Page 89 of Could Have Been Us
I’m really hoping this bartender friend is overexaggerating. Maybe he had a few drinks and just needed to sleep it off.
Her phone rings, and she reaches for it. “It’s Samuel,” she says. There’s hesitation as the ringer goes again.
“Answer it. I’m right here.”
Stella does, and they talk while I only hear the one side of the conversation. “I understand. Jack and I are coming down, and we can talk then.” After a second, she nods. “Okay.” He talks again. “That’s good, Samuel.” Her breath hitches, and her eyes dart to me. “We’ll figure it out. I . . . we’ll be there in a few hours. Just stay home and try to see if she can stay at her friend’s house until then.”
“What did he say?” I ask as she hangs up.
“He’s not doing well.”
I push up and rest my hand on her back. “We’ll do what we can, and I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Her head shakes a little. “No, Jack, I don’t think you understand.”
“Okay, tell me.”
Stella turns to face me. “I think we’re going to have to bring Kinsley home with us.”
And just like that, all my fears have come true. We will never be the same again.
Chapter 26
Stella
Jack has barely spoken for the entire ride. I think I can count on one hand the words exchanged. I understand his silence because there’s not much I really want to say either.
The GPS continues to direct us, and I thank God for that because I know I can’t focus on anything other than Samuel saying he might need me to take her.
Now we’re here, turning onto his road, and I feel like I might be sick.
Mickey’s car is parked in the driveway. I sent him a text when we left, and he said he’d wait until I got here.
We pull up, stopping in front of his house.
Jack looks out the window. “No going back now.”
I take his hand, not just because he might need it but because I do as well. “We’ll find a way through it, won’t we?”
His hazel eyes are filled with a mix of emotions. I try to piece them out, but mostly I see his worry. This is as hard for him as it is for me, but Jack has spent the last twelve years living as though this never happened.
At least I saw photos and got letters.
Jack’s fingers tighten a little. “We will.”
We get out of the car, and Mickey opens the door. “Sad to see you again.”
I smile. “Same. This is Jack.”
Jack shakes his hand. “Thanks for helping.”
“Are you his brother?”
“No, I’m Stella’s boyfriend.”
I step forward before this gets stupid. “What happened last night?”
They eye each other, and then Mickey nods. “Samuel is bad. He’s on a bender like I haven’t seen in a while. He needs help, real help. Before I called you, he got in touch with his brother, who said he can’t come or do anything. I guess Samuel borrowed money or something from him and he’s mad. I don’t know. The daughter called and said she’d be home later.”
