Marco laughed. “Taken care of, bro. She crushes me every time I see her without having to ask anyway. Oh, hey. One more question.”
“What’s up?” Jake lowered his voice even more.
“I don’t mean to be a drag, but I spent a half tank of gas over the last few days picking your mom up from the hospital and buying her food and stuff.”
“Go ahead and take twenty bucks out of what I sent, and I’ll send more as soon as I can.”
“Sounds good, bro. Thanks.”
Jake closed his phone and slipped it into his pocket. He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe, watching Maya. Thankfully his mom was okay, for now. And Marco was there taking care of her, for now. But that was his job, and if he couldn’t find another way to make money on the island, that construction gig was as good as he was going to get.
He turned away from class and headed back to the parking lot. He’d just have to keep searching. God knew he didn’t really want to leave. Not anymore. Not now that he finally had a reason to stay.
Chapter Twenty-three
Maya
After art class, Maya grabbed a coffee at the little latte stand in the main foyer of the college. Jake wasn’t in class, but she figured he wouldn’t be. She couldn’t shake the image of the sinking boat, and all of his hard work going down with it. Because of her lack of sleep the night before, caffeine was just about the only thing keeping her from looking like a half-decomposed cast member of The Walking Dead, and she needed a fix.
“Thanks.” She dropped a dollar in the tip cup before wandering out of the double doors, into the crisp afternoon air. For once the sun was out, unobstructed by any clouds. The sky was bright and clean, sun warming her shoulders and the apples of her cheeks.
Maya drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes, taking it all in. It was one of the first times she actually enjoyed Alaska, and she’d gladly accept every moment of serenity that came her way.
As she swayed in the sunlight, her thoughts wandered to Jake. At least her sacrifice of moving from California was her choice. His was forced on him, and she had spent the entire night brainstorming ideas of what he could do to compensate for cash.
“It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Maya opened her eyes and turned to see Jake standing with his hands shoved in his pockets, wearing a crooked grin. “Kodiak has a way of growing on you.”
“I don’t know about all that.” She sipped her latte, examining the dark rings under his eyes. “You okay?”
Jake’s gaze flickered to a path in the woods behind her. “Want to go for a walk?”
A soft smile played over her lips. “Sure. As long as you promise to not let me get eaten by a bear.”
He blew a puff of hair out from his cheeks. “I could take one.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Really? Because I saw that one at the airport—”
He scoffed. “May as well be a possum.”
“Mhm.” Maya grinned as they walked toward the narrow path that wrapped around the modest college campus. Picnic tables were scattered in random places with a thick later of pine needles padding the ground beneath their feet.
“How was class?” Jake asked, kicking absentmindedly at the dirt as they walked.
“Good. When are you planning on coming back?” She hoped he wouldn’t say, never.
“If I want to keep my GPA around a C, I’ll have to get back soon. That or I’ll be shit out of luck.”
Giant spruce and pine trees gave shade to the path, driving a shiver up Maya’s arms. But the smell was amazing, like walking into a furniture store right after they put new items on display. Sure, the beach was beautiful, but there was a magic about the woods Maya hadn’t appreciated until now.
“Things are pretty fucked up,” Jake said, hanging his head.
Maya nodded. “I know. It sucks ass what happened, but I know it’ll be okay.”
He crinkled his nose. “Sucks ass?”
Maya snorted. “Yeah. Sorry.”
“It’s...creative.” He laughed
She took another sip of her latte. It was good to see him laugh. They could both use a lot more of that. “Maybe it sucks fucknuggets?”
Jake’s smile widened. “Assclown.”
“Mmm. Numbnuts.”
“Ass-muncher.”
“Son-of-a-biscuit-eater.”
Jake burst out laughing. “Nice one.”
“Thank you,” she said proudly, and took another sip of her drink.
“Do you spend all of your spare time making up random curse words?”
Maya shrugged. “Not all of it. A girl’s gotta eat.”
Jake nodded. “Fair enough.” They followed the trail back into the sun, around the front of the campus, where several students were crowded around their art professor.
Mr. Stuart’s thin, lanky frame turned and he pushed his glasses up on his nose before walking toward them. “Maya.” He wove his hand in the air, as if he weren’t standing in plain sight. “Can I speak to you for a moment?”
Maya shifted her weight. “Um...sure. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, of course. I just wanted to talk to you about an opportunity I think you’ll be interested in.”
Maya gestured to Jake, who took a seat on the nearest picnic table as she and Mr. Stuart stood together. “What’s going on?” Maya asked.
“Well...” He blew warm air into his hands and rubbed them together. “I’ve been observing your work. You’re very talented. There’s an art show coming up in a few weeks. Now, most everyone has had the entire summer to prep for it, but with your skill, I would really like to see you submit something for judging.”
“Judging?” She drew in a short breath, both excited and nervous at the same time.
“Every piece will be judged by a panel of professionals. Some very big names will be there. Even a few collectors are coming from New York and Los Angeles.”
“They’re coming to Kodiak?” The fact anyone even knew the island existed was a shock.
“It’s held in a different location every year. Our mayor is very enthusiastic about art. She managed to bring the contest to the island.”
Maya’s palms began to sweat. “And you want me to paint something for this?”
“If one of the other artists didn’t withdraw from the show, I wouldn’t even have the spot to offer you. But honestly, you’re one of the best I’ve seen.”
“I...” She ran her fingers through her hair and twisted a strand. This could be her chance to get her work out of her bedroom and in front of some important names in the art community. A chance to help her dream come true. “Okay.” She smiled and nodded. “Thanks so much Mr. Stuart. I appreciate the opportunity.”
“Great. I’m glad you’re up to the challenge.” With a nod, he began to turn away, but then paused and turned back. “Oh. I forgot to mention—there’s a cash prize for the top three who place.”
“Really?” She took a step forward. “How much.”
“The grand prize is ten thousand dollars and a two-year contract to be apprenticed by one of the judges.”
Maya’s stomach fluttered. Ten thousand dollars could change her life. She glanced at Jake. Or his. “What are the other prizes?”
“Second is five thousand, and third is fifteen hundred.”
If she could come up with something really good, something to win any of the top three spots, it wouldn’t only mean recognition, but some cash, too. “When’s the deadline?”
“You have to turn in your piece on September twentieth, and the actual art show is at the end of the month. With the break coming up, you’ll have a little time to work on it.”
Maya nodded. “Okay. Put my name on the list.”
***
The next morning, Maya woke up to shouts from downstairs. She jumped out of bed and burst into the hall, then grabbed the railing as she listened to her mother scream from the living room.
Her father spoke back, in that same low, stern tone he used when he was angry, but was try
ing to keep his composure. Thank god for that.
Maya quietly descended the stairs and lingered by the entryway. Her father slipped on his navy blue blazer, his jaw tight and eyes narrow while her mother paced.
“You can’t keep doing this to me,” she pleaded. “You go off to work every day, doing who knows what—”
“You realize you’re being completely irrational.” Her father sat and slipped on his shoes. “I go to work to provide for our family. How else are we supposed to pay the bills?”
Her mother jabbed her index finger in the air. “You know damn well that’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Then what are you talking about?” He stood and stared her in the eyes. “Do you think I’m having an affair?”
Her mother’s lips softened and she clutched her stomach. “I…” She shifted, and then dropped her gaze.
“If you can’t say it to my face, how the hell could you tell our daughter that’s what you think is happening?” He stepped forward, his shoulders tense.
“Because…” Her mother’s voice trembled, fingers curled over her belly. “I don’t know what to think. And I have no one else to talk to…” Her father straightened his posture, his gaze softening. “And I’m lonely,” she continued. “And you’re never home. And…” She shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. “And I miss her so much, Tim. I miss her so much, most days I can’t breathe, and I don’t want to lose you too!” She broke down and sobbed into her hands.
Maya stepped back, her throat tight and tears stinging her eyes. She’d never seen her mother so open and vulnerable. It tore at her, and at the same time, it was good to know she hadn’t been completely alone.
Her dad wrapped his arms around her mother. She sobbed against his chest, her grip on his jacket tightening as her knees threatened to buckle.
“I know. I know,” her dad whispered into her mother’s ear. He stroked her hair and kissed her hands, the raw emotion tearing a silent sob from Maya’s chest.
***
Upstairs, Maya took out her phone and called Jake. She needed someone to lean on, and she didn’t want to interrupt what was happening between her parents.
The phone rang, and relief flooded her when Jake’s voice came from the other end of the phone. “Hey, beautiful.”
Maya smiled. “Hey.” She sniffled, still a little choked up. “I seriously need to get out of the house. Busy?” Wind blew into the speaker of the phone, tearing through his voice as he spoke. Maya listened more carefully. “Hello?”
“Yeah. I’m here. Sorry. You know I’d love to pick you up, but I’m down at the dock right now.”
Maya sat up straighter in bed. “Did you get on another boat?”
“No. Not yet. But I’m still looking.”
She slouched, twisting a tassel from the throw pillow lying beside her. She glanced at the blank canvas propped on her easel beside the wall. A blank canvas she should have started the art show project on by now. A blank canvas that was practically laughing at her as she pondered over it the entire night, sleepless and anxious over not seeing the beauty it was meant to be.
“Well, I could work on my painting until I see you.”
“The project for class? I thought you were almost done with that.”
“No—oh.” She sat up. “I didn’t tell you. Our professor wants me to enter in an art show. It’s sort of a big deal, and there will be a bunch of judges there. Big names.”
“If anyone can win it, you can.”
“Thanks, but I’m having a hard time.”
“How about a bonfire to take your mind off of it?”
She stopped twisting the tassel and sat up straighter. “Seriously?” It had been forever since she went to a bonfire.
“Yeah. There’s a party on White-Sand Beach tonight. Be my date?”
She bit her lip. “Of course.”
“Awesome. See you at, say, nine?”
Maya nodded. “Nine o’clock it is.” She hung up and melted back into her pillow, twelve different kinds of excitement bubbling in her stomach. Last time she was at the beach was with Beth—
Shit. Beth.
Maya picked her phone back up and dialed her number, waiting while it rang.
“Fucking finally,” Beth said playfully in a whining tone.
Maya pursed her lips. “I know, I’m sorry. But I called.”
“Yeah. Good thing, too, because I was beginning to think you forgot all about me.”
“Yeah, ‘cause that would happen.” She rolled her eyes.
“So, I assume you’re calling to tell me all about Mr. Twenty?”
“Jake.”
“Okay. Jake. What’s going on between you guys?”
“I mean…” She eased her back against the wall. “I don’t know, exactly. But…I really like him.” Beth didn’t reply. “Hello?”
“Holy shit. You’re serious. You’re really into him.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Well hot-damn. It took you moving all the way to Alaska to finally find a guy you’re totally gaga over.”
Maya huffed. “Gaga?”
“You know what I mean...if this guy makes you happy—and I can hear it in your voice that he does—just do yourself a favor and don’t let him slip through your fingers. You don’t have to keep punishing yourself. You deserve to be happy.”
***
Maya held up a pair of capris. “On second thought—” She tossed the pants onto the foot of her bed, not wanting to be an entrée for the mutant mosquitoes. It was nearly nightfall, and from her meager experience with the carnivorous insects on Kodiak, they were on the hunt after sundown. So instead, she layered a long-sleeve thermal a T-shirt, and slipped on her red skinny-jeans. With her hair in a messy bun, she smoothed on some lip-gloss, dusted on a bit of shimmery eye shadow, and added a layer of brown mascara.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Jake. I’m outside.
Maya tied a scarf around her neck and zipped up her sweater before grabbing her bag and slipping downstairs, out the front door.
The sky was hazed with the first signs of dusk, and the headlights from Jake’s El Camino shined on her as she walked toward him, puffs of cold air passing through her lips.
The passenger door pushed open. She slammed it behind her, her nose already tingling from the cold. “Thanks for picking me up. I really needed to get out of the house.”
“Anytime.” He reached over the bucket seat and took her hand, warming her fingers. “You look great.”
“I’m starting to think you’ll say that no matter what I’m wearing.”
But him on the other hand. He looked…wow. The blue stripes in his beanie accented the blue in his eyes so vividly; she would have sworn they were photoshopped if she hadn’t seen it for herself.
He leaned sideways and hooked his fingers under her chin. “That’s because you look great no matter what you’re wearing.” His lips brushed over hers, sending a surge of electricity through her muscles. When he pulled away, she leaned in, reconnecting their kiss.
Jake rested his hand on her cheek and cradled the back of her head. She savored the way his lips caressed hers, and how the tip of his tongue slid across the opening of her mouth.
She pulled back, biting her bottom lip as her eyes fluttered open.
He let out a chuckle and pulled onto the main road as she rested her back against the seat. “So, no luck down at the docks?”
“No. Not yet.”
“It’ll happen.”
“Yeah.” He rang the steering wheel. “Lets hope so.” He turned off the main street to a smaller, one-lane road, barely wide enough to accommodate all four wheels of his car at the same time.
The bumpy ride continued a few more minutes, until he pulled into a bare spot beside tall grass reeds, the sky streaked with pink and orange, reflecting on the sand and sea. “Wow. You weren’t kidding. Is this the only beach with white sand?”
“The only one on Kodiak.” They both stepped out o
f the car to see the warm glow of the bonfire flickering in the distance. He slammed the door shut and walked to the front of the car. “Ready?”
Maya nodded. She watched him over the hood, the chill crawling up her arms a reminder of how she felt. That she was ready. Ready for something more.
Chapter Twenty-four
Jake
The white grains of sand felt strange under each footstep as he walked along the shore beside Maya. He hadn’t spent much time at the beach, except occasionally when he went four-wheeling with friends. But the sand on those beaches, like most others on Kodiak, was made of tiny shards of black slate battered to millions of pieces by the ocean’s violent waves.
He could already hear the strumming of an acoustic guitar in the distance. The flame from the bonfire cast an orange and yellow glow over the silhouettes of the people gathered around it.
“This is so nice,” Maya said.
Jake slowed and took her hand. “Before we get over there, I wanted to give you something that I picked up the other day.”
Maya pulled back. “What do you mean? Like...a gift?”
He reached in his pocket and pulled out a tiny silver cardboard box with a shiny ribbon tied around it. “You know those shops you walked past before you came to see me at the docks?” He held it up. “I saw this in one of the stores and it made me think of you. I figured you might like it...hopefully.” He extended it to her. “It’s nothing big.”
And honestly more than he could afford.
Maya gently took the box from his hand. “Um...”
The smile he expected never came. “If you don’t want it—”
“No, no. That’s not it. I just...” She ran her fingers over the cheap cardboard corner. “I’ve never gotten real gift from a guy before. You really didn’t have to spend anything on me.”
His lips curled into a grin. “Are you going to open it?”
She pulled up the top off the box, unveiling a bracelet with a tiny charm. She picked it up and rested it in the palm of her hand, examining the silver angel with a clear stone in the center.
“I uh...I was hoping it wouldn’t upset you. I know you’ve been having a hard time with things, and,” he gestured to the charm, “Maybe wearing it will remind you of her in a happy way.”
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