The boat sliced farther and farther through the water, the island slowly shrinking to a dark speck on the horizon before finally dissolving into the vast emptiness of the sea. The damp, salty wind swept across Jayden's face and clothes, but instead of feeling harsh, it felt strangely soothing. He let it wash over him, hoping it might carry away the bitter ache that had lodged itself somewhere in his chest.
He'd barely stepped off the boat at the dock when his phone started ringing—Riley. "Jayden," she said, her voice tight with worry, "what took you so long to pick up? Where have you been?"
Her voice, her concern, the sound of someone actually waiting for him—it all felt like a rope pulling him back to solid ground, and the sting of Mabel's rejection seemed to loosen its grip on him almo
