Sparked Read Free

to see things that way. But all he ever saw were Clayton’s failures.
    “I guess I just thought you were turning over a new leaf,” Will said.
    Clayton stewed. Never mind that he’d spent his last three years at college working his ass off to catch up. Never mind that he’d gotten all A’s since sophomore year and been on the dean’s list by graduation. Never mind that he’d paid his father back for every penny of his tuition. All they could see was that one year. A single year of excess—too many parties and too many women and so much freedom he’d almost drowned in it. Sure, his dad had come to his rescue once he’d figured out what Clayton was up to. But it had come at a price: his trust, the whole family’s trust. Every single decision he’d made had been under scrutiny ever since.
    “Look, I know things have been better for you lately,” Will said. “All I’m saying is, don’t throw it away now.”
    “I’m not throwing it away. It’s just a boat.” 
    “Not to Dad. To Dad it’s a sign that you’re being irresponsible. You’re so close to your trust fund kicking in. Two months until your birthday, right? So why push him to change his mind?”
    Maybe Will was right. At the time, buying the boat had felt like a promise to himself that he’d gotten through it—that he had control over his destiny again, was making a fresh start. But maybe he was just doomed to keep making terrible decisions forever.
    “Just promise me you’ll take it easy around him for a while, okay? Be more careful?”
    “Fine,” Clayton said. 
    He was sick of talking about it. He wanted to ride. The motor thrummed under him, like a bull waiting to be unleashed. They were practically the only ones on the lake right now, the long line of it stretching and twisting between the mountains with countless inlets and coves just begging to be explored. Everyone else was already at the Firelight Festival.
    “You ready?” Clayton asked. 
    “Do your worst.”
    Without warning, Clayton gunned it—taking special pleasure in how hard Will had to grip the dashboard just to stay standing. 
     The Bella Vita cut through the pristine waters like they were clouds, and adrenaline pumped through Clayton’s veins. He tasted the mist of water floating on the wind and thought he’d never been happier in his life. Even Will seemed to be enjoying himself; a smile was plastered on his face that looked as big as Clayton’s felt.
    The brothers howled together as they raced through the waters, their jovial voices echoing off the mountains above.
    “Faster!” Will demanded, clearly convinced. Clayton was happy to oblige.
    He whipped the boat around a cluster of rocks on the north side of the lake, cutting it closer than he should, but the boat could handle it. It was the same model the Prince of Monaco owned. The mahogany Tritone runabout was perhaps a little more than was necessary for the lake, but Clayton wasn’t sorry. This rush was like nothing else. 
    “Damn she’s fast,” Will said, his usually strong voice barely audible above the chop of the waves.
    Clayton slowed as they neared the swimming beach. “The model I tried in Italy last summer was fast too, but nothing like this. I take it you’re convinced?”
    “Another round?” Will asked with a grin.
    Clayton revved the engine and turned the boat. He took a detour, heading in the opposite direction. The festival was in full swing on the beach, and that meant the possibility of running straight into Lover’s Bridge. It was a festival tradition. Half the boats in town—nearly forty, mostly canoes—were set into a line by married couples, tied together bow to stern in a path that led to the nameless island in the middle of Lake Perseverance. It was supposed to be a test for the unwed. Those who made it were said to be destined for love while those who didn’t were doomed. It was an obstruction Clayton didn’t particularly appreciate at the moment. He wanted as much speed as