The Summer I stayed with him

Chapter 4

The thing about River Blake is that he's both ocean and cliff.

Sometimes soft, like seafoam brushing your ankles. Sometimes jagged-like you'll cut yourself just for trying to climb a little closer.

That duality had become the soundtrack of my first week here. The rhythm of his silence. The flickers of warmth that disappeared just when I reached for them. And those eyes. Ocean-colored. Sharp and distant, like he could see through people and not be moved.

But today, something was different.

It started with a text.

Unknown number: bring your swimsuit. party tonight. bonfire @ crescent point. river said you might want to come.

I blinked. Then looked at the sender info. No name.

I marched into the kitchen where River was eating a banana like it was a full course meal.

"Okay," I said, holding my phone out. "Did you tell someone to invite me to a party?"

He didn't even glance up. "Yeah."

"That's it? Just-'yeah'?"

"You've been holed up in your room all week. Figured you should meet people."

"Who?"

He shrugged. "Locals. Friends. Ex-friends. You'll see."

I narrowed my eyes. "So you do have friends."

He stood, tossed the banana peel into the compost bin, and gave me a look that was half-challenge, half-smirk. "Don't read too much into it."

⸻

By sunset, we were in his truck, headed toward Crescent Point. The beach was on the far side of town, surrounded by cliffs that sloped down into moonlit sand. The kind of place where memories lingered longer than they should.

The sky was fading into lavender and gold. The sea shimmered like it was trying to be noticed.

I wore my black bikini under a loose hoodie and denim shorts. River wore all black, as if he were attending a funeral instead of a bonfire.

"You hate parties," I said.

He nodded. "Yup."

"So why are you going?"

He tapped the steering wheel absently. "Because you are."

My chest did a small, traitorous flutter. I looked out the window before he could see it.

⸻

Crescent Point was already buzzing when we arrived. Music spilled from a Bluetooth speaker stuck in someone's backpack. Laughter echoed down the rocks. There were blankets laid out in circles, coolers filled with soda and beer, and a bonfire already blazing, casting gold light across everyone's faces.

A few heads turned when River and I stepped down from the rocks. I felt it instantly-that quiet hush, the way people looked at him like he was both legend and cautionary tale.

"River Blake showed up," someone muttered. "Did hell freeze?"

River ignored them. He headed straight toward a girl with curls like wildfire and a piercing smile.

"Skye," he said with a nod.

She grinned. "You brought someone. Holy sh-someone write this down."

He jerked his head toward me. "June. Houseguest. Temporary."

"Hi," I said, offering a small wave.

"Houseguest?" she echoed. "God, I hope that's not code for something creepy."