Just as my brother predicted, the work done by the Meyer construction crew is subpar. Who even knows how many thousand gallons of rainwater are dislodging the soil in Nicole’s yard? Jesus, she’s lucky her whole house didn’t slide into the river.

I hand her back her phone and grab her hand, sprinting toward her house. My clothes are soaked and heavy, and I’m fucking elated.

Nicole’s fingers shake as she tries to type the code on the keypad ...