Page 30 of Unearthed Dreams
I set the glass down with more force than necessary, the thunk echoing off the weathered bar top. “Book.”
The overhead lights caught the skepticism in Andy’s expression as he leaned in, elbows resting on the worn wood. “A book? Seemed a little... intense over here. Never seen you ignore paying customers before.”
“It’s a good book.” I grabbed the ice scoop, nearly overflowing a glass as Charlie’s breathless whimpers echoed in my memory.
Andy’s reflection wavered in the mirror behind the bar, his features hardening as he watched me. We’d known each other long enough; he’d seen me through the worst days after Kelsey died. Which is exactly why his next words hit home.
“I like you, so I’m gonna say this one time only. Don’t go there. You will regret it when her brothers find out.”
I gritted my teeth. He wasn’t telling me anything I didn’talready know. The ice crackled violently as I gripped the scoop harder, knuckles bone-white. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Andy’s knowing snort cut through my bullshit. “Right, man.”
“Right.” The word tasted like ash in my mouth as I imagined Charlie at home right now, following my detailed instructions. The glass in my hand overflowed, ice water spilling across the bar as I lost focus again.
Fuck. I am so screwed.
Chapter Eleven
CHARLIE
The screen doorcreaked behind me as I stepped into the kitchen, hit by a blast of blessed air conditioning and the smell of Mom’s lasagna lingering, still in the air hours after dinner. My skin was tingling from... everything that had happened at the bar, and all I wanted was to sprint upstairs and process Kai’s words alone in my room. But of course, because the universe hated me, half my family was seated around the kitchen table.
“Where’ve you been?”
Jasper’s voice cut through the rhythmic sound of cards being shuffled. Mom, Dad, and Natalie looked up from their euchre game.
“Oh, um, I was at the bar.” I tried to sound casual, like my heart wasn’t still racing from the way Kai had looked at me while describing exactly how I should...nope. Not thinking about that with my family right here.
“The bar?” Dad’s eyebrows shot up so high they nearlydisappeared into his slightly receding hairline. The cards in his hands stilled. “With who?”
Heat crept up my neck. “Myself. I stopped for a drink after work.” The shock on their faces made something snap inside me. Here I was, twenty-two years old, being interrogated like a teenager who’d missed curfew. I threw my arms wide, my voice rising. “Is that alright with everyone? Am I allowed to have a life?”
Mom set down her cards, concern etched across her face. The timer on the oven beeped, but she ignored it.What the heck is she cooking so late?“Of course you are, sweetheart,” she said in that soothing voice that somehow made everything worse. “Callaghan’s just doesn’t seem like your scene.”
I shifted my weight, my backpack suddenly feeling ten times heavier against my shoulder. “Well, I don’t exactly know whatmy sceneis, so I guess I’m testing out my options.”
“Barely a week since graduation and you’re already hanging out at bars,” Dad muttered.
“Hey, Callaghan’s has a little something for everyone.” Natalie’s lips curved into a knowing smirk as she rearranged her cards. “Plus some decent eye candy.”
When she noticed my brother’s scowl, she rolled her eyes and laughed, but I was too busy trying not to choke on air. If they only knew what that “eye candy” had just suggested I do tonight...
“I’m going to bed.”
Mom’s gaze softened with that look she always got when she thought one of us wasn’t taking care of ourselves properly. She set down her cards, the jack of hearts face-up.
“I saved you some lasagna. It’s in the fridge.”
I adjusted my backpack strap, desperate to escape before anyone noticed the flush creeping up my neck.
“Thanks. I’m not hungry. Maybe for breakfast.”
Jasper’s nose wrinkled. “For breakfast? Gross.”
I smiled, remembering all the mornings I’d snuck downstairs before everyone else, eating cold lasagna straight from the Tupperware.
“Have you never had your mom’s leftover lasagna for breakfast?” Natalie asked, her wedding ring catching the overhead light as she rearranged her cards. “It’s the best.”
