Chapter 31

• The hydro-bikes were bicycle frames mounted on bright yellow pontoons with regular handlebars and metal mesh baskets in front. The pedals drove an underwater propeller. Michelle climbed on carefully and settled into her seat while Nick followed. The entire contraption was surprisingly stable, and after a minute of pedaling, which took more effort than she expected, even Nick began looking relaxed. They needed a few minutes to figure out how to keep their pedaling speed and direction coordinated, but once they did that, they could glide over the water, enjoy the beautiful leafy willows lining the lagoon and the clean, sharp skyline of Quinley beyond.
• “I saw Sledge yesterday.” Nick threw that line out and lapsed into silence.
• Dread started churning in Michelle’s stomach, harder than the water churning from their pedaling. She didn’t know what she had to feel so guilty about, but Candace’s outrage and now the thought of Nick’s disapproval made her want to leap off the hydro-bike and swim away.