Page 20 of Chasing Sunrise

Amanda led him to an older model Honda. He opened her door, then went around to the passenger side as she started the engine.

“Take a right out of the parking lot,” he instructed.

As she drove, he thought about the night. It could’ve been miserable, especially because Harper showed up. But he’d actually had fun spending time with Amanda. He felt comfortable around her and had enjoyed the night despite the turmoil in his life.

~

Kasey entered throughthe back door and collapsed onto his back on the couch. The room spun clockwise until he sat up. When it stopped, he took a deep breath. The lamp on the side table was on, like every time he’d come home late while growing up. It cast just enough light to see the kitchen/den.

When his reality show became a success, he’d tried to convince his folks to let him buy them another home, but they insisted they loved this one, and it was the only home they wanted. They accepted his help for renovations, though, which the house desperately needed after they’d raised five boys.

They’d gutted the kitchen, along with most of the house. They’d changed the black appliances for white ones, the dark stained cabinets to light, and white countertops to gray. A dinette with four chairs was by the back door. Lots of pictures of their family, art, and prints about Jane Austen and her books hung on the walls. A wooden wall unit held the television and his mother’s crystal vases, most inherited from her mother. The cream couch and chair were bought last year, along with a coffee table and end tables that resembled decorative, traveling trunks.

He reached for the remote on the coffee table and noticed the bookTo Each Her Ownright beside it. A voracious reader, his mother always kept a book out. He’d bet money book club would discuss this book tomorrow night.

Amanda would attend.

He couldn’t get her out of his head.

Which didn’t make sense. He’d sworn off women. The breakup with Harper made one thing perfectly clear. No matter how confident he was in a relationship, he never really knew where he stood. He’d thought his proposal would be accepted, and they’d live happily ever after.

One question still nagged him. Would Harper have said yes if not for Ethan?

It didn’t matter.

Before Harper, he’d never dated anyone longer than a few months. He usually broke it off when he felt the girl was getting too serious about him.

That’s what made his relationship with Harper unique. He’d been so invested he proposed. He’d actually thought about forever with someone.

The overhead lights came on.

“Hey,” Ethan said.

Kasey rolled his shoulders. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Ethan opened the icebox and pulled out a longneck beer. “Turns out disloyalty leads to insomnia.”

Leave it to his brother to defuse the situation nonchalantly. Ethan had a talent for self-deprecating comments.

“Want one?”

Kasey shook his head, then regretted it when the room swirled again. “We shouldn’t talk right now, I’m drunk.”

“Understandable. Harper said you and she talked.”

“We have to get along. We still work together.”

“She wasn’t sure you’d honor your contract.” Ethan twisted the cap off his beer as he plopped into the recliner. “I told her you would. You’re an honorable guy.”

Kasey sighed. “You done complimenting me?”

“I need to apologize.”

“Okay.” He crossed his arms and finally looked his brother in the eyes. He could see anxiety and guilt on full display in his brother’s expression.

“I’m sorry, Kasey.”

“For what, exactly?”

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