Erik stepped back, gesturing toward the group. He didn’t relax his hand at the back of his waistband.
Archer approached and looked us over one at a time. “Hey.”
“You probably don’t remember me,” Dorian said.
“Or me,” I added.
“You definitely don’t know me,” Sam said, getting to her feet. She carried the bottle with her as she walked over to him and stuck out her hand. “Samantha Dodds.”
He shook her hand and smiled at her. A smile Archer had given every girl in school but me.
“Dori—”
“Yeah, I remember you,” Archer said, shifting his eyes to me. “Should I remember you?”
I wanted to stop the smile, but I couldn’t. “Oh, probably not. I was a freshman when you were a senior.”
A smile grew on Archer’s face. “Seems you remember me.”
“Everyone knew who you were,” I said, nervously wiping my palms on the back of my pants. I cleared my throat. “I’m Mel Carter.”
“I wish that rang a bell,” Archer said, holding my gaze for a few seconds before turning to Erik. He thrust out his hand toward him. “Archer Ellis. Are you from around here too?”
Erik reluctantly shook his hand. “Not exactly. Erik Price.”
“This is your place?” he asked with a laugh. He pointed to Dorian. “I know it’s not yours.”
“Yes,” Erik replied quickly. “So, what are you doing snooping around my yard?”
“Oh, hey, that’s not what this is,” Archer said, holding up his hands. “I was seriously just passing through, hoping to make it up to Washington Island.”
Dorian mumbled something as he turned back to the grill. Archer narrowed his eyes at him for a moment, but brought his attention back to Erik.
“You’re so tall,” Sam said, lightly touching his bicep.
Archer looked at the bottle and her glass. His lips curled at the ends with interest.
“Thanks,” Archer said, staring into her eyes.
Sam giggled as she poured more wine into her half-full glass. Erik slowly exhaled.
“What’s at Washington Island?” Erik asked.
“Nothing as far as I know,” Archer said, turning his attention back to Erik. “I’m just trying to get away from all the crazy.”
“What have you seen?” I asked.
Archer shrugged. “People fighting over food, fighting over where to go, who to listen to. Stealing, vandalism, killing.” He ran his finger through his short, wavy hair. “I think you are the first people I ran into that aren’t fighting about something.”
“How do you plan to survive on the island?” I asked, pointing at his oversized backpack.
“Camping, hunting, fishing, foraging,” Archer said, with a half-shrug. “It’s like it’s kill or be killed, and instead of either of those options, I’m going to choose to hide. If that makes me a coward, then so be it. I’ll be an alive coward instead of a dead fool.”
Sam sighed as she leaned toward him. “Maybe you should stay with us. We don’t want to be around the crazy either.”
“Except you’re going to walk right into it,” Erik said.
“I don’t know what that means, but I’d love to stay the night. I’ve been only walking for a day, and my legs are killing me,” Archer said. “It would be nice to catch up with some old classmates and rest my legs. I won’t be any trouble.”
“Yeah, you should totally stay,” Sam said, bumping into him. “It’s okay, right, Erik?”
The muscles in his neck jutted out. “I suppose it’s fine.”
“Awesome,” Archer said, setting down his backpack. “How do I get hooked up with some of that wine?”
“I’ll get you a glass,” Sam said, stumbling as she walked backward toward the house. “Don’t disappear now.”
Archer laughed as the door to the house closed. “She’s well on her way, huh?”
“Indeed,” I said, glancing toward the house over my shoulder.
“You know,” Archer said, eyeing me. “You do look familiar. What’s your last name again?”
“Carter,” I replied.
He repeated the name several times. “You’re not Ezra Carter’s little sister, are you?”
“That would be me,” I said.
“Oh, hilarious. You sure have grown,” Archer said, looking me over.
Erik walked over to Dorian. They both had their backs to us while they busied themselves with the grill.
“Thanks, I think,” I said, hoping he didn’t see the heat that was undoubtedly coloring my cheeks. “How did you know my brother?”
“He’d buy us cigarettes and beer.” Archer laughed. “The bastard would buy the cheapest and keep the change. The joke was on him though, we didn’t care.”
“That sounds like Ezra.”
Archer ran his fingers slowly through his hair, glancing over at Sam as she sauntered toward us. “What’s old Ezra up to these days?”
“He moved to Florida years ago. Works in advertising, I think, or maybe he’s retired now. We don’t really keep in touch,” I said.
“You don’t seem too broken up about that,” Archer said.
I looked away, twisting my fingers into my hair. “He has his own life and family now.”
“Hey, I get it,” Archer said, taking my hand in his. He slowly lowered it away from my face. “My sister and I haven’t talked in years.”
“I’m back!” Sam sang loudly as she handed Archer a glass. “Wait until you see Erik’s basement.”
It sounded like Erik groaned, but if anyone else had noticed, they ignored it.
“It’s a complete bar, and Erik makes the absolute best cocktails, right Mel?” Sam said, jabbing me with her elbow.
“Ow! Yes, yes, he does.”
“If you think Erik’s cocktails are great, just wait until you taste these veggie patties,” Dorian called over his shoulder.
I smiled.
“Veggie patties, huh?” Archer asked.
“That’s right. It’s amazing what they can do with that grill,” I said, pressing my lips together.
“Anything would be better than the protein bars in my backpack,” Archer said. “I think that’s all I’ve eaten in the last four days. And a few
