Every Little Dream (Second Chances) (15 page)

Sirens sound in the distance. Maybe they’re coming for me. I need time. Just a few seconds could mean my life. Without thinking anything through, I stick my foot between the guard’s legs in front of me. With a grunt, he falls forward into Kingston. Like a domino effect, they crash to the dewy grass. I receive a smack in the head from the guard behind me.
 

The sirens sound closer, just miles away.
 

Kingston gets right in my face, his eyes narrowed and a vein pulsing at his temple. “What’re you thinking, bitch? You don’t want to get on my bad side with stunts like that.” He barks orders at his guards, pointing toward the house. “Quick. Get the boxes. I’ll take care of the girl.”

He jerks me toward the back of the van. With a click, the door swings open, revealing an empty back with tarps lining the floor.

“You could just leave me here.” I try to hide the rising panic. “I don’t know where you’re going or where you’ll be. I couldn’t tell the cops any information that will hurt you or help them find you.”

“Shut up.” He pushes me toward the back with a hard shove. “If you value your life, you’ll just stay quiet and mind your own business.”
 

He flips around and urges on his guards who carry the first round of the drug stash. The sirens grow closer. Right outside the van.
 

“That’s it. The rest will have to wait.”
 

The door slams shut, the dark engulfing me. Their muffled voices argue outside. I strain to hear any bit of evidence but it’s impossible to make out anything clearly. I lean my head against the wall of the van, my hope lying in the sirens that sound like they just whipped into the driveway.
 

I try to keep my breaths steady, but I can’t pretend that my life hangs in the balance. I hear yelling and the
ping
of shots. A thud against the outside of the van creates a slight rocking motion. Then it’s silent and I fear the worst—that Kingston and his men took out the cops.

Seconds later, the back door flies open.
 

Officers peer inside. One steps into the van, hunched over. He looks into my eyes, and his soften before they turn to steel. “Holy shit.” He shouts, “Cuff ’em.”
 

The morning sun peeks through the window, highlighting the light layer of dust that formed overnight, and gleaming off the metal of my bed. I close my eyes and try to grasp onto some of that warmth. It needs to soak through my skin and warm my insides. I still get chills thinking about last night.
 

I didn’t want to stay in the hospital. I wanted to go home, but they made me undergo an examination. I’d like to say it was mostly out of concern for me, but I think they wanted as much evidence as possible to nail this guy. The doctor will be in soon and if he signs off I’m out of here.

A voice clears at the door. I perk up. Maybe? It’s an older guy. Probably another cop to take my statement, but as I study his clothes I realize that’s not possible. This guy’s wearing a suit, the tie loosened around his neck. He’s older, silver peppering his hair. Quietly, my hand reaches over to the call button.

His eyes flick to my motion. He holds up his hands. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’ll stay at the door.”
 

“Why are you here?”

“I had a couple questions, if you don’t mind hearing me out.” Dark circles rim his eyes and a misery lays over his features and transfers over into the way he holds himself. Like at some point he was some big to-do that recently got knocked down.

“I wanted to apologize on behalf of my son…and me.”
 

I stiffen. Is this the maniac’s father? I never curse but the words fly out of my mouth. “What the hell? Go talk to your son who will probably be in jail a long, long time. I hope he rots there.” My voice shakes. My face heats and I have to rest it against the pillow.

“I never thought Chad would get into this kind of trouble.”
 

Chad? Oh, my God. My body sags into the bed. “I didn’t realize you meant Chad.”

“Who else?” His face pales. “Sorry about that. I should have made that clear from the start.

Now I’m curious. Chad’s father? One look at him and I understand why Chad rebels. There’s a confident reserve in his eyes. This guy must not take crap from anyone. I have a feeling he’s used to getting what he wants, except maybe when it comes to his son.

“I wanted to check in on you. I feel partly responsible. Chad was working for me, tailing that creep. And that got you involved. I’m sorry.”

My theory was right. But why is he apologizing for Chad? “I’m sorry, but I think you have it wrong.” All my feelings for Chad rush through at once, ones I’d been ignoring since Kingston nabbed me. Someone needs to stick up for him. Whether it’s my place or not doesn’t matter right now. “Chad’s been nothing but a gentleman. Yet he does everything to prove himself to you. You were the one to get him involved in this. Your own son.” His eyes shift. “That’s right. You should feel guilty. If he’s made wrong choices it’s in response to you. You should be apologizing to him. Not me.”

He doesn’t say anything but the words must affect him as if he’s seeing the truth for the first time. His role in everything. I recognize the flicker of remorse on his face.
 

I continue. “I don’t know if Chad wants to be a lawyer or not, but you need to let him go.”
 

He sighs and messes his hair. Then he speaks, his voice a bit lower. “Why didn’t you take the money?”
 

Money? This one’s easy. “I don’t want your money. I never wanted it. But that guy walked away so fast I didn’t know what to do with it. I don’t know the kind of world you live in, but in mine people and loyalty can’t be bought.” I turn away, the blush rising in my cheeks. “I liked Chad without your money. I didn’t need to be paid to spend time with him.”
 

He’s silent. Probably pondering my thoughts that must be foreign to someone like him. In his world, money is everything and everyone has a price.
 

“Then you’re a very lucky girl.” As promised he doesn’t enter any further into the room. He turns slightly as if to leave. “Just so you know the largest drug trafficking ring in the area has been broken up. Arrests are happening as we speak. It’s bigger than we thought. From what I hear, you were quite brave.”
 

“Thank you.”
 

“Do you need anything? Money to get back onto your feet?”

“I’m okay. I came out east to find excitement.” Memories of home flood through me: the Sunday afternoon barbecues, the monthly brunches with the ladies from church, hiking with friends, coffee with my dad in the morning—everything that at one point I thought was so boring. “But really I had all the excitement I needed back home on my dad’s ranch. With my family and close friends. I just thought it wasn’t enough.” Tears burn in my eyes and I don’t fight them. “I took them all for granted.”

That’s when I decide. I’m going home. As soon as I leave here I’m packing and driving home. Back to my home. My dad. My friends. The life I was meant for. I might’ve left a Daddy’s girl, but I’m returning a woman.
 

“I’m sure your father is very proud. Good luck. And, again, thank you.” Then he leaves, leaving behind the sting of his regret.
 

In the quiet, I close my eyes, draw in the smell of flowers on the table and feel the sun as it rises higher in the sky. The doctor enters. I smile, ready to go.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay the summer?” Justine asks.
 

I stuff more clothes into my suitcase. “It’s time I leave.” I grab her hands, then pull her into a hug. “But it doesn’t mean I won’t miss you or working here.”
 

Her voice breaks. “I’ll miss you too. But I understand.”
 

I snap the suitcase closed. “You’re welcome to visit anytime. Maybe when you’re done here and not sure what to do, you can crash with me. Find a different kind of excitement. It can be life changing. I promise.”

She pulls me into a hug. “I know. I’ve seen it in you.” She puts her hands on my shoulders. “Will you be okay? I mean this all just happened yesterday. You could wait…”

“No.” I can’t say anymore. I need to go, get away from all this. “That reminds me.” I pull a note out of my pocket. “If Chad stops by looking for me, then give him this.” Justine waits for an explanation. “None of this was his fault. It just happened. But he’s more than welcome to come find me. I won’t be holding my breath because that would mean commitment, and that’s the last thing he’s looking for.”
 

Justine takes the letter and then walks me out to my car. After one last hug, I drive away, wiping my eyes. I pass through the town, cherishing and hating every moment.
 

I roll down the window and let my arm flop outside. The wind rushes through and dries the tears. My hair flies free. The highway comes way too fast and I realize there’s no turning back. Our relationship is up to Chad. His choice. My leaving gives him a chance to walk away if that’s what he wants.
 

Only time will tell.
 

Chad

Dad bails me out. We go through the process, the lectures, and finally leave. My insides are a wreck. I’ve been waiting to find out what matters the most to me, but every time I ask or try to interrupt, my dad gives me the look. With him it’s all about timing. If he’s going to be generous with information or favors then he has to have spoken his mind first.

We step outside and the sun blinds me. The breeze drifts across my skin, washing away the stink and the darkness from a night in a cell. I take a deep breath, feeling, wanting something that is just out of my grasp. “What happened to Katie? Does anyone know?”
 

He frowns. “Lucky to be alive. And, we found the drugs.”
 

My stomach sinks and dread crawls through me. This means I was right about Kingston. And I was right about my dad using me as bait.

“As you guessed, Kingston was into something. It’s more than any of us realized. With your help, the cops are making arrests right now, breaking up the biggest drug trafficking ring in the area.”

“But is she okay?”

He nods. “I talked with her this morning. They were releasing her from the hospital. She seemed fine.” He waits, his lips pursed. Then he speaks. “Sounded like she was heading home.” He walks me over to his car. “I’ll give you a lift.”
 

“To Jimmy’s beach house,” I add. I’ll have to shower and head over to the Inn. She’ll probably never forgive me but I have to at least try. I wouldn’t blame her if she slammed the door in my face and never talked to me again.

Dad nods. The drive over is silent. So much to say but where to start? Dad made it clear last night what he thought of me. He keeps glancing over at me. His disdainful look morphs into something different. I can’t quite figure it out.

“I was wrong, Chadwick…Chad.”
 

Huh? I tense, waiting for the bomb to drop. This must be some kind of ploy.

“I’ve been wrong about a lot.” His shoulders slump as if this admission is taking years off his life. “I shouldn’t have tried to use your internship for my gain.” He clears his throat. “I officially stepped away from the case. I told Kingston’s father I couldn’t take it on. Not this time. He wanted me to investigate and then possibly defend his son.”

He was working for the Senator? I’m surprised but not completely shocked. I should’ve seen it earlier. We pull into Jimmy’s short gravel driveway.

“Well, it’s been real.” I put my hand on the door.

“Wait, Chad.” Dad takes a deep breath. His voice breaks. “I’m sorry for pushing you away when you didn’t want what I wanted. Your mother would have my head if she was still around.”
 

All I can do is stare out the window at the beach house I’ve been crashing at for awhile. The rickety porch, the flower boxes and the flag waving from the top of the house. It all seems so meaningless. For the first time in forever I have no snappy comeback or sarcastic remark.

“You should be free to live your life the way you want to. Of course, if you want, I’ll pay for law school. A job with my office is always open. Though I have a feeling you’d manage just fine on your own.”

I hesitate, waiting for the bargaining chip he’ll throw at me.

“I’m not cutting off your trust. It’s there for you if you want it. You’re free to use it for whatever you’d like. I won’t judge. Hopefully, you’ll use it wisely.” His voice chokes as if this is hard for him to say. “You need to make your own way in life. I’m sorry I didn’t see it earlier.”

The emotion climbs up my throat making it hard to talk. I’ve waited to hear those words forever, but I have a more important matter that weighs on my heart. One person. One name appears in my mind. Katie.
 

If it’s not too late.

“Thanks, Dad.” I realize that’s the first time I’ve called him that and really meant it. I climb out of the car.

He rolls down the passenger window. “I talked with this girl, Katie. You’d be a fool to let her get away.”

With a wave, he pulls out. The wheels spin and dust rises into the air. I’d be a fool. Sudden joy and anticipation rushes through my chest. I sprint inside. Jimmy and Andrea are going at it on the couch, a tangle of arms and legs and lingerie.
 

“Sorry, guys. I’ll be gone soon. Promise.” I grab the keys to my bike and rush outside.
 

The drive over to the Inn takes forever. A pile-up from the start of summer traffic near the boardwalk leaves me cursing and gunning my engine. Finally, I park in the back and run inside. A gut instinct tells me I’m too late. She’ll never forgive me. How could she?

I sprint through the back kitchen and into the restaurant. I’m breathing hard and feel crazy. “Katie!” I shout. I twirl around in the restaurant, searching the faces, looking for her blonde hair and perky smile. People stare at me, their eyebrows raised, but curious too. Some glare at me like I’m nuts, but I don’t care.