2. Sienna
Chapter 2
Sienna
I didn’t come to Breaker’s Isle to party.
I came for two things: Pull my dream job and find the man who doesn’t know I exist.
But leave it to Julian to lure me off track with the promise of “ the best night ever,” to get my mind off the fact that it’s been nearly a week and I have yet to get a call from Benji Morales, or anyone, at SKC for that matter.
I’ve already put in applications at the local diner and a few small businesses in town as back up.
But I’m embarrassed that I’ve jumped more times than I care to admit when an unknown number has called. And I’m genuinely broken every time my phone rings, and it's not the cool voice of one Levi Steele telling me Congratulations. I got the gig.
"That's no fair, since when does rock beat paper?" I shove my cousin's shoulder playfully as I slide into the passenger seat of his spotless sedan.
He sips the last of his Dr. Pepper before answering, "Ever since you decided to ride shotgun instead of offering to drive. So rude."
"It's your car," I remind him, clicking my seatbelt into place.
"Nope, nope. I see how it is. I let you crash at my place and this is how you repay me?"
“I’m repaying you by actually paying you, you idiot.”
He chuckles. “Oh yeah.”
We pull out of the movie theater parking lot and head in the direction of the party that he just got a text about five minutes ago.
"Are you sure about this, J? We're not even dressed for the occasion."
My protest is weak, but persistent. After spending the week settling in, job hunting, and getting rejected at every turn, I'm wrecked.
There aren’t many people jumping to hire a high school dropout. Even if I did spend the last year of my life grieving while working to get my GED. That’s not something I can just say on a resume.
The last thing I want to do is make small talk with strangers when I'm running on fumes and helmet hair.
"That was the whole point of a Halloween movie night. No costumes. No mingling. Or did you conveniently forget?"
Julian’s eyes flick to me before refocusing on the road. "You're in riding gear. That’s basically a costume."
I glance down at my outfit—worn boots, fitted jacket, dark riding jeans that cling to me like a second skin.
The only reason I’m wearing this is because I took my bike out earlier to get my mind wrapped around the fact that tomorrow I’ll be doing what feels like the hardest thing yet, since losing mom.
But Julian had rushed me out the second I got back, insisting we were late for the double feature.
"Where is this party, anyway?" I say, through a yawn.
"That, my dearest Sienna, is the best part."
He wiggles his brows, and I fight the urge to shove him again. Roughhousing has been our love language since... well, since diapers.
My mom always said that when Julian was born—just nine months after me—I claimed dominance by grabbing his hair and refusing to let go.
He cried. I laughed. From that day forward, I was dubbed the mean cousin. He must’ve liked it, though, because we’ve been inseparable ever since.
"I already regret letting you drive tonight," I mutter.
"You won’t for long," he assures me with a smirk.
The car bumps along a pitted road, signaling we’ve reached the island pass, the only stretch of asphalt connecting the mainland to Breaker's Isle off the Georgia coast.
Once we hit the bridge, it's like we’re entering another world.
One rich with history and lore.
"I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this view." I sigh.
Ocean surrounds us, the water glassy and dark, lit only by sparse street lamps spaced like breadcrumbs leading us to God only knows where. The sun vanished hours ago.
"It's something, isn’t it? I was so happy when I got the acceptance letter from EGU. Always wanted to live near the water."
"Near? J, this is practically on the water."
"Exactly. That's what makes it amazing. We’re really doing this, aren’t we?" he says, eyes a little dreamy.
I reach over and take his hand, giving it a firm squeeze. It’s one of the rare moments of tenderness I offer.
“We’re really doing this,” I confirm.
"She’d be so proud of you." Julian gives me a tight smile.
The last few years haven’t been easy. Ever since mom got her diagnosis, back when I was in middle school, things just got progressively harder for us, year after year.
A woman who was once larger than life, that had conquered so much, had to put aside her ego and let those that loved her carry her.
And because of me, those that loved her, was a rather small list of people.
Since she had me when she herself was still a teenager, her parents disowned her. Along with the rest of our family that were heavily involved in a church that taught that a girl’s value was tied to her virginity.
The only sibling of hers to stay in touch and help us out over the years, was Julian’s mom, Lucy.
Aunt Lu and my mom, Amalie, were more than sisters. They were each other's lifelines. Which made Julian mine, by default and also, by choice.
Mom would’ve loved knowing we’re now roommates, starting our lives together.
I still can’t believe she’s gone.
After a few minutes of silence, Julian veers off the main road onto a dirt one that kicks up enough gravel to make my teeth rattle and pull me out of my funk.
"So this party..."
"Yes?" he says, already smirking, fully aware of what's coming.
"Are these frat boys we’re talking about or—"
Julian bursts out laughing.
"What’s so funny? It’s a serious question."
"You’re always so uptight when it comes to socializing. It’s actually amusing."
"Am not."
He gives me a look that says Please.
"Just admit it. You’d rather be home tinkering on your bike until you’re too tired to function."
He’s not wrong.
"And you’re telling me not everybody wants to do that?"
"No, Si. Some people like to actually participate in life."
"Yeah, well, you keep reminding me." So did Mom.
"If you ask me..." We hit a bump that launches us off our seats for a split second. "You should make this your Yes Year," Julian declares.
"My what?"
"Your Yes Year . Say yes to all the stuff you usually avoid. Parties, kissing hot strangers, breaking a few rules… you should do it. Just say yes."
If anyone has rejected the teachings of the family we came from, it’s probably Julian.
"That sounds like a first-class ticket straight to consequences," I mutter, turning to the window. “No thanks.”
"All I’m saying is live a little, cuz. For once in your life, you don't have to be the responsible daughter who has to take care of everyone around her."
"That’s not fair…”
“I–” he hesitates. “I didn’t mean it like that. You know that, Si.”
I give him a quick glance before getting lost in the darkening woods that are whooshing by.
“If you won’t do it for yourself… would you at least do it for her?”
“Mom?”
“Yes. Aunt Amalie would’ve fully supported you in this endeavor. You know she would.”
Of course she would. She was Amalie freakin’ Riley. Mom was always down for anything. It’s what made her amazing… and slightly terrifying.
He slows as we enter a road crammed with cars and motorcycles lined up like we’re at a car meet. Music blasts from somewhere nearby, lights pulsing in time with the beat as we get closer.
A group of drunk pirates stumble in front of our slow moving car, laughing. One of them still has the tag on his tricorn hat.
"Now, are you ready to lose your actual mind?" Julian beams. "The only acceptable answer is yes, by the way."
He’s practically vibrating with excitement.
In the daylight, I would’ve instantly recognized where we are. I was just here not that long ago.
But at night, I have no idea, until I glance up at the sign just above the black metal building and do a double take.
"You’ve got to be kidding me."