Page 73 of Unearthed Dreams
What I didn’t know waswhyhe was spewing it.
With one final snarl, Chase stumbled his way out of the store.
I turned to look at Charlie as tears welled in her eyes.
I pulled her into my arms, letting her bury her face against my chest as her shoulders shook.
“Hey, pretty girl. Look at me.” I tilted her chin up, my thumb brushing away a stray tear. “Your brother’s not himself right now. That wasn’t him talking.”
She sniffled, those big blue eyes swimming with hurt. “I’ve never seen him like that before. Chase drinks, sure, but drugs?” Her voice cracked. “What’s happening to him?”
Fuck, I know that spiral all too well.The memory of Kelsey’s descent into addiction flashed through my mind—the mood swings, the erratic behavior, the vicious words designed to push everyone away. Chase showed all the same signs.
“Something’s clearly wrong. Has he been acting strange lately? Besides just now?”
“I don’t know. He hasn’t been around much.” Charlie’s fingers twisted in my shirt. “I thought he was just working.” She pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes. “What do we do?”
“I’ll talk to him,” I assured her.
I couldn’t help Kelsey, but maybe I could help Chase.
Chapter Twenty-Six
CHARLIE
I shiftedpositions on my beach blanket, trying to find an angle where I could actually see my Kindle under the merciless August sun. The novel I’d been attempting to read—one that normally would have had me completely engrossed—kept blurring beneath the glare.
“Oooh, what are you reading?” Tessa’s voice carried over the sound of waves lapping at the shore. She lounged on a ridiculously expensive-looking beach chair, massive sun hat shading her face, looking like she’d stepped out of a magazine spread. “Is it steamy? Give me the dirty details.”
“It’s just—” I started, but Natalie was already reaching into the cooler, cutting off what would have been a fumbling explanation.
“Let her read her smut in peace,” Natalie said with a knowing smirk. “But first, drink with us. It’s summer.”
She pulled out three cans of EdenTree’s summer berry cider, and I accepted one gratefully, condensation immediately beading against my palm. The truth was, I’d been staring at thesame page for twenty minutes, my mind refusing to focus on anything except Chase’s wild eyes in the bookstore two days ago.
“It’s not smut,” I protested weakly, but my cheeks flamed as I remembered some of the more... descriptive scenes I’d flagged to reread later. Scenes that reminded me of certain mornings in Kai’s apartment...
“Your face says otherwise.” Tessa stretched out on her chair like a cat in the sun. “Come on, share with the class. Some of us are stuck with husbands who think harvest prep is more important than beach days.”
My phone buzzed beneath my Kindle, and I casually adjusted my position to check it.
KAI
Missed you in my bed this morning, pretty girl.
Since we’d planned to head out for brunch before our beach day, I made sure I was in my room at Mom and Dad’s, as expected, when the girls met to pick me up.
“Look at that blush!” Tessa crowed. “The book must be good.”
I quickly locked my screen, pulse racing. Had Chase told them everything? Was this whole beach day just an intervention in disguise? Every laugh, every knowing look between them suddenly felt loaded with possible double meanings. I found myself analyzing their expressions, searching for any sign they knew about Kai.
“It’s just... warm out here,” I managed, shifting my weight on the blanket. The exposed feeling of sitting on the beach made me want to crawl out of my skin. There was nowhere tohide, nowhere to escape if they suddenly confronted me about sneaking around with the town’s bartender.
“Where’s Elena today?” Natalie asked, sliding her designer sunglasses onto her head. “I thought she was joining us.”
The playful atmosphere shifted subtly. Tessa’s smile dimmed as she fiddled with the rim of her hat. “She’s just dealing with some stuff.”
The casual way she said it felt rehearsed, like she’d been using that explanation a lot lately. I caught Natalie shooting Tessa a questioning look, but Tessa just took another sip of her cider, avoiding eye contact.
