Page 88 of The Summer Off Grid

“Oh,” he says as his eyes widen. “I’m aware.”

We’re sisters. We’ll always be sisters. But I don’t think there will ever be a time where we’re friends.

And that stings.

“Maybe growing up like this just teaches us what we don’t want.”

Cash exhales heavily. “Wild didn’t grow up in a normal home either.”

“Yeah,” I say quietly.

“Sometimes, he seems like the most normal one of the three of us.”

I scoff. “I resent that comment.”

“I just mean,” he says with a short laugh, “that you and I weren’t supposed to have messed-up home lives. Our parents were married. But I guess it doesn’t matter, does it? Toxic is toxic regardless of whether there’s a marriage certificate.”

“It’s true.”

Except without Isla around, Jason and Jill are pretty solid in their marriage. Unlike Fanny and Archibald were.

Cash takes a sobering breath as a gentle breeze drifts through the pool area. Families aregetting out of the water—mostly kids who are yawning or saying they’re hungry.

“There’s something I need you to know,” Cash begins.

I twist to face him and frown. “What?”

He reaches for my hand. I hesitate before letting him hold it.

“I still love you, Ingrid,” he admits quietly.

Did I hear him right?

He still loves me? Guess Wilder was telling the truth.

But I don’t want Cash to be in love with me. I don’t want him to confess his feelings or try to fight for me.

I want Wilder. No one else.

“I also want you to know that I think Wild is the better choice,” he continues as his hand falls from mine. “You’re happier with him. You were never this happy with me.”

I don’t know what to say, so I stay quiet.

“I didn’t get the version of you he does.”

“What version is that?” I ask.

He hitches his shoulder. “You’re more comfortable with him. I can see it.”

“I don’t know what to say, Cash,” I admit.

“I don’t want you to say anything,” he returns. “I just needed to get that off my chest. I want to be friends. Not close like Wild and I are. But I think it might be good if we can peacefully co-exist.”

I eye him, wary. “I’ve tried that for the past year.”

“I know,” Cash says, his head dropping into his hands before he gazes back up at me. “I’m sorry. I never meant to make things hard. I’ve been dealing with a lot and taking it out on the people who have been there for me has been… shitty.”

The corner of my lips tips up. “Did you just cuss, Cash?”