“What are the two of you still doing out here? Gigi asked, fanning herself. “It’s so blessed hot.” She gestured towards Ben’s empty plate. “I figured you’d head to the beach as soon as you gobbled down that pie.”

  Ben grinned up at her. “It was delicious. No one makes a better pie than you, Gigi. Thanks again.”

  Mia thought she saw the start of a flush fill her grandmother’s cheeks when she waved a hand through the air. “You’re welcome, Benjamin. Now get your little hind-ends outside and enjoy what’s left of your summer!”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Ben obediently replied, tugging on the sleeve of Mia’s t-shirt. “We’re headed to the beach now.” His long legs carried him out of the lodge in no time.

  Mia bent to kiss her grandmother’s smooth cheek and caught the scent of spices she’d been using. “See ya later, Gigi.”

  “Better keep your ear on the radio, sweetheart,” Gigi warned. “I sense there’s a big storm coming later on tonight. The wind has changed, and I have this funny feeling. You know how bad it can get on this lake—calm one minute, and windy as a hurricane the next. Judging by the way my arthritis has been actin’ up, I’d say this one’s going to be a humdinger.”

  “I know,” Mia called back, even though she didn’t. “We’ll be careful.”

  What Mia also didn’t know is that it’d be the last Lake Shetek storm she’d experience with her sister and their friends.

  CHAPTER TWO

  On a bench at the end of the resort’s docks, Bella sat beside Matt. They huddled closely, arms wrapped around each other in an intimate embrace. At the sound of Ben and Mia’s sandals slapping on the wooden dock slats, Bella’s back stiffened and she quickly moved away from him to wipe her face.

  Mia noticed her sister’s eyes were red, and tears stained her cheeks. Jealousy roared through her like a freight train. Why had Bella been crying, and why did it seem they’d been caught during a private moment? It wasn’t fair. Bella was a natural beauty with silky blonde curls that hung down to her elbows, cat-shaped sapphire eyes, a lean face featuring sharp cheekbones, full lips that looked as soft as pillows. Her tan limbs were long and lean from years of dance and cross country, and her bra cup size was three times bigger than Mia’s.

  Bella could’ve had any guy she wanted. Why did she have to go after Mia’s crush?

  “What are you doing?” Mia demanded, addressing Matt directly. His gaze darted away, laden with guilt. “Why are you guys sitting here alone?”

  Bella continued to dab a bent knuckle beneath her eyes, and gave her sister a graceful smile. “I’m just sad about leaving. Nothing’s going to be the same without all of us together.”

  The three oldest friends were leaving for college the following week. Liz and Bella would only be an hour and a half away at one of the state colleges, and would have a chance to visit often. Matt was going to California, and wouldn’t be back until Christmas break.

  In the next heartbeat, Liz was behind them, draping her long arms over Mia and Ben’s backs. The third girl in their friend group was the same average height as Mia, though more gangly than a 13-year-old boy. Her light brown hair threaded with honey-blond streaks was styled in a sassy bob that framed her round face in a flattering way that suited her bubbly personality.

  “What’s going on, peeps?” she sang. Eyeing Bella and Matt, her sweetheart lips popped into a mischievous grin. “Ooooo. Are we interrupting a special moment? Are you two finally getting it on?”

  Although Mia normally adored Liz, she was annoyed by the blunt interruption. She shook Liz’s arm off from her shoulder. “Not everything’s a joke, Liz.”

  Liz’s bright green eyes narrowed on her when she clicked her tongue. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the lake this morning.”

  Matt stood, clearing his throat and stuffing his hands into his cut-off shorts. “I told Tom and Nicole I’d take them out for a ride on my dad’s boat.” Matt’s dad, a well respected doctor at the local hospital, had recently purchased the most luxurious jet boat ever to grace Lake Shetek. As his dad was strict, he’d only let Matt take it out two other times. “You guys should all come along. We’ll pack a cooler and spend the rest of the day cruising around the lake. We haven’t done that in forever, and summer is almost over.”

  “He’s right,” Bella agreed, regarding her sister with mischief dancing through her sapphire eyes. “We have to take advantage of what time we have left together. I’m gonna miss you guys like crazy.”

  Mia didn’t mention the impending storm. She selfishly wanted to spend time with Matt before he left, even though she couldn’t stand his best friend, Tom, or Tom’s snotty girlfriend Nicole, and wished there was some reason for Bella to stay behind.

  They spent the next half hour gathering everything for their cruise. As they piled into Dr. Martin’s luxurious boat and trolled toward the beach, Mia decided it almost felt like the old days when they were young, and as thick as thieves. Back when they’d get lost in water games for hours on end, or drag each other around behind one of the resort’s boats until they’d swallowed half the lake. Back before dating and puberty were a consideration. When it didn’t matter that Ben and Mia were two years younger than the others.

  Sandy Beach was empty as Matt landed the boat onto the sand. On the weekends, it was normally packed with other boaters drinking and playing games in the water, sometimes parked two rows deep. But it was a weekday, and the sun was hidden behind a wall of ominous clouds. Most of the locals were over boating season by that time of year unless it was a warm day. As they prepared to climb out of the boat, Mia caught the flicker of lightning off to the east. She couldn’t shake the sense that there truly was a brutal storm coming like Gigi had warned.

  “Looks like we’re in for some serious rain,” Tom said to Matt, eyeing the sky. “Hope none of these stupid girls are afraid of melting.”

  “You know I’m not,” Nicole purred, winding her spindly arms around him from behind. Mia’s critical gaze swept over Nicole’s skimpy red bikini, excessive blue eyeshadow, gold hoop earrings, and shoulder-length hair ironed straight. Although blonde and blue-eyed like Bella, Nicole’s features were sharp and narrow, and her bleached hair was too brittle to be considered pretty. And while Tom shared some of the same features that made Matt handsome, he was far too conceited to be considered attractive. Whenever they pawed each other around Mia, she wanted to hurl.

  While cracking a can of beer open, Matt glanced up at the sky and shrugged. “I’m sure it’ll blow over.”

  The girls spread their towels out on the sand while the guys threw a football around in the water. Bella and Nicole sipped on their beers, whispering and giggling. Mia was grateful she didn’t have to talk to Nicole, but she sensed her sister was purposely giving her the cold shoulder. Maybe Bella knew of her crush on Matt, or maybe Matt told her about the conversation the night before outside of Mia’s bedroom.

  “Did you kiss Matt?” Mia demanded.

  Nudging her leopard-spotted sunglasses up the bridge of her elegant nose, Bella stretched back on her elbows. “Why would you think that’s any of your business?” As great as she looked in a modest white bikini, she could’ve been modeling for a magazine photoshoot. “Besides, what would it matter? We’re leaving for school in a few days.”

  Suddenly feeling inadequate in her favorite bikini, Mia crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s exactly why you shouldn’t be leading him on.”

  “Leading him on?” Bella repeated. With a bright laugh, she drew her glasses back down enough to eye her little sister. “What if I actually liked him back?”

  Annoyed by how much she envied her sister, Mia sneered. “Then you’d let him leave for California without making him start up a long-distance relationship.”

  Bella quirked a perfectly arched eyebrow and giggled. “Since when do you care about Matt?”

  “Sounds to me like someone has a crush,” Nicole interjected with a cackling laugh.

  Mortification slipped over Mia like a second skin. The school’s two most popular seniors were sharing a laugh over her insecurities. She caught Ben watching their conversation from several yards out in the water, eyes hard.

  “By someone do you mean yourself?” Liz asked from Mia’s other side, projecting her voice so the guys could hear. “Because I saw you let Matt cop a feel of you earlier when you were getting into the boat.”

  Mia swung her head around to face Liz, silently gasping. Her friend gave her a wide-eyed look to indicate she wasn’t lying.

  Nicole snorted, pale blue eyes narrowed. “As if.”

  At the same time, water stirred with loud ferocity as Tom came charging toward them. Eyes wild on Liz, face as red as a tomato, veins in his neck strained, he appeared ready to throw punches. “What the hell did you say?”

  Mia grabbed Liz’s arm, wondering if they should run.

  Wide-eyed, Nicole popped up to her bare feet and positioned herself between them. “Don’t listen to her, babe.” She turned to face Tom, sliding her hand across his wet, broad chest. “She’s just jealous. I caught her giving you a once-over a little bit ago.”

  “As if!” Liz chortled, waving a hand in their direction. “I’d jump in front of a car before I’d give your douche boyfriend the time of day.”

  “Hey, you guys,” Matt called behind him. Mia’s gaze snapped over to where he stood with the football perched in his hand, head craned back to study the rumbling clouds. Eagerly devouring the lovely ripple of muscle lining his bare abs and his deeply tanned chest, she let out a silent sigh. He was beautiful…perfect even. Her entire body tingled and her stomach did a little dance. She’d give anything to trade places with her sister, and have the opportunity to touch him. “I think we better head back. My dad will kill me if anything happens to his boat.”

  “Pretty sure it’s not smart to be on the water when it’s storming,” Liz hollered back while wrapping her arms around her knees and glancing up at the sky. “We better wait it out a little.”

  “Who cares about his dad’s stupid boat,” Nicole muttered, coiling herself around Tom. “Dr. Martin is richer than God. He can afford a new one.”

  “Stay here if you want,” Tom told Liz. “The boat’s worth more than you losers anyway.” He ran through the water to help Matt and Ben dislodge the boat from the sand, pushing it away from the shore.

  “What a dick,” Liz snarled. She abruptly stood and brushed the sand from her legs before extending a hand to help Mia up. “Let’s go before they leave us here.”

  Mia scooped up her things and headed toward the boat with Liz. Warm, fat raindrops began to tumble from the sky. The other two girls scrambled to grab their towels and beers, running after them with wild peals of laughter. Ben helped Liz and Mia climb the boat’s ladder in back while Tom hoisted the other two onto the bow. By the time Matt started the motor and sped out of the bay, the rain pelted their skin like tiny needles. Harsh goosebumps spread across Mia’s skin as she battled with guilt for not warning them earlier.

  Lightning raced through the sky in blinding flashes, each strike punctuated with the urgent rumble of thunder. The storm was right on top of them. Terrified that one of the frequent lightning strikes would hit them, Mia was unable to control the tremor in her legs. Her fingers dug into her thighs. She should’ve told them what Gigi had said. She should’ve insisted they stay back.

  Ben huddled beside her, embracing her trembling body with a strong arm. “It’ll be okay. Matt’s a good driver.”

  The dark water churned and massive waves crashed over the boat’s bow. Mia didn’t know how Matt could possibly see anything beyond the river of water sliding down the windshield. She realized he actually couldn’t when he let out a string of curses and jerked the wheel. “Hold on with everything you’ve got!” he yelled. “We’re gonna hit the rocks!”

  The boat roared. For a horrifying moment, the engine skipped over a high wave, and they became air-born. The boat landed with a jarring thud, slamming its frightened passengers down onto the carpeted floor. Bella’s skull slammed into Mia’s pelvis.

  The violent sounds of the storm faded against her ears.

  Ben raced through the dense gathering of oak trees, soaked to the bone. His pulse thudded against his eardrums every time his flip-flops slipped over the muddy earth. He only had a vague idea of where the boat had crashed, and wasn’t sure which way to go. The rain blurred out everything beyond the trees, and it felt as if he’d been wandering for hours. He was certain Pelican’s Pass was nearby, which meant he was near the steep drop-off overlooking the lake, and close to Matt’s house. He had to find help.

  After the boat had collided with the rocks, he woke to vehemently cough water from his lungs. To his horror, he was certain his lifeless friends strewn around the boat were all dead. He’d first attended to Mia, terrified the girl he loved would never give him another blissfully bright smile, never look at him with a twinkle in her beautifully soft eyes, never laugh at one of his stupid jokes ever again. But he’d found a steady pulse against her neck, and she’d slightly groaned when he tried to gently shake her awake. He’d then checked on the others next, deciding they’d also been knocked unconscious.

  Wind howled through the trees around him, throwing branches and debris at his face. He tripped over a thick tree root, and sprawled down onto the muddy ground.

  Off somewhere in the distance, he thought he heard a scream. He made a sharp turn in the other direction and climbed the slippery slope, fisting the grass to stop himself from sliding back down to the lake below.

  In a clearing of trees, Mia stood ahead of him, eyes lifeless and shiny as glass. His gut clenched painfully hard. Even through the unrelenting downpour, he could tell there was something seriously wrong.

  “Mia!” he cried, racing toward her. “Mia! Are you okay?”

  In a trance, she held her hands out at her sides.

  They were soaked in blood.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Mia couldn't remember what’d happened immediately after the boat had crashed, but she would never forget the disjointed chaos that followed. The look of terror in Ben’s eyes when he found her covered in blood. The bright flash of cruiser lights from sheriff’s cars flickering over Pelican’s Pass. The sound of agony in her mom’s voice as she shouted Bella’s name. The strong smell of fresh rain, thick in her lungs. The sick feeling that took residence in her belly and would linger for days on end. Although she couldn’t place her finger on when the feeling began, she sensed something was horribly amiss.

  Her parents drove her to the hospital, following the cars of her friends’ parents. Matt had broken an arm, and Nicole had cracked several ribs. Other than a few cuts and bruises, Tom, Liz, and Ben came out relatively unscathed. They’d all suffered mild concussions, and were released under their parents’ supervision.

  It was quickly determined the blood on Mia’s hands wasn’t hers. Sarah collapsed inside Alex’s arms when the test results showed it matched Bella’s blood type. Aside from a bruised pelvis, Mia was otherwise unharmed. Concerned by the situation and her partial amnesia, however, the emergency doctor called the hospital psychiatrist to pay Mia a visit before she was finally sent home.

  She’d never seen her parents so distraught. When they came to tuck her in that night, her dad regarded her with a haunted look and squeezed her hand too tightly. Her mom didn’t seem to have the strength to look her in the eye when she wished her a good night, as if Bella’s disappearance was somehow Mia’s fault. And maybe it was, because she hadn’t told her friends about the storm.

  The morning after the accident, Mia’s dad woke her as the light of dawn cast a twinkling light over the faded floorboards in her bedroom.

  She shot up to sit. “Is Bella home?”

  Her father answered with a grave shake of his head. The way darkness rimmed his eyes, she wondered if he’d been up all night. “Matt’s father is downstairs. He volunteered to come up and see how you’re feeling.”

  Wanting nothing to do with Matt’s dad, she crossed her arms and shook her head. “Tell him I’m fine.”

  Behind him, Dr. Martin breached the doorway to her bedroom wearing khaki pants and a green button-down, stethoscope slung around his neck. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Like his son, Richard was muscular and lifted weights on a regular basis in the home gym he’d installed Matt’s freshman year. Although his generous brows and neatly trimmed hair were the same dark shade of walnut as his son’s, and he possessed an easygoing smile that made women like her mom blush, Mia knew from Matt’s stories that he tended to overreact to certain situations. Fearing he’d be angry with all of them for crashing his prized boat, she was certain she’d vomit from the wild surge of nerves invading her belly.

  “How are you feeling today, Mia?” he asked, coming closer. His voice was deep, his tone cool.

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, she shrugged. “The same, I guess.”

  He removed the stethoscope and set the earpieces in place, bending over her with the silver disc in one hand. The sharp scent of mint mouthwash blended with hard alcohol wafted from his breath even though she was sure it wasn’t any later than nine. “May I?”

  She glanced down at her Nirvana t-shirt and reluctantly nodded her consent. She didn’t like that her crush’s dad wanted to touch her when she wasn’t wearing a bra.

  “I’ll give you two a moment,” her dad said before slinking out from her room.