dad, the man responsible for bringing me here, and for pressuring an implausible merger. I looked at him in earnest.

  “Why did you bring me here, Dad? I told you I didn’t want to come—not to the cabin and not on this boat. Why can’t you ever just listen to me?” My eyes moistened.

  “Well, Allie, I just thought it might help you to—”

  “No, Dad! I don’t need your help. And besides, there’s nothing to help. She’s dead!”

  My hand brushed against the coarseness of the tree trunks, tracing the lines and curves of the bark with my fingers. Haunting laughter filled my mind, bidding me towards the river I knew too well. With an aching heart, I followed. I kneeled by the river’s side, collecting the fallen pine needles and cones. I tossed them in, watching the ruthless current drag them along. The leaves glanced off protruding boulders before they were sucked underneath the surface.

  I let out a long sigh and glanced upwards, allowing drizzling rain to kiss my face. A silent flash of light lit up the darkened sky, followed by a mumble of thunder. As the sky shed its heavy tears, I remained huddled on the muddy soil, staring up into the grayness.

  The abrupt rumble of a motor caught my attention, clashing against the sounds of nature. I stood up, straining my eyes through the curtain of rain to find its source. Across the river I could make out a figure on a motorcycle. He was dressed in dark clothing, his head sheltered with a helmet.

  He seemed to be staring at me.

  Curious, I stared back. Neither of us moved.

  What was he doing out in the rain? He was probably wondering the same thing about me, wondering what I was doing outside all alone. Wiping water from my eyes, I took a step backwards, not taking my eyes off him. Why was he was still staring? I stepped backwards once more, assessing this stranger.

  He revved the motor, once, twice, three times. Then he seemed to come to a decision. His bike roared towards me, closing the gap between us. The bridge was off to my right. I didn’t wait to see if he was going to cross it.

  Unsure of his intentions, ins
tinct told me to run. I spun around, sprinting towards the cabins. Adrenaline fueled my blood, warming my cold limbs, as I dodged trees and bushes. I didn’t look behind me, even when I was sure the motor was becoming louder, closer. I kept running.

  The cabins were in sight. Only then did I dare to glance over my shoulder, my heartbeat thumping in my ears too loudly to hear the motor for sure.

  He was gone.

  Just as a shiver of relief coursed through me, I slammed into a body, shrieking as I beat at his chest. His strong arms grabbed me, holding me captive.

  “What the—Allie! Stop!”

  With wide eyes and a quick intake of breath, I stared up at Aaron. His arms were wrapped around me, pinning my forearms against his chest, ending my struggle.

  “Let go!” I shoved against him, uneasy with his restraint, and he released me. Still panting, I glanced over my shoulder once more, swiping rain from my vision.

  “What happened? Are you ok?” Aaron put a hand on my shoulder, turning me around to face him. This time I didn’t shake him off, now welcoming the familiar face.

  “There was someone—someone out there,” I said, but except for the rain playing its unique melody against the pine leaves, the forest was quiet. Aaron raised an eyebrow. Drenched and hysterical, in combination with my outburst yesterday on the boat, I knew he thought I was insane.

  “Come on,” Aaron said, taking my elbow. I checked once more to be sure the motorcyclist had disappeared, and then I followed his lead. Aaron walked with me to the front porch of our cabin, and we sat on the covered steps.

  “What were you doing out in the rain?” he asked.

  I hesitated. “I was out by the river.”

  Aaron paused a moment before he said, “You were thinking about your cousin.” It wasn’t a question. Just a simple statement of fact.

  He knew then.

  Aaron caught me watching him carefully. He opened his palms and explained, “Your dad told us your little cousin drowned last summer.”

  I clenched my teeth, giving a simple nod of my head.

  “I don’t know what I can say to make you feel better, but I’m sorry that happened. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No!” I didn’t mean to snap at him. Frustrated at the little control I seemed to have over my emotions these days, I tried again. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s just...that’s all there is to say. Maddie drowned. No amount of talking can change that.”

  Quiet for a moment, Aaron then rose to his feet. “Well, in that case, I was going to grab some breakfast, but do you want to shoot hoops instead?” He put out his hand with understanding resting in his expression.

  I almost laughed at his abrupt change in conversation, but I was more relieved—and grateful. I looked down at my dripping clothing. I probably should have changed, but I didn’t really want to be alone. “Sure.”

  With one final glance towards the river, I put my hand in his, and he pulled me to my feet.